Last evening, after a busy day at work, I made myself comfortable on the couch and turned on my TV to watch the latest Netflix crime drama, Kaleidoscope.
While the show was loading, I went to the kitchen for a few minutes and when I came back, the TV screen was blank without any output. I could hear the audio though.
When I restarted the standby flashed for a second and everything went blank again.
Pretty annoyed with the whole situation, I decided to do some research.
After going through tons of articles and talking to people who faced a similar issue, I finally found a solution.
If there is no picture on your TV but sound, power cycle the TV by disconnecting it from the power source. Wait for at least sixty seconds before plugging it back in.
What Causes a TV to Display No Picture?
The blank screen problem on your TV could be caused due to a host of factors, ranging from hardware issues like damaged cables to software issues linked to the TV’s OS.
Here are the most common reasons for your TV showing a blank screen:
Software Issues
Your TV’s software could be buggy, or the memory could be full, resulting in the TV not showing any picture but sound.
Issues With Connecting Cables
Bad wiring and loose contact issues with your HDMI or A/V cable could be the culprit causing your TV to show a blank screen, usually a black screen.
Sometimes, your TV displays static noise or random colors on the screen if there are issues with the connecting cables.
Power Supply Board Failure
Your TV has a power supply board responsible for providing a suitable electric current to the TV panel.
If the power supply board is faulty or damaged, your TV will show a black screen.
Backlight Issues
TVs use a backlight to illuminate the images on your screen. If there are issues with the backlight, your TV screen can go blank.
TV Panel Issue
Your TV panel could be damaged due to an external impact or normal wear and tear, resulting in the TV showing a blank screen.
Three Things to Try if Your TV Shows a Blank Screen
Breaking your head in an attempt to resolve problems with your TV when you only want to relax and watch something is frustrating.
But troubleshooting it need not be a daunting task.
Follow these three simple solutions to diagnose the blank screen issue with your TV and resolve it for good.
Power Cycle Your TV
The software on your TV could be buggy and have unresolved memory issues resulting in the TV displaying a blank screen.
Power cycling your TV will clear its memory, solve bugs, and drain the remaining power.
To power cycle your TV, turn it off, disconnect it from the power source, and plug it back in after waiting for at least one minute.
Inspect Your TV Cables
Your TV could be connected to your set-top box or streaming device through an HDMI cable.
When the cable gets too old or handled roughly, it can fray, resulting in the video signals not being transmitted properly.
To fix the blank screen issue on your TV, remove the cables and clean the ports by blowing air from a hair dryer.
After making sure the ports are free from dust, reinsert the cables into the ports and check if the issue has been resolved.
If removing and reinserting the cables doesn’t solve your problem, the cables could be damaged.
In such cases, you will have to replace the old cables with new ones.
Check Your TV For Defects and Get it Repaired
Unless your TV is an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) TV, it has a backlight responsible for illuminating pictures on the screen.
The backlight could be damaged or fried due to power surges or general wear and tear over years of usage.
To check if the backlight is fried:
- Turn on your TV and turn off the lights in your room.
- Turn on the flashlight on your phone and bring it close to the TV screen.
- Shine the flashlight on the TV screen at different angles and check if you can see a faint picture.
If you can see signs of a picture, then the backlight of your TV is fried.
After confirming that your TV is indeed defective, you have to get it repaired.
If your TV is still in the warranty period, contact your TV manufacturer. The customer care details for your TV will be in the warranty card or user manual.
If you cannot find the user manual or warranty card, visit the brand website and search for contact details.
If your TV is out of warranty, you can opt for a repair from a third-party repair shop.
Search Google for local repair shops in your area and book a consultation with a reputed one.
No Picture, No Worries
While the reason behind not getting a picture on your TV could be attributed to different components, fixing it need not be a nightmare.
It took me some time to review articles on the web and fix the problem with my TV.
However, the solution to the problem is quite straightforward.
If your TV does not display any picture but sound, your first step towards fixing it should be to power cycle it.
If power cycling doesn’t help you, check the cables and replace them (if damaged).
In case nothing works, check if your TV’s backlight is damaged and contact the TV manufacturer or a third-party repair shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do HDMI cables last?
A good quality HDMI cable should last at least two to three years or more. Bending the cable regularly or putting too much stress on it can decrease its lifespan.
A well-maintained HDMI cable can last for more than 5 Years.
How long will the manufacturer’s warranty cover my TV?
Your TV will be covered under warranty for one to three years, depending on your brand. Check the user manual or warranty card that you would have gotten with your TV for more details.
Is it safe to book a third-party repair for my TV?
As long as you go for a reputed technician, it’s completely safe and even cheaper than brand-authorized service centers. Check for reviews on Google or ask around to find a good technician.
Note that if your TV is still under warranty, go to the brand-authorized service center.
