Monitor users warned against pressing screens to remove trapped insects

Technical experts are warning monitor owners against applying pressure to screens when small insects, known as thrips or ‘Gewittertierchen’, appear inside the display housing. These tiny insects can enter through ventilation slots or narrow gaps in the casing, particularly during warm and humid weather.

Because these insects can crawl between the various layers of an LCD or OLED panel, they often appear as moving black dots or lines. Experts caution that attempting to press on the insect to move or remove it almost invariably results in permanent hardware damage. Applying pressure can crush the insect between sensitive layers, such as the backlight or diffuser films, leaving behind organic residue that looks like dead pixels.

Since these residues cannot be cleaned with software or external wiping, removal would require a full disassembly of the panel in a dust-free environment. Users are advised not to open the monitor themselves to avoid voiding warranties and should instead contact the manufacturer or retailer for assistance.