Synchronization for light emitting diode (LED) pixels in an LED display is provided so that one or more actions of all LED pixels are able to be initiated at the same time, or within a millisecond. LED displays and corresponding systems may include a controller that is configured for sending communication signals to one or more strings of LED pixels. Active electrical elements within each LED pixel may be configured to receive the communication signals, generate corresponding synchronization signals, and respond in a manner that is coordinated with all other LED pixels in a particular LED display. Failure mitigation of LED pixel failures within an LED string is provided where the controller is configured with bidirectional communication ports for communication with the LED string. In a failure mitigation process, the bidirectional communication ports may switch directions to provide communication signals to both sides of an LED string.