Warranty & Pixel Policy Guide
Dead Pixels, Stuck Pixels and Your Laptop Screen Warranty
We pay a little more for CLASS I screens, which is why our customers experience long warranties and fewer defects. This guide explains what dead pixels, stuck pixels and sub-pixel faults are, why pixel defects can occur during LCD manufacture, how ISO-style pixel classes work, and how our 4-or-more visible pixel defect policy applies.
4 or more
Visible pixel defects may qualify for replacement
0 to 3
Classed as minor pixel defects under this policy
Industry normal
LCD pixel policies exist across the display industry
Terms apply
Always read the full Terms & Conditions
Our pixel policy in plain English
Under our pixel policy, a replacement LCD screen may be replaced, at our discretion, if it displays 4 or more visible pixel defects. This includes visible dead pixels, stuck pixels or sub-pixel faults.
Screens with 3 visible pixel defects or fewer are treated as minor pixel defects under this policy and are not normally considered a warranty fault for pixel-defect replacement.
4+
visible pixel defects
When the pixel policy may apply
If your screen has 4 or more visible dead pixels, stuck pixels or sub-pixel faults, contact us so the screen can be assessed under the pixel policy.
This page is a plain-English guide. The full legal wording is contained in our
Terms & Conditions
.
Important customer note
This pixel policy does not remove your statutory rights. If you are unhappy with an item and are still within the applicable return period, please follow the return process shown in our Terms & Conditions.
What is a dead pixel?
A laptop screen picture is made from tiny dots called pixels. Each pixel is made from smaller red, green and blue sub-pixels. When millions of these pixels work together, they create the image you see on the screen.
A dead pixel is usually seen as a tiny black dot that does not light up correctly. A stuck pixel may appear as a tiny bright, white, red, green or blue dot that stays visible on certain backgrounds. A sub-pixel fault affects one of the smaller colour elements inside a pixel.
Pixel defects are usually tiny compared with the whole screen and often cannot be seen
Example: 3 visible defects
This would usually be treated as a minor pixel defect under this 4-or-more policy.
0 to 3 visible pixel defects: not normally replaced under this pixel policy.
Example: 4 visible defects
This reaches the 4-or-more threshold and should be reported for assessment.
4 or more visible pixel defects: contact us for assessment.
Check your pixel count
Use this quick guide to understand whether the number of visible pixel defects reaches the 4-or-more threshold. This is only a guide; all claims still need to be assessed in line with the full Terms & Conditions.
Pixel policy checker
Enter the number of visible dead pixels, stuck pixels or sub-pixel faults you can see.
Enter a number above and press Check.
Dead pixel, stuck pixel and sub-pixel fault meanings
Pixel defects are not always the same. A fault may appear black, white, red, green or blue depending on which part of the pixel is affected.
| Type of fault |
What it may look like |
How to check |
| Dead pixel |
A tiny black dot that does not light up correctly. |
Often easiest to see on a white or light-coloured background. |
| Stuck pixel |
A tiny bright, white or coloured dot that stays on. |
Often easiest to see on a black or dark-coloured background. |
| Sub-pixel fault |
A tiny red, green or blue point caused by one colour element being affected. |
Check on solid red, green, blue, black and white backgrounds. |
| Cluster |
Several pixel defects close together, making the fault easier to notice. |
Send clear photos showing the location and number of visible defects. |
Why pixel defects can happen on LCD screens
A laptop LCD panel contains millions of pixels, and each pixel is made from smaller red, green and blue sub-pixels. A Full HD screen alone contains more than two million pixels and more than six million sub-pixels.
Because of the way LCD panels are manufactured, tiny pixel anomalies can occur. These may be caused by microscopic manufacturing variations, particles, transistor behaviour, glass imperfections, handling stress or changes that appear later during the life of the panel.
This is why the LCD industry does not normally work on a simple “one dot equals faulty screen” basis. Instead, manufacturers and suppliers use pixel-defect classes and pixel policies. A small number of dead pixels, stuck pixels or sub-pixel faults can be part of the accepted manufacturing tolerance for LCD display technology.
Plain English
Dead pixels are not automatically a sign of a poor-quality screen. They are a known manufacturing possibility with LCD panels, including new replacement screens.
