How to Fix Dead Pixels
High resolution liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors are the next big thing in computer displays. LCD monitors are all about a high-definition, crisp image with little to no distortion. An LCD monitor in good condition is guaranteed to give you the perfect image every time, but some monitors may be affected with dead pixels every now and then.
What are Dead Pixels?
LCD monitors work by passing electrical charges to an array of segments on the monitor’s inner surface. Dead pixels are unlit segments of the LCD panel, which may be caused by one of two things:
A faulty transistor (usually occurs during manufacturing)
Uneven distribution of liquid throughout the LCD panel (usually occurs during shipping)
Most cases of defective pixels on LCD monitors correct themselves over time. It usually takes a day to a week for a dead pixel to correct itself. Some cases of defective pixels may not be self-corrected at all, unless you take the necessary steps to fix it.
Diagnosis
There are three kinds of pixel errors that may occur on an LCD monitor:
Glowing pixels are pixels that always remain on. You can detect a glowing pixel by changing the background color to black or any other very dark color.
Dead pixels are pixels that always remain off. You can detect dead pixels by changing the background color to white or any other bright color.
Stuck pixels occur when one or two of the three subpixels that make up the pixels of an LCD array remain permanently lighted. A stuck pixel is usually colored green, blue, or red.
Software
One way to correct pixel errors on an LCD screen is to use software to correct the error. You can use third-party pixel-correcting software, or use a graphics-intensive program or application (like a movie or a computer game) to fix the pixel. The key is to allow the pixels to flicker at a rapid pace to allow the pixel or subpixel to be re-energized without having to physically repair the monitor.
Fixing With Pressure
Physical repair of a dead pixel should always be considered a last-ditch effort before you have the monitor replaced. The goal of physical repair is to spread the liquid inside the LCD panel to supply the defective pixel or subpixel with liquid crystal. To do this, you need the following tools:
Clean, damp rag
A pointed object with a blunt end (a screwdriver, a PDA stylus, a blunt screwdriver, or a pencil are good tools for this job)
Follow these steps to repair the defective pixel:
Turn off the monitor.
Wrap the working end of the stylus with the rag, and turn on the screen.
Very gently rub the dead pixel with the wrapped end of the stylus. Do not rub any harder than necessary, because you may end up damaging the pixels surrounding the monitor.
Check to see if the pixel has been repaired.
Defective pixels on an LCD monitor may not seem like much, but you should not settle for anything less than perfect. With these steps, you can get the perfect image on your LCD monitor each and every time.