A tv not working can mean several different faults, so first notice what is actually wrong, because the fixes differ. A TV can have no power, a lit standby light but a black screen, a picture without sound, a sound without picture, no Wi-Fi, or one app that refuses to launch. Each has its own short list of checks.
This page sorts the problem by symptom and starts with the free checks. If only the handset is to blame, see TV remote not working. If you use a streaming stick, use the streaming stick guide, and for connection troubles read WiFi not working.
Common causes
1Wrong input or source selected
How to tellTV is on but says no signal, or shows a menu with a blank screen
What fixes itPress the input or source key and pick the port your box or stick uses
2Loose HDMI cable or bad port
How to tellPicture flickers, comes and goes, or only one device fails
What fixes itReseat both ends and try another HDMI port or a spare cable
3Power or standby fault
How to tellNo light at all, or the light blinks and the screen stays dark
What fixes itUnplug for a few minutes, test another socket, then power on
4Sound muted or set to the wrong output
How to tellPicture is fine, sound missing, a speaker icon crossed out
What fixes itUnmute, then check the audio output and the cable to any soundbar
5Wi-Fi router or TV network setting
How to tellOther phones connect, the TV shows no network or drops often
What fixes itRestart the router, forget the network on the TV and join again
6App cache or old software
How to tellOne app crashes or buffers while others work
What fixes itClear app data, update the app and the TV software
7Backlight or panel fault
How to tellSound plays, a faint image shows under a torch, screen stays dark
What fixes itBook a TV technician; do not open the set
How to fix it, step by step
Power cycle the TV
Switch the TV off, unplug it from the wall, and wait three minutes. While it is unplugged, hold the power button on the TV for about thirty seconds to drain leftover charge. Plug in and switch on. This clears many freezes and standby faults.
Check the socket and extension board
Test the wall socket with a different device, such as a bedside lamp. A loose plug or a worn extension board can make a TV look dead.
Pick the right input
Use the TV button or remote and press Input or Source. Choose the HDMI port in use. If there is a no signal message, the TV is fine and the device on that port is off or not connected.
Reseat the cables
Pull out the HDMI and power cables from both the TV and the device, then push them in firmly. Try a different port. If a spare cable fixes it, the first cable was faulty.
Fix sound with settings
Press volume up and check that mute is off. Open the sound menu and pick the TV speakers, or the right output if a soundbar is attached. Try another channel or app to rule out one source.
Restart the router and rejoin Wi-Fi
Turn the router off for a minute. On the TV, open network settings, forget your Wi-Fi name and join again. If the signal is weak, move the router closer, or use a LAN cable if the TV has a port.
Update or reset the stubborn app
Open the TV's app settings, clear cache and data for the app that fails, and update it. If it still crashes, uninstall and install it again from the TV store. Check the app's own service status as well.
Update the TV software
Open settings, find the system or support section, and check for software updates. Do not turn off the TV during an update.
Factory reset only as the last step
A reset removes your apps, accounts and settings, and is useful when the TV is slow or settings are corrupted. Note down your Wi-Fi password and any logins before you do it.
TV display not working but sound is working: what to test
If you hear sound but see only black, hold a torch close to the glass, slanting the beam. A faint picture suggests a dead backlight, and that is a workshop job. No picture even under a torch can point to the panel or main board. Before that, check the input and try another HDMI source. Also check any power saving or picture off option that turns the screen off while keeping the audio on.
You press power, hear the start tone and the news channel audio, but the screen is black. Try the torch test. If you see a dim picture, note it down for the technician, because it saves diagnosis time.
TV not working properly: sound missing but picture fine
Most sound faults are settings. Check mute, the output choice and the Bluetooth speaker pairing, since the TV may be sending sound to headphones you left connected. If an optical or HDMI ARC soundbar is in use, unplug it and test with TV speakers. When even built in speakers stay silent in every app, a service check is needed.
Why is the TV display not working: symptom to fix map
| What you see | Start with | Go further if it persists |
|---|---|---|
| Fully dead, no light | Socket and power cycle | Technician for the power board |
| Light on, black screen | Input and cables | Torch test, then technician |
| No signal message | HDMI port and source device | Replace the cable |
| No sound | Mute and output | Reset audio, then service |
| Wi-Fi drops | Router restart | LAN cable or a better position |
| One app fails | Clear data and update | Reinstall or reset |
Live TV apps and streaming that will not load
People often search that a streaming app or a live TV app is not working on a smart TV. If a few apps work and one does not, the fault is in that app, its login or the service behind it. If every app is slow, the home internet is the cause. Test the connection with a phone on the same Wi-Fi. For app trouble in general, read apps and websites not working. Avoid unofficial websites and add on apps that promise free channels, since they break often and can be unsafe.
When a TV needs a repair shop
Go to authorised service for a screen with lines, cracks or patches, a smell of burning, a clicking sound without start, or a backlight that is dead. Repair cost depends mostly on the part: the panel is the most expensive, while a power board or backlight strip costs less. Ask whether the TV is still in warranty before you pay.
Do not open the back cover. TVs hold stored electrical charge even when unplugged, and opening one can void the warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my TV not working even though the standby light is on?
A lit standby light means the TV has power. The fault is usually the input, the cable, or the backlight. Press the source key, reseat the HDMI cable and try the torch test.
What should I do if my TV display is not working but sound is coming?
Check the input and cables, turn off any screen off option, then shine a torch at the screen. A faint image means a backlight fault that needs a technician.
Why is my TV sound not working?
Common reasons are mute, the wrong output, a connected Bluetooth device or a soundbar setting. Check those before you suspect the speakers.
Why does my TV Wi-Fi keep disconnecting?
A weak signal, an overloaded router or an old TV network setting are typical. Restart the router, forget the network and rejoin. A LAN cable is the steadiest option.
Why are apps not opening on my smart TV?
Clear the app's cache and data, update the app and the TV software, and check your internet. If only one app fails, its service may be having trouble.
Is it worth repairing an old TV?
It depends on the fault and the age. A power board or backlight repair can be worthwhile, a cracked panel rarely is. Ask for a written estimate first.