3 OLED settings you should've enabled already

Samsung's MR95F Micro RGB TV in a living room setting — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

OLEDs produce stunning picture quality with perfect blacks and infinite contrast, but some even the best OLED TVs are vulnerable to burn-in — permanent ghost images that appear when static content displays for extended periods. OLEDs made in 2022 and newer are far less susceptible than older models, but the risk hasn't disappeared entirely.

Burn-in happens when certain pixels display the same bright content repeatedly while surrounding pixels show varying images. The overused pixels wear out faster, creating visible shadows or discoloration that persists even when you switch to different content.

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1. Enable Pixel Shift or Screen Shift

This feature slightly moves the entire image by a few pixels periodically, preventing static elements from staying in the exact same position. The shift is imperceptible during viewing but prevents pixels from wearing unevenly.

Different brands use different names for this feature. LG calls it "Screen Shift." Samsung calls it "Pixel Shift." Sony also uses "Pixel Shift." Panasonic may label it similarly.

To enable it, go to Settings, Picture, Screen Adjustment or Picture Options (exact menu varies by brand). Look for any option containing "Pixel Shift" or "Screen Shift" and turn it on.

This setting works automatically in the background. You won't notice the image moving, but it significantly reduces burn-in risk from static interface elements like channel logos, game menus, or app navigation bars.

2. Turn on Logo Luminance Adjustment or Static Brightness Limiter

This feature detects bright static elements and automatically dims them to reduce pixel stress. It targets the primary cause of burn-in without affecting the rest of the image.

LG calls this "Logo Luminance Adjustment." Samsung uses "Static Brightness Limiter" or "Logo Detection." Sony has similar variations under brightness or picture care settings.

Find it in Settings, Picture, Additional Settings or OLED Care (LG), Settings, General, Eco Solution (Samsung), or Settings, Display & Sound (Sony). Then enable any option related to logo brightness or static image detection.

When enabled, you may notice news channel logos or sports graphics appear slightly dimmer than the rest of the screen.

3. Enable Automatic Pixel Refresher or Panel Refresh

OLED panels need periodic maintenance cycles to even out pixel wear and restore uniform brightness. Pixel refresh runs automatically when the TV is off, recalibrating pixels to prevent permanent retention.

LG calls this "Pixel Refresher." Samsung uses "Panel Care" or "Pixel Refresh." Sony labels it "Panel Refresh." Most brands run this automatically, but it's worth verifying it's enabled.

Check Settings, Picture, OLED Care or Panel Care (LG), Settings, Support, Device Care (Samsung), or Settings, System Settings (Sony). Ensure automatic refresh is turned on.

There are typically two types of refresh cycles. Short refreshes run automatically after every few hours of use when the TV enters standby. Full panel refreshes run after approximately 2,000 hours of cumulative viewing or can be triggered manually.

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Kaycee is Tom's Guide's How-To Editor, known for tutorials that get straight to what works. She writes across phones, homes, TVs and everything in between — because life doesn't stick to categories and neither should good advice. She's spent years in content creation doing one thing really well: making complicated things click. Kaycee is also an award-winning poet and co-editor at Fox and Star Books.

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3 OLED settings you should've enabled already — they prevent burn-in