OLED Burn-In Test

What is OLED Burn-In?

I still remember the day I noticed it on my own OLED TV. A faint ghost of the news channel logo, burned into the corner of the screen. I tried to ignore it. I told myself it was just image retention. But it never went away. That was the day I learned the hard truth about OLED burn-in — and why I now test every OLED display I own.

OLED burn-in is the permanent degradation of individual pixels caused by uneven aging. Unlike temporary image retention, true burn-in cannot be reversed. It happens when some pixels are driven harder than others for extended periods — typically because they're displaying static content like a logo, a taskbar, or a game HUD.

Here's what's actually happening inside your OLED panel: each pixel is made of organic compounds that emit light when electricity passes through them. Over time, these compounds degrade — and they degrade faster when they're brighter. So if one part of your screen is constantly showing a bright white logo while the rest displays darker content, those logo pixels age faster. Eventually, they become dimmer than their neighbors, and you see a ghost image.

Our free online OLED burn-in test helps you detect this early — before it becomes permanent. It runs in your browser in under 60 seconds.

Why We Built This Test

At Screen Medic, we've spent years testing OLED displays — from LG's flagship TVs to Samsung's QD-OLED monitors. We've seen burn-in up close more times than we can count. We've also seen people panic over something that wasn't burn-in at all. So we built this tool to give everyone — not just professionals — a simple way to check their own screen.

💡 Pro tip: Before running the test, set your OLED brightness to maximum and disable any eco mode or auto-brightness. This makes burn-in much easier to spot.

What Does This Test Detect?

Our OLED burn-in test is designed to detect six distinct types of screen defects. Here is exactly what you should look for:

1. True Burn-In (Permanent)

A permanent ghost image that persists even after turning the screen off for hours. True burn-in is caused by uneven pixel degradation and cannot be reversed.

2. Image Retention (Temporary)

A temporary ghost image that fades after a few minutes or hours of normal use. Unlike burn-in, image retention is not permanent — and it can often be fixed.

3. Uniformity Issues

Blotchy patches, uneven brightness, or color tinting across the screen. Common on older OLED panels.

4. Dead Pixels (Black Dots)

Pixels that have completely stopped working. They appear as tiny black dots that never light up.

5. Stuck Pixels (Bright Colored Dots)

Pixels stuck on a single color — red, green, blue, or white. These can sometimes be fixed with rapid color cycling.

6. Dirty Screen Effect (DSE)

A faint, uneven texture visible on grey or white backgrounds. Rare on OLED but possible on some panels.

💡 Pro tip: Test in a dark room with your screen at maximum brightness. This combination reveals subtle defects most clearly.

What the Results Mean: A Complete Interpretation Guide

You've run the test. Now you see something on your screen. But what exactly is it, and how serious is it? Here's how to interpret what you found:

How to Confirm Burn-In vs Image Retention

The easiest way to confirm what you have is the 60-minute test:

1. Turn off your screen completely — not standby, not sleep. Off.
2. Leave it off for 1 hour — overnight is ideal.
3. Turn it back on and display a solid grey image.
4. Look at the ghost image:
   • If it's gone or much fainter → Image retention (fixable)
   • If it's still there, sharp and clear → True burn-in (permanent)

What to Do Next Based on Your Result

• Image retention → Run pixel refresh, avoid static content for a few days
• True burn-in → Check warranty (LG, Sony, Samsung cover burn-in on newer models)
• Dead pixel → Return within window or check warranty (most brands require 3+)
• Stuck pixel → Try our 5 proven fix methods
• Uniformity issue → Return within window if severe

💡 Important: If you see multiple defects, take clear photos of each one. Most manufacturers require documented evidence for a burn-in warranty claim.

Common OLED Problems (And How We Solve Them)

After testing thousands of OLED displays, we've identified the most common issues users face. Here are the top 6 problems — and exactly how to solve them:

Problem 1: True Burn-In from Static Content

Symptom: Permanent ghost image of a logo, taskbar, or HUD visible on grey backgrounds.

Cause: Static content displayed at high brightness for long periods.

