I enjoyed a hassle-free time with my TCL Roku TV until last week when it started malfunctioning.
The problem was that every time I switched it on, it would run smoothly for some time before turning it off by itself.
My first guess was a possible loose connection somewhere.
I checked the main power cord and all the input HDMI cables, but everything was fine.
Next, I thought I had accidentally turned on my TV’s sleep timer.
But the time for which it would run before turning off was completely random in each cycle. So, it wasn’t the sleep timer.
Feeling stumped, I turned to the Internet to look for possible solutions.
And after some trials and errors, I finally found an effective fix.
Additionally, I learned how to keep my TV cool, as overheating can cause it to turn off on its own.
To fix a TCL TV turning off by itself, unplug it from the power socket, hold the Power button for 60 seconds, plug the TV back in, and restart it.
Why Does My TCL TV Keep Turning Off By Itself?

A TCL TV turning off by itself often indicates a problem with the intended power supply or TV settings.
The most common reasons for a TCL TV turning off automatically are:
- Minor glitches in the TV’s software
- Accidentally turning on the sleep timer
- Another device controlling the TV’s behavior
- Overheating
- Damaged components
With a little troubleshooting, you can easily identify why your TCL TV keeps turning off on its own and apply a suitable fix to get it back to normal.
Power Cycle Your TCL TV

Sometimes, minor bugs creep into your TCL TV’s software, causing it to act up.
The easiest way to weed out these bugs is to power cycle the TV.
It is nothing but a soft reset of your TV intended to fix the glitches and drain any residual power.
To power cycle your TCL TV:
- Unplug your TV from the power socket.
- Press and hold its Power button for 60 seconds.
- Plug the TV back in and Restart it.
Once you restart your TV, it should work normally.
Troubleshoot Your Power Socket
A faulty or damaged power socket can cause fluctuations in the power supply to your TV, leading it to turn off on its own.
To check your power socket:
- Unplug your TCL TV from the socket.
- Plug it in a different socket which you know works fine.
- Turn on the TV to check if it turns off automatically again.
If your TCL TV works fine in a different socket, the fault lies in the first socket.
In this case, there is nothing wrong with your TV. You just need to get the power socket repaired or replaced.
Check the Power Cord of Your TCL TV

A loose connection or damage to your TCL TV’s power cord can put a sudden break in the power supply your TV receives.
When the input power is cut off abruptly, the TV will turn off by itself.
To troubleshoot your TCL TV’s power cord:
- Unplug your TV from the power socket.
- Remove the Power cord from the TV.
- Check the cord for visible damage.
- If there is no damage, reconnect it to the TV firmly and plug it back into the socket.
- Now, turn on the TV.
If your TCL TV works fine, it’s likely a loose connection causing the problem.
In case the power cord is damaged or your TCL TV still turns off by itself, you may need to replace the cord.
Keep Your TCL TV Cool

If both the power socket and cord of your TCL TV are working fine, it may turn off as a safety measure because of overheating.
A TV can overheat because of a lack of ventilation, long duration of use, or internal short circuits.
Touch the back of your TCL TV when it’s turned on to check if it’s overheating.
If your TV is overheating, turn it off for a couple of hours and make sure not to keep it in an enclosed space and have proper air flowing around it.
As an additional fix, you can use an external fan to cool it.
However, in the long run, if your TV keeps overheating, you should get it checked.
NOTE: You will be able to complete the next three solutions if your TCL TV stays on long enough for you to complete all the steps.
Turn Off Sleep Timer on Your TCL TV

TCL TVs come with the ‘Sleep timer’ feature, which turns them off after a set time or period of inactivity.
While this feature helps save power, it can also cause your TV to turn off automatically.
To check whether the sleep timer is at fault, check its status in the Settings menu and turn it off if enabled.
Follow these steps to disable the sleep timer of a TCL TV:
- Press Home on the remote.
- Navigate to Settings.
- If you have a TCL Roku TV, select System. For all other TCL TVs, select More Settings and open Device Preferences.
- Click on Time.
- Choose Sleep Timer and disable it.
Once you turn off the sleep timer, restart your TCL TV and check if it works properly.
Turn Off HDMI-CEC Settings

Nowadays, most Smart TVs are equipped with the HDMI-CEC feature to provide you the ease of access.
When the feature is turned on, you can control multiple devices connected to a display using a single remote.
It allows your connected devices to communicate with each other.
While it’s meant to increase convenience, sometimes it causes your TV to turn off automatically if the connected devices give wrong signals.
To turn off HDMI-CEC on your TCL TV:
- Tap Home on the remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Select System or Device Preferences.
- Click on Control Other Devices (CEC) and uncheck all boxes.
Factory Reset Your TCL TV
If none of the fixes detailed above work for you, your TCL TV may be facing a major software issue.
Sometimes, your TV can malfunction because of bugs creeping in via faulty apps.
To remove such bugs, you need to factory reset the TV.
A hard factory reset will instantly fix the issue of your TCL TV turning off by itself.
However, doing so will remove all your menu preferences, app data, settings, and saved network connections.
To factory reset a TCL Roku TV:
- Press Home on the remote.
- Launch Settings.
- Select System.
- Open Advanced System Settings.
- Choose Factory Reset.
- Click on Factory Reset Everything.
- Enter your PIN and click OK.
To factory reset other TCL TVs:
- Open Settings.
- Scroll to More Settings.
- Select Device Preferences.
- Click on Reset.
- Choose Factory Data Reset.
- Select Erase Everything.
- Enter your PIN and click OK.
Once the factory reset is complete, you will need to go through the setup and activation process to start using your TCL TV.
How to Reset a TCL TV if It Turns Off Too Frequently
If your TCL TV turns off quickly and you can’t access the steps mentioned above, you can factory reset it using the ‘Reset’ button on its body:
- Locate the Reset button on the back or side panel of your TV. You can find it below the HDMI ports.
- Press and hold the button for 15-30 seconds.
- When the reset is done, the TV’s LED indicator will blink.
Contact Support

If your TCL TV keeps turning off by itself even after a factory reset, it must be because of faulty hardware.
In this case, your best option is to contact TCL Support and get your TV checked.
Enjoy the Best TCL Has to Offer
When I went out hunting for a new TV a couple of years back, the TCL Roku TV was an easy choice.
It offered a decent set of features at a fair enough price.
But more than that, it was the ease of use which lured me in. And true to its word, it has been serving me loyally ever since.
Last week was the first time I faced a problem with my TCL TV, and I was able to fix it after a soft reset.
If a soft reset does not fix the issue on your TV, you should try disabling the ‘Sleep timer’ and ‘HDMI-CEC’ features.
In case of any hardware fault, you will need to get your TV checked and repaired.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a TV display last?
If you run your TV at full brightness, the average life of the LED display of your TV is 5 to 8 years.
After that, you can expect some faults in the display.
How can I fix a blank screen on my TCL TV?
To fix the blank screen issue on a TCL TV, you need to reset it by pressing the ‘Power’ button for 60 seconds after unplugging it from the power socket.
How do I update my TCL TV?
You can update your TCL TV by following these steps:
Go to Settings > More Settings > Device Preferences > About TV > System Update > Check for updates.