Article Number: 000126004
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. ...
Article Content
Symptoms
Table of contents
- Dell Display pixel guidelines
- Pixel or Dot grid
- What is a Premium Panel Exchange?
- Frequently asked questions
Dell Display Pixel Guidelines
Each pixel is made up of a red, green, and blue subpixel. When a subpixel is fixed in an unchanging state, the visible result is a tiny black, white, or colored spot that displays on the screen. There are generally two types of subpixel defects: bright and dark subpixel defects. A subpixel defect is also seen as a dot defect.
Illustration of a bright pixel on a black background
Bright pixel defect
A subpixel remains permanently lit resulting in a white, or colored dot on a black background. Bright pixels can be white, red, blue, or green and can be identified on a black background.
Illustration of a dark or dead pixel on a white background
Dark or dead pixel defect
A subpixel remains permanently unlit resulting in a black dot on a white background. Dead pixels can be identified on any background color except on a black background.
Premium Panel Exchange is premium within the industry because it ensures that during the term of the limited hardware warranty the LCD Panel will have zero pixels stuck in the on
position — a factor that results in a bright dot on the display.
Cause
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 subpixel is considered normal and within industry standards.
Resolution
What is Premium Panel Exchange?
Dell offers a Premium Panel Exchange that ensures zero bright pixel
defects on Dell Consumer, Professional, UltraSharp, and Gaming including Alienware monitors.
Defective pixels do not necessarily impair 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 Dell Consumer, Professional, UltraSharp, and Gaming (including Alienware) monitors that are sold with computers or as stand-alone units, with a standard 1-year or 3-year limited hardware warranty. Customers who purchase an extended warranty can benefit from this coverage during the limited hardware warranty period.
NOTE: The availability of specific warranty services may vary across different regions.
Pixel or dot Grid.
Monitors or laptop LCD panels are subject to replacement depending on criteria that are outlined in tables below (Table 1 and 2).
NOTE: Only fixed subpixels or dots (bright or dark) visible to the naked eye at normal viewing distance are eligible for replacement.
| Dell monitor | Bright subpixel | Dark subpixel | Total subpixel |
|---|---|---|---|
Flat-panel monitors with Premium Panel Exchange:
|
|
|
|
| Dell monitors (D series) |
|
|
|
OLED panel monitors with Premium Panel Exchange.
|
|
|
|
Dell C-series monitors (55 inches and larger)
|
|
|
|
| All other Dell flat-panel monitors S, SE, E and IN series monitors (including S2716DG and S2417DG) |
|
|
|
| Dell laptop | Bright subpixel | Dark subpixel | Total subpixel |
|---|---|---|---|
Dell laptop LCD screen with standard panel (HD (1366 x 768) or below resolution) on:
|
|
|
|
Dell laptop LCD screen with Premium Panel Exchange (HD+ (1600 x 900) and above resolution):
|
|
|
|
Additional Information
Frequently asked questions
Click to expand a section, and get more information.
Bright pixel is a pixel 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 pixel remains permanently lit, it is known as a bright pixel.
No. A defective pixel remains permanently lit until the monitor is powered off.
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 or black type of dead pixels.
Dell Premium Panel Exchange applies to all Dell Consumer, Professional, UltraSharp, and Gaming (including Alienware) monitors purchased directly from Dell, and 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 warranty service at a Best Buy store, you must have the original sales receipt of the purchase.
- Power off the computer and the monitor.
- Unplug the video cable (VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort) from the monitor.
- Clean the screen with a lint-free cloth, as dust may be the
spot
that is seen. - Plug the power cable to the monitor.
- Power on the monitor.
- A floating box on a black background is displayed.
- Check the screen for bright subpixels. These pixels are lit resulting in a white or colored (red, green, or blue) dot on a black background.
Alternatively, you can also run the monitor or LCD-integrated Self-Test (BIST). See Dell knowledgebase 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. - Identify bright dot or bright subpixels or any other type of distortion on the screen.
- If you notice a defect, contact Dell Technical Support.
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 or dark subpixel after troubleshooting, Dell ships a replacement unit depending on the status of the limited hardware warranty of the affected unit.
- Power off the computer and the monitor.
- Unplug the video cable(VGA, DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort) from the monitor.
- Clean the screen with a lint-free cloth, as dust may be the
spot
that is seen. - Plug the power cable to the monitor.
- Power on the monitor.
- Run the monitor or LCD-integrated Self-Test. See Dell knowledgebase 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.
- The screen should now alternate between multiple colors (white, red, green, blue, and black).
- Identify dark dot or dark subpixels or any other type of distortion on the screen.
- If you notice a defect, contact Dell Technical Support.
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 or dark subpixel after troubleshooting, Dell ships a replacement unit depending on the status of the limited hardware warranty of the affected unit.
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 warranty service at a Best Buy store, you must have the original sales receipt of the purchase.
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 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.
Display issues on a Dell laptop or flat panel monitor are 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 leak or light bleeding
- Flickering
- Light or dark patches
- Bright or dead pixels
Learn how to troubleshoot and resolve display related issues.
More information and support for your Dell monitor, desktop, laptop, or tablet screen can be found on our Monitor Support site.
Out of warranty? No problem. Browse to the Dell.com/support website and enter your Dell Service Tag and view our offers.
NOTE: Offers are only available for US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, and China personal computer customers. Server and Storage not applicable.
Article Properties
Affected Product
Chromebox, Alienware, Inspiron, Retired 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, Retired Models
...
Last Published Date
12 Jan 2023
Version
15
Article Type
Solution