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A little about dead pixels!

Often in LCD, LED and even OLED TVs there are defects such as Dead pixel. It usually looks like a dot in an arbitrary area of ​​the screen, of any color.
There are 4 types of “dead pixels”:

*Dead pixels- these are pixels that do not light up (always turned off). On a white background it looks like a black dot.

*Hot pixels- on the contrary, they are always on and on a black background they look like a white dot.

*Stuck pixels may light up red, blue, green or yellow. This happens because some of the subpixels are always on or always off.

*Group of defective pixels- these are several defective pixels in a 5x5 pixel square.

(click on image for larger view)

Many stores offer TV screen testing for a fee. Of course, this procedure will provide you with a more comfortable viewing experience. But not many people prefer to overpay for something that is easy to produce on their own.

Checking using a USB flash drive

Using these images, you can check your TV for manufacturing defects such as:

• defective pixels;
• matrix glare;
• illumination unevenness;

Copy these images to USB drive and connect it to USB port your TV.

Using the built-in media player, scroll through all the pictures - the matrix defect will be much easier to notice!

If there is a dead pixel, you will definitely see it in the form of a black, white or colored dot in any area of ​​the screen.

Checking using a Laptop

You can also use special program for testing the TV or monitor screen

To do this, you need to connect the TV to your computer or laptop using HDMI cable and run the program.

This program allows you to evaluate not only the presence or absence of dead pixels on the display, but also the uniformity of the matrix backlight, geometric distortions and matrix response time.

You can download a program to check your TV screen for dead pixels using the link: DOWNLOAD

Check with a Professional

You can Call a wizard to set up your TV, as well as checking your TV or monitor screen for dead pixels!

Having ordered a TV online and gone to the store to receive the goods, the consumer often forgets to check the TV for dead pixels, as a result of which he runs the risk of being disappointed in the item he just purchased when he gets home.

Since the absence of defects in the liquid crystal matrix is ​​guaranteed only by manufacturers of premium display models, the average user has to be careful and check the screen themselves before purchasing.

Pixels are the units of the LCD screen matrix, thanks to which any image is created. The main property of a pixel is its ability to change color: electricity, the amount of which is regulated by a transistor hidden in the TV, causes microelements of liquid crystals to change their location.

Thanks to the rearrangement of red, green and blue subpixels and the intensity of the backlight, one or another color is formed at a certain point on the monitor - if a TV device has 4K resolution and displays content at a speed of 30 FPS, more than 250 million such “castlings” can occur per second.

Dead pixels on a TV are the smallest elements of the display that do not change color under any conditions.

Although this defect is practically invisible to the human eye during dynamic cinematic scenes, the user may experience discomfort when viewing static images: “broken” dots stand out clearly against the general background and make it difficult to concentrate on the TV picture displayed.

Allowable number of dead pixels

Each TV manufacturer declares the acceptable level of dead pixels in the matrix - products, during a pre-sale inspection of which a number of defects exceeding the established limit were identified, should be considered defective.

Top companies such as Samsung and LG allow no more than two completely dark pixels and no more than 5 incorrectly functioning subpixels per million pixels: for example, the already mentioned 4K resolution consists of 8 million matrix units (3840x2160) and therefore can include up to 16 defective pixels and up to 40 “stuck” subpixels.

Since pixels that work properly during factory tests can fail already during the operation of the TV, the manufacturer is obliged to guarantee the full functionality of the matrix for a period regulated by international or domestic requirements.

If there are “extra” dead pixels on the TV display, the user has the right to free repair or replacement of the device.

Interestingly, the generally accepted ISO 13406-2 standard limits a company's liability to one year, while LG's Zero Bright Dot program limits it to three.

Reasons for appearance

The reason for the appearance of broken dots on the matrix of a color TV may be:

• overheating or hypothermia of the device. As a result of exposure to high or low temperatures, subpixels harden and lose their ability to move inside the liquid crystals;
• ambient humidity. High humidity is dangerous for the LCD substrate: when moisture gets on the matrix, illuminated areas or white dots on the display are formed;
• voltage surges. Crash in electrical network can lead to failure of the transistor, as a result of which the energy supplied to the RGB matrix will force the subpixels to take a fixed position;
• violation of production technology. It is worth saying that in most cases, manufacturing defects are caused by only the three factors presented above - during the production of the matrix, repeated procedures of washing, drying and lithography are carried out, the slightest non-compliance technological processes which leads to defectiveness of the final product;
• using a monitor to display static content. When displaying the same picture for a long time, the display transistor may burn out and the crystals may “freeze.” Even TVs that support HDR technology (10-bit and Dolby Vision) are not immune to this problem.

