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OLED Burn-In Test

Solid colors, gradients and a retention check to spot burn-in and image retention, plus a gentle color cycle.

  • Free, no sign-up
  • OLED and LCD
  • About 2 minutes

Step 1

Solid colors and gradients

→ Space or tap: next← backEsc exit

No full-screen mode in this browser. Safari on iPhone and some TV browsers can’t hide their bars, so the test fills the visible screen. Rotate the phone and scroll slightly to check the edges.

Step 2

Retention check

Shows a black and white checkerboard, then switches to gray. A faint checkerboard that fades is temporary retention.

Step 3 · Optional

Gentle color cycle

Slowly changes full-screen colors, one every 8 seconds, with no flashing. It gives fading retention varied content. It can’t repair burn-in.

Result

What did you see?

Pick the one that matches best.

By GigaScreens Team · Updated 2026-10-17

Browser support: Tested in Chrome, Firefox and Safari (WebKit) on desktop and in iPhone and Android emulation. Real-phone checks are pending.

How to test for burn-in

  1. Turn brightness up to your normal level or a bit higher. Faint shapes are easier to see.
  2. Press Start. Step through gray, white, the solid colors and the gradients with Next, a tap or the arrow keys.
  3. Look where static things live: channel logos and news tickers on TVs, the taskbar on PCs, the status bar, navigation bar and keyboard on phones.
  4. Found a shape? Run the retention check. If a fresh pattern fades within minutes, your screen clears retention normally, and an older shape that won’t fade is more likely burn-in.

Reading the result: retention or burn-in

Trait Image retention Burn-in
What it is A faint leftover of the last image A shape that stays on all content
How long Minutes Permanent, or very slow to fade
Usual cause A static image shown for a while The same high-contrast image at high brightness for long periods
What helps Normal use, or switching off for a bit The screen’s own panel refresh, sometimes. Otherwise warranty

That split comes from the makers. Apple says image persistence on iPhone OLED screens is temporary and goes away after a few minutes of normal use, while burn-in can happen when the same high-contrast image stays on at high brightness for prolonged periods. LG calls burn-in a form of image retention that lasts much longer.

LCDs can show brief retention too, but lasting burn-in is mainly an OLED problem (and was a plasma one before that).

What the gentle color cycle does, honestly

It shows slowly changing full-screen colors. That’s all. If you have fresh retention, varied content helps it fade, and this is a tidy way to give the screen some.

It isn’t the same as the “pixel refresher” built into OLED TVs and monitors. Those run inside the screen with its own measurements, often while it’s in standby. No website can do that, whatever its name says. If an online tool promises to remove burn-in, be skeptical.

Fix guide: what to do about burn-in

  1. Wait and use the screen normally. Most faint shapes from a paused game or a long video call are retention, and they fade.
  2. Run the built-in panel refresh. On 2022 and newer LG OLED TVs it’s Settings > All Settings > General > OLED Care > OLED Panel Care > Pixel Cleaning (LG’s steps for each year). LG says it also runs on its own after about four hours of cumulative use, and won’t run if you cut power at the wall. OLED monitors have a similar option in their own menu, so check the manual.
  3. Don’t run it over and over. LG recommends leaving Pixel Cleaning on Auto in normal use and running it by hand only when you see a problem.
  4. Cut the cause. Lower brightness for static content, turn on logo dimming if your TV has it (LG calls it Adjust Logo Brightness), auto-hide the taskbar, and set a shorter Auto-Lock on phones, as Apple suggests.
  5. Still there after a few days? Check the warranty. Burn-in coverage varies by brand, model and region, so read your maker’s terms or ask their support before you assume either way.

For long-term data on how different TVs hold up, RTINGS runs a public longevity test.

What this test can’t do

It can’t detect burn-in by itself. You’re the sensor. It also can’t measure how bright each area is, which would need a colorimeter. And it can’t reverse true burn-in.

Frequently asked questions

How long does image retention last on OLED?

Usually minutes. Apple says image persistence on iPhone OLED screens is temporary and disappears after a few minutes of normal use. A shape that’s still there the next day is more likely burn-in.

Can OLED burn-in be fixed?

Mild cases sometimes improve after the screen’s built-in panel refresh, such as LG’s Pixel Cleaning. Real burn-in is usually permanent. No website or video can repair it.

Can this burn-in test cause burn-in?

No. The retention check shows a static pattern for up to 60 seconds. Apple links burn-in to the same high-contrast image shown at high brightness for prolonged periods.

Do LCD screens get burn-in?

LCDs can show brief image retention, but lasting burn-in is mainly an OLED problem. Run the retention check: on an LCD, the ghost should fade quickly.

Does the color cycle fix burn-in?

No. It shows slowly changing colors, which can help fresh retention fade the same way normal content does. For burn-in, use your screen’s own panel refresh and check the warranty.

Sources