Once a “dead” or “stuck” pixel is noticed on an Android display it tends to be naggingly annoying but there are actually ways to fix either without replacing the screen. Both solutions center around the fact that the problem is sometimes caused by a sub-pixel or sub-pixels that are stuck turned on or off. It simply isn’t always the result of a manufacturing flaw or something that needs to result in costs or lots of work. The first step is to determine whether or not a dead pixel is present. That means the screen of the Android device in question needs to be wiped clean with a soft lint-free cloth or other material that won’t leave particles behind. A very slightly damp cloth is often best since it will remove any debris that might be a bit more stuck than usual. That will help ensure that a piece of lint, debris, or other particulate hasn’t been mistaken for a dead or stuck pixel.
If a pixel does look out of place and either replacing or having the screen replaced aren’t viable options, one solution is an application called Dead Pixels Test and Fix. A smartphone or tablet will need to have around 2.4MB of free space to get the app but its download and use are completely free. Even better, the app can both test for and fix dead or stuck pixels, assuming the user has already checked that it wasn’t just a dirty screen. The “Fix” mode is run by tapping on the “Fix Dead Pixel” button on the home screen. Two modes are available on the subsequent screen and tapping the “Start” button will begin the process immediately. The app works by filling the entire display with white noise in order to try and prompt the pixel to switch from its stuck or off position. It will continue to run until the user taps the screen twice to halt the process, while the “Start On Time” option allows a timer to be set. In either case, it’s recommended that the fixing process is run from between ten minutes to several hours and noted that the process may need to be run more than once. So users will want to be hooked up to a power source throughout and be prepared to go without their smartphone for a while.
The second option for fixing dead or stuck pixels follows the same premise but works for those who don’t want to download an app from the Play Store. It works through a website and web app called “JScreenFix” and users simply need to navigate to “http://www.jscreenfix.com” to get started. Scrolling down on the homepage reveals a large blue button which reads “Launch JScreenFix.” Tapping that button brings up a floating window that can be placed over the dead pixels and left in place for between ten minutes and several hours, just as with the Dead Pixels Text and Fix app. The primary caveats to using JScreenFix on a mobile device are that the screen will need to not fall asleep during the process and that it will drain the battery. However, because it uses an in-browser floating window, it may also be impossible to use JScreenFix to fix pixels in certain portions of the display. In particular, those are areas where the U.I. overlays the browser window or where the browser U.I. overlays the floating white noise window. A user will also need to know where the dead pixels are so that the window can be placed directly over those.
