How to Fix Stuck Pixel Lines on a Laptop Screen (Dead Pixels)

Your laptop screen is made up of thousands of small dots of color, called pixels. Each pixel is comprised of three subpixels to produce the image on your screen.

These subpixels– red, blue and green– cycle electronically to display the right color necessary for the image. Any of these subpixels can get stuck “on” and display a single, solid-colored pixel. Stuck pixels can happen due to making problems in the LCD, or from damage to the screen.

What Are Stuck Pixel Lines on a Laptop Screen?

In many cases, what looks like a line of stuck pixels could really be an external thread or hair stayed with the laptop screen. Use a can of compressed air to blow any loose debris from your screen. Tend to stubborn spots with a soft, lint-free cloth to ensure your screen is tidy. Wet the cloth somewhat to wipe dried spots clean, if needed. When you’ve verified that the odd line is not a wayward hair or speck of dust, you can fix even more.

Is It a Stuck or Dead Pixel?

So what if you spot an odd pixel? Is what you’re seeing just a stuck pixel or is it, in reality, a dead pixel?

A stuck pixel will appear in any of the colors that its three sub-pixels can form, i.e. red, green, or blue. In a dead pixel, all sub-pixels are permanently off, which will make the pixel appear black.

The cause could be a broken transistor. In unusual cases, however, even a black pixel may simply be stuck.

So if you’re seeing a colored or white pixel, you might be able to repair it. And if you see a black pixel, opportunities are low, but there is still hope.

Let’s rely on the techniques to repair a stuck pixel.

Best Tools to Fix Stuck Pixels on a Laptop

How to Repair Dead or Stuck Pixels

Unfortunately, you can’t fix a dead pixel. You can, nevertheless, repair a stuck pixel. And as I discussed above, it’s hard to tell the 2 apart. Either way, these are the techniques you can attempt:

• First, recognize dead or stuck pixels by viewing your screen in various color schemes.
• To fix a stuck or dead-looking pixel, use a third-party tool to flash the pixel with multiple colors. We recommend UDPixel (Windows) or LCD (online).
• Lastly, you can try a manual technique that involves rubbing the stuck pixel with a wet cloth or a pointy, but soft item, like the rubber/eraser at the end of a pencil.

Let’s take a look at these techniques and tools below:

1. UDPixel
   UDPixel, likewise referred to as UndeadPixel, is a Windows tool. It can assist you identify and fix pixels using a single tool. The program needs the Microsoft.NET Framework.
2. LCD
   LCD is an online tool that lets you discover and ultimately fix stuck pixels. It packs many options into a single tiny window, once you have an introduction it’s easy to use.
3. Dead Pixel Buddy
   The online tool Dead Pixel Buddy can help you run a fast dead pixel test, but it can’t fix an affected pixel. Dead Pixel Buddy uses 12 colorful tiles to test for dead or stuck pixels.
4. Online Monitor Test
   This is a very comprehensive test not just meant to determine bad pixels however likewise powerful adequate to test the quality of your screen.
5. JScreenFix
   JScreenFix will not assist you discover a stuck pixel, however it can assist you repair it.

Check Your Display Settings to Remove Stuck (Dead) Pixels

Seeing your laptop while utilizing the incorrect settings can cause various unusual lines and on-screen behavior, so inspect your screen settings. Open the Control Panel, click “Hardware and Sound” and examine under the Display option. Here you can reset the display’s screen settings to see if you can eliminate the line. Inspect your laptop’s manual to validate the appropriate display and resolution settings for optimum viewing.

Fixing Stuck Pixels on Laptop

You can try to knock the stuck pixels out of the “on” position by running a pixel-repair program. These are normally discovered for free online (see Resources). These programs normally cycle your whole screen, or just the issue area, through different colors to require the stuck pixels back into typical operation. This can sometimes take hours, so run the utility when you do not have much else to do on your laptop.

Another choice is to try and push the pixels to unstick them. Use a blunt-tipped object, such as a PDA stylus, wrapped in a soft cloth and apply gentle pressure for about 10 seconds to the stuck pixels. Remember where the bothersome pixels are on your screen and turn the screen off first. Turn your screen back on and look at them. Repeat if needed.

Check Your Warranty

If your laptop is brand-new, check your manufacturer’s warranty for information about the return or replacement policy. A whole line of stuck pixels, specifically on a new laptop, normally points to a production defect. Lots of laptop brands use a repair work or replacement policy for screens with a minimum of 5 dead or stuck pixels. When in doubt, contact your maker and ask.