{
  "id": 4368551,
  "title": "There's an easy way to tell if your OLED has burn-in — here's how I test for it in the TV lab",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/theres-an-easy-way-to-tell-if-your-oled-has-burn-in-heres-how-i-test",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-30T07:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Guide",
    "slug": "tom-s-guide",
    "url": "https://www.tomsguide.com/tvs/oled-tvs/theres-an-easy-way-to-tell-if-your-oled-has-burn-in-heres-how-i-test-for-it-in-the-tv-lab"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "OLED burn-in refers to a permanent ghostly afterimage that appears on OLED screens after prolonged use of static images. Modern OLED TVs come equipped with software and hardware solutions to minimize the risk of burn-in. However, power-users who frequently display static images on their OLED TVs for extended periods should still be vigilant. The video method used in the TV lab to test for burn-in can also be done at home. This video cycles through solid color and gray patterns to help highlight any potential burn-in. Typically, burn-in appears along the top, bottom, and sides of an OLED screen where static elements like news chyrons, channel logos, and game HUDs are commonly placed. It's essential to distinguish between legitimate burn-in and other visual artifacts, such as banding that can sometimes be resolved by the TV's Pixel Refresh function. Unfortunately, there's no effective way to reverse OLED burn-in once it has occurred. Nonetheless, power-users who maintain healthy viewing habits are likely maximizing their OLED TV's lifespan.",
  "summary": "OLED burn-in is rare, but if you’re worried about it, here’s what you can do to test for it at home.",
  "key_points": [
    "OLED burn-in is a permanent ghostly afterimage caused by prolonged static images.",
    "Video method in TV lab tests for burn-in by cycling through solid colors and grays.",
    "Burn-in typically appears along top, bottom, and sides of OLED screens."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The method to test for OLED burn-in offers a way for users to identify potential damage, but unfortunately, it cannot reverse the effects once they have occurred.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}