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Dell Display Pixel Guidelines

Summary: This article provides information about Dell's display resolution guidelines for LCD panels of Dell monitors and laptops. Learn what a dot or pixel is, what the Premium Panel Exchange is, how to identify a bright or dead pixel on the LCD panel and more. ...

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

Table of contents

What is a pixel?

A pixel, short for picture element, is a single point in a graphic image. LCD devices display pictures by dividing the display screen into thousands (or millions) of pixels, arranged in rows and columns. The pixels are placed close together so that they appear connected. A full pixel is a combination of one red, one green, and one blue subpixel.

Illustration of a pixel

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What are pixel and subpixel defects?

A full-pixel defect is a bright white dot or a noticeable black dot on the display.

  • A bright pixel defect is where the red, green, and blue subpixels are all permanently on. It is always visible as a white dot on the display.
  • Dark pixel defect is where the red, green, and blue subpixels are all permanently off. It is always visible as a black dot on the display.

A subpixel defect is also called as a dot effect.

  • Bright dot subpixel defects are permanently on, displaying a red, green, or blue dot.
  • Dark dot subpixel defects are permanently off, always displaying a black dot on the display.

During the LCD manufacturing process, it is not uncommon for one or more subpixels to get into an unchanging state, causing a bright or dead pixel. A display with 1 to 5 fixed subpixels is considered normal and within industry standards.

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Illustration of a bright subpixel on a black background

Bright subpixel defect

A subpixel remains permanently on, resulting in a white or colored dot on a black background. Bright pixels can be white, red, blue, or green and visible on a black background.

Illustration of a dark subpixel or dead subpixel on a white background

Dark subpixel defect

A subpixel remains permanently off, resulting in a black dot on a white background. Dead pixels are visible on any background color, except on a black background. Dark subpixel defect is also called as dead subpixel defect.

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What is a Premium Panel Exchange?

Dell offers a Premium Panel Exchange that ensures zero bright pixel defects on select Dell Consumer, Professional, UltraSharp, and Gaming monitors, including Alienware monitors.

Defective pixels do not necessarily reduce the performance of the monitor. However, they can be distracting, especially if the pixels are in positions where viewing quality is reduced.

Unyielding commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has driven Dell to offer a Premium Panel Exchange as part of the standard limited hardware warranty. Even if one bright pixel is found, a free monitor exchange is supported during the limited hardware warranty period.

Premium Panel Exchange is available for select Dell Consumer, Professional, UltraSharp, and Gaming (including Alienware) monitors sold with computers or as stand-alone units, with a standard 1-year or 3-year limited hardware warranty. Customers who purchase an optional extended warranty benefit from this coverage during the limited hardware warranty period.

NOTE: The availability of specific warranty services varies across different regions.

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Dell Pixel Policy

The pixel policy that applies to your device varies across each model. See the tables below to learn about the number of bright and dark subpixel defects that are allowed. If the number of defective pixels exceeds the applicable numbers in the tables below during the warranty period, contact Dell Technical Support for assistance.

NOTE: Only fixed subpixels or dots (bright or dark) visible to the naked eye at normal viewing distance are considered defects.
NOTE: Partial subpixel anomalies with size not making up half of a subpixel are not uncommon in the LCD manufacturing process. Partial subpixel anomalies are not considered as subpixel defect.
Table 1: Number of subpixel defects allowed on Dell monitors
Dell monitor Bright subpixel defects Dark subpixel defects Total combined bright and dark subpixel defects
Flat-panel monitors with Premium Panel Exchange:
  • Dell UltraSharp monitors (U and UP)
  • Dell Professional monitors (P series), except P1424H.
  • Dell S Series monitors (S series monitors released from 2020 onwards).
  • Alienware monitors (AW series), except AW5520QF
  • Dell Gaming monitors (S and G series Gaming, except S2716DG and S2417DG)
    NOTE: Dell S2716DG and S2417DG monitors are not covered under the Premium Panel Exchange.
  • Dell C-series monitors (24 to 34 inches)
 0 allowed Up to 5 allowed Up to 5 allowed
  • Dell monitors (D series)
 Up to 5 allowed Up to 8 allowed Up to 8 allowed
  • Alienware AW5520QF
 0 allowed Up to 12 allowed Up to 12 allowed
Dell C-series monitors (55 inches and larger)
  • 55 to 65 inches
  • 70 inches and larger
 Up to 5 allowed Up to 12 allowed
Up to 15 allowed		 Up to 12 allowed
Up to 15 allowed
All other Dell flat panel monitors S, SE, E and IN series monitors (including S2716DG and S2417DG). Up to 5 allowed Up to 5 allowed Up to 5 allowed
 
Table 2: Number of subpixel defects allowed on Dell laptops
Dell laptop Bright subpixel defects Dark subpixel defects Total subpixel defects
Dell laptop LCD screen with HD (1366 x 768) or below resolution Up to 2 allowed Up to 5 allowed Up to 5 allowed
Dell laptop LCD screen with HD+ (1600 x 900) and above resolution 0 allowed Up to 5 allowed Up to 5 allowed

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Additional Information

Frequently asked questions

Let us help you with some frequently asked questions about subpixel defects on the LCD panel of a Dell monitor or laptop.

What are bright subpixels?

A bright subpixel is a subpixel with a defect in its ability to display the correct color output. It may look like a tiny black or white spot on the screen. When the subpixel remains permanently lit, it is known as a bright subpixel.

