Appliance Broken
Stay tuned for news on the arrival of repair.com in your area
Stripes or wavy lines on TV screen
By the Repair.com team
Let's fix this!
All of us have seen stripes or wavy lines on a TV at one point or another. Usually a loose connection is to blame. If you are experiencing irritating lines on your TV right now, look through this troubleshooting chart before you call a repairman. There’s a chance that the fix is simple.
|
Possible causes |
Signs to look for |
What to do |
|---|---|---|
Cable/satellite connections are loose |
Are the lines on TV moving across the screen for all channels? |
Check that each connection is pushed in completely, and tighten the connections with your fingers:
|
Incorrect cables |
Do you see faint wavy lines moving diagonally down your screen? Are you using component cables? |
Switch out your component video cables with an HDMI cable to improve your picture. |
Electrical interference |
Do you notice the lines on TV when another electrical device switches on? |
Move nearby electrical devices away from the TV and its outlet. Interference from these devices can be the culprit. You can also use a power conditioner to filter electricity for your TV. |
Plasma TV control board malfunction |
Do you see 1 or more colored stripes running vertically through the picture? |
The control board may need to be replaced. It's time to call in a TV repair professional. |
Still seeking a solution? Schedule TV repair service with a qualified professional.
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 Mike Wills, owner, Television Service Labs.
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.