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Hi everybody! It seems I need some help, and hopefully the collective intelligence here on GOG, can help me.

I just bought a new monitor, the AOC C24G2, my first ever 144Hz.

Unfortunately in the middle of the panel I discovered that have a hot pixel. A hot pixel is a pixel that is always white. It isn't a dead pixel(one that would be black), and it isn't a stuck pixel(one that would be any other color). Doubly unfortunately, I can't return the monitor, because there would have to be 5 or more pixels with issues, in order to be recognized as a faulty unit.

Has anybody ever been able to fix a hot pixel, and what was your solution?

Note1: I've read around and I've tried the software solutions(the ones that flash various colors), and the pressure solution(the one that require you to tap/press down on the affected area).

Note2: I've head about the heat solution, you are supposed to apply heat on the screen. There's talk that you should use some warm water, soak a cloth in it, stick it in a bag and apply to the affected area. But I'm getting a feeling that this is an ancient solution for something like old LCD monitors and camera LCD screens. Current day PC screens are much better protected, and I'd have to use something like a hair drier to heat up the actual sub-pixels, and I'm afraid I might damage the matte coating on the screen.

Note3: Talk about being a second class citizen. In US, AOC replaces units if they have even a single hot/stuck/dead pixel. However in Europe you need 5 or more.
Post edited November 23, 2019 by MadalinStroe
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It usually cannot be fixed. Though if the methods are non destructive then you may as well give it a try I suppose. A stuck pixel indicates the transistor sort of works at least- in that it can be powered. But I don't think fixes work very often.

AOC may not need to replace it under law, but have you tried the retailer you got it from? In my country some retailers will still replace in any case for their good name, some will replace if it's in the middle but not the edges. By the way, their are only a few manufacturers of panels in the world for each type, for example TN's are made mostly by Innolux, IPS's are made by LG mostly...so almost all monitors are basically using the same panels- it's the electronics and backlighting that differ in quality between display makers. But the yields rates are not perfect- around 10% of panels are trashed outright, the best ones are bought by the premium companies at a premium price (LG, Samsung Asus etc) to ensure they have little chance of dead pixels. AOC are on the next rung down, they buy up the ones that Samsung and LG etc don't want at a cheaper price. That's why, if budget allows then buy the better brands despite them having the same panels.
Yeah you can try to fix the pixel, good luck with that.
If you are dissatisfied with your purchase for whatever reason then in UE you have 14 days to return something you've bought on line.
Clearly if your Country has acepted the UE regulation on the subject.
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MadalinStroe: I just bought a new monitor
Talk about being a second class citizen. In US, AOC replaces units if they have even a single hot/stuck/dead pixel. However in Europe you need 5 or more.
1) Where did you buy your monitor? Not from AOC directly, I presume?

2) Why try to repair it yourself with "witchcraft" - simply return it to the shop, you bought it from.
They have to give you either a replacement monitor, or your money back.

3) Romania is member of the EU - that means you have all the customer rights, the EU agreed upon:
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees-returns/faq/index_en.htm

Edit: fixed a typo
Post edited November 23, 2019 by BreOl72
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MadalinStroe: However in Europe you need 5 or more.
How did you buy it - online or in person? You may need "5 pixels" for returning it for "stuck pixel" reasons direct to AOC under their own warranty conditions, but EU countries have Distance Selling Regulations that let you return it to where you bought it from (only applies online though, not in person) for any reason if you request a refund within 7-14 days and then actually return it to them within 30 days. If that's the case with your country, simply request a return under "Distance Selling Regulations" or "cooling off period" to the online store you bought it from (not AOC) and don't mention pixels:-

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees-returns/index_en.htm

Edit: You may have to pay the return postage yourself (and it's possible they may not refund the postage they charged to send it to you), but that's still better than being stuck with it. For this reason (risk of dead / stuck pixels), I only ever buy TV's & monitors online now.
Post edited November 23, 2019 by AB2012
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AB2012: ...
Yup that's exactly what happened. I went to the store and got it in person, hence I'm being refused the 14 day return policy. I wanted to avoid courier delivery, in case it might get damaged. Funnily, I also bought a gaming chair from the same store, which arrived the next day. And guess what, the box was thrashed when it arrived , but the chair was in perfect condition.

I've never knew the 14 day period was limited to online orders only.
Post edited November 23, 2019 by MadalinStroe
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MadalinStroe: I've never knew the 14 day period was limited to online orders only.
Yeah, I think it applies only to situations where a purchase is made without you being able see the product in person. I'd argue that buying something in a sealed box that you're not allowed to open until after purchase should count as well, but that's just me... Maybe you can make the same case to the store?
Some shops charge more for the screens (TVs monitors and such) and have their own guarantee, like no pixel faults during the first week. Then they sell the screens with pixel faults for lower price.

