When your new TV arrives, it is tempting to put on a film straight away. A few simple checks at unboxing can make any later problem easier to describe and investigate.
Inspect a new TV in three stages: check for physical damage before powering it on; test the picture, sound and connections after safe installation; then keep photos, videos and order details if anything looks wrong. Dead pixels, backlight bleed, subtitle blooming and cracked screens are different issues and do not share one replacement rule.
This checklist helps with an initial inspection. It is not a guide to dismantling the TV or a substitute for a technician's diagnosis.
Step 1: check the carton, TV and accessories before switching it on
Have the delivery or installation team unpack, support and install the TV according to the manufacturer's instructions. Do not press on the screen, twist the chassis or casually lay a large TV flat to inspect it.
| What to check | What to look for | What to do if something is wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Outer carton | Obvious dents, punctures or water damage | Photograph the whole carton and the affected area; notify the delivery team. Carton damage alone does not prove screen damage |
| Model code | Check that the carton, rear label and order show the same full model code | Keep a photo of the label; do not check the series name alone |
| Screen and bezel | Cracks, impact marks or obvious deformation | Stop testing it yourself and contact the delivery team or retailer |
| Original accessories | Check the remote, power cable, stand and screws against that model's contents list | Do not substitute screws from another model; distinguish stand parts from wall-mounting parts |
| Completed installation | Secure stand or wall bracket; cables not being pulled tight | Raise concerns straight away; do not dismantle or adjust the mounting yourself |
If you see a cracked screen or exposed damage, or notice a burning smell, do not keep the TV running just to record a test. If it is already powered on, stop using it. Switch it off and disconnect the power if safe to do so, then contact the retailer.
Step 2: test the picture without mistaking a source problem for a faulty screen
Start from your normal seating position, with normal room lighting and a comfortable picture brightness. Check the TV's built-in menus and a familiar video. Do not begin with a completely dark room, maximum brightness and a phone photo as your only evidence.
If you suspect a picture issue:
- Check whether it appears in the built-in menus or the model's picture self-diagnosis test, if available.
- Try another video, app or input source and see whether the issue stays in the same position.
- To help locate a fixed pixel-sized dot, briefly display white, black, red, green and blue test images from a reliable source. Avoid leaving bright static images on screen for extended periods.
- Record the picture mode, brightness, source and approximate location so the issue can be reproduced.
Samsung recommends using Picture Test to help distinguish TV picture faults from external-device problems. Menu names and paths vary by model, region and software version, so follow your TV's instructions rather than copying steps for another year's set. Samsung's official picture self-diagnosis guide
A normal self-test is a useful diagnostic clue, not proof that every intermittent fault has been ruled out. Contact the retailer if the problem continues.
Dead pixels, bright pixels, backlight bleed and blooming: what is the difference?
| What you see | Initial clues | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| A fixed, tiny black dot | It may be a dead pixel; surface dirt or the video source must also be ruled out | Try different images, confirm that the position is fixed, and send photos for technician verification |
| A fixed, tiny bright or coloured dot | It may be a bright or stuck pixel; it does not move with the subtitles | Record its position and the number of dots; do not press the panel to “fix” it |
| Pale corners or cloudy patches in dark scenes | LCD backlight non-uniformity or what is often called backlight bleed; brightness, room lighting and viewing angle affect visibility | Check whether it affects normal content; arrange an inspection if it is obvious and persistent |
| A halo around white subtitles that appears and disappears with them | It may be local-dimming blooming | Reproduce it with the same scene; do not confuse it with a fixed bright pixel |
| Cracks, large black patches, fixed lines or a distorted picture | Possible panel damage or another fault, rather than subtitle blooming alone | Stop using the TV if there is physical damage; otherwise document the issue and arrange diagnosis |
These are clues, not a confirmed diagnosis from appearance alone. A distorted picture is not necessarily caused by impact, and one photo cannot establish whether damage occurred during delivery or after use.
Does visible light on a black screen always mean a faulty TV?
Not necessarily. Sony Hong Kong explains that LCD brightness can look uneven in a dark room or without a video input, and model-appropriate backlight or picture adjustments may help. That does not mean every bright patch is normal, or that a problem clearly affecting everyday viewing should be dismissed. Sony Hong Kong's official explanation of uneven LCD brightness (Chinese)
OLED has no LCD backlight, so LCD “backlight bleed” is not the right explanation for an OLED picture issue. That does not mean an OLED screen cannot have uniformity problems or other faults.
