Warranty · 2026
Pixel or sub-pixel: what the warranty covers
A black dot, a white dot and a coloured dot do not have the same cause, and the warranty does not treat them the same way. Here is the difference between a pixel and a sub-pixel, and what Kuycon covers.
Diagram
One pixel, three sub-pixels
A monitor builds the image from millions of pixels. Each pixel is itself made of three sub-pixels, red, green and blue, which light up more or less brightly. Their mix gives the colour of the pixel: all three fully lit make white, all three off make black.
A 5K monitor at 5120 × 2880 therefore has 14.7 million pixels, or more than 44 million sub-pixels. A 6K monitor at 6016 × 3384 goes beyond 20 million pixels and 61 million sub-pixels.
| Term | What it is |
|---|---|
| Pixel | The smallest dot able to show every colour of the image. It combines three sub-pixels: red, green and blue. |
| Sub-pixel | One of the three coloured cells of a pixel. Each sub-pixel is driven separately; together they give the colour of the pixel. |
| Pixel fault | All three sub-pixels stay off (dead pixel, black dot) or stay lit (bright pixel, white dot). |
| Sub-pixel fault | A single sub-pixel stays off or lit, fully or partly. The pixel then shows the wrong colour. |
Warranty
The four faults, and what is covered
Dead pixel
All three sub-pixels stay off: a black dot, visible on a white background.
CoveredBright pixel
All three sub-pixels stay lit: a white dot, visible on a black background.
CoveredDark sub-pixel
A single sub-pixel stays off: a dark or coloured dot on a white background.
Not coveredLit sub-pixel
A single sub-pixel stays lit, fully or partly: a red, green or blue dot on a black background.
Not coveredMagnified views: each square stands for one pixel and its three sub-pixels. Dead and bright pixels are covered under the 3-pixel rule below.
The rule
3 pixels, and a central area
With up to 3 dead or bright pixels outside the central area, the monitor is considered compliant. This is the standard tolerance, the same across the whole range, whatever the resolution of the monitor.
The monitor is covered in two cases:
- it shows more than 3 dead or bright pixels, wherever they are;
- a single dead or bright pixel sits in the central 5 cm × 5 cm area, where your eyes rest most.
You then choose: a free exchange, or a full refund if you send the monitor back to us, at our expense. If you prefer to keep the monitor, a partial refund can be agreed.
Examples
Four real-life cases
| What you see | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 2 dead pixels near an edge | Within tolerance: the monitor is compliant. |
| 1 bright pixel in the central area | Free exchange or refund. |
| 4 dead pixels spread across the panel | Free exchange or refund. |
| 1 permanent green dot on a black background | Sub-pixel fault, not covered. Try to unstick it with PixelFix, the official Kuycon tool. |
What is not covered either
On top of sub-pixel faults, two aspects of the panel are excluded from the commercial warranty:
- Panel non-uniformity: lighter or darker areas, uneven tint, backlight bleed along the edges.
- Foreign substance: dust or a particle visible inside the panel, or trapped between the glass and the panel.
Check
Test your monitor in five minutes
Clean the panel
Dust on the screen looks like a dead pixel. First wipe the panel with a dry microfibre cloth, as explained in our cleaning guide.
Show solid colours
Open the screen test of PixelFix, the free official Kuycon tool, in full screen. White reveals dead pixels and dark sub-pixels; black reveals bright pixels and lit sub-pixels.
Count and take photos
Count the dots and check whether they are in the central area. Take a close-up photo on the background that shows them, then a wide shot to locate them.
A coloured dot? Try to unstick it
A sub-pixel that stays lit is not always permanent. PixelFix, the official Kuycon tool for stuck pixels, flashes the affected area rapidly to try to unstick it, right in your browser. Allow 10 to 30 minutes per session, and repeat if needed.
The flashing is not recommended for people with photosensitivity. And never press on the panel to "massage" a pixel: the pressure can damage it for good.
Making a claim
Write to [email protected] and include:
- your order number or proof of purchase;
- the serial number of the monitor;
- a photo or short video of the fault on a solid background, and a wide shot of the monitor.
Our team checks the fault and offers you the remedy set out in the warranty: exchange, refund or, if you keep the monitor, a partial refund.
FAQ
Pixels and warranty: frequently asked questions
Is a faulty sub-pixel covered by the Kuycon warranty?
No. The commercial warranty covers dead pixels (fully black) and bright pixels (permanently lit). A dark or lit sub-pixel, which shows as a coloured dot, is not covered. PixelFix, the free official Kuycon tool, can sometimes unstick a sub-pixel that stays lit.
How many dead pixels do I need for an exchange?
More than 3 dead or bright pixels in total, or a single one in the central 5 cm × 5 cm area. With up to 3 outside this area, the monitor is considered compliant.
Where is the central area?
It is a square with 5 cm sides in the centre of the panel, where its two diagonals cross. A single dead or bright pixel in this square is enough for a claim.
Is light bleeding along the edges covered?
No. Backlight bleed is part of panel non-uniformity, which is excluded from the commercial warranty. Your legal guarantees and your 14-day right of withdrawal remain intact.
Unsure about a pixel?
Send us a photo on a solid background: we will tell you whether your monitor qualifies and which remedy applies.
Contact usGuide written in October 2026, based on articles 9 and 10 of our terms of sale.