iPad Dead Pixel Test — iPad Pro, Air, mini & Standard
iPad displays range from tandem OLED on the iPad Pro M4 to Liquid Retina IPS on the standard iPad. Each type has different dead pixel characteristics — run the test below to confirm any defect before your return window closes.
Run the iPad dead pixel test
Open this page on your iPad in Safari. Set brightness to maximum and disable Night Shift and True Tone before starting. Tap the full-screen button in the test tool.
Press F11 for best results on desktop
iPad-specific testing tips
- →Disable Night Shift and True Tone: Both shift colour temperature. Turn them off in Settings → Display & Brightness before testing to see pure colours.
- →Set brightness to maximum: Dead pixels are easiest to spot at full brightness. Drag the brightness slider to 100% before running the test.
- →Distinguish Apple Pencil marks from dead pixels: Pencil tip scuffs on the glass look like marks but change with viewing angle and wipe away. A dead pixel is a fixed dot that cannot be wiped off.
- →iPad Pro mini-LED: test at full white: The iPad Pro 12.9" M2 uses mini-LED local dimming. Test with a solid white full screen — local dimming maximises all zones, making dark pixels visible.
- →iPad Pro OLED: dead pixels appear truly black: OLED panels have no backlight, so a dead pixel is absolute black even on a bright white screen — easier to spot than on IPS LCD.
iPad display specs by model
| Model | Display | Panel | Resolution | PPI | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro 13" M4 | Ultra Retina XDR | Tandem OLED | 2752×2064 | 264 PPI | Two OLED layers — true blacks, dead pixels very visible |
| iPad Pro 11" M4 | Ultra Retina XDR | Tandem OLED | 2420×1668 | 264 PPI | Same tandem OLED as 13" — OLED dead pixel guidance applies |
| iPad Pro 12.9" M2 | Liquid Retina XDR | Mini-LED IPS | 2732×2048 | 264 PPI | Local dimming can mask dark pixels — test at full brightness |
| iPad Pro 11" M2 | Liquid Retina | IPS LCD | 2388×1668 | 264 PPI | Standard IPS — straightforward testing |
| iPad Air 13" M2 | Liquid Retina | IPS LCD | 2732×2048 | 264 PPI | Standard IPS |
| iPad Air 11" M2 | Liquid Retina | IPS LCD | 2360×1640 | 264 PPI | Standard IPS |
| iPad mini 7 | Liquid Retina | IPS LCD | 2266×1488 | 326 PPI | Highest PPI of any iPad — pixels very small |
| iPad (11th gen) | Liquid Retina | IPS LCD | 2360×1640 | 264 PPI | Entry-level panel — standard IPS testing |
Found a dead pixel on your iPad? What to do
If the pixel shows colour on a black background, try the stuck pixel fixer for 20 minutes — stuck pixels on IPS iPad models sometimes resolve with rapid colour cycling. OLED iPad Pro stuck pixels are less responsive to software cycling.
For a dark dead pixel, book a Genius Bar appointment. Apple assesses iPad pixel defects case-by-case. Bring photos of the defect against a white background. If you are within the 14-day Apple return window, return directly — it is faster than warranty service.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my iPad for dead pixels?+
Set brightness to maximum, disable Night Shift and True Tone, then run the full-screen test above. Cycle through all colours spending 20–30 seconds each. A dot that stays black on white is dead; a dot showing colour on black is stuck.
Does Apple warranty cover a dead pixel on iPad?+
Apple assesses iPad pixel defects case-by-case at the Genius Bar. A single clearly visible dead pixel on an iPad Pro is often replaced. Book via apple.com/retail. If within the 14-day return window, return directly.
Can Apple Pencil scratches look like dead pixels?+
Yes — Pencil tip scuffs on the glass can look like persistent marks. Unlike dead pixels, they change with viewing angle and wipe away with a microfibre cloth. Dead pixels are fixed dots that cannot be removed.
Does iPad Pro OLED have different dead pixel characteristics?+
iPad Pro M4 uses tandem OLED. Dead pixels on OLED appear as true black even on a white screen. Software cycling is less effective on OLED than on IPS LCD. A dead OLED pixel is more likely to require a hardware replacement.