Monitor Return Rules

What should I check on a new monitor?

Run each test full screen in a dim room. Together they take about five minutes.

• Dead pixel test: black dots on bright colors.
• Stuck pixel test: colored dots that stay lit.
• Black screen test: backlight bleed and glow at the edges.
• Color test: banding and uneven color.
• Refresh rate test: the rate you paid for.

How long do stores give you to return a monitor?

Most big US stores give you 15 to 30 days for a monitor, and the clock starts when it arrives. Here is what each store's own policy says.

Each store name links to the policy we read. Checked 13 October 2026; stores change these terms, so check yours before you buy.

Third party sellers on Amazon and Walmart can set their own terms within each store's rules. Open box and refurbished monitors may also differ, so read the listing.

Outside the US, consumer law often sets a minimum. In the UK and the EU, online orders can usually be cancelled within 14 days of delivery for any reason.

What is a dead pixel policy?

It is the maker’s rule for how many faulty pixels count as a defect. Some brands replace a screen for one bright pixel, and others need several.

Our dead pixel policy table lists what Dell, Acer, ASUS, AOC and LG allow. It is separate from the seller’s return window.

How do I prove a fault?

Take a photo of the fault on a solid color, close enough to see it. Add a second photo from farther back that shows where it is on the screen.

Write down the model, the serial number and the date you found it. Keep the box, the stand and every cable until the return window closes.

Return to the seller or claim the warranty?

Inside the return window, start with the seller. It is usually quicker, and the pixel policy may not apply.

After the window closes, the maker’s warranty takes over. Ask whether they repair, replace or refund, and who pays the shipping.

How soon should I test a new monitor?

Test it on the day it arrives. Return windows run from the delivery date, not from the day you first use the screen.

Reporting early also leaves time for a replacement to arrive and be tested inside the window.

What is backlight bleed, and is it a fault?

Backlight bleed is light leaking around the edges of an LCD screen. It shows as bright patches on a black picture in a dark room.

A little bleed is common on LCD monitors. If you can see it in normal use, such as in films or dark games, report it to the seller. Our black screen test shows it clearly.

What is IPS glow?

IPS glow is a gray or silver sheen in the corners of an IPS screen on a dark picture. Unlike bleed, it changes or fades when you move your head.

It comes from the panel type itself, so a replacement of the same model will usually glow too. Sitting a little further back makes it less visible.

What other faults should I look for?

Pixels are not the only thing to check. Look for these as well:

• Banding: stripes in smooth color fades, shown by our banding test.
• Uneven brightness: darker or tinted areas on a plain gray screen, shown by our uniformity test.
• Blur: soft text or halos around edges, shown by our sharpness test.
• Flicker: a shimmer at low brightness, easiest to see through a phone camera.
• Dust under the screen: a soft gray spot that does not wipe off.
• Damage: scratches, a wobbly stand or a buzzing sound.

How do I check I got the right monitor?

Compare the model number on the back label with your order. Then confirm the resolution in your display settings and the refresh rate with our refresh rate test.

Measure the screen too, using our monitor size checker. Each size page, such as 27 inch monitor dimensions, lists the body size to compare.

What if the monitor is too big for my desk?

That counts as a change of mind, not a fault. Many sellers still accept it inside the window, but some charge for return shipping or restocking.

Measure before you order to avoid it. Our monitor size chart lists the width, height and depth of each size, and the small desk guide shows what fits.

How do I pack a monitor for a return?

Pack it the way it arrived, so it cannot be damaged on the way back:

1. Remove the stand if it came off for delivery.
2. Put the screen back in its bag and foam, with the screen facing inward.
3. Add the stand, cables, power supply and manuals.
4. Take photos of the packed box before you seal it.

Should I ask for a refund or a replacement?

A replacement keeps the model you chose, but it can have faults of its own. Test it the same way when it arrives.

A refund lets you choose a different model. Compare sizes on our screen size comparison before you order again.

How do I photograph a dead pixel clearly?

Pixel faults are tiny, so a quick snap often misses them. These steps help:

1. Show the color where the dot is easiest to see, such as white for a dark pixel.
2. Turn off the flash and hold the phone steady, close to the screen.
3. Tap the dot on your phone screen to focus on it.
4. Take a second photo from further back, with something in frame to show the position.

Wavy lines in the photo are normal when you shoot a screen, so mention them if the seller asks.

Can I return a monitor if the colors look wrong?

Check the settings first, as most color problems are not faults. Try the standard or sRGB picture mode, and reset the monitor to factory settings.

Then run our color test again. If you still see tinted patches or heavy banding, report it with photos.

Do the same rules apply to a laptop or TV?

The steps are the same: test early, keep the box and photograph any fault. Laptop and TV pixel rules depend on the maker.

Our guides to a dead pixel on a laptop and a dead pixel on a TV cover each one.