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No picture on TV
By the Repair.com team
Let's fix this!
You press ON, but no picture on TV appears—so frustrating! This troubleshooting chart will help you determine the cause and provide the information you need to fix your TV picture problem in time to watch your favorite show.
Note: If you have a Samsung TV, start by running the built-in self-diagnosis test:
- Turn on the TV and use the remote control to access the menu.
- Scroll down to the support option and press the ENTER button.
- Choose Self-Diagnosis and press ENTER again.
- Select Picture Test and follow the on-screen instructions.
Tip: If there is a specific error message on your screen that you cannot decode, write it down and call your cable company. Relay the exact error message to the tech. Cable company error messages can be a great way to begin a proper diagnosis.
|
Problems |
Possible causes |
What to do |
|---|---|---|
Interior or exterior cracks on the screen |
Direct, physical damage to the TV screen from:
|
Cracked screens (internal or external) cannot be repaired. Find out more about dealing with your broken TV screen. Did you know? There are TV retailers who will buy your broken, brand name TV! |
Power light flashes, but no picture ever appears |
|
1. Replacement capacitors or a new power board is in order
Both jobs are best left in the hands of a qualified TV repairman. |
TV is on, but the screen is black or snowy |
|
If all other channels are showing the same black or snowy screen, make sure that all the set-top box cables are connected. Now is also a good time to check if you have any outstanding bill payments to your cable or satellite provider. For more suggestions, see our guide to troubleshooting your black or snowy TV screen. |
Blue screen |
|
Check that your set-top box is connected and that the power is on. If your set-top box is already set up, there are a few other points to check. See more suggestions for why your TV screen is blue. |
TV screen is black or doesn’t power on |
|
Make sure the power cord is plugged firmly into its outlet. If the TV outlet is powered by a wall switch, confirm that the switch is in the ON position. If all TVs and electronics are unable to power on, call the power company. |
TV suddenly turns off |
|
Make sure that the power plug is still firmly connected to the outlet. If your power connection is already snug, see more solutions for why your TV turns off.
|
Intermittent loss of picture |
|
Make sure all of the connections for your set-top box and your TV are secure. If you are still seeing intermittent picture loss, see more TV flickering solutions. |
Still seeking a solution? Schedule television repair service with a qualified professional.
Did you know? That black screen that suddenly appears while watching TV is affectionately nicknamed the “Black Screen of Death” by its many victims!
Service pro's plea: If in doubt, stay out. Don't risk causing more damage to your product (or yourself!) by attempting to fix it on your own. It's also easier and quicker for a service technician to diagnose and fix a problem when the product is assembled. In the end, you'll save time and money.
✓ Reviewed and approved by Repair.com expert Jason Schatten, Electronic Laboratory.
The Repair.com team
The Repair.com team is made up of experienced writers, editors and repair experts dedicated to providing you with the most reliable and comprehensive information about keeping your home running right.