Also, the matrix may be damaged during careless transportation of the TV device to the point of sale: despite the strong fixation in the substrate, liquid crystals are very sensitive to sudden mechanical shocks.

How to check your TV for dead pixels

To see broken elements of the TV matrix, it is recommended to use a special gallery of monochromatic images - there are no programs compatible with Smart-TV for checking the display.

The screen testing algorithm is presented using the example of searching for white dots:

1. Upload a special collection of images to a flash drive.
2. Connecting a removable drive to the TV via a USB interface.
3. Opening a monochromatic picture on the TV (in this case, black).
4. Inspection of the display: white broken elements should be clearly visible on dark background.

To search for black dead pixels, you will need to use a light image, and to identify RGB defects, you will need to use any background that contrasts with the bug you are looking for.

Unfortunately, the user must rely only on the acuity of his own vision, since it is impossible to automate the described process.

External inspection upon purchase

Some resellers provide paid service checking the liquid crystal display for dead pixels: the user selects a TV, and the sales assistant tests the display using images uploaded to the device.

It is worth saying that paying for such a service makes sense only if you need to check a 4K monitor, the defective pixels of which are almost invisible against the backdrop of millions of working units.

Warranty case

The service center does not have the right to refuse the consumer to exchange a defective TV for a new one only if the manufacturer violates ISO 13406-2 regulations.

The standard describes the permissible number of broken display matrix elements for a particular class of device:

You can find out the display class from the technical documentation supplied with the TV. Next we will tell you what to do if you receive a refusal from the service center.

Treatment for dead pixels on TV

Treatment of a color TV (for example, made by Samsung) from broken matrix elements at home is as follows:

• launch of a special video. You will need to download a video clip that “warms up” the matrix onto a flash drive and play this video on the TV for 40-50 minutes;
• “massage” of inoperative units. It is necessary to press on the dead pixels using a regular cotton swab - it is important to understand that if you put excessive pressure on the matrix, the final result may be the opposite of the desired one.

It is worth saying that dead pixels can be eliminated in this way on any digital technology.

Bottom line

Now you know what dead pixels are and how to check for their presence in the matrix of a new TV yourself.

It is important that the consumer has the right to free service only after the device is recognized as not conforming to the declared ISO 13406-2.

First, let's get to the heart of the problem. The easiest way to understand the cause of the malfunction is when we become more familiar with the principle of displaying an image on a television panel. To put it simply, the image on a television panel is formed from a huge number of colored dots called pixels. The pixels change their color in a given way, resulting in the desired picture.

Each pixel has its own strict structure. Pixels consist of three subpixels of different colors. Red, green and blue have different intensities and can create any color. In the majority modern TVs active matrix is ​​used. In this case, each individual pixel is controlled by a special transistor. If a transistor fails, the corresponding pixel stops functioning - this is called a dead pixel.

This pixel looks like a black dot on the screen. The exception is TN matrices on which such a pixel will be white. A dead pixel of this type can only be restored by replacing a faulty or malfunctioning transistor. This method is not suitable for ordinary users.

There is another type of dead pixel - stuck pixel. A characteristic feature of such a pixel is the fact that it looks like a bright spot on the TV matrix. This is because the subpixel gets stuck in one position and only lights up in one color.

Pixel defects of this type can be eliminated at home using specialized software or through physical manipulation. The question involuntarily arises: why bother repairing dead pixels on a TV yourself if you have warranty service?

The answer is very simple. The production of panels without dead pixels is almost impossible; if you set up production that does not allow such a defect, the cost of TVs will increase significantly. Therefore, TV manufacturers have adopted specific standards, according to which a certain number of dead pixels on the matrix are not defective and cannot be repaired. There is a generally accepted standard ISO-13406. According to this standard, there are three main types of dead pixels, and all panels can be divided into 4 classes. So the types of dead pixels:

1. On a dark background - a white pixel.

2. Black pixel on a light background.

3. The pixel is constantly lit in one color (problem with subpixels).

First class panels do not allow any dead pixels. If there is at least one dead pixel, then you have the right to a warranty replacement of the panel.

