Why is There a Bright Spot on My Phone Screen? 5 Reasons & Fixes

Diagnose why your phone's display has an annoying white spot

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: March 29, 2024 Fact Checked

If your phone has developed a bright or white spot on the screen, you are likely wondering how to fix it. This could happen to any phone, be it an iPhone or Android, but the troubleshooting steps are the same. Keep reading to learn why you might have a bright spot on your screen and how you can fix it.

Things You Should Know

If you have one white speck on your screen, it is likely a stuck pixel, which can be fixed with a stuck pixel fixer.
If you've got a pressure spot, a backlight layer issue, or a bent frame, these issues can only be fixed by a professional.
Check your screen protector for air bubbles, as these can cause your screen to have bright spots.

1

Stuck Pixel

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Determine if the bright spot is just one pixel. If you see a tiny white speck on your screen that goes away when you turn the phone off, you likely have a stuck pixel. This means that one of the pixels is not lighting up correctly and displaying one color, which may be white. If you see a black pixel on your screen, it's a dead pixel.^{[1]
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- You can try to fix a stuck pixel by using a website such as JScreenFix. Follow the on-site instructions to fix your stuck pixel.
- If the stuck pixel doesn't go away, you should contact your phone manufacturer or a certified phone repair specialist. Fixing a stuck pixel involves removing the screen to get the pixel working again.

2

Pressure Spots

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If you press too hard on an LCD screen, it can cause a discolored spot. If the bright spot on your phone screen is located on a part of the screen that you usually touch, there's a possibility it's a pressure spot from being tapped too hard.
- To fix a pressure spot, contact your phone manufacturer or a certified phone repair specialist. Fixing a pressure spot will likely involve replacing the entire screen.

3

Backlight Layer Issues

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Check for small spots where the display looks brighter. If you have a small spot on your screen where the display is brighter, not necessarily white, your phone likely has an issue with the backlight layer. This is usually caused by a component in the phone pressing against the backlight layer, causing it to be pressed closer to the screen, which can make the image appear brighter.
- To fix the backlight layer, contact your phone manufacturer or a certified phone repair specialist. The phone may need to have the internal components put back in place, or your entire display may need to be replaced.
- One common culprit is a swollen battery pressing against the backlight layer. If this is the case, your phone manufacturer may replace it entirely if it's still under warranty.

4

Bent or Damaged Frame

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Check the phone's frame for any damage. If you've dropped your phone, this can damage or bend the frame, which can then cause the screen to have display issues such as bright spots. This is because the screen isn't lying flat anymore, and part of the display may look bright or distorted.
- To fix the frame, you must have your phone repaired by your phone manufacturer or a certified repair specialist. Attempting to fix it on your own could lead to more damage and void your warranty.

5

Dust Under Screen Protector

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Check your screen protector for air bubbles or dust particles. A bit of dust under your screen protector can cause a light-colored speck to appear on your phone screen, even when the phone is off. Air bubbles can also look like light spots due to the trapped air beneath the screen protector, causing the material to not adhere to your phone screen.
- To fix this, simply remove the screen protector, clean your phone screen, and replace the screen protector with a new one. Make sure you're doing this in an area free from dust, dirt, pet hair, or other airborne particles so you don't get anything under the screen protector again.