Screen Image Retention Test

This test is useful in several scenarios concerning your digital screens. It is very helpful for detecting temporary image retention and also a permanent burn-in (which is very unfortunate display condition).

If you suspect, that your display could be affected by either of these problems, performing this online test might help you to collect more substantial evidence. It is also recommended to consult the manufacturer’s guidelines, warranty, or support services for further actions.

You should also keep in mind, that different screens and underlying technologies may behave differently, so this test may not cover all potential concerns, or it might suggest false negative or false positive results. We do not take any responsibility and you should proceed with caution.

Screen Image Retention Test will test basic performance of your screen

Here’s how you should proceed:

• Click start button below to start testing;
• Step 1: Keep the checkered pattern on your screen for some time (see how long);
• Click on the checkered pattern to switch to the solid color of 50% gray;
• Step 2: Inspect the screen by looking at it from a normal viewing angle;
• Take a good look to see if the gray screen does not retain any resemblance of previously displayed checkered image;
• Read the information below on this page to learn how to judge the outcome of this test.

How this test works

Here is what we’re trying to do here:

This test will create most unfavorable conditions for the screen. This pattern will require the matrix to light up some area’s as brightly as possible (hence, white squares), and also have black rectangles of high contrast checkered through the screen.

We expect this test to create temporary image retention that will last past the projection of this pattern. Your monitor, the smartphone, LCD TV or any other screen is not supposed to retain images past the projection as it compromises the view and distorts the image.

We expect this test to highlight a short lived burn in which will be visible for some period time as light checkered pattern over the grey screen. Which means that you are not viewing the true image, but rather a blend of two, current and previous images cast over the screen whenever image retention occurs. We tried this on a smartphone recently, and you can see the results here on this YouTube video.

How long should the checkered pattern be held on the screen?

It really boils down to resilience of the screen in question. Some will start showing retention just a few minutes in, while others can take hours of abuse with no visible issues afterwards.

Remember, that having no temporary burn-in is a good thing and you should probably give up on being persistent if your screen does not show signs of image retention after you keep checkered pattern for 30 minutes or so.

General tips:

• Most browsers will allow you to enter full screen mode with F11 button. This might be helpful if you want this test to cover full screen.
• This should go without saying, but do not let your screen to go into screensaver or sleep mode while running this test.

How to evaluate this test

Upon exiting the checkered pattern view, take a good look at the grey screen. It should be solid and uniform.

The Step 1 for this test is checkered pattern. Keep it for as long as you feel necessary, but then proceed to Step 2 in order to evaluate the outcome. Be sure not to look at the checkered pattern when switching to grey screen. That is because your eyes will be tricked to see the pattern for some time after it’s gone (visual illusion) and we don’t that to distort the results.

Tip: Take a picture. When testing your screen for image retention issues, you can utilize your smartphone camera to capture the view for more scrupulous analyzing.Just point your camera at the screen before switching to grey pattern and take a quick picture right after the grey screen comes up. It will allow you to have more analyzing time as this temporary burn in effect might not last long enough to be noticed with a naked eye.

Analyze what you see: This means that you need to take a close look at the grey screen. Be quick, as unwanted effect will likely fade quickly and you will not be able to tell the difference.

Look for any visible banding, streaks, light or dark squares: This means that you should check the screen for remainder of checkered pattern that was displayed previously on the screen.

Screen burn in example (Image retention)

Well-expressed and very noticeable example of screen burn-in is displayed in the images below.

These images were takes during the screen burn in test on DELL monitor screen. You will notice that the first image is more affected and the the checkered pattern is more pronounced there. However, these images were taken sequentially. That is why we advice to capture retention with camera since this adverse retention effect usually tends to fade away rather quickly.

What’s next?

Once you’re done testing image retention, there are couple or more similar tests available including long-term burn-in tests for LCD monitors, oLED TV’s and other screens here on our website. Feel free to pick any of those quick and free tests to perform here online, bookmark this site for future reference and re-run any test any time you need.