Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to diagnostic procedures and related device architectures that check the operating health of a display element of a host electronic device. In certain embodiments, a method of checking the health of the display element begins by entering a diagnostic health check mode for the host electronic device. The display element is controlled to display a test image while operating in the diagnostic health check mode. The operating current of the display element is measured in association with the display of the test image. The measured operating current is compared against acceptance criteria for the test image, and an alerting action is initiated when the measured operating current does not satisfy the acceptance criteria.