Display care
Display care and dead pixels
The PSP's widescreen LCD was a standout feature at launch, and looking after it keeps the console enjoyable to use. A little care prevents most display complaints, and a few of the rest can be coaxed back to life.
Dead versus stuck pixels
A stuck pixel is locked on a single colour and can sometimes be revived, while a dead pixel stays black because it receives no power and generally cannot be fixed. Telling them apart saves you wasted effort: cycle a pixel through colours and watch whether it ever changes.
Reviving a stuck pixel
Running rapidly changing colours over the affected area can sometimes unstick a pixel by exercising its sub-cells. Gentle, brief massage through a soft cloth occasionally helps too, but press lightly — too much pressure can damage the panel or create new faults.
Protecting the screen
- Fit a quality screen protector to guard against scratches.
- Store the PSP in a case so nothing presses against the glass.
- Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heat, which stresses the LCD.
- Clean only with a microfibre cloth to preserve the screen coating.
When to replace
If dead pixels cluster, lines appear, or the backlight dims unevenly, the panel itself is failing. note At that point an IPS replacement is both a fix and an upgrade. Until then, gentle handling keeps the original display looking its best.