The display is a major factor in our decision to buy a particular smartphone. The hard part is choosing between AMOLED (or OLED) and LCD. While most flagship brands have switched to AMOLED these days, that doesn’t mean it’s flawless. One problem with AMOLED displays is screen burn-in or ghosting. AMOLED displays are more prone to burn-in, afterimage or ghosting issues than LCDs. Therefore, in the LCD vs AMOLED debate, the latter has a clear disadvantage in this area.
Now, you may not have experienced screen burn firsthand, but many Android users have. Rather than get confused and confused by this new term, read the full story before letting it affect your final decision. In this article, we’ll discuss what screen burn is and whether you can fix it. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Contents of this article
- Fix burn-in issues on AMOLED or LCD monitors
- What is burn-in?
- What causes screen burn-in?
- What are the preventive measures for aging?
- How to detect screen burn-in?
- What are the various fixes for screen burn-in?
- Method 1: Reduce screen brightness and timeout
- Method 2: Enable Full Screen or Immersive Mode
- Method 3: Set the black screen as wallpaper
- Method 4: Enable Dark Mode
- Method 5: Use a Different Launcher
- Method 6: Use AMOLED friendly icons
- Method 7: Use an AMOLED-friendly keyboard
- Method 8: Use the Correction App
- What should I do if the LCD screen burns?
How to fix AMOLED or LCD monitor burn-in problem ?
What is burn-in?
Screen burn-in is a condition in which the display is permanently discolored due to irregular pixel usage. It’s also called ghosting, because in this case the blurry image lingers on the screen and overlaps the current item being displayed. When using a static image on the screen for an extended period of time, it is difficult for pixels to switch to a new image. Some pixels still emit the same color, so faint outlines of the previous image can be seen. It is similar to a human leg feeling dead and unable to move after sitting for a long time. This phenomenon, also known as image sticking, is a common problem with OLED or AMOLED screens. To better understand this phenomenon, we need to know what causes it.
What causes screen burn-in?
A smartphone’s display is made up of many pixels. These pixels emit light to form part of the picture. Now, the various colors you see are formed by mixing the colors of three sub-pixels of green, red, and blue. Any color you see on the screen is made up of these three subpixels. Now, these subpixels decay over time, each with a different lifetime. Red is the most durable, followed by green, then blue the weakest. Burn-in occurs due to the weakening of blue sub-pixels.
In addition to more widely used pixels, such as those responsible for creating navigation panels or navigation buttons, decay faster. When burn-in begins, it usually begins in the navigation area of the screen. These worn-out pixels cannot produce image colors as good as other pixels. They’re still stuck on the previous image, which leaves a trail of the image on the screen. Areas of the screen that typically stay on static images for long periods of time tend to wear out because the sub -pixels are in constant illumination and have no chance to change or turn off. These areas are no longer as sensitive as others. Worn pixels are also responsible for varying color reproduction in different parts of the screen.
As mentioned earlier, blue subpixels wear out faster than red and green light. This is because in order to produce a specific intensity of light, blue light needs to be brighter than red or green light, which requires additional energy. Blue light wears out faster due to the constant intake of excess power. Over time, the OLED display starts to appear reddish or greenish. This is another aspect of aging.
What are the preventive measures for aging?
The solution to burn-in AMOLED or LCD displays: All smartphone manufacturers using OLED or AMOLED displays acknowledge burn-in issues. They knew the problem was due to the faster decay of the blue subpixels. Therefore, they have tried various innovative solutions to avoid this problem. For example, Samsung started using the pentile subpixel arrangement in all of its AMOLED display phones. In this arrangement, the size of the blue sub-pixel is larger compared to the red and green. This means it will be able to produce higher intensity with less power. This in turn increases the lifetime of the blue subpixels. High-end phones also use better quality long-lasting LEDs to ensure that burn-in doesn’t occur too quickly.
In addition to this, there are built-in software features to prevent burn-in. Android Wear products come with a “burn protection” option that can be enabled to prevent burns. From time to time, the system shifts the image displayed on the screen by a few pixels to ensure that no one particular pixel is under too much stress. Smartphones with always-on capabilities also use the same technology to extend the life of the device. You can also take certain precautions to avoid screen burn-in. We will discuss this issue in the next section.
How to detect screen burn-in?
AMOLED or LCD monitor burn-in repair tutorial: Screen burn-in is done in stages. It starts with a few pixels here and there, and then gradually more and more areas of the screen are damaged. Unless you’re viewing solid colors on the screen at maximum brightness, it’s nearly impossible to detect burn-in early on. The easiest way to detect burn-in is to use a simple screen test application.
One of the best apps in the Google Play Store is Screen Test by Hajime Namura . After downloading and installing the app, you can start testing right away. Your screen will be completely filled with solid colors that will change when you touch the screen. There are also some patterns and gradients in the mix. These screens allow you to check for any lingering effects as the colors change, or if any part of the screen is brighter than others. Color shifts, dead pixels, a bad screen are some other things to look out for when doing tests. If you don’t notice any of these things, then your device isn’t aging. However, if it does show signs of aging, there are fixes that can help you prevent further damage.
What are the various fixes for screen burn-in?
Although there are multiple apps that claim to reverse the effects of screen burn-in, they rarely work. Some of them will even burn the rest of the pixels to create balance, but that’s not good at all. This is because screen burn-in is permanent damage and there is nothing you can do about it. If some pixels are damaged, it cannot be repaired. However, there are certain precautions you can take to prevent further damage and limit screen burn-in from taking up more of the screen. Below is a list of things you can do to extend the life of your monitor.