Solution: Burn-in cannot be reversed. Check your warranty — LG, Sony, and Samsung cover burn-in on newer models. Read our Complete Burn-In Guide for prevention tips.

Problem 2: Image Retention (Temporary Ghosting)

Symptom: Faint ghost image that fades after a few minutes or hours.

Cause: Temporary pixel fatigue, not permanent damage.

Solution: Turn off your screen for an hour, run pixel refresh, and avoid static content for a few days. Our 5 Proven Fix Methods guide walks you through the process.

Problem 3: Dead Pixels (Black Dots)

Symptom: Black dots that never light up, visible on every color.

Cause: Hardware failure (transistor burned out).

Solution: Dead pixels cannot be fixed. Return the display within the return window, or file a warranty claim if you meet your brand's threshold (usually 3+ dead pixels).

Problem 4: Stuck Pixels (Bright Colored Dots)

Symptom: Bright red, green, blue, or white dots that stay on one color.

Cause: Liquid crystals frozen in one position (LCD) or stuck sub-pixel (OLED).

Solution: Try our 5 proven fix methods — software cycling, gentle pressure, tapping, heat, or waiting it out.

Problem 5: Uniformity Issues (Blotchy Screen)

Symptom: Blotchy bright patches or uneven color visible on grey backgrounds.

Cause: Panel manufacturing variance or age-related degradation.

Solution: If severe and within the return window, return the display. Uniformity issues cannot be fixed.

Problem 6: Color Shift (Tinting)

Symptom: Yellow, blue, or pink tint across the screen.

Cause: Panel degradation or incorrect color profile.

Solution: Reset your display to factory settings first. If the tint persists, it's a panel issue — contact the manufacturer.

💡 Pro tip: Before contacting support for a burn-in claim, document everything — take photos of the burn-in on a solid grey background, note your purchase date, and save your receipt.

How to Test for Burn-In (Step-by-Step)

1. Clean your screen — Remove dust and fingerprints with a microfiber cloth.
2. Set brightness to maximum — Disable eco mode and auto-brightness.
3. Open this page on your OLED device — Works on TVs, monitors, and phones.
4. Click "Start Full Diagnosis" — The test runs in fullscreen mode.
5. Inspect each color — White, black, red, green, blue, and grey.
6. Pay special attention to grey — Grey reveals burn-in best.
7. Document any defects — Take photos for warranty claims.

Compatible Devices & OLED Types

Our OLED burn-in test works on any device with a modern web browser. Whether you're testing a TV, monitor, laptop, or phone, the test runs the same way — in fullscreen mode at your device's native resolution.

Supported OLED Types

Compatible Device Types

• OLED TVs — LG, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Philips
• OLED monitors — LG UltraFine, Alienware, ASUS, MSI
• Smartphones — iPhone (X and later), Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel
• Tablets — iPad Pro, Samsung Galaxy Tab
• Laptops — OLED laptops from Dell, HP, ASUS
• Nintendo Switch OLED — The OLED model

Browser Compatibility

• Chrome — Windows, Mac, Linux, Android
• Firefox — Windows, Mac, Linux, Android
• Safari — macOS and iOS
• Edge — Windows and Mac
• Smart TV browsers — LG webOS, Samsung Tizen, Android TV

💡 Pro tip: For the most accurate test on a TV or monitor, use the native browser app on your device — not a casting or mirroring tool. Direct rendering gives the best results.

When Should You Run an OLED Burn-In Test?

Timing matters. The best moment to test your OLED display is before it's too late — meaning before the return window closes or the warranty expires.

✅ Run This Test Immediately After Buying

Whether you just bought a new OLED TV or a used one, test it within the first 24 hours. Here's why:

• Return windows are short — 14 to 30 days on average
• Defects are easier to return than repair — No shipping, no waiting
• Manufacturer thresholds are strict — 1-2 dead pixels rarely qualify for warranty
• Used OLEDs can hide burn-in — Sellers don't always disclose it

✅ Run This Test When Buying Used

If you're buying a second-hand OLED on eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace, always test it before paying. Bring a laptop or phone, open screenmedic.icu/oled/burn-in.php, and run the test in person.

