Click below to go fullscreen and cycle pure black, white, red, green and blue. A pixel that stays dark on white is dead; one stuck on a single color is a stuck subpixel — and those are sometimes revivable.
A dead pixel is dark on every color — its transistor gets no power; hardware, effectively unfixable. A stuck pixel shows one constant color (red, green or blue) because one subpixel is latched on: these sometimes recover with rapid color cycling over 10–20 minutes or gentle massage through a soft cloth. A hot pixel is white on black — common on camera sensors, rarer on monitors. Check on all five colors: a "dead" pixel that appears only on one background is actually stuck.
Manufacturers ship pixel-defect policies (ISO 9241-307): most allow a few defective subpixels per million before warranty replacement, and premium "zero bright dot" panels cover any bright defect. If you find one within the return window, document it on a solid background — returns are easier than warranty claims.
Truly dead (always black) — effectively no. Stuck on one color — worth trying rapid color-cycling videos for 10–20 minutes or very gentle pressure with a soft cloth while the test runs; both re-latch a stuck subpixel often enough to try before a return.
Depends on the maker's ISO 9241-307 class. Many allow 2–4 defective subpixels per million pixels before replacing; premium panels often guarantee zero bright dots. Check your brand's pixel policy and act inside the return window.
Dust sits on top and moves or wipes away; a dead pixel is perfectly sharp, exactly one pixel square, and never moves. Wipe the screen and re-run on white and black before judging.