Dead Pixel Testing on MacBook Retina Displays
MacBook screens use high-density Retina displays where individual pixels are too small to see at normal viewing distance — which makes dead pixels both harder to spot and more visually disruptive when you do find one. A dead pixel on a 14-inch MacBook Pro Retina (3024 × 1964 resolution) is a tiny black dot, but one that stays permanently fixed while everything else renders sharply around it.
The test above runs directly in Safari or Chrome on your MacBook. For best results:
- Dim your room lighting and angle the screen away from window glare
- Expand your browser to fill the screen before pressing Launch Full Screen
- Use the arrow keys to cycle through all six colors — Black, White, Red, Green, Blue, Grey
- Pay particular attention to the white background for dark dead pixels, and the black background for any stuck bright sub-pixels
If your MacBook has a True Tone display (all models from 2018 onward), disable True Tone in System Settings → Displays before running the test. True Tone shifts the white point and color temperature, which can affect how defects appear.
MacBook Dead Pixel vs Image Retention
MacBook Retina displays — especially older 2013–2019 Retina Pro models — are known for image retention: a ghost of a previous image that lingers temporarily on the display. This is different from a dead pixel.
| Dead Pixel | Image Retention | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Fixed black or colored dot | Faint ghost of previous content |
| Changes over time? | No — permanent | Yes — fades within seconds or minutes |
| Visible on solid colors? | Yes, clearly | Most visible on grey or mid-tone backgrounds |
| Covered by warranty? | Apple discretion | Yes, if within warranty and persistent |
If you see something that fades away after displaying a solid grey screen for 30 seconds, that is image retention — not a dead pixel. Run the test again after leaving the solid grey background displayed for one minute to confirm.
MacBook Dead Pixel Warranty — What Apple Actually Does
Apple does not publish a specific dead pixel threshold the way monitor manufacturers do. There is no publicly stated "X dead pixels required for replacement" rule. In practice:
What matters to Apple support:
- Location on screen — a dead pixel in the center of the display is treated differently from one at a corner
- Visibility during normal use — if it's clearly visible at typical working distance during an in-store inspection, Apple is more likely to act
- AppleCare status — AppleCare+ doesn't automatically cover dead pixels but gives you more leverage and a more favourable starting position with senior support
- Age of the Mac — defects discovered within the first 90 days are treated as manufacturing defects; after that, it depends on circumstances
How to approach Apple for a dead pixel replacement:
MacBook Pro 2017 Dead Pixel Issues
The 2017 MacBook Pro (13-inch and 15-inch) used LG-manufactured Retina displays that had a higher-than-typical incidence of dead pixels appearing within the first 1–2 years. If you are testing a 2017 MacBook Pro:
- The display in these models is a 2560×1600 (13-inch) or 2880×1800 (15-inch) IPS Retina panel
- Dead pixels in this generation often appear as small black dots or occasionally as always-bright white or colored sub-pixels
- Apple replaced displays on 2017 MacBook Pros with documented dead pixel defects within the warranty period at no charge in most cases
- If your 2017 MacBook Pro is out of warranty, an out-of-warranty display replacement from Apple is expensive — check third-party repair options if the defect is minor
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Apple replace MacBooks for one dead pixel?
There is no published minimum — Apple decides on a case-by-case basis. A single dead pixel near the center of the screen, visible during normal use, has resulted in free display replacements for many users, especially on newer MacBook Pro models. A pixel at the corner of the screen is less likely to be approved. Your best chance is an in-person Genius Bar visit with clear documentation.
Is a dead pixel on a MacBook covered by AppleCare+?
AppleCare+ does not have a specific dead pixel provision, but it extends your warranty coverage and gives you access to senior support. Dead pixels identified as manufacturing defects — particularly those appearing early in the display's life — are typically handled under the base warranty or AppleCare warranty extension, not as an accidental damage claim.
What's the difference between a dead pixel and a stuck pixel on a MacBook?
A dead pixel is always black — the sub-pixel transistor has failed and produces no light. A stuck pixel is always a fixed color (red, green, blue, or white) — the transistor is stuck on. On MacBook Retina displays, stuck pixels are uncommon but do occur. You can attempt to fix a stuck pixel using the dead pixel fix tool — rapid color cycling sometimes unsticks a sub-pixel. Dead pixels (always black) almost never self-correct.
My MacBook has a white or bright dot on the screen — is that a dead pixel?
A bright or white dot is a stuck pixel, not a dead pixel. On the test above, a stuck pixel will be visible on the black background as a bright colored or white dot. Try the dead pixel fix tool — stuck pixels on Retina displays occasionally respond to the rapid cycling treatment.
Can I test a MacBook dead pixel in Safari?
Yes. The test above works in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox on macOS. Safari's fullscreen mode (Control + Command + F) covers the entire display including the menu bar, which gives you complete panel coverage. Make sure to check under the notch area on MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch models — pixels behind the notch do exist and can have defects.