White Screen Test - Check Your Display for Defects
Need to test your screen for dead pixels, backlight bleed, or color uniformity? A white screen test is one of the most effective ways to spot display problems. Whether you just bought a new monitor, phone, or TV, or you're troubleshooting screen issues, this free tool helps you check everything.
A pure white screen makes it easy to see any defects. Dark spots, colored pixels, uneven brightness, or backlight bleeding all become obvious against a solid white background.
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Start White Screen Test (Free)What you can test:
- Dead or stuck pixels
- Backlight bleed and IPS glow
- Screen uniformity and color accuracy
- Dust or scratches under screen protector
What is a White Screen Test?
A white screen test displays a solid white image across your entire screen. This simple test reveals problems that are hard to spot during normal use:
Dead Pixels
Pixels that are permanently off appear as tiny black dots on a white screen. They're much more noticeable on white than on colorful backgrounds.
Stuck Pixels
Pixels stuck on a specific color (red, green, or blue) show up as colored dots against the white background.
Backlight Bleed
Areas where the backlight leaks through, creating brighter spots or edges. This is most visible in dark rooms with a white screen.
Screen Uniformity Issues
Uneven brightness or color tint across the screen. Some areas might look slightly yellow, blue, or dimmer than others.
Dust and Scratches
Dust under a screen protector or minor scratches become much more visible against a solid white background.
How to Use the White Screen Test
Getting accurate results is simple if you follow these steps:
Step-by-Step Testing Guide
- Clean your screen first
Use a microfiber cloth to remove dust, fingerprints, and smudges. These can look like defects during testing.
- Set brightness to 100%
Maximum brightness makes defects more visible, especially backlight issues.
- Test in a dark room
Backlight bleed and uniformity problems are easiest to see in darkness.
- Go fullscreen
Press F11 (on desktop) or use fullscreen mode to eliminate distractions and test the entire display.
- Look carefully at the entire screen
Move your eyes slowly across the whole display. Dead pixels are tiny, so take your time.
- Check from different angles
Some uniformity issues only appear at certain viewing angles, especially on IPS panels.
- Test with other colors
After white, try black, red, green, and blue screens for a complete check.
Pro Tip
For new purchases, test immediately (within the return window). Many retailers have strict return policies, so catch defects early.
What to Look For During Testing
Dead Pixels vs Stuck Pixels
Dead pixel: A black dot on the white screen. The pixel is completely off and won't display any color.
Stuck pixel: A colored dot (red, green, blue, or white) that doesn't change. The pixel is stuck on one color.
Note: Stuck pixels can sometimes be fixed with pixel-fixing software. Dead pixels are usually permanent.
Backlight Bleed
Look for brighter areas, especially in the corners and along edges. This is most visible when:
- Testing in a completely dark room
- Screen brightness is at maximum
- Viewing the screen straight-on
Some backlight bleed is normal on LCD screens, especially budget models. Severe cases where bright spots distract during normal use warrant a return.
Color Uniformity
The white should look the same across the entire screen. Watch for:
- Yellow or warm tints in certain areas
- Blue or cool tints on parts of the screen
- Pink or green color shifts
- Brightness variations (some areas dimmer than others)
Perfect uniformity is rare, especially on larger screens. Minor variations are usually acceptable unless they're distracting during normal use.
Screen Damage
Look for physical damage that might not be obvious during normal use:
- Scratches on the display surface
- Pressure marks or spots
- Dust trapped under screen protector
- Cracks in the LCD panel
Ready to Test Your Display?
Use our free white screen test tool. Works on monitors, phones, tablets, and TVs.
Start Testing NowTesting Different Devices
Testing Desktop Monitors
Desktop monitors need thorough testing, especially if you paid for a premium display:
- Use fullscreen mode: Press F11 in your browser to eliminate UI elements
- Test each input: If you have multiple devices connected (HDMI, DisplayPort), test all connections
- Check all refresh rates: Some defects only appear at certain refresh rates (60Hz, 144Hz, etc.)
