A burn-in fixer runs bounded color-cycling or pixel-shift patterns in your browser to try reducing temporary image retention or a mild ghost image. It may help some OLED and AMOLED panels, but it cannot guarantee repair of permanent burn-in.
60-Second recovery decision
Confirm it looks like image retention or a UI shadow.
Use the burn-in test if you have not confirmed the pattern yet.
Start with a 30-minute Color Wash session.
Color Wash is the safest first mode for mild retention.
Keep brightness moderate and the device ventilated.
Use moderate brightness and stop if the panel gets hot.
Retest with the burn-in test after the session.
Compare the same mark on gray or normal content.
Stop if there is no visible improvement.
More runtime is not automatically better.
Image retention fix vs permanent burn-in
When an image retention fix may help
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| Issue | May respond to fixer? | Why | Better first step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary image retention | Sometimes | The afterimage may fade after varied content or a short session. | Start with 30-minute Color Wash, then retest. |
| Mild UI shadow that changes over time | Maybe | Static UI retention may soften if it is not fully aged. | Run burn-in test first, then one bounded session. |
| Permanent OLED burn-in | Usually no | Uneven pixel aging is not reliably reversible with browser patterns. | Document the mark and check manufacturer support. |
| Dead or stuck pixel | No | A dot is not image retention. | Use Pixel Test, then Stuck Pixel Fixer if appropriate. |
| Backlight bleed or edge glow | No | This is not retained image content. | Use Backlight Bleed Test. |
When a burn-in fixer is worth trying
Use the fixer after you have a visible retained image, static UI shadow, or burn-in-like pattern that might respond to mitigation. It is most reasonable for temporary image retention or a mild ghost image that changes over time.
Do not use it as a guaranteed repair. Permanent OLED or AMOLED burn-in comes from uneven pixel aging, and software cannot reliably reverse that.
What color cycling may help
A browser burn-in fixer cycles colors or moving patterns across the screen. The goal is to give the affected area varied content and then compare the result against the same baseline.
It may reduce the visibility of some temporary image retention. It may do little or nothing for severe permanent burn-in.
Should you try the burn-in fixer?
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| What you see | Fixer may be worth trying? | Why | Better next step if not |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faint ghost image from previous content | Yes, cautiously | It may be temporary image retention. | Retest after rest or varied content. |
| Keyboard, taskbar, nav bar, or logo shadow | Maybe | Static UI retention may respond if it is mild or changing. | Run the Burn-In Test first if you are not sure what it is. |
| Mild image retention that changes over time | Yes | A changing pattern suggests there may be some recovery headroom. | Keep sessions bounded and retest against the same baseline. |
| Severe permanent-looking OLED burn-in | Usually no | Uneven pixel aging may not reverse with browser patterns. | Document it and check manufacturer support. |
| Tiny black or colored dot | No | A single dot is usually a pixel issue, not burn-in. | Run the Pixel Test. |
| Backlight glow near corners or edges | No | Edge glow and haze are not image retention. | Run the Backlight Bleed Test. |
| Cloudy pressure mark or bruised area | No | Color cycling cannot undo panel pressure damage. | Document the damage before support or resale. |
| Vertical or horizontal display line | No | A line may involve the panel, cable, driver, or display path. | Contact device support if it persists. |
| Cracked glass or impact damage | No | Physical damage is not image retention. | Use repair or support guidance. |
| Issue visible only in one app, browser, video, or input source | No | The source may be creating the artifact. | Retest with another app, browser, video, or input. |
What a burn-in fixer cannot repair
A browser fixer cannot repair cracked glass, pressure damage, dead pixels, backlight bleed, display lines, failing panels, or severe permanent burn-in. It also cannot prove whether a manufacturer will cover the issue.
