Note: This post is intended as a guide. Always consult a licensed TV professional.
You are watching your favorite show or gaming with friends when without warning the TV goes off, not just once but several times during the day. In some cases, it may turn itself off after a few seconds, other times it may stay on for longer.
Either way, it creates the frustrating feeling of unreliability, never knowing if or when it will turn itself off.
Is it a fault that you can fix yourself? What is causing it anyway and how can you fix it? The good news is in some cases, you may be able to fix this yourself.
This post lists some possible causes that you can work through starting with the easiest to check. Sometimes the cause can be easier to fix than you think.
But first, it helps to collect as much information about the fault as you can. This can help you narrow down the problem faster.
Here are some guiding questions you can use to gather as much info as possible.
Guide questions you can use to collect fault information
- Does the TV start up normally, displaying the logo before going off? If not, it could be a firmware problem. Additional tests may need to be done to confirm if it is indeed the cause.
- Does it turn off immediately, after a set time or it is random, i.e. sometimes it’s after a few seconds, or hours, and on some days it stays on until you switch it off?
- Does the TV stay on longer during the night or on colder days compared to warmer days? This can give an indication on whether the fault is temperature related such as an overheating component.
7 Fixes that can get your TV working Normally again
Work through the possible causes, starting with the easiest first.
#1. Confirm that the TV is connected firmly and properly to a wall outlet. A loose connection in the wall outlet or power bar may cause the TV to turn off intermittently.
For a start, if using any adapter or power bar, remove them and plug the TV directly into the wall outlet. You can try connecting it to a different wall outlet too. Check if this clears the problem.
#2. Inspect the TV’s power cord for any damage along its length. A damaged section can cause the TV to turn on and off randomly. If there are signs of damage, replace it and check if this clears the fault.
#3. Faulty connected accessory or damaged HDMI cable. Turn off any connected accessories – a PC, gaming station, and others that may be connected to the TV via the HDMI cable or other interfaces. Perhaps they may be causing the fault condition that is causing the TV to turn off.
Check if the TV turns off with these accessories disconnected. If it works well, the fault may be related to the connected accessory or cable.
Try switching out the accessory with another or the cable itself and check if it clears the problem.
#4. Does the TV have a power-saving feature activated? Some TVs have an energy-saving feature that turns off the TV after a predetermined period of inactivity.
Check the owner’s manual if the TV has this feature and if it is enabled. If it has it, deactivate it and check whether it clears the problem.
#5. Is the TV overheating? Is it exposed to high temperatures that are causing it to shut down? Does it happen more often during warmer weather than during cool weather?
Are the intervals before it turns off longer during the night when the temperatures are cooler or does it turn off after a predetermined time regardless of the weather or time of day. Look out for any patterns as this can help you narrow down the possible causes.
#6. Try the factory reset option. Go to settings or the equivalent for your TV, look for the factory settings options, and activate it. Check if this clears the problem with your TV.
#7. Try updating the firmware. It may be firmware related. Perhaps it is corrupted.
Go to the TV settings, under the firmware options, search for and try to update its TV’s firmware. Hopefully, you’re able to complete the update successfully. Check if this clears the problem.
Beyond this, it could be a faulty power board or main board. One common cause of failure is a faulty power board.
Perhaps it is faulty or damaged capacitors. They may pop or bulge on the sides or top and need to be replaced at a minimum. Contact a qualified or licensed TV technician
Note: Working with internal circuitry involves the risk of exposure to high voltages that can cause injury or death. Do not attempt to take the TV apart unless you’re taken the manufacturer’s safety precautions. Contact a licensed repair service.
Closing Thoughts
There are several possible reasons why a TV may turn itself off after a set time or randomly. It can be any of the following in no particular order: a loose or damaged power cord, a damaged HDMI cable or faulty malfunctioning connected device or even a power save feature enabled.
If it is firmware related problem, doing a factory reset or updating the TV’s firmware works sometimes.
Hope this helps!
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