As an owner of a Toshiba TV, I was frustrated when I noticed dead pixels on the screen. After doing some research and testing, I decided to share my experience and solutions to this common problem.
Your Toshiba TV could have dead pixels because a portion of the screen wasn’t manufactured correctly. Another possibility is that the television was accidentally damaged before or after you began using it. A few other theories exist but have not been verified.
| Tips for Dealing with Dead Pixels | Details |
|---|---|
| Causes of Dead Pixels | Improper manufacturing, accidental damage, static images, natural disasters |
| Preventing Dead Pixels | Place TV in safe location, keep it away from heat sources |
| Testing for Dead Pixels | Display a solid bright color across the entire screen |
| Retailer Return/Exchange Policies | May allow returns/exchanges if TV has at least three dead or stuck pixels |
| Adjusting Brightness and Contrast | Can reduce visibility of black spots on the screen |
Table of Contents
Why does my Toshiba TV have dead pixels?
Unfortunately, the most likely reason why your Toshiba TV has dead pixels is that the pixel has broken. There is not really much you can do about it other than seeing if you can get it repaired.
This problem often occurs as a result of electrical power not being able to reach an individual pixel. The connection might have been broken or may have never been made.
Even if no manufacturing defects exist, your television might have been damaged in transit to your home or the store where you bought it. Such problems are normally evident as soon as you first begin watching the TV.
It’s also possible that you or a previous owner accidentally dropped the TV set or knocked it over. A natural disaster such as an earthquake could have the same effect.
Additionally, there’s a theory that black spots may appear if you display the same picture on your television for many hours.
How to prevent dead pixels
Place the TV in a location where you’re unlikely to bump into it. Put it on a sturdy piece of furniture or wall mount. Keep pets and young kids away from the television.
Use the original Toshiba box and packing materials to safely move and store this equipment. When transporting your TV to a new home in a vehicle, ensure that it’s fully secured and protected.
Can you fix dead pixels on Toshiba TV?
Unfortunately, it’s usually not possible to repair dead pixels on your own. You can find various techniques and products on the internet, but none of them appear to be reliably effective.
If your screen actually has stuck pixels that light up and always stay a single color, you may be able to fix them using certain methods or apps.
Some people claim dead pixels have eventually “come back to life” without being repaired.
Unfortunately, many technology experts say it’s impossible. You could try adjusting the brightness and contrast in a way that reduces the visibility of black spots.
Also, newer warranties typically don’t cover this screen defect. Some electronics stores can repair televisions for a fee.
Do retailers cover dead pixels on Toshiba TVs?
Certain stores will allow you to return or exchange TVs within the normal return period.
For example, Best Buy generally allows customers to bring back units with at least three dead or stuck pixels.
Newegg allows returns of TVs with any number of dead pixels. You may qualify for additional protection if you bought extended coverage or have joined a retailer’s membership program.
Preventing dead pixels on a Toshiba TV
In order to prevent more pixels from dying in the future, make sure to do the following:
- Place your TV in a location with good airflow, that is not in direct sunlight and is not near to a heat source.
- Keep the brightness set as low as you can comfortably have it (placing the TV in a shaded area helps with this)
- Avoid allowing a static image to be displayed on the screen for too long
- Turn the TV off when not in use
How to test for dead pixels on Toshiba TV
You can accomplish this by displaying a solid bright color across the entire screen.
If you’re able to access the internet on your TV or a computer that’s connected to it, you could navigate to a dead-pixel testing website or video.
Another option is to run the Windows Paint application in “Accessories” under “All Programs” on the computer’s Start menu. Leave the “canvas” blank, and press F11 for full-screen viewing.
Count how many tiny black spots you see. Larger black areas indicate that multiple adjacent pixels have failed. If you see spots of the wrong color, the pixels are stuck.
Read more: Toshiba TV overheating
