LG OLED TVs are among the best you can buy: stunning picture, range of sizes, excellent webOS smart TV system, and more. But LG smart TVs have an unsung feature that does way more for your screen than you realize: Pixel Cleaning.
Also known as Pixel Refresher on older models, LG’s screen protection mode runs automatically as soon as you turn your TV off if it has been on for four or more hours consecutively, or when you power down using the included LG remote. It’s one of the ways modern OLEDs prevent burn-in, and you don’t even need to do anything to run it.
How Pixel Cleaning works
Prevent burn-in, extend panel life
Pixel Cleaning is only available on LG OLED TVs (though other OLED brands have similar built-in maintenance modes). If an image is left too long on the screen in the same spot, it can “burn in” to the screen, leaving a faint version of it permanently etched in that spot. It can happen if you leave the TV on for a long period of time, especially if it’s paused on the same picture (thankfully, automatic screensavers prevent this as long as you have them on).
Most commonly, it’s if you’re watching a channel or video for hours on end that has a watermark, like CP24 or YouTube. Most modern OLED TVs have other features designed to prevent burn-in, so it isn’t as big an issue as it once was. But it can still happen.
With Pixel Cleaning on LG OLED TVs, as soon as you turn the TV off, the function runs in the background for anywhere from seven to 10 minutes. So, if you just enjoyed a Lord of the Rings movie marathon night or binged half a season of Reacher in one sitting, Pixel Cleaning will happen once you power down the TV.
LG OLEDs also proactively run a deeper cycle for an hour after every 2,000 hours of cumulative watching. If you watch three hours of TV every day, this would occur every two years or so. The process helps maintain the panel’s health. If you’re buying a TV this year, seek out one that has this feature or something similar.
Can you run Pixel Cleaning manually?
Yes, but only if there’s a major issue
You can technically run Pixel Cleaning manually, but this should only be done in the event of a visible issue with the screen. The option varies depending on your TV’s age and webOS version.
For all models, begin with Settings, All Settings. From there,
- For 2022 and newer LG TVs, next is General > OLED Care > OLED Panel Care > Pixel Cleaning.
- For 2021 models, it’s Support > OLED Care > OLED Panel Care > Pixel Cleaning.
LG OLED models from 2020 and earlier use the Pixel Refresher name.
- For 2020 models, it’s Picture > OLED Screen Saver > Pixel Refresher.
- For 2019, go to Picture > Additional Settings > OLED Panel Settings > Pixel Refresher.
- For 2018, 2017, and 2016 OLED models, go to Picture > OLED Panel Settings > Pixel Refresh or Clear Panel Noise.
Once you have arrived at the menu, choose to run the pixel cleaning manually once the TV has been turned off or Start Now to get it going immediately. You’ll see a warning that the TV must be off and that any recordings or other functions in progress will be canceled during the process. So, you might want to schedule this to run overnight, before you leave the house, or when you don’t mind losing upcoming recordings or missing an important game or other TV event.
Don’t forget these tips
The details matter
Keep in mind that if you unplug the TV altogether or its power cord is connected to a power strip and you turn that off, Pixel Cleaning won’t run. It requires standby power to work. This is the small electrical energy that continues to run through the display when it is switched off. Instead, just turn the TV off using the remote, not by powering down the power strip to which it’s connected (if it isn’t plugged directly into the wall), nor should you unplug it altogether. If you manually start a cycle, don’t turn the TV on for the duration that it will run.
Also, don’t automatically assume that lines or spots on the TV pertain to panel issues. It could be a loose HDMI or set-top box cable. Check all your connections first and rule out other issues before running a manual Pixel Cleaning session. That should be a last resort to combat a clear issue and hopefully improve the picture on screen so you get more life out of your TV.
Let Pixel Cleaning do its thing
The best thing to do is let Pixel Cleaning do its thing. If you watch content for long hours, and if that includes channels like CP24 in the background while you work from home or endless YouTube videos from a channel with a watermark, it’s an act you may not realize is one thing you’re doing that’s shortening your OLED TV’s life. Make a point to switch channels every now and then between marathon viewing sessions. This will prevent burn-in and any need to run a manual Pixel Cleaning session. But now you know the LG TV is doing this for you in the background to keep your panel clean.
- Brand
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LG
- Display Size
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65 inches
- Dimensions
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34.6 x 56.7 x 9.1 inches (with stand), 32.5 x 1.8 inches (without stand)
- Operating System
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webOS
- Display Type
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OLED