I got an RMA from Valve for my LE after noticing a dead blue subpixel without testing for it. The pixel isn’t in the middle of the screen and isn’t very distracting when running games but I know it’s there which bothers me. The unit is otherwise perfect. Everything from the overall build quality to the screen uniformity is great. It’s just the one dead subpixel… My question is if anyone in a similar situation has decided to keep their LE despite it having a pixel issue in order to not risk getting a unit that’s worse?
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I had this same dilemma and finally decided to exchange my LE for another. I have 3 dead pixels and 2 of them are close to where my eyes focus in game most of the time. The third is in the top right corner and hardly bothers me at all. I’ve been gaming a lot on it and after seeing the dead pixels enough times during gameplay I decided to go forward with an exchange. If it was only the one pixel in the top right corner I would be keeping it because that one only occasionally bothers me while I’m in the menus or browser.
The other reason I was concerned about exchanging it is the uniformity on my panel is fantastic. I threw the worst scenarios I could find at the screen at different brightness levels and there is absolutely no green tinting and minimal grain. I’m hoping the replacement looks just as good and that the uniformity is consistent across these BOE panels.
I’ve got a dead pixel (just black) about half an inch from the center of the screen. Everything else on my unit is top notch though so I’m overlooking the pixel issue.
My LCD has had a stuck pixel since day one; I decided to keep it because in most games it won’t show, and when it does I never notice, I’d have to LOOK for it. I’m more of a hardware enthusiast and am perfectly capable of replacing the screen myself, and I’d rather replace the screen than try my luck with shipping mishaps, long turnarounds, or receiving a refurb. I’d RMA for anything else above ONE stuck pixel. This is just me, though, and I wouldn’t blame you for returning it, as you paid for something expecting it to work and even one pixel not working is unacceptable. I’m sure you’ll be happy if you forget about it, but I’m also sure you’ll be happy if it wasn’t there at all. Good luck!
I’m very much on the fence. If I had not run the test, I would never have noticed the two dead green subpixels near a corner. I absolutely cannot see them while playing games, even when actively looking for them, unless the screen is white, which rarely happens. I can totally understand and support why people are RMAing for even just one dead pixel, but for me personally, if it’s having zero effect on my enjoyment, I’m just not sure it’s worth the hassle. (Future resale value is not something I care about.)
I did start the RMA process so they at least have another one on record in case it helps bring to light a significant QC issue with these panels.
Question: does RMA result in a brand new device being shipped back to you? (Sealed and all)? Or do they just fix your existing device you send back? I’m trying to figure out if RMA = brand new replacement or is it a fix.
Generally that’s up to them. I don’t think you’ll get a definitive answer. If there’s a surplus on new in box units and they’re short on refurbs you’d probly get a new unit. If they’ve got plenty of refurbs ready to go that’s probably what you’ll get. You’re not likely to get back your specific deck as it’s faster/easier to toss yours in a “fix” pile and ship out a unit ready to go.
My LE was perfect the first week after doing 2 pixel tests. Fast forward one week later, there’s 1 dead pixel that’s seen in green and white backgrounds. It’s not that noticeable and I have a couple trips coming up so I really don’t want to send it back and wait for a new one. In the meantime I’m going to hold onto it and see what happens with all the RMA’s that have already been sent.
Just got my LE today. Also found a dead blue subpixel (upper-right quadrant near the edge of the screen) during testing, unit is otherwise flawless.
I plan on keeping it, as it’s just one subpixel and I’ve only noticed it during testing, not during gameplay or general use. If it starts to bother me in the future or more die past the RMA period, I have no issues swapping it with a replacement from iFixit once they start stocking the OLED panels.
Hope this helps.
yeah dead blue doesn’t seem very noticable and I agree with keeping it I would too
I appreciate the comments. Trying to decide whether to follow through with this RMA or not has been tough. I paid a premium and know I should expect a lot but this thing is SO close to perfect. First world problems…
i have a dead red and dead blue.
Blue one 100% can’t notice in almost any scenes, only in explicit testing of 100% blue rgb, otherwise it vanishes.
Red one shows up everywhere, glows green in most cases, and sticks out like a sore thumb looks like super weird spec of dust…
So if it was me, I’d 100% keep 1-2 dead blue pixels if didn’t notice anything from them on whites etc. dead red/green tho seems really bad
Nah. I paid 680$ for it. Not accepting a defect on the thing I stare at 100% of the time.
Yep, it’s on the manufacturer to get it right. They didn’t. It sucks and I don’t want to send it back but on principle it’s a good to not accept defective products to send the right message and prevent it from happening in the future.
This is absolutely fair considering the screen is the main selling point. I def get it.
I’ve been back and forth on it myself. I have a dead red pixel on the left side. I honestly don’t even notice it unless I’m actively looking for it or doing the dead pixel test. I’m leaning towards just keeping it, especially since everything else is great. Don’t feel like playing the RMA lottery to fix one pixel and have something else be worse. If it was super noticeable while gaming, I’d be more inclined to RMA it.
Actually had a good laugh when I asked people to see if they could spot it themselves. Most couldn’t find it unless I pointed it out. lol
honestly mines shines green and is super obvious when browsing web pages or any scene where color is consistent and blends red across it, entire area gets a tinge of green around it. The effect is worse harder drive brightness, if it was just black during most situations it wouldn’t be as big of a deal I think, but its bright green in most cases.
My blue pixel is 100% fine tho
RMA it don’t settle
I’ve been going back and forth. My dead sub pixel isn’t dead center and isn’t noticeable during gaming unless I’m looking for it and honestly I play docked most the time.
My worry / paranoia is they’ll replace the panels with Samsung ones, which I don’t want. The BOE panel is wonderful minus the pixel. I figure I’ll hold off until people start reporting on their rma replacements. Everything else about my LE is great.