Dead Pixel Buddy for Windows

Dead Pixel Buddy 1.1 is a tiny free Windows tool from Laptop Showcase for checking a screen for defective pixels. It fills the display with solid colours one after another, which makes dead or stuck pixels easy to see. At just 26.04 KB according to catalogue data, it runs instantly, and you can download Dead Pixel Buddy for Windows to test a new monitor or a used laptop.

What is a dead or stuck pixel?

Each pixel on an LCD or OLED screen is made of red, green and blue parts. A dead pixel stays dark whatever is shown, and is most visible on a white or bright background. A stuck pixel stays lit in one colour, usually red, green or blue, and stands out on dark or contrasting backgrounds. Both are small hardware faults, and whether they are covered by a warranty depends on the manufacturer's pixel policy.

When should I test?

• Right after buying a new monitor or laptop, while you can still return it.
• Before buying a used device, ideally in person.
• When you notice a tiny dot that does not move with the picture.

How do I use it?

1. Clean the screen gently so dust is not mistaken for a pixel fault.
2. Run the program; it switches to full-screen colours.
3. Cycle through black, white, red, green and blue.
4. Look at the screen from a normal distance, then closer, section by section.
5. Note the position of any dot that stays wrong on every colour.

What if I find one?

For a new device, check the seller's return period and the manufacturer's pixel policy, then take a photo of the fault on a solid colour as evidence. Stuck pixels sometimes recover after running flashing colour videos for a while or after gentle pressure through a soft cloth; dead pixels usually do not. Be careful with pressure on laptops and never press hard.

Is it safe?

The tool only displays colours and makes no changes to your system. There is no official website in our data, so download it from a source you trust and scan it with your antivirus. It is small enough that any file much larger than expected should make you suspicious.

Does it work on any screen?

It works on laptop displays and external monitors. On multi-monitor setups, move the window to the screen you want to test. The same method also works on TVs connected to the PC.

Key facts

Pros and cons

• Pro: tiny, starts instantly.
• Pro: simple full-screen colour test.
• Pro: free.
• Con: only detects faults, cannot repair them.
• Con: no official download page in our data.

What are the alternatives?

To check other parts of a PC, our listings include CPU-Z for processor and memory details and CrystalDiskInfo for drive health.