Naturally, we want our televisions to look as amazing as possible. With resolutions now higher than ever, and content packed with HDR detail, modern TV screens need to do a lot of heavy lifting!
But, sometimes, even the best TV screens can look a little odd. Ever found that your TV screen looks slightly off? That certain parts of the image just don’t look right? Having trouble putting your finger on what the issue might actually be? Then it’s likely that your TV is suffering from “Dirty Screen Effect”!
Most likely, you’ve never heard of dirty screen effect before, and that has led you right here. Luckily, this is just the page you’ve been looking for. The Reliant tech experts have put together this definitive guide to dirty screen effect. To find out exactly what it is, and whether it can be resolved on your TV!
What Is Dirty Screen Effect?
The dirty screen effect refers to uneven light values being displayed on a TV’s screen. You may find that certain patches of the screen appear a little darker than other areas of the screen. This is because the TV is not providing consistent light across the entirety of the screen, resulting in dark patches.
Dirty screen effect is caused by inconsistent amounts of light being released by a TV’s backlights. If your TV is suffering from the effect, you may notice that certain patches of the screen appear darker than others.
Dirty screen effect is a problem that can affect all kinds of TVs. Especially those that use backlights. LED, QLED, and mini-LED TVs can all be affected by the issue. However, OLED TVs are not totally excluded from the issue. If certain OLED pixels are damaged, then they will produce less light, which results in the dirty screen effect.
Dirty screen effect can vary massively from case to case. For instance, on one TV it may show up as distinct dark patches on the screen. On another TV, dirty screen effect may cause light to dim towards the edges of the screen. This creates a vignetting effect that can be very distracting.
What Causes Dirty Screen Effect?
Most of the time, dirty screen effect is a result of a manufacturing error. If a TV’s backlights or screen aren’t installed properly, then dirty screen effect may manifest itself in all kinds of ways. Luckily, many manufacturers offer healthy warranties in case you notice the dirty screen effect occurring right away.
Dirty screen effect can also be caused by age and physical wear and tear. As an LED TV ages, its backlights will naturally wear out at different rates. This means that certain backlights may be less effective than others in the same TV. This can also occur within an OLED TV, as individual OLED pixels may die out at different rates.
Make sure to take good care of your TV, to prevent dirty screen effect. Unwanted force applied to the screen may cause damage to some of the TV’s internal components. Damage to the backlights of an LED TV or the pixels of an LED TV may impact their ability to illuminate on-screen images.
How Do You Fix Dirty Screen Effect On Your TV?
Unfortunately, dirty screen effect is a direct result of faulty hardware in your TV. Whether it’s the backlights, or the screen itself, the only way to truly solve the problem would be to have the offending component fixed. However, repairing a TV screen or backlight can be incredibly costly. If your TV is suffering from dirty screen effect as a result of age, then you may actually save more money by opting for a brand new TV.
Dirty screen effect is most often caused due to manufacturing error, or physical mishandling. As such, because it occurs as a result of hardware failure, it can only be repaired by replacing certain components!
It’s worth checking for dirty screen effect within the first few days with your new TV. If you can spot the issue within the first few days, then it is likely that it is caused by a manufacturing error. It could also be a result of mishandling during shipping or installation! If spotted within the first few days, then you may be able to return the TV or exchange it for a new one.
If dirty screen effect has manifested as a result of age, then your best bet is to consider the positioning of your TV. To make dirty screen effect less noticeable, you should make sure to view your TV from a direct angle. The more you move away from the centre of the screen, the more prominent dirty screen effect will appear!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Dirty Screen Effect?
If your TV is inconsistent with the amount of light it emits, then it’s likely suffering from dirty screen effect. Dirty screen effect occurs when a TV’s light source is unable to provide consistent light across the entirety of the screen. It can be caused by errors in the manufacturing process, or even mishandling during shipping or installation.
Does OLED Suffer From Dirty Screen Effect?
Dirty screen effect commonly affects LED, QLED, and other backlit TVs. This is because it directly affects the efficiency of the backlights. However, it is also an issue that can affect OLED TVs too. If any of the OLED pixels burn out at a different rate from the rest, then it will result in a patchy image.
Do All LED TVs Have Dirty Screen Effect?
No. Dirty screen effect is an error that should not occur on any TV. It is a direct result of incorrect manufacturing or physical mishandling. However, some TVs may be more likely to suffer from dirty screen effect than others. For instance, manufacturers of cheaper TVs may have slightly looser quality control.
