What is burn-in and how to avoid it?
The screen or monitor is one of the important components of an electronic device such as a computer, laptop, smartphone, and others. However, it is not uncommon to find burn-in on screens that are quite old. So that the screen displays a shadow of the previous display. This is not dangerous, but it is quite annoying especially if the shadow is quite severe. So, what is burn-in and how to avoid it?
One of the important components of an electronic device is the screen or monitor. The screen or monitor on electronic devices such as computers, laptops, and smartphones have the main function as a medium for displaying information in visual form to users. The message displayed can be in the form of images, videos, or graphics visually and even in real-time such as messages on instant messaging applications, streaming videos, and online games. The screen or monitor can also allow users to interact with the device, such as clicking or selecting options provided on the display. However, did you know that the screen or monitor can be damaged slowly over time and especially if the usage is not good?
One of the screen diseases that occur over time is burn-in. Burn-in is a condition in which images or text that continue to appear on the screen repeatedly over a long period of time, causing the image or text to burn on the screen permanently. Burn-in is usually indicated by the appearance of image shadows from certain displays such as wallpaper images, application icons, status bars, and navigation buttons on smartphones or tablets. Burn-in is generally caused by continuously viewing static or unchanging images for a long time. Burn-in can also occur more quickly when the screen used is often at a high brightness level. As long as it is not serious, a burn-in screen can still be used properly. However, some people may be quite annoyed by the shadows or discoloration that appear.
Burn-in can occur on CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), Plasma, even LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) displays. To avoid getting burn-in, there are various ways that can be done, such as:
1. Changing the Wallpaper regularly
As explained earlier, burn-in occurs when the screen continuously displays a static image and does not change for a long time. Therefore, changing the wallpaper or screen display periodically can be one of the solutions. Try to replace the wallpaper with another image that is quite different in color from the previous wallpaper.
2. Use Live Wallpaper
As an alternative to changing wallpapers regularly, you can use the live wallpaper feature. This is because live wallpaper can change by itself in a certain amount of time. So, apart from being free from changing the wallpaper manually, you don't need to worry or be afraid if you don't have time or forget to change your wallpaper.
3. Use a screensaver
Screensavers can also help prevent burn-in. As screensavers can also display moving images or changing displays automatically when the screen is not used for a long time.
4. Use sleep mode or turn off the screen
When you are not going to use the screen for a long time, it is better to turn off the screen or use sleep mode to avoid burn-in. This allows the screen to rest and not display anything.
5. Lower the Brightness Level
Using a screen with a high brightness level for a long time will also increase the risk of burn-in as mentioned earlier. So, lowering the brightness level as low as possible can be one of the steps that can be taken to prevent or reduce the risk of burn-in.
6. Use Dark Themes and Wallpapers
Apart from lowering the brightness level, another option you can do is to use wallpapers with dark images and dark themes (if supported). This will be very effective if the screen you are using is an LED type, either OLED or AMOLED. This is because dark colors will tend to reduce the amount of lighting so that the LEDs don't have to work as much. That way, the LED components on the screen will be more durable and able to produce maximum color with a longer duration of use, and the risk of burn-in will be slightly reduced.
7. Limit screen time
Use the screen as much as you need, and don't forget to rest the screen for at least a few hours every day. For smartphones, don't forget to set the screen timeout. Set the screen timeout duration as fast as possible, or choose a duration that suits your needs. By default, the screen timeout is 30 seconds. To set this screen timeout, you can enter the settings menu then select display settings and look for the screen timeout option.
8. Change Home Screen Layout Regularly
The main screen is one of the static displays that is generally displayed most often, whether by computers, laptops, or cellphones. Therefore, it is a good idea to change the layout of the various application icons, logos, widgets and others on the main screen.
9. Use gesture navigation
On smartphones, navigation buttons are one of the shadows that often appear when a device's screen gets burn-in. This is because the navigation buttons are continuously displayed at the bottom of the screen to make operating the device easier. If the device you are using has a gesture navigation feature, then you should use it. It may take some time to adapt. But once you get used to it, using gesture navigation is easier and more flexible, as your fingers do not have to reach the buttons under the large smartphone screen, and can be swiped from anywhere.