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| Issue | Why a fixer may not help | Better next step |
|---|---|---|
| Severe permanent burn-in | Actual uneven pixel aging may not be reversible. | Document the mark and check manufacturer support. |
| Dead pixel | A pixel that does not light correctly is not a burn-in pattern. | Run the Pixel Test. |
| Stuck pixel | A single stuck dot needs a different workflow. | Run Pixel Test first, then use Stuck Pixel Fixer only if appropriate. |
| Backlight bleed | Edge or corner glow is not retained image. | Run the Backlight Bleed Test. |
| Pressure mark or physical damage | Color cycling cannot undo panel damage. | Document the damage and compare support or repair options. |
| Display line | A line may involve panel electronics, a cable, a driver, or the display path. | Contact device support if it appears outside one source. |
| Cracked glass | A physical break is not image retention. | Use repair or support guidance. |
| App, browser, video, or input-source artifact | The artifact may not be in the display panel. | Retest with another source. |
If it is a single dot, run a pixel test first. If that confirms a stuck pixel, use the stuck pixel fixer. If the issue is edge glow or dark-screen haze, run a backlight bleed test. If it looks like pressure damage, document it before support or resale.
Before you run the fixer
Save a baseline first.
Use a consistent photo or test pattern so you can compare the same mark under the same brightness, room light, viewing angle, and screen pattern.
Use moderate brightness.
Do not max brightness just to chase a faint mark. High brightness and heat add stress, especially on OLED and AMOLED panels.
Keep the device ventilated.
Remove cases if a phone or tablet gets warm, avoid blocking vents, and stop if the screen or device heats up.
Do not stare at moving patterns.
Look away from intense motion or flashing. Stop for eye strain, headache, dizziness, nausea, or discomfort.
Keep the attempt bounded.
Retest before extending. More runtime is not automatically better, and repeated flat results are a stop signal.
How long to try it and when to stop
Start with a short bounded session, then retest. Extend only if the mark is improving and the screen stays cool. More time is not automatically better.
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| Retest result | What it suggests | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The ghost image is gone or much lighter | Temporary retention or mild visibility responded. | Stop, lower static-content exposure, and let built-in panel care run normally. |
| It improved a little but remains visible | There may be limited recovery headroom. | One more short session may be reasonable if the panel stays cool. |
| It fades, then returns after normal static content | The screen is still vulnerable to that usage pattern. | Change habits, enable panel care, and avoid repeated long browser runs. |
| No visible change after reasonable attempts | More runtime is unlikely to help. | Stop trying recovery and document the issue if it affects normal use. |
| The screen gets hot, the image looks worse, or you feel discomfort | The attempt is no longer worth continuing. | Stop immediately. |
Check built-in pixel refresh or panel care options
Some OLED TVs and monitors include built-in panel-care features such as Pixel Cleaning, Pixel Refresh, Panel Refresh, Screen Shift, Pixel Shift, logo brightness adjustment, screen savers, or screen optimization.
Use those features according to the display maker's instructions. Do not repeatedly run intensive panel refresh features beyond manufacturer guidance. If your display has a built-in pixel or panel care tool, check that option before relying only on a browser-based fixer.
OLED TVs and monitors
Built-in Pixel Cleaning, Pixel Refresh, Panel Refresh, Screen Shift, logo brightness, and screen optimization features may be more appropriate than repeated browser sessions.
Phones and tablets
Keep sessions short, watch heat and battery, and use the device maker's display guidance when available.
LCD and LED panels
True OLED-style permanent burn-in is less likely. The issue may be temporary persistence, backlight uniformity, pressure damage, or another display problem.
Do not overuse manual refresh
Some manufacturer refresh tools are intensive. Follow the device instructions and stop if repeated attempts do not change the mark.
Test first if you are not sure what you are seeing
Use the Burn-In Test first if you are not sure whether the issue is burn-in, image retention, a dead pixel, backlight bleed, pressure damage, or an app/browser artifact. Use the fixer only after the pattern looks like image retention or a burn-in-like shadow that might respond to mitigation. The test identifies and documents the pattern. The fixer attempts mitigation.
Save proof before repair, warranty, resale, or trade-in
If the same mark remains, document the issue for warranty or support before running repeated sessions. Take photos on gray and normal content, note the brightness level, record whether the mark changed after the fixer, and write down the device model, display type, and suspected static source. That record can help when you compare repair and replacement options, sell the device, or trade it in.
Sources checked
We checked official display, device, and manufacturer support pages to keep the mitigation notes aligned with current public guidance.
- LG Support: Run Pixel Cleaning to remove screen burn-ins · LG SupportChecked June 3, 2026. Supports Pixel Cleaning, Pixel Refresher, picture test, and service handoff guidance.
- LG Support: Troubleshooting image burn-in · LG SupportChecked June 3, 2026. Supports image retention versus burn-in language, Pixel Refresher, screen saver, and logo brightness context.