The ISO pixel defect standard
LCD screens are not normally supplied to the industry on the basis that every panel is guaranteed to have absolutely no pixel or sub-pixel anomalies. Instead, the display industry uses pixel-defect classifications, commonly associated with the ISO 9241 display standards.
These standards recognise that a screen can contain a small number of pixel or sub-pixel defects and still fall within an accepted manufacturing class. This is one reason why manufacturers, laptop brands and replacement-screen suppliers use pixel policies rather than treating every single tiny dot as a full panel failure.
| Pixel class |
Plain-English meaning |
What it means for buyers |
| Class 0 |
No pixel or sub-pixel defects are permitted. |
This is the strictest class and is reserved for military use and non consumer hardware.
|
| Class 1 |
A very small number of pixel or sub-pixel defects may be permitted. |
Laptop makers and trusted LCD suppliers use this class for it's strict low-defect expectations, but this is not the same as a universal zero-dead-pixel promise. |
| Class 2 |
More pixel or sub-pixel defects may be permitted than Class 1. |
This is still an industry-recognised classification, but it allows a higher tolerance for defects. Cheaper LCD suppliers often use this class along with remanufactured panels.
|
| Class 3 |
A higher number of pixel or sub-pixel defects may be permitted. |
Rejected by laptop makers and most suppliers these are sold onto the market under the names like "grade B - some defects", usually very cheap.
|
Why this matters
The existence of ISO pixel classes shows that pixel anomalies are a known part of LCD manufacture. A small number of pixel or sub-pixel defects does not automatically mean the screen is poor quality, used, damaged or unsuitable.
Zero dead pixel claims and “A+++ grade” listings
Some sellers advertise replacement screens using phrases such as “A+”, “A++”, “A+++” or “zero dead pixel”. Customers should be careful with these claims, because ordinary replacement laptop LCD panels are usually supplied according to manufacturer specifications and pixel policies, not a simple consumer letter grade.
A true zero-dead-pixel guarantee means the seller is specifically promising that no pixel or sub-pixel defects will be present under that policy. Unless that promise is clearly stated in writing, customers should not assume that every replacement screen is supplied as a zero-defect Class 0 panel.
In practice, most replacement laptop screens are excellent in normal use, and most customers never notice a pixel issue. However, the possibility of a small pixel anomaly is part of LCD manufacturing reality, which is why clear pixel policies exist.
Marketing language
“A+++ grade” may sound reassuring, but it does not automatically explain the actual pixel policy, ISO class, brightness, colour gamut or screen specification.
Real policy matters
Our plain-English policy is that 4 or more visible pixel defects should be reported for assessment. Screens with 3 visible pixel defects or fewer are normally treated as minor pixel defects.
How to check a screen for pixel defects
Pixel faults can be difficult to spot on busy images, so use simple solid-colour backgrounds. Make sure the screen is clean first, as dust or marks on the surface can look like pixel faults.
Recommended check
- Clean the screen gently with a suitable microfibre cloth.
- Display a plain white background and look for black dots.
- Display a plain black background and look for bright dots.
- Display red, green and blue backgrounds to check sub-pixels.
- Check from a normal viewing distance and then closer if needed.
- Do not press hard on the screen surface.
- Take clear photos showing the whole screen and close-ups of the defect area.
- Count only visible pixel defects, not dust, scratches, cracks or pressure marks.
Have you found a bright or coloured stuck pixel?
A bright white, red, green or blue pixel may be a stuck pixel rather than a completely dead pixel. Some bright stuck pixels may respond to a safe browser-based colour-cycling tool, although a repair is never guaranteed.
Read our practical guide:
How to Fix a Stuck Pixel on a Laptop Screen Safely
.
Do not press, rub or massage the display, as physical pressure can permanently damage the LCD layers.
