4 Easy Ways to Fix a Bright Spot on Phone Screen [2024]
Reviewed by Huzaifa Haroon- Bright spots on phone screens can start small but potentially expand, affecting functionality by obscuring text and images. They stem from issues like stuck or dead pixels, physical damage, or software glitches.
- Troubleshooting methods include rebooting the device, updating apps and OS, cleaning the screen, using screen-fixing software, or seeking professional help. Identifying the cause is essential for choosing the right fix.
- Professional repair or screen replacement may be necessary for severe cases. Using high-quality replacement screens and protective accessories is advised to prevent future issues.
Bright spots on a phone screen might not seem like a big deal at first, but they can gradually expand over time. This might appear harmless, especially if it’s at the corner or an edge of the display. However, as they spread, they obscure text and images, practically making your device less functional.
To address these bright spots, you must figure out the cause behind them. You can then attempt some troubleshooting on your own. However, if you’re under warranty, you just saved yourself some effort. Simply reach out to your manufacturer and let the experts deal with what they’re expert at.
Table of Contents:
What is a Bright Spot on Phone Screen?
Your phone display consists of thousands, if not millions, of pixels that are tasked with displaying colors and bringing life to your device, quite literally. If any of these pixels get tired and stop working, so does the area they reside in, resulting in a bright spot.
They’re not to blame though; constantly flashing a primary color is a demanding task. What’s concerning is that these pixels can affect nearby ones and may expand over time. Unless, of course, you find a guide that tells you how to deal with it.
↪ What Causes a Bright Spot?
A bright spot on a phone screen is most commonly either a stuck pixel, which remains on the screen as a single color, or a dead pixel that no longer displays any color and appears as a white dot. The reasons for its emergence may vary:
- A manufacturing defect that has taken time to become apparent.
- A deep scratch or other physical damage, affecting the underlying screen layers.
- Software issues and glitches affecting certain areas of the display.
- A particle stuck under the screen or the screen protector.
- Pressure damage from mishandling or other damaged internal components.
READ MORE: [SOLVED] Pink and Green Lines Appears on LCD/Monitor/Screen ➜
How to Fix a Bright Spot on Phone Screen
The bright spot can only be fixed once its cause has been identified. To begin dealing with it, you must first determine if it is perpetually present. This goes beyond observing it for a few days and across multiple applications.
1. Reboot Your Device
Most temporary software glitches never go away until and unless you reboot your device. If the white spot persists even when the device is switched off, it’s likely just the flaw of the screen protector — a story of no more than a few bucks. However, if the bright spot reappears when you switch on your phone, prepare to analyze and address the underlying issue at hand.
- To reboot, hold down the Power/Side button until a slider or power options appear.
- Drag the slider across to shut down your device. Some devices might just have a simple button so press that.
- Wait for a few moments.
- Hold down the Power/Side button again until the screen turns back on.
READ MORE: How to Restart Phone without Power Button (Android & iOS) ➜
2. Update Your Apps and OS
If you’re only experiencing the issue while using certain apps, it’s less likely a hardware problem and more likely a bug within those applications or your device’s software. Verify this by installing all the pending updates, be it for apps or the entire operating software.
To update apps:
- Launch the Apple Store or Google Play Store (based on your device).
- Tap on your profile picture.
- (On iPhone) Update All apps under the Upcoming Automatic Updates section.
- (On Android) Go to Manage apps and device > Updates available > tap Update all.
To update the operating software:
- Go to the Settings app.
- Tap on General (iPhone) or About Phone (Android).
- Choose Software Update (iPhone) or System Updates (Android).
- Tap to install the update if available.
3. Clean Your Screen Gently
The bright spot may also result from trapped moisture or water damage. Start by removing the case and using a clean, dry cloth to wipe your phone. If you notice a problem with the screen protector, replace it with a new one.
However, if the issue is internal, grab a microfiber cloth and gently massage the affected spot in a circular motion. This can help restore display flexibility and/or redistribute the trapped liquid inside the display, potentially dissolving the bright spot. Remember, this may not always resolve the issue, but it’s worth trying before resorting to more drastic solutions.
READ MORE: How to Fix Your iPhone’s Blurry Home Screen [3 Easy Ways] ➜
4. Use a Screen-Fixing Software
If you notice a tiny white speck on the display that vanishes as soon as you turn your phone off, then it’s likely a stuck pixel. This occurs when one or more pixels fail to light up correctly, displaying only one color, in this case, white. Fortunately, this one is an easy fix.
There are numerous tools available online that flash colors and vibrate the screen to bring back the stuck pixel into its usual cycle. These programs play a random combination of the primary hues at 60 fps to loosen up the stuck pixel. While it’s not a guaranteed fix, such software is known to have above a 50% success rate.
5. Seek Professional Assistance
We’ve all been a bit careless with our phones at times, leaving them in tight pockets or knocking them against hard surfaces. And when there’s no visible scratch or breakage, we go about our days as if nothing happened. But sometimes, pressure spots do. They are essentially bright spots, which can be either white or yellow, that appear due to constant pressure applied to some part of the display.
Other times, the frame of your device may get bent or damaged when you drop your phone. Since the screen no longer lies flat within the frame, unusual bright and distorted spots appear on the display.
While they don’t cause complete display failure, they can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying issue, even for those who take care of their devices meticulously. This can happen when internal parts come loose, dirt particles find their way behind the screen, or components like the battery start expanding.
In such cases, it is recommended to bring your phone to your manufacturer or a professional phone repair specialist. They can open it up, clean it, or replace a swollen battery or the entire display if needed.
READ MORE: How to Fix Screen Artifacts Display Problem in Windows? ➜
Conclusion
Even the very stubborn bright spots can be fixed with a screen replacement. But you must understand that another villain in this story is the aftermarket screens. While their price tag can be alluring, it does not come without a compromise in quality, often at the expense of display issues.
So, if you’re getting a replacement, be sure to invest in a one-time quality display panel. And while you’re at it, be sure to grab a durable phone case and protector as well. They are the first to receive impact and protect not just the displays but the entire device.
Bright Spot on Phone Screen
You’ll notice a rainbow smudge on certain parts of the screen where air bubbles form between your screen protector and phone display. This occurs with cheap tempered glass or polymer protectors on curved screens or when placement is incorrect. Remove the protector, clean the display, and apply a new one carefully or seek expert assistance.
Dead pixels aren’t harmful as long as they’re not obstructing your view of what’s on the display and aren’t spreading. Occasionally, nearby pixels can adopt a similar state, causing the dead spot to expand.This could be because of an undue pressure being applied at that point. You can attempt to revive the affected pixels by gently wiping the screen or using online fixer tools before resorting to sending your device out for proper diagnosis and repair.
There are a few signs you can look for to verify if your phone screen has water damage. Depending on where the water has ended up, you will notice pixel discoloration, holographic patterned spots, screen flickering, or a display that won’t turn on. Additionally, inspect for corrosion marks at ports and the Discolored Liquid Damage Indicator (LDI) strip inside the SIM tray.
Reviewed by Huzaifa Haroon