- Samsung Support: Prevent burn-in on Samsung OLED Monitor · Samsung SupportChecked June 3, 2026. Supports Pixel Shift, Adjust Logo Brightness, Screen Optimization, Pixel Refresh, and contact-support guidance.
- Samsung Support: Panel Care functions on Samsung OLED Monitors · Samsung SupportChecked June 3, 2026. Supports model-specific Panel Care features and warranty/service caution.
- Sony Support: Image retention on OLED TVs · Sony SupportChecked June 3, 2026. Supports image-retention causes and built-in OLED protection features.
- Sony Support: What does the panel refresh do on my OLED TV? · Sony SupportChecked June 3, 2026. Supports manual panel refresh limits and warnings against overuse.
- Apple Support: Super Retina and Super Retina XDR displays · Apple SupportChecked June 3, 2026. Supports OLED image persistence, burn-in, and display aging behavior on iPhone.
- RTINGS: Temporary image retention testing · RTINGS.comChecked June 3, 2026. Secondary testing reference for temporary image retention, not manufacturer guidance.
OLED Burn-In Fixer FAQ
Can a burn-in fixer actually fix burn-in?
It can sometimes reduce temporary image retention or mild burn-in-like shadows. It cannot guarantee recovery or reliably reverse severe permanent OLED burn-in.
Can image retention go away?
Yes, temporary image retention may fade after rest, varied content, built-in panel care, or a short mitigation attempt. If the same shape remains after repeated checks, treat it as evidence to document.
Is OLED burn-in permanent?
Severe OLED burn-in can be permanent because it may come from uneven pixel aging. Mild shadows or temporary retention can look similar at first, so retest before deciding.
Is it safe to run a burn-in fixer?
Use short sessions, moderate brightness, and ventilation. Do not stare at flashing or moving patterns, and stop for discomfort, heat, or worsening artifacts.
How long should I run the burn-in fixer?
Start with a short bounded session, then retest against the same baseline. Extend only if the mark is improving and the screen stays cool.
When should I stop using the fixer?
Stop if repeated retests show no change, the screen gets hot, the mark looks worse, or the issue is clearly visible in normal use after controlled attempts.
Should I use pixel refresh or panel refresh instead?
If your OLED TV or monitor has built-in panel care, check the manufacturer's instructions first. Some panel refresh features are intensive and should not be run repeatedly beyond official guidance.
Is color cycling the same as pixel refresh?
No. Color cycling is browser content shown on the screen. Pixel Refresh, Pixel Cleaning, Panel Refresh, and similar tools are built into specific displays and may work closer to the panel's own maintenance system.
Can the fixer repair dead pixels?
No. A dead pixel is a tiny dot that does not light correctly. Use the Pixel Test to classify it.
Can the fixer repair stuck pixels?
Not this burn-in workflow. If the issue is one stuck or hot pixel, use Pixel Test first, then the Stuck Pixel Fixer only if the result fits.
Can the fixer repair backlight bleed?
No. Backlight bleed, IPS glow, and corner haze are not burn-in or image retention. Use the Backlight Bleed Test instead.
Should I test for burn-in first?
Yes, if you are not sure what the pattern is. The Burn-In Test helps separate retention, burn-in, pixel defects, backlight bleed, pressure marks, and source artifacts before you try mitigation.
What should I do before warranty or repair support?
Take photos on gray and normal content, note brightness, document whether the mark changed after mitigation, and record the device model and suspected static source.
How do I fix image retention?
Start with a short bounded Color Wash session, then retest on gray or normal content. Temporary image retention may fade after rest, varied content, built-in panel care, or one careful browser session. If the same shape stays fixed after repeated checks, treat it as evidence to document rather than keep cycling colors.
What is the difference between an image retention fix and a burn-in fix?
An image retention fix targets a temporary afterimage or mild ghost shadow that may fade. A burn-in fix usually means uneven pixel aging that may be permanent. Browser color cycling may help some retention cases; it cannot reliably reverse severe permanent burn-in.
Can this fix pixel burn?
No. Pixel burn usually means a dead, stuck, or hot pixel dot. Run the Pixel Test first. Use the Stuck Pixel Fixer only if the result fits a stuck or hot pixel, not a broad UI-shaped shadow.