CrackMacDead pixels, stuck pixels or a dead strip on a MacBook: how to tell and what fixes each
A stuck pixel shows one bright colour and can sometimes be revived. A dead pixel stays black on every colour and can't be fixed in software. A dead strip, a band of lines or black along an edge, is damage to the panel itself. The fix depends entirely on which one you have.
Check your screen now with the free dead pixel test. It includes a stuck pixel fixer.
How to tell which you have
- Run the free MacBook screen test. It fills the screen with white, black, red, green and blue in turn.
- A dot that stays one bright colour on every background is stuck.
- A dot that stays black on white is dead.
- A line or band that covers many pixels is panel or connector damage.
What fixes each
| Problem | Can it be fixed? | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Stuck pixel | Sometimes | Run a flashing-colour video over it for 10 to 20 minutes. |
| Dead pixel | No, not in software | Live with it, or a warranty claim if you have a cluster. |
| Dead strip or band | Only by replacing the display | Repair, external monitor, or block off the dead area. |
Living with a dead strip
A single dead pixel is a nuisance. A dead strip along an edge is a usability problem: windows, the menu bar and the pointer keep ending up in it. Blocking that area off turns the panel into a slightly smaller, fully working screen.
If the damage runs along one edge, CrackMac can keep windows, menus and the pointer off it. There's a free 30-minute trial.
If the strip appeared after a knock, read vertical lines after a drop too.
Quick answers
Can dead pixels on a MacBook be fixed?
A truly dead pixel, one that stays black on every colour, can't be fixed in software. A stuck pixel, lit in one colour, sometimes recovers with a pixel-cycling video or gentle pressure. A whole dead strip is panel damage.
Does Apple replace a MacBook screen for dead pixels?
Under warranty, Apple evaluates pixel defects case by case against its own standards. A few isolated pixels may not qualify; physical damage from a knock is not covered without AppleCare+.
Damage along an edge?
CrackMac keeps windows, the menu bar and the pointer on the part of the screen that still works, and paints the dead strip black. You draw the line once, on a picture of your screen, and it stays out of your way after that.
- Works on macOS 13 or later, Apple silicon and Intel.
- Free for 30 minutes of use, then a one-time price. No subscription.
- A refund within 7 days, no questions asked.