Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 5: Identify the problem
• Method 2 of 5: The printing method
• Method 3 of 5: Heat method
• Method 4 of 5: Software method
• Method 5 of 5: Hardware method
• Tips
• Warnings

Small irregularities on your computer screen can drive you crazy! If your LCD has a point on the screen that is "frozen" (it is always light or always dark), you may be able to fix this yourself.

To step

Method 1 of 5: Identify the problem

1. Determine if the pixel is stuck or dead. A stuck pixel is usually still colored. A dead pixel is completely white (on TN screens) or black. Try to determine if the pixel is just stuck or dead.
2. Return the screen to the manufacturer if necessary. If the pixel is dead, the best thing to do is to avail for the screen warranty and return the screen to the manufacturer.
   • If the warranty on the screen has expired, you can try the following methods. However, keep in mind that these are mainly for fixing stuck pixels.

Method 2 of 5: The printing method

1. Turn on your computer and the LCD screen.
2. Display a completely black image so that you can most clearly see if there is a stuck pixel. It is very important that you use a black image and not an empty signal as you will need the screen backlighting to illuminate the back of the panel.
3. Find a narrow and blunt object. A marker with the cap still on, a very blunt pencil, a plastic stylus, or the end of a makeup brush are all suitable options.
   • Before continuing, it is wise to read the warnings at the end of this article. Pushing the screen with an object can only make matters worse.
4. Use the rounded part of the object to gently tap on the stuck pixel. Don't tap too hard, just enough to see a white glow below the contact point. If you don't see a white glow, you haven't tapped hard enough, so use a little more pressure this time.
5. Tap a little harder. Gradually press harder while tapping for 5-10 taps until the pixel resets itself.
6. Instead, apply pressure. If the tapping didn't work, continue with a damp (but not wet) washcloth or a paper towel. Fold the fabric so you don't tear it, and hold it over the stuck pixel, applying gentle but steady pressure with the same object as when tapping.
   • Try to apply pressure only to the single defective pixel and not to the surrounding area.
7. See if it has worked. Open a white screen (such as a blank text document, or by opening a blank page with about: blank in your browser and opening full screen with F11) to make sure you haven't accidentally caused more damage than restored. If you have successfully repaired the defective pixel, your entire screen should be white again.

Method 3 of 5: Heat method

1. Turn on the computer and the LCD screen.
2. Dampen a washcloth with water as hot as possible. If necessary, heat some water until bubbles just appear on the bottom. Place the washcloth in a colander and pour the hot water over it.
3. Put on gloves or oven mitts. You are not supposed to burn your fingers in the following steps.
4. Place the hot washcloth in a plastic sandwich bag. Make sure the pouch is completely closed.
5. Hold the plastic bag with the hot washcloth in it against the stuck pixel. Hold the plastic bag against the screen, but make sure that no moisture can escape; otherwise, the hot water can damage your computer. Try to apply heat only to the stuck pixel as best you can.
6. "Massage" the pixel in small circles. Move the bag around the pixel as if you were massaging. The heat will allow the liquid crystals to flow more easily in the areas that were previously unfilled.

Method 4 of 5: Software method

1. Use pixel recovery software (see Resources). Stuck pixels can often be reactivated by turning them on and off very quickly. There are screensavers that you can download and do this.

Method 5 of 5: Hardware method

1. Try a hardware solution such as PixelTuneup (see Resources). These devices produce special video signals that activate frozen pixels while improving image quality, color and contrast. It also works with televisions including LCD, LED, plasma and CRT.
2. Turn off your monitor.
3. Plug in PixelTuneup and turn it on, then turn the monitor back on.
4. Wait 20 minutes.
5. Turn off and unplug PixelTuneup.
6. Defective pixels and other IR will be gone, and colors and contrast will be improved.

Tips

• If these instructions don't work, try getting your display replaced by the manufacturer. If the display is still under warranty and can be replaced, contact the manufacturer to return and replace the display.

Warnings

• Some people argue that touching the screen can cause more pixels to get stuck, but this has never been proven.
• LCD screens are made up of multiple layers. Each layer is separated from the other by very thin glass. These interspaces and the layers themselves are particularly vulnerable. Rubbing an LCD screen with a finger or even a cloth can cause the layers to break, causing even more problems. Most specialist technicians are therefore trained not to use the rub or tap methods - use at your own risk.
• Do not open the display. This will void the warranty and the manufacturer will not replace the display.
• Most LCD brands guarantee screen replacement when a number of defective pixels occur. This warranty does not usually cover damage caused by rubbing the screen, so be particularly careful with this and contact the supplier first to determine if you are eligible for repair or replacement.
• Be wary of websites where you can download screensavers. Many of them contain viruses that are much worse than a faulty pixel.
• Do not get electronic devices wet or they will break.