How to Fix a Stuck Pixel on a Monitor, Laptop or Phone

Updated October 8, 2026 · 5 min read · By Varinder

A coloured dot that won't go away is annoying, but it is often fixable. This guide shows how to tell a stuck pixel from a dead one, the methods that sometimes work, and the "fixes" that can make things worse.

Stuck or dead?

Every pixel has three sub-pixels: red, green and blue. They light up in different amounts to make every colour.

• Stuck pixel: one or more sub-pixels are jammed on. You see a red, green, blue or white dot that stays the same whatever the picture. The pixel still has power, so it can often be revived.
• Dead pixel: the pixel is permanently off. You see a black dot on every colour, most obvious on white. It has usually lost power and rarely comes back.

Run the dead pixel test to check. A dot that only appears on some colours, or that glows on black, is stuck. A dot that is black on white is dead.

Method 1: wait

Some stuck pixels clear on their own within hours or days of normal use, especially on a new screen. If it appeared recently, use the screen as usual for a few days before doing anything else.

Method 2: flash colours over it

This is the method with the best track record. Rapidly changing colours drive the sub-pixel on and off, which can free one that is jammed.

1. Open the stuck pixel fixer.
2. Drag the flashing box over the pixel, or tick Flash the whole screen if you can't find it exactly.
3. Run it for 10 to 20 minutes while you look away, then check.
4. If it improves but doesn't clear, repeat a few times. If nothing changes after about an hour in total, it is unlikely to work.

The tool flashes quickly. Don't watch it if you are sensitive to flashing lights.

Method 3: warranty or return

If the screen is new, this is often the best route. Shops usually accept returns within a fixed period, and manufacturers have pixel policies that say how many faulty pixels count as a defect. Some premium products are covered for a single bright pixel; others allow several. Check the policy for your model before you buy, if you can.

What not to do

• Pressing or rubbing the pixel. It is widely suggested, and it can sometimes free a stuck pixel, but pressure can also create new dead pixels or damage the panel, and may void the warranty.
• Tapping with a pen or heating the screen. Same risks, with no reliable benefit.
• Downloading unknown "pixel repair" programs. Browser-based tools do the same job without installing anything.

Does it work on phones and TVs?

Yes, the same method applies. On a phone, open the fixer in the browser and turn auto-lock off while it runs. For a TV, open it in the TV's browser or on a laptop connected to it. OLED screens can also show image retention, a faint ghost of an old picture. That is not a stuck pixel; it usually fades on its own or with the TV's built-in panel refresh feature.