How to Run a TV Panel Refresh: Step-by-Step Guide

The easiest way to run a TV panel refresh is to display full-screen moving content, like a pixel-fix video or channel-change loop, for 30 to 60 minutes. This helps clear up image retention or burn-in that can show up after long hours of static images on your screen.

Panel refresh works by cycling your TV’s pixels through a series of colors and brightness levels, which helps even out wear across the panel. We found that OLED and QLED owners see the biggest benefit, since these panels are more prone to retention. Many experts say it’s a good idea to run a refresh only when you actually notice ghosting or faint leftovers of logos or tickers.

Here’s the quick version before we dive in:

• A panel refresh is a built-in or video-based fix for image retention and burn-in.
• Most TVs have a refresh tool hidden in their settings menu.
• Running it takes anywhere from a few minutes to about an hour.
• Experts recommend using it sparingly, since frequent refreshes can wear the panel faster.
• Prevention, like varying your content and lowering brightness, works too.

Below, we walk you through exactly how to run a panel refresh on your TV, step by step, plus when you should (and shouldn’t) do it.

Running a Panel Refresh on Your TV, Step by Step

Most modern TVs have a refresh tool built right into the settings menu. You’ll find it under names like “Pixel Refresh,” “Pixel Shift,” or “Panel Refresher” depending on your brand. Here’s how to get to it.

Panel Refresh Steps for Samsung TVs

Samsung hides this feature in the care section. We found it’s one of the easiest to run.

• Press the Settings button on your remote.
• Go to General, then Panel Care.
• Select Pixel Refresh and follow the prompts.
• Keep the TV plugged in and don’t touch anything during the cycle.

The whole thing takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Your screen may flash colors the entire time, which looks a little odd. That’s normal.

Panel Refresh Steps for LG TVs

LG calls this feature “Clear Panel Noise.” It runs longer than Samsung’s version.

• Open Settings, then go to General.
• Choose OLED Screen Saver or Device Care, depending on your model.
• Click Clear Panel Noise and start the cycle.
• LG warns you not to power off during the process, so plan ahead.

This cycle can take around an hour. Some LG models only let you run it after a certain number of viewing hours. If the option is grayed out, your TV may not think it’s needed yet.

Panel Refresh Steps for Sony and Other Brands

Sony, TCL, and Hisense TVs vary by model year. Sony often places the tool under System Settings, then Panel Refresh. TCL and Hisense Roku TVs may not have a built-in tool at all.

No built-in option? No problem. You can still run a refresh manually, which we cover next.

Doing a Manual Refresh Without Built-In Tools

If your TV lacks a refresh setting, a pixel-fix video is your best friend. These are free videos on YouTube that cycle through colors and patterns at full screen. We found that a 30 to 60 minute session works well for mild image retention.

How to Run a Video-Based Refresh

• Search YouTube for “pixel fix” or “screen fix” videos.
• Set the video to full screen and turn off any overlays.
• Let it run for 30 to 60 minutes.
• Lower your brightness a bit so the cycle isn’t too harsh.
• Check your screen afterward in a dark room to spot any leftovers.

Think of it like stretching after a long car ride. Your pixels need to move around and loosen up.

When Should You Actually Run a Refresh?

Only run one when you see a problem. Faint ghosts of news tickers, channel logos, or video game HUDs are the usual clues. Many experts say frequent refreshes can shorten panel life, since the process stresses the pixels on purpose.

Some OLED TVs run a short automatic refresh cycle after every few hours of use. That’s built in and normal. A manual refresh is for bigger problems only.

Signs Your Panel Needs Attention

• Faint logos that linger after the channel changes.
• A scoreboard or HUD outline you can spot in bright scenes.
• Uneven brightness or shadowy patches in gray or white screens.
• Colors that look washed out in one area of the panel.

If the ghosting stays after two or three refresh cycles, it may be true burn-in. That’s permanent wear, and no refresh will fix it. At that point, warranty service or panel replacement is the realistic path.

How Often Is Too Often?

Once every few months, at most, is plenty. We found that owners who run refreshes weekly tend to see no better results than those who run them only when problems appear. You’re wearing out the panel faster without gaining anything.

Situation	How Often to Refresh
Faint retention you can actually see	Run one cycle now, recheck in a week
Retention that won’t go away	Two or three cycles spaced a few days apart
No visible issues	Skip it, let the TV’s auto cycle handle things
Heavy daily gaming with static HUDs	Check monthly, refresh only if ghosting shows

Simple Habits That Prevent Retention in the First Place

Prevention beats repairs, every time. A few small habits make a big difference.

• Lower your brightness and OLED light settings to a comfortable level.
• Turn on screen savers or logo dimming features in your TV’s menu.
• Vary your content so no single image sits on screen for hours.
• Enable pixel shift, which nudges the picture slightly every few minutes.
• Take breaks during long gaming sessions with static maps or HUDs.
• Turn the TV off when you’re not watching it. Simple, but effective.

Long-term studies on OLED panels, including work from TV manufacturers themselves, suggest modern panels hold up far better than older ones. Still, static images remain the main risk. Mixing up what you watch is the cheapest insurance you’ll ever buy. For a fuller prevention checklist, our guide to preventing OLED burn-in covers the habits that protect the panel long term.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During a Refresh

A few slip-ups can turn a helpful cycle into a headache. Watch out for these.

Mistakes That Cost You Time or Money

• Unplugging the TV mid-cycle. This can leave the panel in a worse state than before.
• Running refreshes back to back. Give the panel a day or two between cycles.
• Maxing out brightness during a manual video refresh. More stress isn’t more fix.
• Ignoring the TV’s warnings. If LG says don’t power off, believe it.

One more tip: run your refresh when you’re home anyway. Walking away means you might forget, and a powered-off TV mid-cycle is the kind of surprise nobody wants. If you treat the cycle like a load of laundry, you’ll be just fine.

Conclusion

A panel refresh isn’t something you need to babysit weekly. It’s a targeted fix for a visible problem. When ghosting shows up, find your TV’s built-in tool or queue up a pixel-fix video, let the cycle finish, and check your screen in a dark room afterward. If the ghosts linger after two or three tries, you’re likely dealing with real burn-in, and a refresh won’t save you. The rest is simple prevention: vary your content, keep brightness reasonable, and let the automatic cycles do their quiet work. Your next step? Take a minute today to find the refresh option in your TV’s settings menu, so you know exactly where it is before you ever need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a panel refresh fix burn-in permanently?

Unfortunately, no. A refresh helps with temporary image retention, but true burn-in is permanent wear on the pixels. If the ghost image survives multiple refresh cycles, your best options are warranty service or a panel replacement.

Is it safe to watch TV while a panel refresh is running?

We recommend you don’t. The cycle needs the panel to display its own patterns without interruption, and sending a new signal can cancel or corrupt the process. Step away, let it finish, and come back when the screen returns to normal.

Does a panel refresh use a lot of electricity?

Not really. A 10 to 60 minute cycle uses roughly the same power as watching a movie. Since you should only run refreshes a few times a year, the cost to your electric bill is negligible.

Why is the pixel refresh option grayed out on my TV?

Many TVs only unlock the tool after a set number of viewing hours, since running it too often wears the panel. If the option is grayed out, your TV doesn’t think it’s needed yet. Wait a while, keep using the TV normally, and check back later.

Do LED and LCD TVs ever need a panel refresh?

It’s rare, but it can happen. LCD panels are far less prone to retention than OLED, so most LED owners will never need one. If you notice faint ghosting on an LCD set, try a pixel-fix video first before hunting through your settings menu.