Panels of the second class allow the presence of two defects of the first and second types, as well as five defects of the third type. It would be appropriate to say that such panels are the most common in the modern market. If your new TV has a second-class matrix and a couple of dead pixels, then this is not a defect and such a TV cannot be replaced.

Panels of the third class allow the presence of five defects of the first type, fifteen dead pixels of the second type and 50 of the third.

And finally, the fourth class has the largest range: 50, 150 and 500 dead pixels of the first, second and third types, respectively.

Excerpt from ISO-13406 standard:

How to check your TV screen for dead pixels?

Determining the presence of dead pixels on a TV matrix can be difficult. In the store, TVs display vivid images, so it is difficult to determine a pixel defect by eye. But if you take this issue seriously, you can still protect yourself from a low-quality matrix.

In order to check the TV matrix for the presence of dead pixels, it is necessary to display images of a single color on the screen one by one. For example, if you are looking for black dots, then display a white background. If you are looking for a white point, then display a black background, and so on. If you carefully view the entire screen, the dead pixel will be visible to the naked eye. The method is painstaking, but reliable.

There are special generators that display images of the corresponding color on the screen. The same can be done by loading prepared pictures of the corresponding colors from a flash drive to the TV. A similar function can be built into the TV model you choose.

A more functional way is to check for dead pixels using programs. But to do this, you must first connect your computer or laptop to the TV. Download the appropriate testing program onto your computer and search for defects. If you are lucky, you will not find any defects. What to do if there are dead pixels?

The sad news is that black pixels (the transistor burns out) cannot be restored with your own efforts. We will talk about restoring stuck pixels. There are several methods, they will not be 100% effective, but it is always worth a try.

Method No. 1 is as follows: it is necessary to carry out physical influence on correctly functioning pixels. It's not difficult, turn off the TV, pick up a regular cotton swab, then gently press the area of ​​the non-working pixel. After a few minutes of physical impact, turn on the TV to check. Don't be discouraged if the pixel is still black. Repeat the procedure again. Method No. 1 has long been tested on the restoration of LCD panels. The fact is that the liquid crystal inside the panel can be moved by impact, after which the pixel will continue to perform its functions as it should. The display is a very fragile part; do not use sharp, piercing or scratching objects on its surface.

Method No. 2 more secure, one might even say remote. It consists of using specialized applications. Software always helps, and maybe it will help in this case. One of popular programs to restore dead pixels is in the public domain: JScreenFix.

JScreenfix program in action:

Developers software they claim that the utility eliminates image defects after just half an hour of use. The procedure must be repeated several times at intervals of 4 hours. During such manipulations, the program changes colors in the area of ​​the faulty pixel at tremendous speed. As a result, the owner will receive a fully functioning color display of the screen. Do not stop at this utility, try others if you cannot access this one.
Note that cured pixels do not acquire immunity and with the onset of summer heat they have every chance of sticking again. In this case, it is recommended to repeat the course of treatment. If the TV is not under warranty, and methods No. 1 and No. 2 did not help, most likely it is worth replacing the burnt (faulty) transistor. DIY repair TVs may seem simple and understandable, but you should not overestimate your capabilities because even if you are armed with the necessary information, this does not guarantee you a 100% guarantee of troubleshooting. To do this, it is still better to call a qualified technician or contact a special service center.

Dear readers, in ours all products undergo mandatory pre-sale preparation (in particular, they are checked for dead pixels and screen glare).

The image on a TV screen is formed by dots, which in technology are called pixels. These dots have their own color, which depends on transmitted video. This way you can create any picture on the display.

So that each pixel can take on any color, it consists of three areas, the so-called “subpixels”. It is these subpixels that the TV electronics control to form a picture. In television, it is customary to form a color image from three colors: red, blue and green. Therefore, each pixel consists of three subpixels with their own color (red, green, blue). If you look at the screen from very close, you can see these three colored areas at each pixel.

What is a dead pixel - a pixel that glows in one color regardless of the picture on the screen. It is not controlled by the TV's processor.

