You just got a used Galaxy, Pixel, or OnePlus and you're in the return window. Or you noticed a tiny dot on your screen that wasn't there last week. Either way, you need to know: is that a dead pixel, a stuck pixel, or just a smudge you missed?
The test takes two minutes. Here's exactly how to run it on an Android phone.
How to Run the Test on Any Android Phone
Android is less restrictive than iOS about full-screen browser access, which makes the pixel test slightly easier to set up.
Step 1: Open Chrome and go to deadpixelcheck.com.
Step 2: Tap the three-dot menu (top right) and select "Add to Home Screen." This creates a shortcut that opens the site in a full-screen web app shell — no address bar, no browser chrome — giving you edge-to-edge coverage of the display.
Step 3: Open the shortcut from your home screen. You'll now see the pixel test running full-screen.
Step 4: Wipe the screen with a clean microfiber cloth before you start. This is not optional — dust and fingerprint smears look exactly like stuck pixels on solid-color backgrounds, especially on AMOLED screens.
Step 5: Tap through each color: red, green, blue, white, black, and gray. On each screen, scan systematically — go row by row from top to bottom, then check the corners. You're looking for any dot that doesn't match the uniform background.
AMOLED vs LCD: How Failures Look Different
Most modern Android flagships use AMOLED (or Super AMOLED) displays. Mid-range and budget phones often use IPS LCD. The technology matters because dead pixels look different on each panel type.
On AMOLED screens (Samsung Galaxy S/Z, Pixel 7+, OnePlus 10+):
- Dead pixel = permanently black dot. AMOLED pixels produce their own light; a dead pixel simply doesn't turn on. It's invisible on the black test screen and shows up as a small black dot on red, white, or green backgrounds.
- Stuck pixel = permanently lit dot in a fixed color (usually red, green, or blue). It shows up on every color screen as a bright colored spot that doesn't match the background.
- Hot pixel = extremely bright white dot, always on. Very rare but shows up immediately on the black screen test in a dark room.
On IPS LCD screens (many budget Android phones, older mid-range):
- Dead pixel = shows as a dark spot (often a very dark gray rather than pure black), because LCD backlights leak slightly even through a "closed" pixel.
- Stuck pixel = same as AMOLED — a fixed-color bright dot that doesn't change across colors.
- Backlight bleed = diffuse bright patches at the screen edges on the black test. This is a panel uniformity issue, not a pixel defect — common on budget LCD phones and usually not covered by warranty as a defect.
Dead Pixel vs Stuck Pixel vs Dust: Tell Them Apart
Before you file a warranty claim, confirm you're actually looking at a pixel defect:
It's dust or a smudge if: it disappears or moves when you wipe the screen gently with a microfiber cloth. Dust under the glass (a manufacturing defect) will appear as a fuzzy circle, larger than a single pixel, and won't respond to external cleaning — that's a legitimate warranty issue.
It's a stuck pixel if: it appears as a bright colored dot (red, green, blue, white) that shows on most test colors but disappears on the matching color background. A stuck red pixel will vanish on the red test screen.
It's a dead pixel if: it appears as a consistent dark or black dot that shows up on bright color backgrounds (red, green, white) and is invisible on the black screen. Dead pixels don't change regardless of what's on screen.
Can You Fix a Dead Pixel on Android?
Sometimes — if it's stuck, not dead.
The stuck pixel fixer on our homepage cycles rapidly through colors to "unstick" a subpixel that got locked. It works by forcing the pixel to switch states thousands of times per second for a few minutes. On Android, run the fixer in Chrome full-screen and point it at the affected area of your screen. Give it 10–20 minutes.
Success rate is roughly 40–60% for stuck pixels caught within the first few weeks. Older stuck pixels tend to be permanently locked. True dead pixels — where the transistor controlling the pixel has physically failed — cannot be fixed in software.
If the stuck pixel fixer doesn't work after 20 minutes, run it again overnight with the screen brightness turned down to reduce heat. Some stuck pixels respond to a second longer treatment.
Android Manufacturer Warranty Policies
Warranty coverage for dead pixels varies significantly by manufacturer. Here's the current state for the major Android brands:
Samsung (Galaxy S, A, Z series): Samsung's standard limited warranty covers manufacturing defects including pixel defects, but does not guarantee zero dead pixels. In practice, Samsung customer service will replace a device for multiple dead pixels or a single dead pixel in a prominent location (center of screen). For Premium Care subscribers, coverage is more generous. Read our full Samsung dead pixel policy guide.
Google (Pixel series): Google's warranty covers pixel defects under the manufacturing defects clause. The Pixel Support team has a reputation for being more responsive than some other OEMs — a single dead pixel near the center is generally sufficient for a replacement or repair approval.
OnePlus: OnePlus follows a similar ISO-based policy. Their warranty covers defects that exceed the allowable threshold under ISO 9241-302. Contact support with photos and the serial number — OnePlus tends to process warranty claims through their website portal.
Motorola: Standard 1-year limited warranty. Pixel defects covered if they constitute a manufacturing defect. Moto customer service responses are variable — if your first contact is denied, escalate to a supervisor or file through your carrier if you purchased on a carrier plan.
What If You Bought the Phone Used or Refurbished?
If you bought a used phone privately, manufacturer warranty is typically not transferable and may have already expired. You have a few options:
eBay purchases: eBay's Money Back Guarantee covers "item not as described." If the seller didn't disclose pixel defects and you discover them within 30 days, you can open a return case. Screenshot the listing description before contacting eBay.
Certified Refurbished (from Amazon, Best Buy, carrier): These typically come with a 90-day warranty that covers manufacturing defects including pixel issues. Run your pixel test immediately — within 24–48 hours of receiving the device — so you're clearly within the defect-discovery window.
Back Market / Swappa: Both marketplaces have their own buyer protection policies. Back Market offers a 1-year warranty on all purchases. Swappa is peer-to-peer but has a dispute resolution process.
Keep Your Screen Clean for Accurate Testing
Screen smudges and fingerprints are the most common false alarm when running the dead pixel test. A proper microfiber cleaning kit removes oils without scratching the oleophobic coating — important on AMOLED screens where harsh cloths can leave micro-scratches that scatter light.
MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloths → View on AmazonWhen to Get a Screen Replacement
If your warranty is expired, the manufacturer won't cover the repair, and the pixel defect is bothering you, you have two realistic paths: third-party screen replacement or living with it.
Screen replacement costs vary wildly by device. A Samsung Galaxy S24 screen replacement at uBreakiFix or similar runs $200–$350 depending on the model. Google Pixel authorized repairs are similar. For any phone worth less than the repair cost, replacement is usually the rational choice.
If the dead pixel is at the very edge of the screen and you never notice it, the honest answer is: don't spend money on a repair. A single dead pixel that's not in your typical viewing area has no practical impact on usability.