How to Resize the Display Area to Fix Dead Pixels on the Top or Bottom of Your Android Phone

If you’ve experienced an unresponsive top or bottom section on your Android phone (where you access the notification drawer), likely caused by dead pixels or a broken screen, you’re not alone. I recently encountered this issue on my Google Pixel 7 Pro. To avoid costly display replacements, here’s a workaround I discovered.

The Issue: Dead Pixels on the Notification Drawer Area

My Google Pixel 7 Pro suffered a flat fall onto concrete, resulting in an unresponsive top section of the screen. This area, crucial for accessing the notification drawer, quick settings, and other essential features, became inoperable. While the issue likely stemmed from dead pixels, necessitating a hardware repair, I sought a swift, temporary solution.

Why the wm overscan Command No Longer Works

In earlier versions of Android, the wm overscan ADB command was a go-to solution for adjusting screen margins. This command allowed users to shift the functional screen area to bypass unresponsive regions. Unfortunately, this command has been deprecated in newer Android versions, leaving users searching for alternatives.

The Solution: Using the wm size ADB Command

After some research and experimentation, I discovered that the wm size command in ADB (Android Debug Bridge) could be used to adjust the display size, effectively bypassing the dead pixels at the top of the screen. Here’s how you can apply this workaround:

Steps to Adjust Display Size with ADB

1. Set Up ADB on Your Computer:
   • Install ADB tools on your computer. You can download them from the Android Developer website.
   • Enable Developer Options on your phone by going to Settings > About Phone and tapping “Build Number” seven times.
   • Enable USB Debugging in Developer Options.
2. Connect Your Phone:
   • Use a USB cable to connect your phone to your computer.
   • Open a command prompt or terminal window and verify the connection by running: adb devices Your device should appear in the list.
3. Run the wm size Command:
   • Use the following command to adjust the display size: adb shell wm size 1080x2000
   • Replace 1080x2000 with dimensions that work for your screen. These values represent the new width and height of the usable display area in pixels.
4. Test the Changes:
   • Check if the notification drawer is now accessible. Adjust the values as needed to find the optimal configuration.

Considerations

• This solution works as a temporary fix. For a permanent resolution, you may need to get the screen repaired or replaced. ( I don’t plan to as my Google Pixel 7 Pro screen replacement cost is almost equal to buying a new Phone these days )
• The adjusted display size may cause minor scaling issues in certain apps. Experiment with different resolutions to find the best balance.

Conclusion

While dead pixels can be a frustrating problem, the wm size ADB command offers a quick and effective workaround for users running newer Android versions. If you’re facing a similar issue on your Google Pixel 7 Pro or another Android device, give this method a try. It’s a handy solution to keep your phone functional without immediate hardware repairs.

Have you faced a similar problem? Let me know in the comments if this solution worked for you or if you have other tips to share!