I’ve been using my TCL TV for a few years now and I haven’t had a lot of issues with it.
However, sometime last week I tried turning on my TV and I couldn’t see anything on the display.
My TVs power indicator was on, so I knew my TV was powered on, and my TV remote was working as well.
I went through a few forums and tutorials that provided various fixes, and found out that in my case it was an issue with the HDMI cable.
The HDMI cables connector pins were bent on the side that plugs into the TV, and I had to get it replaced. But there were also TCL customers who had the same issue of a black screen because of voltage fluctuations or their TVs backlight not working.
If your TCL screen is black, it’s usually an issue with faulty HDMI cables or with your power outlet. If changing the power outlet or HDMI cables didn’t work, you’ll need to contact customer support as it’s an issue with the backlight or motherboard.
Check Your TCL TVs Input Ports
Make sure your HDMI cable is plugged in properly to the port on the back of your TV as well as the input device such as your gaming console.
If you don’t see any image on your display, try a different cable and see if it works. I’d suggest the Anker Ultra High Speed HDMI.
Also check to see if there is any visible damage on the cable as you’ll need to replace a damaged cable.
Additionally, if the new cable doesn’t work, try using it on another HDMI port on your TV or another display. If it works, there might be an issue with the HDMI port on your TV.
You’ll have to either get in touch with support or an authorized TCL service center to get the HDMI port fixed.
But, if you have more than one HDMI port on your TV, you can get an HDMI splitter from your local electronics store or online and it’ll give you up to 3 or 4 extensions on a single HDMI port.
Check The Power Outlet and Cables For Your TCL TV
If the issue isn’t with your HDMI ports, it might be with the power outlet.
Try another power outlet to see if the TV is working, and if it does, it indicates that you’re not getting enough voltage through the power outlet you’ve been using.
While the power outlet might work at times, voltage fluctuations can cause this issue.
Low voltage doesn’t allow your TV to run as it doesn’t have enough power, while high voltage can damage your TV’s circuitry.
You can alleviate this issue by getting a voltage stabilizer for your devices which I use since I live in an area that has frequent power fluctuations.
While it seems like an added expense, a voltage stabilizer can help prevent damage to devices because of power fluctuations.
Checking And Replacing The Backlight On Your TCL TV
In some cases, you might be able to hear audio, but you won’t be able to see anything on your TV screen.
This usually indicates an issue with the backlight on the display or an issue with the display itself.
If it’s an issue with the backlight, you can check it with your phone or a torch.
When you shine the torch light on your TV display from up close, you’ll be able to see the content playing on the display albeit extremely dim.
This is because the backlight isn’t working to shine light through the display panel.
If you don’t see anything even with the torch light, it’s an issue with the entire display unit or with the motherboard.
For both instances I’d recommend getting in touch with TCL support as the fixes would require opening up the TV.
If your TV is under warranty, you can simply get it replaced by contacting customer service or the retailer you purchased it from.
Best Practices To Prevent Black Screen Issues
Screens can black out on almost any device with a display.
And while manufacturers claim that LED’s last much longer than older LCD displays, they still have a finite lifespan.
Most LED screens are made to last for at least 6 to 7 years. You can, however, increase this lifespan with a bit of diligence such as keeping the TV clean from dust and using it at around 50% – 60% brightness as much as possible.
You can also use screen off timers if you’re someone who falls asleep while watching TV since this will prevent your TV from running overnight.
Additionally, if you’re using an older LED TV, it might be cost effective to purchase a new model since TV prices have dropped considerably since the initial launch of LED TVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reset my TCL TV if the operating system isn’t responding?
All TCL TVs have a reset button on the connector panel of the device. Use a paperclip or sim ejector tool to hold down the button till the TV resets.
What do I do if my TV power outlet experiences voltage fluctuations?
If you experience both low and high voltage fluctuations, it’s advisable to get a Step Up/Step Down voltage stabilizer that will regulate the voltage to 110/120V and prevent any damage to your device.
