When I was researching OLED TVs for the first time and trying to decide which one to buy, the thing that worried me most wasn’t picture quality, since I already knew it would be a huge upgrade over my old LED TV, but rather burn-in.

This is because OLED TVs work differently from traditional LED TVs. Instead of using a backlight, each pixel lights up individually and can turn off completely depending on what’s on-screen. That’s what allows OLED displays to deliver incredible contrast, deep blacks, and vibrant colors.

The trade-off is that, because each pixel is self-lit, they are more susceptible to what’s commonly referred to as “burn-in,” where a static image stays on screen too long and leaves behind a faint, almost ghost-like imprint that you can see even when you’re watching something else on your TV.

While burn-in is an understandable concern on OLED displays, after using both an OLED TV and an OLED monitor for quite a while now, I’ve come to realize that avoiding it is really easy and not something you should stress about too much. If you take the right steps, you can prevent it without much effort. So, whether you already have an OLED TV or you’re thinking about buying one, here are easy ways I’ve found to prevent burn-in on mine and also keep it in tip-top shape.

Pixel cleaning is essential

This process can run manually or automatically when your TV is off

For starters, one of the easiest ways to prevent burn-in on your OLED TV (or monitor) is to use its built-in pixel cleaning tool. Most modern OLED TVs include this feature, which is designed to refresh the pixels and reduce the risk of burn-in over time.

The name can vary depending on your TV brand. For instance, on my LG C5 TV, it’s called Pixel Cleaning, while on Samsung TVs, it’s usually called Pixel Refresh.

At its core, it’s a pretty simple process. The tool helps even out the brightness of the pixels on your screen. Since some pixels get used more than others depending on what you watch or play, this process rebalances them to prevent uneven wear, so you’re less likely to experience burn-in or see darker patches on your TV.

However, while pixel cleaning is a great way to prevent burn-in, it’s not something you should do manually every single day, as it can wear out your TV if you do it too much. I typically run it manually once or twice a month, and I’ve had zero issues with my OLED TV. Chances are, your OLED TV also automatically refreshes the pixels in the background when you turn it off, which is another way your TV is proactively preventing burn-in without you even knowing it.

Avoid static images, but don’t stress about it

Static images can cause burn-in, but only in extreme circumstances

The main thing that causes burn-in in the first place is leaving static images on the screen for too long, but even that isn’t something you should stress about too much. Should you try to avoid it? Yes. But there are lots of times when there’s nothing you can really do about it because of the nature of what you’re watching or playing, and that’s totally fine.

For example, I watch lots of baseball on my OLED TV, with the scoreboard in the same spot for hours, and I also play lots of games where elements of the HUD are static on my screen for hours on end, and I’ve never had any of them burn into my OLED TV, or my OLED monitor for that matter.

The point I’m making is this: if there is a static image on your TV from a show, movie, or game for 10 minutes, an hour, two hours, or even three or four hours, it won’t cause burn-in on its own. It’s really only when there’s a large static image, like a logo, repeatedly on your TV for a very long time, that there is cause for concern, and when you might want to consider taking a break to turn off your TV to let the pixels refresh, or put something else on the TV to counteract it.

LG’s own support page about OLED TVs demystifies burn-in, saying that “It is rare for an average TV consumer to create an environment that could result in burn-in.”

Additionally, I think it’s worth noting that some OLED TVs have built-in features to help prevent burn-in from static images. For instance, on my LG TV, there is a setting called “Screen Move,” which was automatically enabled, that “moves the screen little by little at regular intervals” to help prevent burn-in. Samsung also has a similar feature called Pixel Shift.

Make sure to clean your OLED TV properly

Avoid using screen cleaners that contain harsh chemicals

The final tip I want to share for maintaining your OLED TV isn’t related to burn-in; it’s about cleaning your screen safely to keep it looking new.

Over time, your TV will inevitably collect dust and smudges, and you’ll want to clean it properly. But many OLED TVs have special coatings, such as anti-glare or anti-reflective layers, plus the delicate OLED pixel layer beneath. That means you need to be careful, as using the wrong cleaner can actually damage the screen.

The biggest thing to avoid is any screen cleaner that contains alcohol or ammonia. These can strip special coatings and potentially harm the OLED pixel layer as well.

But don’t worry, cleaning your OLED TV is pretty simple. You only need two things:

1. A microfiber cloth: This type of cloth is good at picking up smudges and won’t scratch your screen.

2. A small amount of distilled water: Distilled water is free of minerals and harsh chemicals, so it won’t damage your screen. You can usually find bottles of distilled water at most grocery stores.

To start, wipe your OLED display with the microfiber cloth to remove any dust. Then just dampen the cloth very lightly (never spray water directly on the TV) and gently wipe the display. When you’re done, use the dry part of the cloth to remove any leftover moisture.

That’s it. It’s safe, simple, and keeps your OLED looking brand-new.