Well recently I've noticed a small spot on my monitor that seems to be like a dark streak. Its kind of annoying because its very noticeable and I have no idea how it got there. Its mostly noticeable when there is a darker background. On lighter ones I can't really see it. I've tried cleaning it off, thinking it was only a smudge but that didn't help. If I look up close at it I can kind of see some small shapes or something and I can also make out a faint grid underneath where the spot is. What could this be? What caused it? Is there any way to fix this?

Pics (spot lower left):

I don't know how well this tool will help you, but you can give it a try. It's called undead pixel. Freeware. I've never used it to actually fix dead pixels, but it will help you see more easily if they are dead.

The "run cycle" button lets you look for dead pixels, then the "Start" and "Stop" button side are where the program will attempt to fix the pixels if you move the little spot over the bad pixel.

Here is the link: UDPixel - udpix.free.fr

Good luck!

Hi think that program is a bit of a miss-titled program...check here - dead and stuck pixels mean 2 different things.
Dead pixel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stuck pixel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

On that note...i think it could be the actual monitor itself if you have tried cleaning it.

Most monitors have a layer of "anti-glare" and if you use the wrong chemicals (or any for that matter) you can damage it wth a single whipe. The best way to clean a monitor, is luke warm water, and a link free cloth.