Dead pixels appear on the display in the form of a dot of the same color, which does not change with the change of scene. The color depends on the position in which the liquid crystal is stopped in the cell: if open, then white; if closed, then black. If one of the subpixels fails, the cell will have a permanent color color, and not just black or white.

Dead pixel on the screen

LCD screens consist of several layers, each of which performs its own functions. Only two layers are relevant to the problem of dead pixels. This is a layer with the liquid crystals themselves and a layer with thin film transistors (TFT). These transistors control the crystals in the cells that make up the pixels. The failure of such a transistor leads to the appearance of a dead pixel, because it becomes impossible to control liquid crystals. If the fault is in the layer with liquid crystals, then the liquid crystal in the cell simply becomes motionless and then, even with a working transistor, a dead pixel will still appear on the TV screen.

How to check for dead pixels on a TV

Considering that defects mostly appear at the production stage, you can identify dead pixels on a TV screen even when purchasing it in a store. The best way to check your TV for dead pixels is if the screen is painted a uniform color. That is, if we are looking for black dots, then put a white field on the screen. If we are looking for white dots, then submit a black field accordingly. If we are looking for a colored dot, then apply a field of a different color to the screen and carefully look at the entire screen; a dot of a different color (dead pixel) will be visible to the naked eye.

To check your TV for dead pixels in a store or at home, you can download pictures from the Internet to check in the required resolution (Full HD or 4K). We record them on a flash drive and connect it to the television receiver. By turning on viewing images from the flash drive, you look through the test pictures one by one and visually look for dead pixels at close range.

It will be impossible to make a claim to the store after the purchase., if the number of dead pixels meets certain standards.

The most unpleasant defect is when one of the subpixels fails and the cell turns a different color. Such a cell attracts attention to itself much more than just a dark, idle pixel. In the factory, the required transistor is removed from such a matrix, and the cell turns into a black dot, which is less noticeable on a working screen.

At home, some users perform the so-called massage of a point with a dead pixel. Pressure is applied with a soft object in the hope that the stuck liquid crystal will begin to work normally again. But with such a procedure there is a risk of making several more neighboring pixels inoperative. There are also software methods for dealing with dead pixels. But it is best to immediately, after checking for dead pixels on the TV and a positive result, contact a service center.

Started appearing on the desktop free place), the background radiation decreased noticeably and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. However, in addition to the huge positive aspects of LCD monitors (diagonals 21″ and larger, absolutely flat screen, wide-format capabilities), there may also be “negative” points, called defective pixels. I’ll tell you below what it is and how you can try to restore these points.

In modern liquid crystal, the image is built from dots called pixels. The word “pixel” itself comes from the abbreviation - pix element or picture cell.

The number of pixels is determined by the monitor resolution. For example:

1920 x 1080 = 2,073,600 pixels

Each pixel consists of 3 subpixels: red (R ed), green (G reen) and blue (B lue). Hence the abbreviation R G B.

To set a specific color for a pixel, you need to specify the brightness values ​​of 3 subpixels. Each value is indicated by 2 digits in hexadecimal format (00 is the minimum brightness, FF is the maximum brightness). For example: black - 00 00 00, white - FF FF FF, red - FF 00 00, etc.

There are two types of “dead pixels”: “dead” - which have little chance of being restored (they light up constantly white or are black) and “stuck” - which light up in a certain color. These are the ones that make sense to restore.

Before “treating” dead pixels, it is necessary to determine exactly where they are located. AIDA64 or any other program with a test for monitors is suitable for this. Download and install. The “trial” version is also suitable for us.

The program discussed below is also perfect.

Let's show it using AIDA64 as an example.

Launch and expand the “Service” menu. Select “Monitor diagnostics”

The following window will open

If you know what tests you need, leave checkboxes only for them; if you don’t know, leave everything as is and run the test by clicking the “Run Selected Tests” button. Next, use a space bar to change the images on the screen and look for these same dead pixels.

They are especially noticeable when viewing a picture of a screen that is completely filled with a certain color. (My former boss used to search for dead pixels magnifying glass)

Why is it sometimes not possible to deliver under warranty?

All monitors are divided into classes.

• 1 - in which there are no dead pixels and if any occurs, a warranty replacement is provided
• 2 - allows a certain number (up to 7) of dead pixels (depending on the diagonal of the monitor)
• 3 - up to 70

The most common is class 2. This characteristic must be indicated in the specification for the monitor. If not specified - 1st class monitor.

