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Screen burn-in is one of the biggest reasons many people shy away from OLED displays. I’ve owned multiple OLED TVs and monitors since 2019 without a noticeable burn-in on any of them. However, I followed these precautionary measures to get to this point.
Utilize the Pixel Refresh Feature
Almost all OLED TVs and monitors have a built-in pixel refresh feature to minimize the chances ofOLED screen burn-in. This feature scans for pixel deterioration and compensates the display accordingly to prevent image retention.
OLED TVs, for example, automatically run a short pixel refresh that lasts about five minutes when you turn them off after more than four hours of usage. You can’t manually run this short pixel refresh. OLED monitors will prompt you to run the pixel refresh feature with a pop-up after four hours of usage. You can opt to run it when it’s on standby to avoid interrupting your computer activity.
Additionally, both TVs and monitors can perform a deep pixel refresh that takes an hour to complete. However, I don’t recommend running this manually unless you’ve used the display for 1,500 to 2,000 hours. If you’ve used your TV or monitor for that long, you can run it from the picture settings menu.
On LG TVs, you’re able to press theSettingsbutton on your remote and go toAll Settings > Picture > OLED Panel Settings > PIxel Refresherto run it manually. On some newer models, you’ll have to press theSettingsbutton and click thegear iconat the top, then head toGeneral > OLED Care > OLED Panel Care > Pixel Cleaning. You will find similar options on OLED TVs from other manufacturers.
Most OLED monitors call the same deep pixel cleaning feature as panel refresh. You can find and run it from your monitor’s OSD (on-screen display) menu, which you can access by pressing the physical button at the bottom. If you own an Alienware OLED monitor like me, you can find it underOthers > OLED Panel Maintenance.
I run the short pixel refresh feature on my OLED monitor once every day before logging out of my computer. My OLED TV does it automatically, so I don’t fiddle with the settings. As for the panel refresh or deep pixel refresh feature, I run it only once a year to minimize the chances of image retention so that it doesn’t negatively impact the panel quality and brightness.
Make Sure Pixel Shift Is Enabled
Pixel shift (or screen shift) is a popular feature that moves the individual pixels on your OLED screen to prevent image retention of static elements like logos, in-game HUD, etc. You’ll almost never notice it working in the background unless you’re up close and really looking for it.
This feature is enabled by default on almost all OLED TVs and monitors, but it’s worth making sure you haven’t disabled it. You should be able to find it in the OLED panel settings for your TV or monitor. For example, on LG TVs, you can press theSettingsbutton on your remote and go toAll Settings > Picture > OLED Panel Settingsto toggleScreen Shift
I don’t have the option to disable it on my Alienware OLED monitors, but some manufacturers, like Samsung, offer it. If you have a Samsung Odyssey OLED monitor, bring up the OSD menu and go toSettings > All Settings > General & Privacy > Panel Careto find it.
Avoid Static Images for Too Long
You probably know by now that it’s a bad idea to have static images on an OLED screen for extended periods, as that exponentially increases the chances of screen burn-in and image retention. So, no matter what you’re doing on your TV or monitor, make sure you avoid static screens for too long.
For example, if you launch a web browser on your computer and then go away from the keyboard for several minutes, the monitor is just displaying a static image at this point. The same applies if you have a game idling on your TV for a long duration. Always remember to turn your OLED TV or monitor off or put it on standby whenever you’re not actively using it.
Change the Wallpaper Often or Use Screensavers
This point applies more to OLED monitors than TVs, as they’re typically not best suited for desktop use. That’s because, unlike on TVs—where you watch videos most of the time, computers display several static elements on the screen while performing various tasks.
Unless you’re exclusively running full-screen applications, chances are your desktop wallpaper still shows on your screen. For example, if you’re navigating through File Explorer in Windows or an email or messaging app open.
Therefore, I highly recommend youchange your desktop wallpaperat least once a week to avoid the possibility of the background image burning into the screen. you’re able to alsoset up screensavers on Windowsto ensure your computer doesn’t display a static image for long durations.
Most OLED TVs have a screensaver feature that activates when your TV is idle for a few minutes. It’s often enabled by default, and you’re able to’t turn it off even if you want to.
Lower the Display Brightness
In recent years, OLED display manufacturers like LG and Samsung have been pushing for higher brightness levels. But that’s not necessarily a good thing, as driving the pixels at a higher brightness requires more voltage, and this increases the chances of image retention and screen burn-in.
I keep the brightness level on my OLED TV and monitor to about 75 percent, but if you use it in a dimly lit room, I suggest lowering it even further to 50 percent. Your OLED TV or monitor may automatically crank up the brightness when you’re watching HDR content, but this shouldn’t be a problem unless youwatch HDR content on Windowsconstantly.
As long as you follow these tips, you won’t have to worry about potential screen burn-in issues on your OLED TV or monitor. Also, remember that image retention is temporary, whereas screen burn-in is permanent. So, if you notice some static elements on a white screen, run the pixel refresh feature and see if they go away first.
