HitPaw FotorPea HitPaw FotorPea
Buy Now
hitpaw header image

HitPaw FotorPea

  • The best AI image enhancer available for Windows and Mac
  • Al image generator to transform text into stunning artwork
  • Cutting-edge Al portrait generator with natural outcomes
  • Effortlessly remove object from photo and get perfect results

Dead Line of Pixels Explained: Causes, Examples, and How to Fix Them

hitpaw editor in chief By Daniel Walker
Last Updated: 2026-02-26 17:21:12

A dead line of pixels - is one of the most infuriating screen issues that can really get under your skin - a full row of non functioning pixels can cut right across your display, just as you're in the middle of something important - whether that's work, gaming or trying to watch a movie - it can be super distracting & just plain annoying.

This article is going to explain what causes these lines of dead pixels, what it looks like on different devices - whether it's a TV, monitor, laptop, or your phone - and also offer some practical ways to fix them, as well as suggest when a replacement might be your only option.

Part 1 - What is a Dead Line of Pixels

A dead line of pixels is when a whole row or column of pixels just fails to work right - instead of seeing loads of tiny dots, you get a long line that can look black, white, coloured, or even stuck on one image. And it's pretty different from a few other issues that users might mistake it for:

  • A single stuck pixel (which just shows one colour)
  • Temporary signal glitches
  • Software display bugs

A dead line of pixels usually points to a problem with the hardware - either the panel, the pixel driver, or the internal connections.

Part 2 - Common Scenarios of Dead Pixel Lines on Devices

These dead pixel lines can crop up on all sorts of displays.

Dead Pixels on TV

If you start to see a dead line of pixels on your TV, it usually appears out of the blue & stays in the same place - it may be more noticeable on things with bright backgrounds.

dead lines of pixels

Samsung TV Line of Dead Pixels

So a dead line of pixels on a Samsung TV is usually linked to a problem with the panel driver or an internal cable fault. Both search terms - line of dead pixels Samsung TV and Samsung TV line of dead pixels - are just referring to the same panel failure.

Dead Pixels on Monitor

A line of dead pixels on a monitor can start to appear after a while, or be caused by pressure on the screen, or just old age. Users often describe this as a monitor line of dead pixels or just a dead line of pixels on a monitor.

dead lines of pixels

Dead Pixels on Laptop

If a dead line of pixels shows up on your laptop, it might be because of stress on the hinge, wear on the cables, or just a screen impact.

Dead Pixels on Phone

A line of dead pixels on your phone display usually means the OLED or LCD panel is damaged - often as a result of a fall or pressure.

Part 3 - Vertical vs Horizontal Line of Dead Pixels

Understanding the cause and direction helps identify the problem.

Vertical Line of Dead Pixels

A vertical line of dead pixels usually means a column driver has failed - this is a common issue on TVs and monitors that tends to get worse with time.

dead lines of pixels

Horizontal Line of Dead Pixels

A horizontal line of dead pixels or dead pixels on the monitor often points to a row driver problem or a timing controller fault. On TVs, a horizontal line of dead pixels is especially noticeable when playing video.

Part 4 - Fixing a Line of Dead Pixels

Loads of people are searching for a way to fix a line of dead pixels and are hoping for an easy fix. Reality check, though - it largely depends on the reason for it.

Methods Worth Trying

  • Restart the device and plug in any cables again
  • Run the built-in pixel refresh or panel care tools (if your device has them)
  • (for the technically inclined only) Gently re-seat the internal display connectors
  • Try with a different input source

These steps can sometimes help if the problem is with the signal, but they are unlikely to sort out true hardware pixel failure.

Part 5 - When Dead Pixel Lines Can't Be Fixed

If the issue is still there even after trying different things, it's probably going to be permanent.

Here are the situations where fixing isn't possible:

  • The panel drivers have failed
  • The display has been physically damaged
  • The LCD/OLED is just getting on a bit and degrading with age

In these cases, fixing the line of dead pixels solutions all too often mean you need to replace the display panel or get your device repaired - especially if it's a TV or monitor.

Part 6 - Repairing Pixel-Like Distortions in Photos with HitPaw FotorPea

Tired of low-resolution photos that have lines and pixel distortions that look just like dead pixels?

While actual hardware dead pixels are something you can't edit away, image distortions that look like pixel lines can be sorted. This is where HitPaw FotorPea comes into play.

HitPaw FotorPea uses AI to rebuild and:

  • repair broken pixel patterns in images
  • smooth out jagged or line-like distortions
  • bring some clarity back into low-res or damaged photos
  • improve overall image quality without having to manually retouch

If your photos are showing pixel line artefacts, compression damage, or scan-related defects, FotorPea can quickly and intelligently rebuild missing detail - making images look nice and natural again.

dead lines of pixels

Conclusion

A dead line of pixels is a major display issue that can show up on TVs, monitors, laptops, and even phones. Whether it's a vertical or horizontal line of dead pixels, the cause is usually hardware-related and not always easy to fix without getting it repaired. However, when similar pixel distortions show up in photos rather than actual screens, AI tools like HitPaw FotorPea can offer a decent way to rebuild damaged details and restore a bit of clarity.

Leave a Comment

Create your review for HitPaw articles

Related articles

Questions or Feedback?

download
Click Here To Install