Will the brightness of a bright subpixel reduce over time?

No. A defective subpixel remains permanently lit until the monitor is turned off.

What types of subpixel defects are covered under Dell Premium Panel Exchange?

Dell Premium Panel Exchange applies to Dell Consumer, Professional, UltraSharp, and Gaming (including Alienware) monitors with bright subpixel defects only. The Premium Panel Exchange does not cover monitors with dark subpixels or dead subpixels.

Which monitors are covered under the Dell Premium Panel Exchange?

Dell Premium Panel Exchange applies to all Dell Consumer, Professional, UltraSharp, and Gaming (including Alienware) monitors purchased directly from Dell, or from retail stores.

NOTE: If you purchased a Dell Consumer, Professional, UltraSharp, or Gaming (including Alienware) monitor through Best Buy in the USA, exchange it at any Best Buy store in the USA. To receive in-warranty service at a Best Buy store, you must have the original sales receipt of the purchase.
How to identify a bright dot or bright subpixel?
  1. Turn off the computer and the monitor.
  2. Disconnect the video cable (VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort) from the monitor.
  3. Clean the screen with a lint-free cloth, as dust may be the spot that is seen.
  4. Connect the power cable to the monitor and turn on the monitor.
  5. A floating box on a black background is displayed.
  6. Inspect the screen for bright subpixels. These subpixels are turned on resulting in a white, red, green, or a blue dot on a black background. Alternatively, consider running a diagnostic test. See the Dell Knowledge Base article How to Run a Diagnostic Test on a Dell Monitor or How to Run the LCD Built-in Self-Test on a Dell Laptop.
  7. Inspect the screen for bright dots or bright subpixels, or any other type of distortion on the screen.
  8. If you notice a defect, contact Dell Technical Support for repair options in your location.
NOTE: Dell's limited hardware warranty covers the monitor against a defective unit or workmanship. If a part fails during the Limited Warranty period, contact Dell Technical Support to troubleshoot the unit. If the issue is identified as a bright subpixel or dark subpixel after troubleshooting, Dell ships a replacement unit depending on the status of the limited hardware warranty of the affected unit.
How to identify a dark dot or dark pixel?
  1. Turn off the computer and the monitor.
  2. Disconnect the video cable(VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort) from the monitor.
  3. Clean the screen with a lint-free cloth, as dust may be the spot that is seen.
  4. Connect the power cable to the monitor and turn on the monitor.
  5. Run a diagnostic test. See the Dell Knowledge Base article How to Run the Built-In Diagnostics on a Dell Monitor or How to Run the LCD Built-in Self-Test on a Dell Laptop.
  6. The screen should now alternate between multiple colors (white, red, green, blue, and black).
  7. Inspect the screen for bright dots or bright subpixels, or any other type of distortion on the screen.
  8. If you notice a defect, contact Dell Technical Support for repair options in your location.
NOTE: Dell's limited hardware warranty covers the monitor against a defective unit or workmanship. If a part fails during the Limited Warranty period, contact Dell Technical Support to troubleshoot the unit. If the issue is identified as a bright subpixel or dark subpixel after troubleshooting, Dell ships a replacement unit depending on the status of the limited hardware warranty of the affected unit.
How to get a replacement Dell monitor?

Dell's limited hardware warranty covers the monitor against a defective unit or workmanship. If a part fails during the Limited Warranty period, contact Dell Technical Support to troubleshoot the unit. If the issue is identified as a bright subpixel after troubleshooting, Dell ships a replacement unit the next business day.

During the term of the limited hardware warranty, Dell monitors include all the benefits of Dell's 24x7 toll-free technical support and Advanced Exchange Service.

NOTE: If you purchased a Dell UltraSharp, Professional, or Alienware monitor through Best Buy in the USA, exchange it at any Best Buy store in the USA. To receive in-warranty service at a Best Buy store, you must have the original sales receipt of the purchase.
How long is the Premium Panel Exchange period?

While most manufacturers only provide a 30-day zero bright subpixel guarantee, Dell Premium Panel Exchange is valid for the entire term of the limited hardware warranty of 1 year or 3 years, and an extended warranty term of 4 or 5 years.

The limited hardware warranty for Dell monitors purchased independent of a computer, lasts for the period that is indicated on the packing slip, invoice, or receipt. Dell monitors purchased with a computer are covered under the limited hardware warranty of the computer.

How to troubleshoot display issues on a Dell computer?

Display issues on a Dell laptop or flat panel monitor might be caused by either the LCD panel, video card (GPU), or display settings. Some of the symptoms that indicate a display or video issue are:

  • Blank or black screen
  • Horizontal or vertical lines
  • Color fade
  • Fuzzy or blurry image
  • Distorted or stretched image
  • Geometric distortion
  • Light leaks or light bleeding
  • Flickering
  • Light or dark patches
  • Bright or dead pixels

Learn how to troubleshoot and resolve the display related issues.

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Affected Products

Chromebox, Alienware, Inspiron, Legacy Desktop Models, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series, Alienware and Dell Gaming Monitors, C Series, D Series, E Series, Legacy Monitors, P Series, S Series, SE Series, UltraSharp Premier (UP) Series , UltraSharp (U) Series, Chromebook, G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Legacy Laptop Models ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000126004
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 19 Sept 2024
Version:  24
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