Screen Defect

Monitor screen black spot

About 7 seconds, full screen, then one question.
White screenBlack screenGrey screenRed screenGreen screenBlue screen
White screen⛶ Full screen
On whitedark spots, pressure marks, lines
On blackbright dots, backlight bleed, glow
On red, green, bluedead or stuck pixels, colour lines
Depends — see test

A black spot on a monitor screen that shows on white and vanishes on black is inside the panel: a cluster of dead pixels (a sharp-edged tiny square), a pressure mark (soft-edged, where something pressed the panel), or dirt under the glass (moves if you press gently, on tablets and monitors only).

Test it now

Open the full-screen white test and look at the spot. Then black. Pixel and pressure damage disappears on black; surface marks do not. Then wipe once with a dry microfibre cloth and check white again.

What it is

A black spot on a monitor screen that shows on white and vanishes on black is inside the panel: a cluster of dead pixels (a sharp-edged tiny square), a pressure mark (soft-edged, where something pressed the panel), or dirt under the glass (moves if you press gently, on tablets and monitors only). A mark that shows on black as well is on the surface: residue, a scratch, or damage to the glass.

Can it be fixed?

Dirt or residue: yes, clean it. A stuck pixel (coloured, not black): often, with the pixel fixer on the test page. Dead pixels and pressure marks: no — they are permanent, and the fix is a new panel. Most people live with a small one.

What to do

  1. Full-screen white, then black, then wipe and repeat.
  2. Sharp square, only on white: dead pixels — count them against the warranty policy.
  3. Soft blotch, only on white: pressure mark — photograph it and stop pressing on the screen.
  4. Shows on black too: surface — clean, or a screen polish for scratches.

What a repair costs

United Statesusually more than the monitor is worth — a panel swap starts around $150 and most 24"–27" monitors cost less new
India₹4,000–10,000 for a panel, so a new monitor is often the better buy

Typical ranges from repair-shop and manufacturer price lists, 2026-09-06. Get two quotes; prices vary by model and city.

Warranty

Most makers replace a panel under warranty for physical panel faults that are not accidental damage; pressure marks, cracks and liquid damage are treated as accidental and are not covered. For dead pixels, each brand has a threshold (typically 3–5 bright or 5–8 dark pixels on a laptop; Dell's premium-panel guarantee replaces at one bright pixel).

Related

Why is there a line on my computer screenA line on a computer screen is either the signal or the panel.Depends — see testBlack spot on monitorA black spot, black dot or dark mark on a monitor or computer screen has the same three causes as on a laptop: dead pixels (a sharp black point or cluster on every colour), a crack in the LCD (a black blot with lines running from it), or pressure damage from something pressing the panel (a soft dark smudge on white).Not fixable — new panelBottom of computer screen flickeringA flickering computer screen is the signal, the refresh rate or the backlight.FixableBlack dot on screenA black dot on a screen screen that shows on white and vanishes on black is inside the panel: a cluster of dead pixels (a sharp-edged tiny square), a pressure mark (soft-edged, where something pressed the panel), or dirt under the glass (moves if you press gently, on tablets and monitors only).Depends — see test