Things that are not normally dead pixels
Several screen issues can be mistaken for dead pixels. These may be handled differently from a pixel-defect claim.
| Issue |
What it may look like |
Why it is different |
| Dust or dirt |
A small dark spot on the surface. |
It may wipe away and is not part of the LCD pixel structure. |
| Pressure mark |
A bright patch, cloudy area or bruise-like mark. |
Often caused by pressure or impact rather than an individual pixel defect. |
| Backlight bleed |
Light leakage around the screen edges, especially on dark images. |
This is a backlight/uniformity issue, not a single pixel fault. |
| Crack or impact damage |
Lines, bleeding marks, black patches or broken glass/LCD layers. |
Physical damage is assessed separately from pixel policy. |
| Graphics or cable fault |
Lines, flickering, blocks, distorted colours or intermittent image. |
This may relate to the cable, fitting, motherboard or graphics output. |
What to do if you find pixel defects
If you believe your replacement screen has pixel defects, do not keep fitting and refitting the panel unnecessarily. Take clear photographs and contact us for advice.
1. Count the visible defects
Check solid backgrounds and count visible dead pixels, stuck pixels or sub-pixel faults.
2. Take clear photos
Take one whole-screen photo and close-up photos showing the affected areas.
3. Contact us
If there are 4 or more visible pixel defects, contact us so the screen can be assessed.
Information for resellers and bulk buyers
Resellers and trade buyers should be aware that pixel anomalies can occur across bulk purchases. Even high-quality replacement LCD panels can occasionally have or develop pixel defects.
If you sell screens to your own customers, make sure your own pixel policy is clear and realistic. Promising a zero-dead-pixel result on ordinary replacement LCD stock can create avoidable disputes.
Trade advice
Use clear pixel-policy wording in your own terms, and do not promise a zero-dead-pixel screen unless you are genuinely supplying a product sold with that guarantee.
Our practical advice
Most replacement laptop screens look perfect in normal use, and most customers never notice a pixel issue. When a tiny pixel fault does appear, it is usually one dot among millions.
Our policy is designed to balance customer support with the realities of LCD screen manufacture. If there are 4 or more visible pixel defects, contact us for assessment. If there are 3 or fewer, the screen is not normally replaced under the pixel policy.
Best rule: check carefully, count visible pixel defects, and read the full Terms.
A replacement may be considered under the pixel policy when there are 4 or more visible dead pixels, stuck pixels or sub-pixel faults. The full Terms & Conditions remain the governing policy wording.
Frequently asked questions
How many dead pixels are needed for a replacement?
Under this plain-English pixel policy guide, a screen may be assessed for replacement if it has 4 or more visible pixel defects, including dead pixels, stuck pixels or sub-pixel faults.
Are 1, 2 or 3 dead pixels covered by the pixel policy?
Screens with 3 visible pixel defects or fewer are treated as minor pixel defects under this policy and are not normally replaced for pixel defects.
What is the difference between a dead pixel and a stuck pixel?
A dead pixel usually appears as a tiny black dot that does not light up. A stuck pixel may appear as a tiny bright, white, red, green or blue dot that remains visible on certain backgrounds.
A stuck pixel may appear as a tiny bright, white, red, green or blue dot that stays visible on certain backgrounds.
Try our safe stuck-pixel troubleshooting guide
.
What is a sub-pixel fault?
A sub-pixel fault affects one of the smaller red, green or blue elements that make up a full pixel. It may appear as a tiny coloured point.
What is the ISO pixel defect standard?
ISO 9241 display standards include pixel-defect classifications. These recognise that different classes of LCD panels may allow different numbers and types of pixel or sub-pixel defects.
Does a dead pixel mean the screen is poor quality?
Not necessarily. Pixel defects can occur as part of LCD manufacturing, even on new panels. A small number of visible pixel defects does not automatically mean the whole screen is poor quality.
Can a new replacement screen have a dead pixel?
Yes. Pixel defects can occur on new LCD panels because of the way screens are manufactured. This is why pixel policies exist.
Are zero dead pixel screens guaranteed?
Not normally, unless the product is specifically sold with a written zero-dead-pixel guarantee. Do not assume ordinary replacement laptop LCD panels are guaranteed to have no pixel anomalies.
How should I check for dead pixels?
Use plain white, black, red, green and blue backgrounds. Clean the screen first, check without pressing on the panel, and take clear photos if you find visible defects.
Does this affect my statutory rights?
No. This page explains the pixel policy in plain English and does not remove your statutory rights. The full Terms & Conditions apply.
What should I do if I find 4 or more visible pixel defects?
Take clear photos showing the whole screen and close-ups of the affected areas, then contact us so the screen can be assessed under the pixel policy.
