A pale corner on a dark image is a useful observation. To understand it, check whether its appearance changes as you move and whether it affects the content you normally view. Start with the monitor at your usual brightness and viewing distance.
Two different kinds of light on an LCD
| Observation | IPS glow | Backlight bleed |
|---|---|---|
| As you move your head | The bright-looking area changes with viewing angle or distance. | The light remains anchored near the same edge or corner. |
| What the term describes | An angle-dependent characteristic of IPS panels. | Uneven light escaping around part of an LCD’s edge. |
Dell’s explanation and Lenovo’s IPS guidance describe this viewing-angle distinction. Both effects can be visible in one display. An OLED has no LCD backlight; use the retained-image guide if a recognizable shape remains on that type of screen.
Make one controlled comparison
- Record the starting conditions. Note brightness, picture mode, room lighting and where you sit. Use the monitor’s normal operating setup and follow any warm-up instructions in its manual.
- Open a dark field. In screen inspection, choose the glow or uneven-light task, or select black directly. Hide the controls while looking at the corners.
- Move without changing the image. Shift your head gently left and right, then compare from slightly farther away. Write down which area changes and which stays in place.
- Return to your usual position. Check a dark scene and an ordinary application you actually use. Record whether the area is visible there, rather than judging from a black field alone.
- Repeat a concern. Revisit the same field with the original brightness and lighting. Add the location and viewing-angle behavior to your inspection notes, then download the report.
A completely dark room and a brightness setting you never use make a different comparison from your everyday setup. Keep those special conditions in the notes if you choose to try them. Avoid pressing the screen or bending the bezel while investigating.
Use a photograph for the physical appearance
A screenshot records the image supplied by the computer. Open that file on another display: if the same light patch is in the file, investigate the content or rendering path too. Use a camera to record the monitor’s physical light pattern.
For that appearance, take a photograph from your normal viewing position. Keep camera position, room lighting and exposure consistent between photos; automatic exposure can make a dark scene look much brighter than it does to your eyes. Keep the original photo and explain the conditions. Use the photo alongside your viewing notes; measuring luminance requires an instrument.
Decide what to send to support
If an area remains distracting during normal use, send the seller or manufacturer your model, setup, repeatable steps, inspection report and any photographs they request. Ask for the assessment process and the policy that applies to your exact product and purchase. The seller or manufacturer applies the policy for your product and purchase.
Use the new-monitor checklist for a complete record. If the concern is a faint logo or taskbar rather than a bright edge, follow image retention vs burn-in.
Manufacturer guidance checked 5 November 2026. Follow your model’s support instructions when preparing a service request.