Common issues on used OLEDs:

• Hidden burn-in from news logos or game HUDs
• Image retention from static menus
• Dead pixels from panel degradation
• Uniformity issues from age

✅ Run This Test After Long Gaming or TV Sessions

If you've been playing the same game for hours or leaving a news channel on all day, run the test. Static content is the #1 cause of burn-in — and catching it early is critical.

✅ Run This Test Monthly (Preventive)

Even if your OLED was perfect at purchase, defects can develop over time. Run a quick test once a month to catch any issues early — especially if you use your display heavily.

✅ Run This Test Before Selling Your OLED

If you're selling your OLED TV or monitor, running the test helps you:

• Document the current condition — Protects you from buyer disputes
• Prove it works — Increases buyer confidence
• Justify your price — Clean test results = higher resale value

💡 Pro tip: Bookmark this page. You'll want to come back every time you buy, sell, or notice a ghost image on your OLED.

How to Prevent Burn-In (Our Top 8 Habits)

We've owned OLED displays for years. Here are the 8 habits we follow to keep our panels burn-in free:

1. Lower your brightness — 50–70% is optimal for normal use
2. Enable pixel shift — Moves static elements by 1–2 pixels every few minutes
3. Use dark mode — Reduces the number of bright pixels on screen
4. Auto-hide taskbars — In Windows, macOS, and Linux
5. Use moving screensavers — Never a static image
6. Turn off when not in use — Every hour counts
7. Rotate content — Avoid the same static content for hours
8. Run pixel refresh monthly — But not more often

For a complete guide, read our Complete Screen Burn-In Guide.

Related Tests You Should Run

If you're testing an OLED display, here are the other tests you should run to get a complete picture of your screen's health:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this OLED burn-in test really free?

Yes, absolutely. No hidden fees, no premium tiers, no account required. The test runs entirely in your browser and costs nothing.

Does this test work on AMOLED phones?

Yes. Our test works on all OLED types — W-OLED, QD-OLED, AMOLED, PMOLED, and Micro-OLED. It runs the same way on phones, TVs, monitors, and laptops.

Will the test damage my OLED screen?

No. The test simply displays solid colors on your screen. It does not stress your hardware, does not overheat your panel, and does not cause burn-in. It's completely safe.

Can this test fix burn-in?

No. True burn-in is permanent and cannot be fixed. However, our test helps you distinguish burn-in from image retention — which is temporary and can often be fixed with pixel refresh.

How long does the burn-in test take?

Under 60 seconds. The full diagnostic cycles through 6 solid colors — white, black, red, green, blue, and grey — in about 45-60 seconds.

Do I need to download anything?

No. The test runs entirely in your browser. No downloads, no extensions, no software to install. Just click and start.

Does it work on smart TVs?

Yes. Our test works on LG webOS, Samsung Tizen, Android TV, and any other smart TV with a modern browser. Open the page directly on your TV.

Is my data collected?

No. Everything runs locally in your browser. We do not collect, store, or transmit any personal data, screen contents, or diagnostic results.

What should I do if I find burn-in on my OLED?

First, confirm it's true burn-in (not image retention) with the 60-minute test above. If it's burn-in and your display is still under warranty, file a claim immediately — LG, Sony, and Samsung cover burn-in on newer models. Read our Complete Burn-In Guide for more details.

Does LG cover burn-in under warranty?

Yes, LG covers OLED burn-in on most TVs within the first year. Some 2024+ models extend this to 2-3 years. Check your specific model's warranty documentation.

Can I test a used OLED TV before buying it?

Yes — this is one of the best use cases. Bring a laptop or phone, open screenmedic.icu/oled/burn-in.php, and run the test in person. It takes less than a minute and can save you from buying a defective panel.

How is burn-in different from image retention?

Image retention is temporary — it fades after a few minutes or hours. True burn-in is permanent — it doesn't fade. Our test helps you distinguish between the two. Read our related guide for a full comparison.

Related Guides You Should Read

Want to go deeper? These expert guides will help you understand OLED burn-in and protect your display: