TV has a problem with the picture? Here are some simple ways to troubleshoot the issue. Follow our easy instructions to help you solve common TV issues with lines, pixels, tiles, jumping screen, frozen screen, a blue screen, a black screen, aspect issues, a stretched picture, black bars, captions, bad color, or a grainy screen.
Fix HDTV Picture Problems And Issues
Fix Common TV Problems
TV has lines:
Check to be sure you do not have a bad cable or wire connection depending on what component you are using to watch TV. If all cables are tight and not damaged, unplug the TV for 10 minutes and see if that resets the issue.
As a last resort, go into the menu of your TV and do a factory reset. Be sure your screen is not cracked. If the TV screen is cracked, the screen will need to be replaced to fix the issue.
Try resetting your TV FIRST
TV has pixels or tiles:
A loose connections can cause the TV picture to have pixels or tiles. Remove and then reconnect the coaxial connections between your component and the TV equipment. Be sure all connections are secure. Inspect the coaxial cable for any damage as damage will cause a loss in the signal strength.
You can also unplug the TV for 10 minutes and see if that resets the issue. As a last resort, go into the menu of your TV and do a factory reset. Be sure your screen is not cracked. If the TV screen is cracked, the screen will need to be replaced to fix the issue.
TV has jumping or jumpy screen:
To figure out what is causing your TV screen to be jumping look at everything that your TV connects to. If the jumping effect is only happening with a single source, then that source is what is causing your problem. Check the source and all cables. You can also unplug the TV for 10 minutes and see if that resets the issue. As a last resort, go into the menu of your TV and do a factory reset.
TV screen is frozen:
If using a SAT receiver, weather can interfere with the signal. Bad weather can cause your picture to become frozen. Other things that can cause a frozen TV screen is outside obstructions like trees or buildings that block the SAT signal. If you do not have SAT, then you need to check the connections. You can also unplug the TV for 10 minutes and see if that resets the issue. As a last resort, go into the menu of your TV and do a factory reset.
TV has a blue screen:
Is your TV on the correct input? Change the input on your TV if needed. Check for loose or damaged connections on the back of your TV. Make sure the component you are trying to watch is turned ON. You can also unplug the TV for 10 minutes and see if that resets the issue. As a last resort, go into the menu of your TV and do a factory reset.
TV has a black screen:
Make sure the TV is ON! Is your TV on the correct input? Change the input on your TV if needed. Check for loose or damaged connections on the back of your TV. Make sure the component you are trying to watch is turned ON. You can also unplug the TV for 10 minutes and see if that resets the issue. As a last resort, go into the menu of your TV and do a factory reset.
TV has aspect issues:
Go into the TV menu and be sure the TV aspect is turned to NORMAL. The aspect ratio can also be set on some remote controls. You can also unplug the TV for 10 minutes and see if that resets the issue. As a last resort, go into the menu of your TV and do a factory reset.
TV has a stretched picture:
Go into the TV menu and be sure the TV aspect is turned to NORMAL. The aspect ratio can also be set on some remote controls. You can also unplug the TV for 10 minutes and see if that resets the issue. As a last resort, go into the menu of your TV and do a factory reset.
TV has black bars:
Aspect ratio on your cable or SAT box may be set incorrectly. If the picture does not fit the TV screen the way you like, then you need to change the aspect ratio on your cable or SAT box. Black bars on either side of the picture are caused when a TV show is broadcast in standard definition 4×3 format but displayed on a widescreen 16×9 HDTV. Try also changing the aspect ratio on your TV by going into the TV menu and setting the aspect ratio to NORMAL. The aspect ratio can also be set on some remote controls.
TV has captions:
You have set the caption to ON by mistake. Try using the remote control to turn captions OFF or go into the TV menu or the component menu such as the menu on SAT or cable box and look for the “captions” setting and turn it OFF. You can also unplug the TV for 10 minutes and see if that resets the issue. As a last resort, go into the menu of your TV and do a factory reset.
TV has bad or wrong color:
The TV menu may have been wrongly set in the COLOR, HUE, or BRIGHTNESS. Try resetting the color in the TV menu. Also a loose or damaged wire and cable can distort the TV picture. Check the cable that you are using for that input and be sure it is not damaged or loose. You can also unplug the TV for 10 minutes and see if that resets the issue. As a last resort, go into the menu of your TV and do a factory reset.
TV has grainy screen:
It may be possible that a certain HDMI input is different than the others on your TV. If you are hooking up a computer or laptop to your TV, try using different HDMI input when you have a grainy or snowy screen picture. Also a loose or damaged wire and cable can distort the TV picture. Check the cable that you are using for that input and be sure it is not damaged or loose. You can also unplug the TV for 10 minutes and see if that resets the issue. As a last resort, go into the menu of your TV and do a factory reset.
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NOTE: Avoid using tools to tighten your cables. Simple finger tightening is sufficient. Pliers and similar tools may damage fragile connections therefore the wire may break and you will have a blank or distorted picture on your TV.
Do you have any other problems with your TV picture and need assistance? Please leave a comment below and we will be happy to assist.
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Akia Watson,
Green TV Screen info here.
-RR
My TV screen is green