| LCD "Dead Pixel" Policy
During the LCD manufacturing process, it is not uncommon for one or more pixels to be fixed in an unchanging state.
The visible result is a tiny fixed pixel that appears extremely bright or dark. There is no one clear industry standard regarding
an acceptable level of dead pixels. Each LCD screen manufacturer and each laptop maker have their own
dead pixel standards. Our notebook standards allow for up to 5 dead pixels and is replaced
if it has 6 or more during the warranty period.
Quick Fix
Rub the suspect pixel gently with a clean, soft cloth.
Some suspect pixels, whether white, black, or discolored, can be restored by lightly rubbing the panel.
- Locate the suspect pixel on the LCD panel.
- Using a clean, soft cloth, lightly tap the pixel.
- Using the cloth, apply light pressure to the pixel and rub in a circular motion around the pixel.
Comparison of Dead Pixel Policies
Make |
Bright |
Dark |
Total |
R Cubed Technologies™ |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Dell |
7 |
7 |
7 |
HP |
6-9 |
6-9 |
6-9 |
Toshiba |
10-18 |
10-18 |
10-18 |
Sharp |
7 |
7 |
7 |
Dead Pixels
LCD (liquid crystal display) screens come in various sizes and resolutions. The pixel is the smallest unit that makes up an image
on the screen. LCD technology consists of each pixel having a transistor attached to it to control the backlight shining through. Each pixel
is made up of 3 sub-pixels (red, green and blue) with each having its own transistor. Each of these pixels turns on and off and filters light through
colored sub-pixels which results in an image. Occasionally, these individual transistors will short or remain open resulting in
a dead pixel which is defined as a "lit" pixel, which appears as one of several randomly placed white, red, blue
and/or green pixel elements on a dark background; or a "missing" pixel, which appears as a black
dot on light-colored background.
Considering the number of pixels contained in an LCD panel, the defective rate should dead pixels be present is usually quite minute.
For example, a typical 14.1" XGA (1024x768) laptop screen, will have a total of 2,359,296 red, green
and blue pixels (1024 x 768 x 3). So a screen with 5 dead sub-pixels has a defective rate equal to 0.0002%.
Why has the industry established an acceptable level of dead pixels?
Pixel defects can be noted in both CRT monitors and LCD screens. The higher production costs of LCD screens is the main reason
this issue is more prominent with LCDs than it has been with CRT monitors. As a result of these higher costs, LCD manufacturers and laptop makers have tried to set limits as to how many defective pixels are acceptable for a given LCD panel trying to strike a balance between
functionality and affordability. The very price that a customer has paid for a laptop computer is directly related to the dead pixel
limits set by these industry players. The cost of accepting only perfect displays could nearly double the price of a portable
computer which is true of all laptop computers using LCD technology.
Current Links to Name Brand Manufactures Dead Pixel Policies
HP | IBM | Toshiba |Dell Recently moved their Policy and a new Link could not be found
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