I would not try any fixes except what you already did. Use a super fine black felt tip marking pen and cover the pixel with a steady hand. Better dark grey than bright white.
Post edited November 25, 2019 by Themken
Why you didn't test it before buying?
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MadalinStroe: Hi everybody! It seems I need some help, and hopefully the collective intelligence here on GOG, can help me.

I just bought a new monitor, the AOC C24G2, my first ever 144Hz.

Unfortunately in the middle of the panel I discovered that have a hot pixel. A hot pixel is a pixel that is always white. It isn't a dead pixel(one that would be black), and it isn't a stuck pixel(one that would be any other color). Doubly unfortunately, I can't return the monitor, because there would have to be 5 or more pixels with issues, in order to be recognized as a faulty unit.

Has anybody ever been able to fix a hot pixel, and what was your solution?

Note1: I've read around and I've tried the software solutions(the ones that flash various colors), and the pressure solution(the one that require you to tap/press down on the affected area).

Note2: I've head about the heat solution, you are supposed to apply heat on the screen. There's talk that you should use some warm water, soak a cloth in it, stick it in a bag and apply to the affected area. But I'm getting a feeling that this is an ancient solution for something like old LCD monitors and camera LCD screens. Current day PC screens are much better protected, and I'd have to use something like a hair drier to heat up the actual sub-pixels, and I'm afraid I might damage the matte coating on the screen.

Note3: Talk about being a second class citizen. In US, AOC replaces units if they have even a single hot/stuck/dead pixel. However in Europe you need 5 or more.
If it's really bothering you, first ASK customer support. Some companies will replace it anyway, especially if you are determined enough.
Second, if it's a stuck pixel, try things like jscreenfixer, but don't do any experiments with applying pressure or anything - usually makes things worse. From experience, dead pixels stay, hot pixels just go away eventually.
Had one on my phone, went away within a year. Had 5 on my DS (all on the right side), 4 went away within months. Actually I bought a new set of monitors recently and one got a stuck pixel as well. Can barely make it out unless I look for it (especially after adjusting all the brightness settings which are super high by default) and it's either going away or it stays where it is. I personally don't mind, but in the end it comes down to much how it bothers you.
Post edited November 24, 2019 by 8BitChris
Hate when stuff like that happens, seems like PC monitors are notorious for dead pixels out of the box. Did you contact AOC and see if they can help ya out??
Someone made a thread about a missing pixel and used a trick to fix it. You will need to search if interested and yes I realise your's is not missing.
Post edited November 24, 2019 by Tauto
You can't "fix" defective pixels. Any advice you read that says you can is quackery, and applying such [actually non-existent] 'solutions' will either do nothing to fix the problem, or do nothing to fix the problem and damage your screen in additional ways too.

The only way really to "fix" your monitor would be for the manufacturer to replace all the parts of that are causing the defect, or for you to get a new screen.

If I were you, I'd hound the retailer you bought it from to either give you a refund or exchange. Talk to the store manager and be very insistent.

Manufacturers love to make up bull crap about how many pixels must be defective before they "consider" a defect. But that's just brainwashing to encourage consumers to accept their defective products, by pretending they aren't actually defects. Any defective pixel - even one - is a defect, regardless of how companies lie about that, or put in their policies statements that say it's not.

In future, best never to buy any monitor from any store that doesn't guarantee you the option for a a refund in case you get defective pixels.
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SirPrimalform: ...
That's how I tried to reason with them, but they were quite arrogant about it.
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Themken: ...
:)))) I guess if you really can't live with, that's one way to "fix it".
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vsr: ...
Because it was the first monitor I've bought in 7 years, and because I didn't have a laptop with me to actually see various backgrounds. The store only offered me a power socket. Plus I never imagined that I won't be able to return the product. I always assumed that the 14 day return period, covered all products and all reasons for return. I remember, that when I bought my previous monitor, I picked it up, then the next day the same model went on sale, for a considerable discount. So I returned it, and bought a superior model. No questions ask. But that was a different store.
Post edited November 25, 2019 by MadalinStroe
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8BitChris: From experience, dead pixels stay, hot pixels just go away eventually.
Had one on my phone, went away within a year. Had 5 on my DS (all on the right side), 4 went away within months.
As I said, it's a white pixel in the middle of the screen. It's too noticeable to not be bothersome. Also, I've tried jscreenfixer, and one more, which I don't remember.

I've never found anything online about hot pixels going away with time. I really hope you are right. That's the arcane information I'm looking for.
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DreamedArtist: ...
AOC's policy for Europe is 5 pixels with issues, for the unit to be declared faulty. Personally I don't think they might make an exception, just for me? :(
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Ancient-Red-Dragon: ...
Well actually there are youtube videos of people fixing their stuck pixles. However I've not found anything about hot pixels. That's why I'm still holding hope that I might find a solution, since I'm stuck with this unit.
Post edited November 25, 2019 by MadalinStroe