Does subtitle blooming on a Mini LED TV automatically qualify for replacement?
No. Mini LED TVs still use an LCD panel with zoned backlighting. Blooming depends on the model, dimming control, brightness, content and viewing angle. TCL's official local-dimming explanation also notes that settings affect halo behaviour in extreme scenes. That page concerns particular Mini LED monitors, not a universal settings guide for every TV. TCL's official local-dimming and halo explanation
If it looks unusually obvious during normal viewing, record a reproducible scene and ask the retailer to inspect it. Do not assume the TV is faulty, but do not let “that is just how Mini LED works” stop you from reporting a genuine concern.
Step 3: check sound, the remote and connections
A normal picture is not the end of the inspection. Also check the following:
- Play familiar dialogue through the TV's built-in speakers. Confirm that there is sound, volume adjustment works and there is no persistent abnormal noise.
- Test the remote's basic functions. Some Bluetooth or voice functions require pairing first; an unpaired remote is not necessarily faulty.
- Connect to the Wi-Fi or wired network you intend to use and try your usual apps. Login, subscriptions and regional app support are separate from hardware faults.
- If you use a console, set-top box or soundbar, test the relevant HDMI connection. For ARC/eARC, check the designated port and settings.
If an external soundbar has no sound, see TV audio troubleshooting: connections and settings before assuming both the TV and soundbar are faulty.
How should you photograph or record a problem?
Keep three types of record where relevant:
- A full-screen photo: show the entire screen and the affected area so the issue can be located.
- A close-up: show cracks, fixed dots or other irregularities clearly, without touching or pressing the panel.
- A short video: flickering, subtitle blooming and intermittent picture distortion are usually easier to demonstrate in motion than in one photo.
Also note the full model code, order number, installation-completion date, source and picture settings. Phone exposure can exaggerate dark-screen glow and halos, so explain whether you can see the issue from your normal seat rather than sending only an overexposed black-screen photo.
Photos and videos assist verification; they do not determine responsibility on their own. Keep the original carton, accessories and packing materials where possible.
How does Elechid handle cracked screens and pixel issues on international-version TVs?
The following summarises Elechid's international-version TV policy as checked on 6 October 2026. It is not a universal rule for all Hong Kong retailers or TV brands.
- Cracks, broken panels or distorted pictures found on unboxing: the policy specifies one-for-one replacement. Contact us promptly to arrange verification and replacement. This does not extend cover to impact damage caused after delivery.
- LCD dead or bright pixels: our replacement threshold is a combined total of five or more, verified by our technician. Fewer than five do not qualify for replacement under this pixel criterion. Do not apply this threshold to every OLED TV, brand or official Hong Kong stock model.
- TVs supplied with installation: the 10-day replacement period starts on the day installation is completed. Faults require verification, and each product is eligible for one return or exchange. This is not a change-of-mind return policy.
- Three-year on-site warranty: this covers inspection, fault diagnosis, repair labour, and dismounting and remounting wall-mounted TVs. Parts are quoted separately; accidental damage is excluded, and the on-site service area is defined in the policy.
Official Hong Kong stock follows the relevant manufacturer's terms for that model. See international-version TV warranty and 10-day replacement terms for full cover. If you request an approved refund rather than a replacement, delivery and installation fees already paid are not refundable. See returns and refund arrangements for the applicable process.
Request a TV inspection or warranty service on WhatsApp with your order number, model, problem description and photos or a short video.
Frequently asked questions
Will every brand replace a TV for one dead pixel?
No. Pixel-defect terms differ by brand, model, region and stock version. Check the written terms for the product you are buying; another retailer's threshold is not a universal standard.
Can I report a problem after the installer has left?
Yes. Contact the retailer promptly and provide the relevant details. Checks at installation help identify issues early, but do not mean later faults are automatically rejected. The applicable time limits, verification and product terms still govern the claim.
I have thrown away the carton. Does that automatically prevent a claim?
Under Elechid's current policy, keep the carton if possible. If it has been discarded, send product photos and we can arrange packaging. Other return or exchange conditions still apply; eligibility is not determined by the carton alone.
Should I press the screen, run pixel-fix videos or change the service menu?
No. Do not press the panel, dismantle the TV or change the service menu. Use normal settings, available self-diagnosis tools and reliable video sources for initial checks, then arrange technician assistance.
Source information checked on 6 October 2026. This article is an initial inspection and documentation guide, not a replacement for fault diagnosis. Replacement, warranty and refund arrangements depend on the terms applicable to the exact product.
