Home » How to » Why Won’t My TV Turn On? (Try these Fixes!)

Did you just sit down to watch your favorite show, but your TV won’t turn on? Well, you are not alone. TVs are notorious for being finicky. The good news is that there are many simple solutions for a TV that isn’t working. So, don’t throw it in the trash just yet!

Most problems stem from broken cords, bad power outlets, or replaceable parts. So, let’s look at all the reasons your TV won’t turn on and how to fix it. You’ll be watching your show in no time!

Resetting your TV is necessary if it won’t turn on. Wait 60 seconds after unplugging your TV from the wall. Press and hold the TV’s power button for 30 seconds while it’s not plugged in. When the minute is over, reconnect the TV’s cable. It should restart without any issues!

Keep in mind these troubleshooting techniques also apply to TVs from Vizio, LG, and Samsung. Most of the time, a soft reset of the TV will do the trick!

First things first, Unplug the power cord from the outlet. This might seem silly, but it is one of the most common ways to fix a TV.

Once unplugged, wait for 60 seconds before you plug it back in. It is important to wait the entire 60 seconds to give the TV a chance to reset itself. You can also hold the power button to ensure all the juice is out.

Before you plug it back in, check the metal prongs on the plug for bending or blemishes. Any sort of dirt or warping could be the cause of the problem.

So, make sure they are nice and clean. While you are at it, try plugging in a different device to confirm the outlet is not the problem. 

Go ahead and reconnect the TV.

Did that do the trick?

Now, let’s examine all the connected cords. Pushing your TV up against the wall can bend and tear cables, resulting in a TV that won’t turn on.

A common place for tearing is towards the end of a cord. If you see anything out of the ordinary like fraying or exposed wires, then replacing the damaged cord could be the solution to your problem. Dealing with exposed wires can be very dangerous. It is smart to switch off the power to the outlet before touching the cable. We have enough problems as it is – no need to shock yourself.

If you use a power strip to connect your TV, confirm it is switched on. Sometimes the solution is as easy as that!

Try plugging another device into the power strip to ensure it is working properly. If it is not, you are most likely dealing with a faulty strip that needs to be replaced.

You can further confirm this by plugging the TV into the wall or another extender. 

Behind the TV, you will find a few different cables that you will want to investigate. 

First, find the main power cable and unplug it. Just like you did with the outlet, look for dust or debris that may be hiding in the cracks. If there is a lot of dust, try using a can of compressed air to clean it out.

If your TV is hooked up to a cable box, DVD player, or laptop, ensure that the HDMI is completely plugged in. Take note of whether it is inserted into the “HDMI” or “HDMI 2” slot – this will be important in the next step.

Depending on how old your TV is, there might be cords for audio and visual. Take the time to unplug and reinsert each one to cover all bases. 

Does the red light turn on when you try to power up the TV? If so, you might need to adjust the input settings. 

Most TVs have at least two input options: HDMI or HDMI 2. You can look on the back of the device to see which slot your HDMI is hooked up to. Make certain that the correct input option is selected on the TV.

There are two ways to do this:

Open up the back of your remote and confirm the batteries are inserted properly. If everything looks good, you might be dealing with a pair of old batteries. Replace them with a fresh pair. Easy!

Keep your remote handy because there’s one more thing we can check.

The TV and remote are able to communicate with each other through an IR sensor. Make sure the sensor on the front of the remote is nice and clean.

Grab a rag or a microfiber cloth to remove any dust or debris. It wouldn’t hurt to clean off the entire remote while doing that.

You also need to ensure that there are no clothes or decorations blocking the TV’s sensor. One little book or box can interfere with the signal and make it appear that your TV is not working.

Likewise, if your TV is connected to a cable box, you will want to double-check that nothing is blocking that as well.

If your TV won’t turn on still, let’s take some more drastic actions.

If the power light turns on but the screen remains black, you could be dealing with a backlight that stopped working.

The backlight is used to illuminate the picture on the screen. Without it, your TV will appear to not be turning on. Let’s check to see if that is the case.

First, turn the TV on. Then grab a flashlight and shine it closely against the dark screen. If you suddenly can see images, your TV has a faulty backlight. Luckily it can be replaced!

Hiring a mechanic to fix the broken backlight will cost about $100 to $150, including labor fees. So, you will then have to decide between spending money to fix your TV or buying a new one.

You might be able to solve the issue with your TV by doing a factory reset. Most TVs will have a specific button on the back or sides to achieve this. 

Check the manual or look online to quickly identify the appropriate button. Then, hold it down for at least 30 seconds. Give the TV a few minutes to recalibrate itself, and you should be good to go!

Keep in mind that a factory reset will erase any downloaded apps, shows, and movies. You will have to start from scratch, but at least your TV is working – right?

The last possible reason a TV won’t turn on could be due to a broken motherboard. There are a few signs to help you pinpoint if that is the problem.

However, fully confirming that the motherboard is broken will require disassembly and a multimeter device. If you don’t feel confident handling this yourself, call a TV mechanic.

The telltale sign of a broken motherboard is when a TV intermittently won’t turn on. Additionally, if a TV turns on but can’t be turned off, you are most likely dealing with a motherboard that needs to be replaced. 

Check the Motherboard with a Multimeter

Here is a video to help walk you through the process.

If you can confirm the problem is the motherboard, then it will have to be replaced. To do it yourself shouldn’t cost more than $50, or you can hire a professional

If all else fails, give the manufacturer a call. A representative might be able to give you a few additional steps that are specific to your model. 

You can also ask about your TV’s warranty. 

When a TV won’t turn on, it can be frustrating – very frustrating. Luckily there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue. Let’s review all the solutions we covered:

Hopefully, one of these solutions will be the answer to your problem, and you can get back to your favorite show!

For years technology has been a big part of Gardy's life. He's an Android guy with a secret love for Apple products. You'll often find him drawing with a pencil.

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