Method 1: Reduce screen brightness and timeout
Simple math shows that the higher the brightness, the more energy is supplied to the pixel. Lowering the device’s brightness reduces the amount of energy flowing to the pixels and prevents them from wearing out too quickly. You can also reduce screen timeouts so that your phone screen turns off when not in use, saving not only battery but also the life of your pixels.
- To decrease the brightness, simply drag down from the notification panel and use the brightness slider on the quick access menu.
- To reduce the screen timeout, open the settings on your phone.
- Now, click DisplayOptions.
- Click Sleep Optionsand select a lower durationoption.
Method 2: Enable Full Screen or Immersive Mode
How to fix AMOLED or LCD monitor burn-in problem? One of the first areas to burn in is the navigation panel or the area assigned to the navigation buttons. This is because the pixels in that area keep showing the same thing. The only way to avoid burn-in is to get rid of the permanent navigation panel. This is only possible in immersive mode or full screen. As the name suggests, in this mode, the entire screen is occupied by whatever application is currently running, and the navigation panel is hidden. You need to swipe up from the bottom to access the navigation panel. Enabling full screen for an application allows the pixels in the top and bottom areas to change as other colors replace the fixed static image of the navigation buttons.
However, this setting is only available on select devices and apps. You need to enable settings for individual apps from Settings. Follow the steps below to see how:
- Open Settings on your phone and tap DisplayOptions.
- Here, tap More Display Settings.
- Now, tap the Full Screenoption.
- After that, simply turn onthe switches for the various apps listed here.
If your device doesn’t have a built-in setting, you can use a third-party app to enable full screen. Download and install GMD Immersive. This is a free app that allows you to remove the navigation and notification panels while using the app.
Method 3: Set the black screen as wallpaper
The solution to burn-in AMOLED or LCD monitors : Black is the least harmful to your monitor. It requires minimal lighting, extending the lifespan of AMOLED screen pixels. Using a black screen as wallpaper can greatly reduce the likelihood of screen burn-in on AMOLED or LCD displays . Check your wallpaper library and if solid black is an option, set it as your wallpaper. If you’re using Android 8.0 or higher, then you might be able to do this.
However, if that’s not possible, then you can simply download the black screen image and set it as your wallpaper. You can also download a third-party app called Colors developed by Tim Clark that allows you to set a solid color as your wallpaper. It’s a free app and it’s very simple to use. Just choose black from the color list and set it as your wallpaper.
Method 4: Enable Dark Mode
AMOLED or LCD monitor burn-in fix tutorial : If your device is running Android 8.0 or higher, it probably has a dark mode. Enabling this mode not only saves power, but also reduces pixel stress.
- Open Settingson your device and tap DisplayOptions.
- Here you will find the settings for Dark Mode.
- Click it and turn on the switch to enable dark mode.
Method 5: Use a Different Launcher
If you don’t have dark mode on your device, then you can choose another launcher. The default launcher installed on your phone isn’t the best for AMOLED or OLED displays, especially if you’re using stock Android. This is because they used the worst white for pixels in the navigation panel area. You can download and install Nova Launcher on your device. It is completely free and has many attractive and intuitive features. Not only can you switch to a darker theme, but you can also try out the various customization options available. You can control the appearance of icons, the app drawer, add cool transitions, enable gestures and shortcuts, and more.
Method 6: Use AMOLED friendly icons
How to fix AMOLED or LCD monitor burn-in problem? Download and install the free app called Minima Icon Pack , which allows you to convert icons into dark and minimalistic icons suitable for AMOLED screens. These icons are smaller in size and have a darker theme. This means that fewer pixels are now used, which reduces the chance of screen burn-in. The app is compatible with most Android launchers, so feel free to try it out.
Method 7: Use an AMOLED-friendly keyboard
Solution to burn-in AMOLED or LCD monitors: Some Android keyboards are better than others in terms of impact on display pixels. Keyboards with dark themes and neon-colored keys work best with AMOLED displays. One of the best keyboard apps for this purpose is SwiftKey . It’s a free app and comes with many built-in themes and color combinations. The best theme we recommend is pumpkin. It has black keys with neon orange font.
Method 8: Use the Correction App
AMOLED or LCD monitor burn-in repair tutorial: Many apps on the Play Store claim to reverse the effects of burn-in. They are said to have the ability to repair the damage that has been done. While we do state the fact that most of these apps are useless, there are a few that might help. You can download an app called OLED Tools from the Play Store. This app has a dedicated tool called Burn-in reduce that you can use. It retrains the pixels on the screen to try and restore balance. The process involves cycling the pixels on the screen through different primary colors at their peak brightness to reset them. Sometimes doing this actually fixes the bug.
For iOS devices, you can download Dr.OLED X. It does almost the same thing as its Android counterpart. However, if you don’t want to download any apps, you can also visit ScreenBurnFixer ‘s official website and retrain your Pixels using the colored slides and checkered patterns available on the website.
What should I do if the LCD screen burns?
As mentioned above, burn-in on an LCD screen is unlikely, but not impossible. Also, if screen burn-in does occur on an LCD screen, the damage is mostly permanent. However, you can download an app called LCD Burn-in Wiper and install it on your device. This application is only available for devices with LCD screens. It cycles the LCD pixels through various colors of different intensities to reset the burn-in effect. If it does not work, you will need to visit a service center and consider replacing the LCD display panel.
I hope the above tutorial was helpful to you and that you were able to fix the burn-in issue on the AMOLED or LCD display of your Android phone. However, if you still have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments section.