LED Pixel Sticking: Causes, Fixes, and Prevention Guide

2025-12-11

Pixel sticking is a common issue on LED screens. It makes the picture look blurry and reduces display clarity. You may see a shadow beside a bright line or notice colors blending together. In many cases, text and images show “ghosting” or “color smearing.” Although the problem looks serious, you can fix it once you understand the real cause. In this guide, Toosen explains what pixel sticking is, how to check it, why it happens, and the best ways to repair and prevent it.

What Is Pixel Sticking?

Pixel sticking happens when a pixel lights up incorrectly along with its neighbor. Two or more pixels show combined colors, so edges look soft and unclear. For example, you may see a bright vertical line with a light shadow next to it.

A simple way to confirm pixel sticking is to try these tests:

1. Show a still image

If the pixel problem does not change no matter what is on the screen, it is likely a dead pixel. But if the shadow changes or disappears, the issue is pixel sticking.

2. Lower the brightness from 100% to 10%

A dead pixel stays the same. Pixel sticking usually becomes lighter or fades as brightness drops.

3. Run a pixel-test pattern

Most manufacturers provide software that lights up one pixel at a time.
If pixel A lights up and pixel B also glows faintly, that means crosstalk.
If pixel B stays dark, pixel A may be a dead pixel.

These quick tests help you understand what kind of fault you are facing.

Why Does Pixel Sticking Happen?

Pixel sticking can come from hardware problems, software or parameter errors, or environmental factors. Most issues are hardware-related.

1. Hardware Causes (Most Common)

Every LED pixel contains LED chips, a driver IC, and PCB traces. Any failure in these parts can cause unwanted signals to flow into nearby pixels.

Driver IC damage or poor soldering

The driver IC is the “control switch” of each pixel. It receives data from the control card and tells the LED chips when to light up.
If the IC is poorly soldered, burned by over-current, or low quality, it may send the wrong signal. It may light up pixel B when only pixel A should glow. This creates pixel sticking.

PCB short circuit or leakage

PCB traces are very close to each other. If the board has solder residue, dust, moisture, or manufacturing defects, two traces may connect by accident.
When this happens, current leaks from one pixel to the next, creating crosstalk and color blending.

LED chip failure

Low-quality LED chips can age fast or fail due to heat, humidity, or physical impact.
A damaged LED chip may stay on all the time and “pull” nearby pixels along with it. You will see a bright dot and a small shadow around it.

Module connection issues

On rental screens or shaped LED displays, modules are connected closely.
If the gap is too small, or the ribbon cables become loose or oxidized, the signal may jump between modules. This causes pixel sticking across module edges.

2. Software and Parameter Errors

Not all pixel sticking comes from broken hardware. Sometimes, wrong settings create visual errors that look like pixel problems.

Control card settings mismatch

If refresh rate, gray scale, or pixel mapping are wrong, the image may not refresh smoothly.
A refresh rate below 300 Hz can cause ghosting when the content moves fast.
Incorrect pixel mapping can also assign wrong data to neighbor pixels.

Video source mismatch or interference

If the input signal does not match the LED screen resolution, the image becomes stretched or blurry.
Also, using non-shielded cables or placing signal wires too close to power cables can cause interference. This makes edges look fuzzy or “sticky.”

3. Environmental Factors

These issues occur less often but can still cause pixel sticking.

Humidity and water ingress

In outdoor LED screens, moisture can enter the modules during rainy seasons.
Water causes PCB leakage and short circuits, which leads to crosstalk.

High temperature and long-time high brightness

Running the screen at maximum brightness for many hours heats the LEDs and driver ICs.
Overheating speeds up aging and decreases signal accuracy. As a result, the screen may show intermittent pixel sticking.

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How to Fix Pixel Sticking

1. Replace the LED lamp (for dead or shorted pixels)

If the issue is a true dead pixel, the best repair method is replacing the LED lamp.
Technicians use a heat gun or laser repair tool to melt the solder, remove the faulty LED, and install a new one of the same type.
This gives a permanent fix.

2. Use pixel-activation video or software (for pixel sticking)

You can play fast-switching RGB videos or use special pixel-activation software.
These tools send quick pulses to the pixel. The rapid switching may “wake up” the transistor and restore normal behavior.
This method works best for early-stage pixel sticking.

Prevention Tips

Avoid long-time static images

Even though LED screens do not burn in like OLED, long-term static high-brightness content still causes uneven aging. Change the content regularly.

Perform routine calibration

Use brightness and color calibration tools provided by your manufacturer.
Regular calibration keeps pixel performance consistent over time.

Control humidity and heat

Make sure your screen has proper sealing, ventilation, and temperature control to avoid long-term damage.

Conclusion

Pixel sticking is a common and manageable LED screen fault. You can identify it quickly by running simple tests. Software checks and connection checks often solve the issue. Hardware failures require professional repair, especially when ICs or PCBs are involved.
If you handle the fault early, you can avoid larger damage such as module short circuits. And with proper maintenance and calibration, you can prevent most pixel sticking issues in the future.

If you need technical help, Toosen offers fast support and complete LED display solutions for all installation types.