Why is the TV showing Burn-In on OLED or Plasma Screens

By Prologic Technologies

OLED and plasma display technologies deliver stunning picture quality with their perfect blacks and vibrant colors, but they share a common weakness: burn-in. This persistent ghost image that stays on your screen can be frustrating for TV owners. Let’s explore what causes this phenomenon and how you can prevent it.

What is Burn-In?

Burn-in occurs when static images remain on the screen for extended periods, causing uneven wear on the display’s pixels. This results in a permanent ghost or shadow of that image that remains visible even when you’re watching different content. Unlike temporary image retention that disappears after a few minutes, true burn-in is permanent and irreversible.

Why Does Burn-In Happen?

On OLED Screens

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays use organic compounds that emit light when electricity is applied. Each pixel generates its own light and can turn completely off when displaying black. However, these organic materials degrade over time with use. When certain pixels are used more intensively than others—like those displaying channel logos, game HUDs, or stock tickers—they wear out faster, resulting in uneven aging and visible burn-in.

On Plasma Screens

Although plasma TVs are no longer manufactured, many are still in use. Plasma displays use small cells containing gases that light up when electrically charged. When static images cause these cells to be continuously activated, phosphor compounds in the cells can wear unevenly, leading to burn-in effects similar to those seen on OLED displays.

Common Causes of Burn-In

1. Static TV channel logos – Often brightly colored and placed in the same corner of the screen
2. News tickers and banners – Constantly present at the bottom of news channels
3. Video game HUDs – Static elements showing health bars, maps, or scores
4. Letterbox bars – Black bars above and below widescreen content
5. PC taskbars – When using the TV as a computer monitor
6. Paused images – Leaving the TV paused on a bright frame for extended periods

How to Prevent Burn-In

1. Vary your content – Avoid watching the same channel for many hours daily
2. Use built-in screen savers – Most modern TVs have pixel-shifting or screen saver features
3. Reduce brightness – Lower brightness settings can slow down pixel degradation
4. Enable auto shut-off – Set your TV to turn off after periods of inactivity
5. Run pixel refreshers – Most OLED TVs have built-in maintenance features
6. Avoid maximum contrast – Extremely high contrast settings can accelerate burn-in

Can Burn-In Be Fixed?

Unfortunately, true burn-in is permanent damage. Some TVs offer “pixel refresher” features that may help with minor image retention, but severe burn-in cannot be fully repaired. Prevention is truly the best approach.

Recent Improvements

Newer OLED TVs implement various technologies to mitigate burn-in risk:

• Automatic pixel shifting
• Logo detection that dims static elements
• Screen savers that activate during periods of inactivity
• Automatic brightness limiters for static content

While burn-in remains a potential issue for OLED and plasma displays, understanding its causes allows you to take preventive measures. By varying your viewing habits and utilizing built-in protection features, you can enjoy the superior picture quality these technologies offer while minimizing the risk of permanent display damage.

For more information about TV maintenance or if you’re experiencing display issues, contact Prologic Technologies for professional assistance with your home entertainment system.