TV Screen Goes Black Randomly But Power Light Still On

I have a 55″ HDTV. The TV screen periodically goes black at random times and appears to be off. The sound still works and the power light is still illuminated when the TV screen turns black. Is this called the “Black screen of death”? I have checked all HDMI and COAX cables on back.

I have switched the inputs to BLU-RAY and CABLE and the screen remains black. I have no issues with cables or inputs. I have to turn the TV off for 5 minutes and turn back on to fix the problem each time. My TV is out of warranty. How do I fix this?

TV Screen Goes Black Randomly - Power Light Still OnTV Screen Goes Black Randomly – Power Light Still On

NOTE: Some troubleshooting steps may be different from your (Samsung, SONY, LG, Hisense, TCL, VIZIO) TV or remote control but generally will work the same to fix the problem.

FIX TV SCREEN THAT RANDOMLY GOES BLACK

1. Check that POWER SAVER/ENERGY SAVE MODE is set to OFF.
Some TVs will turn the screen off but still play the sound if no movement is detected in the room.

2. Was SLEEP TIMER mistakenly turned ON? – Turn OFF.
Sleep timer can sometimes be pressed on the remote and will turn OFF the TV.

3. Check that STORE MODE/DEMO MODE is not turned ON.
Store mode or demo mode is a factory setting to be used for a display or demo.

4. Use a different HDMI port for the component you are using.
Unplug the HDMI from one input, and plug into a different input to test if port is bad.

HDMI ports - Switch ports if TV screen goes blackHDMI portsSwitch ports if TV screen goes black

5. Connect a different component to the TV or the same component to a another TV.
The component being used (Ex. Blu-Ray/CABLE BOX) may be causing the black screen issue.

6. Turn the component (Ex. Blu-Ray/CABLE BOX) you are using OFF and then back ON.
The component you are using may have a temporary fault and needs to be reset.

7. Hidden fault within HDMI cable – Replace with new cable.
Replace the HDMI cable as it may have a short or other defect which causes the black screen issue.

Rugged High Speed HDMI 2.0 CableHigh Speed HDMI 2.0 CableUse New Cable To Rule Out Issues

8. Unplug the TV for 5 minutes to attempt a reset.
Unplugging the TV will reset the television and clear any temporary issues.

9. Factory reset the TV to resolve the issue.
Go into MENU and find FACTORY RESET – You will lose any picture settings you may have saved.

10. Download new software/firmware update.
The present firmware may have an issue and need to be updated. MENU – FIRMWARE.

Many times a firmware/software update will fix the TV and clear the Black Screen Issue. See below for links to the firmware pages for most brands of televisions.

How to update firmware on Samsung Televisions

How to update firmware on LG Televisions

How to update firmware on VIZIO Televisions

How to update firmware on Hisense Televisions

How to update firmware on TCL Televisions

How to update firmware on SONY Televisions

TV still not fixed? Continue reading below..

Fix Samsung TV With Black Screen Issue

For Samsung TVs with a random black screen, try these simple steps:
1. Pressing Menu button on your Samsung TV remote.
2. Navigate to SUPPORT and Press Enter.
3. Navigate to SELF DIAGNOSIS and press Enter.
4. Highlight RESET and press Enter.
5. If you have changed the PIN, enter the PIN you saved. (The default PIN is 0000)
6. The TV will then reset and reboot.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the initial setup when the TV powers back on. The TV will no longer show black screen or power on and off intermittently randomly.

Be advised this reset method may not work for all TV models.

Fix Samsung TV With A Firmware Update

Certain Samsung TVs have had an issue with firmware updates. If you have a Samsung TV and the screen goes black randomly. Try the steps below to find out if the TV has an issue with a connected component or a firmware issue:

1. Check to find out if you can pull up the TV menu. If you can pull up the menu, this issue is coming from one of your sources. Check and reset all components/sources.

2. If you are NOT able to pull up the TV menu, update the TV firmware.

Test this TV in another power outlet. Please make sure this device is connecting directly to the wall outlet.
If your TV is not working properly, contact Samsung Support.

Fix TV With HDCP Issues

Some TV owners have reported HDCP issues. This occurs when the handshake between 2 components has been lost.

1. Turn all the components OFF then ON again. This normally resumes normal operation and stops the HDCP issue.

2. Go into the TV menu and update the firmware to stop the HDCP issue.
HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is an anti-piracy protocol built into the cable/component.

Repair A TV That Still Shows Black Screen

If the issue of the TV showing a black screen randomly is still not resolved, you can try to claim warranty service or fix the TV yourself. In many instances this issue is caused by a bad driver board, LEDs, or possibly a faulty T-Con board in the TV.

It may also be an issue with bulging capacitors or a loose cable or ribbon connector. You will need to take the TV apart and diagnose the issue. We do not recommend you do the repair yourself unless you know exactly what you are doing. You can watch assorted YouTube videos on how to fix a tv with a black screen.

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Still need help with resetting your TV to clear the Black Screen issue? Please leave your comment or question below and we will be happy to try and assist you.

12 thoughts on “TV Screen Goes Black Randomly But Power Light Still On”

  1. I have an old balky Sony 20 inches for the past 15 years. Every 2 minutes the screen goes black for 2 seconds and then comes back again. This happens on some channels more than others. Is it the TV itself causes this problem or something else ? Thank you.

  2. E4sw5017rku Element Roku TV bl3avk screen with sound. Tried reset button, unplugging 30 sec 60 sec, tired combination button & new power source.

  3. The screen is black but still has sound! Can’t see the screen to get to any of the settings?? I can’t change the hdmi settings or anything no picture no menu! Just sound! Please help! 55 in lg flat screen

  4. I have a Seiki TV and all of the sudden when I turned it on, the Seiki logo appears, then after 10 seconds the logo disappears and the screen is black. What can I do?

  5. I have a Vizio d65u-d2 65″
    If watching broadcast TV or something on HDMI it will blank the screen within a couple of minutes.
    Streaming or component/composite signals will play for hours.
    I have done a factory reset, Made sure all timers are OFF.
    Picture is in Standard with Medium Auto brightness.
    Interestingly when the screen blanks – holding the mute button 3 seconds and then pressing OK will return the picture for a period of time.

  6. How am I supposed to factory reset a TV if nothing is popping up when I hit menu? My screen is just black but the sound plays just fine. So when I hit menu, the screen is still black.

  7. Someone gave me a 40in flatscreen VIZIO and it goes black as soon as I turn it on and no sound

  8. Hi I have a lg tv and I could stay on for a day some days and other days it would just go black screen and the sound would stay in it could go like that for a few times I just turn tv off and on again and I would be ok any ideas please

  9. I have a Sony big screen big bag TV the screen goes blank during watching a show and then comes back on what could be wrong with it the screen goes black right away and then about 20 seconds later it comes back on and it

  10. I have a Sony KDL-46XBR4. Was working great until it suddenly went black. I shut off the tv then several minutes turn it back on and once again have picture but within 30 seconds to 5 minutes suddenly goes black again. There is no sound and unable to access menu. Same thing happens when I play a DVD. I had Comcast people come out thinking it maybe the box but it wasn’t. I switch this tv with another and the other works just fine; not a cable issue.
    The tv is 20 years old so unless it is a simple fix or cost to repair isn’t the same as buying new then I’ll recycle.

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