IPS Glow vs. Backlight Bleed: What's Normal?

Test your screen now — use Black to spot glow/bleed, Gray/Dark Red to check retention, and compare corners vs center before deciding to return.

You've just unboxed your new IPS monitor, powered it on in a dark room, and noticed glowing in the corners. Is this normal? Should you return it? Let's demystify IPS glow and backlight bleeding.

IPS Glow: The Physics Behind It

IPS (In-Plane Switching) glow is an inherent characteristic of IPS panel technology, not a defect.

What Causes IPS Glow:

Light passing through liquid crystal molecules at angles
More pronounced when viewed off-axis
Changes as you shift your viewing position
Appears as a subtle "glow" from corners

Key Characteristics:

Color: Usually has a silvery-white or subtle color tint
Position-dependent: Shifts or disappears when you move your head
Corner-focused: Typically appears in monitor corners
Viewing angle: More visible at certain angles

Is it Normal? YES - all IPS panels exhibit some degree of IPS glow. The amount varies by panel quality and manufacturer.

Backlight Bleed: An Actual Defect

Unlike IPS glow, backlight bleeding is a manufacturing defect where light leaks around the panel edges.

Causes of Backlight Bleed:

Uneven pressure from panel bezel
Manufacturing assembly issues
Poor quality control
Panel damage during shipping

How to Identify Backlight Bleed:

Static: Doesn't change with viewing angle
Localized: Usually appears in specific spots
Clouding: May cause uneven brightness
Color: Pure white light (no color tint)

Is it Normal? NO - excessive backlight bleed is a defect and grounds for RMA.

How to Test Your Monitor

Use these steps to accurately assess your monitor:

Step 1: Prepare Your Environment

Complete darkness (night time, no lights)
Display a pure black image
Let your monitor warm up for 20 minutes
Sit at your normal viewing distance (arm's length)

Step 2: Use Our Testing Tool

Go to our Screen Test Tool
Select solid black color
Observe all four corners and edges
Move your head side to side
Note what changes with viewing angle (IPS glow) vs what doesn't (bleed)

Step 3: Document Issues

Take photos from your normal viewing position
Camera settings: Manual mode, low ISO, 1-2 second exposure
Note: Cameras often exaggerate both IPS glow and backlight bleed

Acceptable vs. Unacceptable Levels

Normal IPS Glow:

Barely visible during normal content viewing
Only noticeable on pure black screens
Disappears or shifts with head movement
Equal on all corners (symmetric)

Excessive IPS Glow:

Visible during regular use (movies, games)
Distracts from dark content
Creates obvious bright patches

Minor Backlight Bleed (Acceptable):

Tiny spots barely visible on black
Doesn't affect normal viewing
Less than 5mm in size

Major Backlight Bleed (Return/RMA):

Visible during normal content
Large cloudy areas
Uneven brightness in regular use
Affects color accuracy

Manufacturer Return Policies

Know your rights before purchasing:

ASUS:

"Zero Bright Pixel" guarantee (premium models)
Backlight bleed: case-by-case basis

Dell:

Premium Panel Guarantee (select models)
3+ bright pixels OR significant uniformity issues

LG:

Typically requires 5+ defective pixels
Backlight bleed handled per support discretion

Samsung:

Varies by region
Gaming monitors: more lenient policies

BenQ:

Pixel Perfect program (some models)
14-30 day return windows

The Lottery: What to Expect

Here's the reality of the "panel lottery":

Budget IPS Monitors ($150-300):

50-70% have noticeable IPS glow
20-30% have minor backlight bleed
5-10% have significant defects

Mid-Range IPS ($300-600):

30-50% noticeable IPS glow
10-15% minor backlight bleed
2-5% significant defects

Premium IPS ($600+):

20-30% noticeable IPS glow (still present!)
5-10% minor backlight bleed
1-2% significant defects

Source: Community reports from r/Monitors, various tech forums (2023-2025)

Mitigation Techniques

Can't return your monitor? Try these fixes:

For IPS Glow:

Adjust viewing angle: Tilt monitor forward slightly
Reduce brightness: Lower than 100% reduces glow
Ambient lighting: Small bias light behind monitor helps
Mounting: Wall mounting may reduce bezel pressure

For Minor Backlight Bleed:

Bezel massage: Gently squeeze/adjust bezel (risky!)
Panel seating: Carefully remove and reseat panel screws
Shims: Place thin material between panel and bezel
Warranty: Don't attempt fixes if under warranty!

Alternative Panel Technologies

Considering switching panel types?

VA Panels:

✅ No IPS glow
✅ Better contrast (3000:1 typical)
❌ Worse viewing angles
❌ Potential black smearing

OLED Monitors:

✅ Perfect blacks, no glow
✅ Infinite contrast
❌ Burn-in risk
❌ Expensive ($900+)

TN Panels:

✅ No glow issues
✅ Fastest response times
❌ Poor color accuracy
❌ Terrible viewing angles

When to Return Your Monitor

Return/RMA if you experience:

✅ Backlight bleed visible during normal use ✅ IPS glow extending beyond corners into center third ✅ Uneven color temperature across the panel ✅ Multiple dead or stuck pixels ✅ Clouding affecting image quality

Don't return for: ❌ Minor corner glow only visible on black ❌ Glow that shifts with viewing angle ❌ Issues only visible in photos (cameras exaggerate) ❌ Perfectly normal IPS behavior

The Bottom Line

IPS Glow: Inherent to the technology, not a defect. All IPS panels have some level of glow. Learn to live with minor glow or switch panel technologies.

Backlight Bleed: Manufacturing defect. Excessive bleeding is grounds for return/RMA. Don't accept a defective product.

Pro Tip: Test monitors within the return window using our comprehensive screen test. Document issues immediately.

Related Resources:

Next steps: Run the Screen Test on Black and Gray. If glow shifts with head movement, it’s IPS glow; if static bright patches remain, consider RMA for bleed. Unsure about pixels? Recheck with Dead vs Stuck Pixels.