Plan on about an hour for LG OLED’s long Pixel Refresh cycle, but the exact time depends on the TV model and the type of cleaning. LG’s broader regional guidance gives a range of about 10–90 minutes; its U.S. guidance says the long cycle takes about an hour and a manual calibration takes more than an hour. Keep the TV plugged in and off until the process finishes.
How long does each LG OLED refresh take?
LG describes different maintenance operations, so the estimates are not interchangeable. The published durations below are manufacturer guidance, not independent measurements.
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| Operation | LG’s stated timing | When it runs |
|---|---|---|
| Routine automatic refresh | No duration stated in LG USA or Philippines guidance. LG USA Support; LG Philippines. | After more than four cumulative viewing hours, when the TV is turned off. |
| Long refresh after accumulated use | About one hour, according to LG USA Support. | After 2,000 cumulative viewing hours, when the TV is turned off. |
| Manual Pixel Cleaning or calibration | More than an hour, according to LG USA Support. For TVs released from 2024 onward, LG says Pixel Cleaning takes about an hour: LG’s Pixel Cleaning instructions. | Started manually or scheduled for the next time the TV is turned off, depending on the model. |
| General cleaning estimate | About 10–90 minutes, depending on model and cleaning type, according to LG Ukraine Support. | General regional FAQ estimate; it is not a guaranteed duration for every model or procedure. |
For a practical estimate, allow at least an hour if you start the long or manual process. LG’s guidance does not provide a model-by-model timing chart, so a precise finish time cannot be guaranteed.
What the routine and long cycles do
Routine automatic refresh
LG says a routine refresh runs when the TV is turned off after more than four cumulative hours of use. The hours can accumulate across viewing sessions rather than needing to occur in one sitting. LG Philippines gives the example of two hours on one day followed by three hours the next; the accumulated use triggers a cycle when the TV is turned off. The TV needs to remain connected to power.
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Long refresh after 2,000 hours
After 2,000 cumulative viewing hours, LG says the longer cycle starts after the TV is turned off and takes about an hour. Vertical lines may appear during this maintenance; LG says that is not a malfunction.
Manual cleaning
Manual cleaning is available for a noticed screen issue or a TV notification. LG USA says its manual calibration takes more than an hour and may be started immediately or scheduled for the next time the TV is turned off. The process stops if the TV is turned on while it runs.
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How to start Pixel Cleaning
The menu names and route vary by webOS version and model year. LG lists these routes:
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- webOS 6.0 (2021): Settings → All Settings → Support → OLED Care → OLED Panel Care → Pixel Cleaning.
- 2020 models: The feature may be called Pixel Refresher under OLED Screen Care.
- 2019 and earlier: Look in the older Picture or OLED Panel Settings menus.
These paths are from LG’s Pixel Cleaning instructions. If the labels on your TV differ, check the manual for your exact model.
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Keep the TV powered and off while it runs
Do not unplug the TV or turn it on before cleaning completes. LG’s guidance says a process can be interrupted if power is lost or the TV is switched on; an HDMI-CEC-connected device may also turn the TV back on. If the notification keeps returning, leave the TV plugged in and off long enough for the cycle to finish, and check whether a connected device is waking it.
What to do if a picture problem remains
Pixel Cleaning is not a guaranteed fix for every line, color change, or image issue. LG recommends running the TV’s picture or screen self-diagnosis and checking whether the problem also appears with other external signal sources or HDMI devices. If the issue remains after repeated cleaning, contact LG support.
Ways to reduce image-retention risk
LG identifies prolonged static logos, paused game screens, fixed menus, and high brightness as potential contributors to image retention. Its guidance points to features such as Screen Shift and Logo Luminance Adjustment as ways to reduce risk. These precautions do not replace the TV’s automatic maintenance cycle.
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