Backlight Bleed vs. IPS Glow: How to Test Your Monitor Properly

You’ve just unpacked that perfect new monitor, but now you have a problem: What do you do with the old one? Perhaps the corners are cloudy in dark movie scenes, or you notice an odd tint while working from home late into the night. Before you freak out, it is essential to properly test your panel out of the box with a blank white screen for pixel defects or a pure black background for leaks. Knowing what you’re watching is the first step to determining if your new acquisition is busted or actually operating in a way it was designed.

There is some controversy as to what extent the result is the fault of IPS Technology and how much is owed to backlight bleeding. This guide walks you through how to test your monitor, what the results mean, and whether or not you need a new one.

Understanding Backlight Bleed

Backlight bleed occurs when light from the monitor’s backlight leaks around the edges or corners of the LCD panel. This happens because the layers of the display frame aren’t perfectly blocking the light behind them.

How to spot it:

• It looks like uneven patches or streaks of light, usually yellow or white.
• It typically appears at the edges or corners of the screen.
• The Golden Rule: Backlight bleed is static. If you move your head or change your viewing angle, the bright spots stay in the same place.

Understanding IPS Glow

IPS glow is a technological characteristic of In-Plane Switching (IPS) panels, not necessarily a manufacturing defect. It is a result of the liquid crystal alignment allowing some light to pass through at an angle.

How to spot it:

• It appears as a shimmer or “glow” in the corners, often with a blue, orange, or silver tint.
• It is most visible when viewing dark content in a dark room.
• The Golden Rule: IPS glow shifts. As you move your head or look at the monitor from a different angle, the glow will change intensity or disappear entirely.

How to Test Your Monitor

To get an accurate read on your display’s health, you need to control your environment and use the right testing patterns.

1. Preparation

Dust and smudges can easily be mistaken for dead pixels. Next, control your lighting. You will need a completely dark room to test for bleed and glow, but a standard lit room to check for dead pixels.

2. Testing for Backlight Bleed and IPS Glow

Display a pure black image in full-screen mode. Sit at your normal viewing distance.

• Check the edges: Look for light leaking out from the frame.
• The Head movement test: Move your head left, right, up, and down. If the light patches remain fixed, it is backlight bleed. If they shimmer and change based on where you sit, it is IPS glow.

3. Testing for Pixel Defects

Switch to a solid color background (white, red, green, or blue).

• Dead Pixels: These look like tiny black dots on a white screen. They are unlit and usually permanent.
• Stuck Pixels: These appear as permanent dots of red, green, or blue.
• Hot Pixels: These appear as permanently white dots on a dark background.

Why Verification Matters

When testing, it is crucial to use standardized methods rather than guessing. Just as you would consult the Media Bias chart to ensure you are getting reliable and objective news information, you should rely on objective testing tools to judge your monitor’s performance. Using specific solid-color backgrounds eliminates variables and gives you a clear answer.

What to Do If You Find Issues

Not every imperfection warrants a return. Here is how to handle the most common findings.

For Backlight Bleed

Minor bleed is often considered within manufacturing tolerance for LCD screens. However, if the bleed is distracting during normal use (not just during a stress test) or extends significantly from the edge, you should consider an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization).

• Quick Tip: Sometimes, slightly loosening the screws on the back of the monitor frame can relieve pressure and reduce flashing. Alternatively, simply lowering your brightness can mask minor bleed.

For IPS Glow

This is generally considered normal behavior for the technology. If it bothers you, try adding bias lighting (an ambient light strip) behind your monitor. This increases the perceived contrast and makes the glow less noticeable to the human eye.

For Dead Pixels

Check your manufacturer’s warranty policy. Most brands follow ISO 9241-307 standards, which may allow for a certain number of dead or stuck pixels before a replacement is authorized.

Monitor Defect Statistics

Understanding how common these issues are can help you manage your expectations.

Next Steps

Don’t wait until your return window closes to check your display. Spend 15 minutes today running these simple diagnostic tests. If you find severe defects, contact customer support immediately. If your panel is clean, you can get back to gaming or working with total peace of mind.