LG OLED TV owners may have a new concern to watch for, especially if they own an older model with an LG Display WOLED panel. A long-running durability test by Rtings has identified a panel defect being described as “edge rot,” a problem that can make parts of the screen look as if dark patches or black mold are creeping in from the edges.
The issue appears after extended time has passed since the TV was manufactured. Instead of showing up as the familiar image retention or OLED burn-in many buyers already know about, edge rot causes clusters of pixels near the border of the display to fail. Over time, these dead or damaged pixels can spread along the outer edges, creating an uneven and distracting picture.
In the test, Rtings examined ten smart TVs using LG WOLED panels over 18,000 hours of operation. Nine of those ten models showed signs of edge rot. The only model in the group that did not show the defect was the LG OLED A2 from 2022.
Affected models reportedly include the LG OLED BX, CX, A1, B1, C1, and B2. The issue is not limited to LG-branded televisions either. Other TVs using LG Display WOLED panels also showed the same problem, including the Sony A80J OLED, Sony A8H OLED, and a 2020 Vizio OLED TV.
The findings suggest that the problem may be tied to certain generations of WOLED panel manufacturing rather than a single TV brand. Rtings believes the cause could be related to contamination during production or insufficient panel sealing, which may allow moisture to enter over time. If moisture reaches sensitive parts of the OLED panel, it could damage pixels near the display edges.
One important detail is that edge rot appears to be different from typical OLED burn-in. Burn-in is usually linked to usage patterns, such as leaving static logos, news tickers, game HUDs, or interface elements on the screen for long periods. Edge rot, on the other hand, seems to be more dependent on the age of the panel since production, not simply how many hours the TV has been used.
There may be better news for buyers of newer OLED TVs. Rtings did not find signs of edge rot on the LG OLED G3, which uses a newer panel generation from the 2023 model year. TVs using Samsung Display’s QD-OLED panels also did not show the same edge rot issue during the test. This could mean that more recent OLED technology has improved sealing, manufacturing quality, or overall resistance to this specific defect.
However, OLED burn-in is still something buyers should keep in mind, even with newer models. According to the test, some newer OLED TVs can still show burn-in, and in certain cases it may become visible sooner than on older models. The difference is that modern OLED TVs often offer much higher peak brightness, giving users more flexibility. Lowering brightness settings can help reduce stress on the panel and may extend the life of the display while still delivering a strong viewing experience.
For current LG OLED TV owners, the key takeaway is to inspect the screen edges occasionally, especially on older models. If dark clusters, dead pixels, or irregular patches appear near the bezel, it may be a sign of edge rot rather than burn-in. Since this defect may be linked to panel age and manufacturing factors, prevention options could be limited, but keeping the TV in a dry, well-ventilated environment may help reduce moisture-related risks.
For shoppers considering an OLED TV, this report highlights the importance of checking the panel type, model year, warranty coverage, and long-term reliability data before buying. OLED TVs remain some of the best displays available for contrast, black levels, and cinematic picture quality, but older WOLED models may carry a higher risk of this edge-related pixel failure. Newer OLED models, particularly those from 2023 and later, may offer better protection against this issue.