- Look for IPS glow: On IPS panels, some glow in corners is normal when viewed from angles
Testing Phones and Tablets
Mobile device testing is quick but important, especially for new purchases:
- Lock rotation: Keep the screen in one orientation while testing
- Disable auto-brightness: Set brightness to max manually
- Remove screen protector: If possible, test the actual screen surface without protectors
- Turn off notifications: Enable Do Not Disturb to prevent interruptions
Testing TVs
TV testing requires a bit more setup but follows the same principles:
- Use a browser or device: Open the test on a streaming device, game console, or smart TV browser
- Disable motion smoothing: Turn off any motion or image processing features
- Test from viewing distance: Sit where you normally watch TV (dead pixels are less critical from far away)
- Check uniformity: Larger screens often have more uniformity issues – decide what's acceptable to you
Testing Laptops
Laptop screens can have unique issues due to their portable nature:
- Test on battery and plugged in: Some laptops adjust screen behavior based on power source
- Check hinge positions: Open the laptop at different angles to check for pressure points
- Look for flex damage: Gently flex the screen bezel to check if pixels react (sign of damage)
- Test after closing: Some defects appear after closing and reopening the lid
Common Questions
How many dead pixels are acceptable?
Most manufacturers consider 3-5 dead pixels acceptable for warranty replacement, but it depends on their policy. For personal use, even one dead pixel in the center of the screen can be annoying. Check your retailer's return policy – many allow returns for any defect within the return window.
Can stuck pixels be fixed?
Sometimes. Try using pixel-fixing software that rapidly changes colors to unstick the pixel. Some people have success with gentle pressure on the stuck pixel while the screen cycles colors. Dead pixels (completely black) are usually permanent.
Is backlight bleed normal?
Some backlight bleed is common on LCD screens, especially in corners. The question is whether it's distracting during normal use. If you only see it on a pure white screen in a dark room, it's probably not a problem. If you notice it while watching movies or gaming, consider returning it.
Should I test with other colors too?
Yes! A complete display test includes white, black, red, green, and blue screens. Each color can reveal different types of defects. Black screens show backlight bleed clearly, while colored screens help identify stuck pixels and color uniformity issues.
Do OLED screens need white screen testing?
Yes, though OLED screens don't have backlight bleed (they don't use backlights), they can still have dead pixels, uniformity issues, and burn-in. White screen tests work on any display technology.
When Should You Return or Replace a Screen?
Return it if you notice:
- Dead pixels in the center area – These are always distracting
- Multiple dead or stuck pixels – More than 2-3 pixels is excessive
- Severe backlight bleed – Bright spots visible during normal use
- Obvious color uniformity issues – Yellow or blue tints in large areas
- Any defect that bothers you – You paid for it, you should be happy with it
Probably acceptable:
- One dead pixel in corner or edge – Rarely noticed during normal use
- Minor backlight bleed – Only visible on pure white in darkness
- Slight IPS glow – Normal for IPS panels when viewed at angles
- Very minor uniformity variations – Barely noticeable, doesn't affect usability
At the end of the day, it's your display and your money. If something bothers you, return it within the return window. Display quality varies even within the same model, and you might get a better unit on replacement.
Start Your White Screen Test
Testing your display with a white screen is the quickest way to spot defects before they become permanent frustrations. Whether you're checking a brand new monitor or diagnosing issues with an existing screen, spending a few minutes testing can save you headaches later.
Use our free white screen test tool to check your display right now. No download required, works on all devices, and takes just a few minutes.
Complete Display Testing Checklist
- Clean screen thoroughly
- Set brightness to 100%
- Test in a dark room
- Go fullscreen
- Check for dead/stuck pixels
- Look for backlight bleed
- Verify color uniformity
- Test with other colors (black, red, green, blue)
- Check from different angles
- Decide if defects are acceptable
Related Display Tests
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Last Updated: October 2025 | Works On: All monitors, phones, tablets, TVs, and laptops