Therefore, if your number of dead pixels does not exceed the allowable number in its class, the likelihood of replacing the product is very low.

We have decided on the location and are trying to restore it.

Bad Crystal - restoration and prevention of dead pixels

Let's start with software methods recovery. They are safe, i.e. should not make the situation worse.

All software methods use a quick change of colors in the “sick” area. Probability of returning dead pixels in working condition, more than 50%.

Bad Crystal is a paid program. The demo version has enough good tool. This is what we will use.

Download, install and run the program. Click on the arrow circled in a red rectangle

In the Activation window that opens, click “Continue”

If you want to repair dead pixels on your phone, TV or game console, click the same arrow and select your product. We will focus on for. Click “Fix Now”

In the trial version of the program, it is possible to use only the CCM mode with an efficiency of more than 55%. IN activated version More effective SMF and CFV modes are available with a recovery rate of up to 80%. PPM mode is a prevention mode. It is necessary to run it a couple of times a month if the dead pixel is successfully restored to life.

Select CCM mode and click “Launch”

Point the window that opens at the dead pixel and wait 10 minutes. Let's check. If nothing has changed, increase the speed (press Speed ​​Up) and leave it on the “sore” spot for 20 minutes.

Let's check. Increase the speed to maximum and leave for 30 minutes. If it doesn't help, leave it overnight. If this does not help, we move on to physical methods.

If dead pixel came to life, then the program developer recommends carrying out prevention (PPM mode) 2 times a month.

Select PPM mode. In the window that opens, click “Manual Mode” and minimize all windows

The screen is “massaged” with different colors. Wait for completion and close the program. If the program does not close, use and remove the selected tasks

For prevention, you can also use the following video in which the “massage” is recorded.

You need to download, unpack, run and point it at the cured area.

• (227 KB)

UDPixel is a free utility for recovering dead pixels

This software product is free and allows you to work almost comfortably at your computer while performing recovery.

• (52 KB)

Download, install and launch

In field Flash Windows it is possible to choose the number of “mustard plasters” equal to the number dead pixels. For example, take 5 and click Start.

5 flashing dots will appear at the top left of the screen

Each point is required You need to move it under the dead pixel for 10 minutes. If it doesn't help O bet on 20, 30 or more.

The beauty is that you can choose the size of the mustard plaster: 1 X 1 pixel or 5 X 5 pixels. Thanks to this, you can not be distracted from work during treatment. Unless of course it annoys you.

In order to stop treatment, you must press “Reset”

UDPixel also allows you to conveniently test your monitor by clicking on the corresponding colors in the main program window. Moreover, it is possible to select any color by clicking on ... to the right of the yellow color

The function to start in a “Run cycle” indicating the number of cycles will help to carry out maintenance of the monitor 2 times a month.

If software do not help, it is necessary to move on to physical or “manual” methods.

Restoring a dead pixel manually

Software methods are completely safe, unlike “physical” ones.

Take an ear stick or a pencil with a grater on the other end or any other blunt soft object.

We find our “stuck” pixel and install the tool on it.

Apply light pressure until the first streaks appear and release

Let's check. If it doesn’t help, add “newtons” and repeat.

Then we move on to circular movements. Make the radius as small as possible. It is necessary to perform movements in both directions.

If it doesn't help. Apply light pressure on the dead pixel and move the tool up a few pixels. We do the same in all 4 directions, then back to the center (dead pixel)

If it doesn’t help, then take a non-sharpened pencil and use a cloth napkin (so as not to scratch the surface) and repeat all the exercises.

If this does not produce results, then it is necessary to combine software and “physical” methods.

Conclusion

In this article, we got acquainted with a defect that is already rare - defective pixels. We figured out why it can be difficult to return a monitor under warranty.

We got acquainted with software (Bad Crystal and UDPixel) and “manual” treatment methods.

In Ukraine there is a law “on the protection of consumer rights” (something similar should be in Russia and other countries) on the basis of which you can return the goods within 14 days. Naturally, if the latter has retained its presentation.

Therefore, the main and most reliable means of dealing with dead pixels is to check the monitor immediately after purchase and return it if necessary.

Since dead pixels often occur during work, it makes sense to take the product from the display case, where it has been working for some time.