Samsung TV Won't Turn On? (Here's How to Reset & Fix It)
Your favorite TV show is due to start in a few minutes. You settle into your favorite chair and press the button on the remote. Nothing happens. You try again. Still nothing. Frustrated, you aren’t sure where to begin to diagnose the problem. Often, the simplest thing to do is perform a factory reset on your Samsung TV.
If your Samsung TV doesn’t turn on, you need to perform a factory reset, which is an easy process. Unplug the power cord from the outlet. With the power cord unplugged, hold the on/off switch on the TV down for 10 seconds. Release the switch and wait a few seconds then plug the electrical cord back into the outlet. Your Samsung TV should turn on and resume normal functions.
There could be several other causes for your Samsung TV not to come on. A systematic set of steps can help you diagnose the problem. These steps don’t take long and often have your Samsung TV up and running in time for your favorite show.
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Diagnosing Why My Samsung TV Won’t Turn on
The key to figuring out why your Samsung TV won’t turn on is to narrow down the possible options. Directly related to the TV, there are three possible culprits and we’ll look at each one.
Power Cord Problems
The first thing you want to check is the most obvious one – the power cord. It’s possible that the cord is damaged or that the outlet it’s plugged into is damaged. If everything looks ok with the power cord, try plugging your TV into a different outlet and see what happens. If nothing happens, move on to possibility number two.
Remote Control Issues – Your Samsung Remote May Not be the Only Issue
Remote controls are more complicated in their relation to TVs than most people realize. We’ll go into more intimate details about what to check with your remote control below. However, the first thing you should do is make sure that your remote batteries aren’t dead. Change them out for fresh ones and try turning your TV on.
Your Remote Might Have a Stuck Button
If you have checked the batteries and the I/R operation suggested earlier, your remote control may still be the culprit. One issue that is known is a stuck button on the remote. Check each button on the remote and make sure it is operating freely.
A button stuck on the down position is sending a continuous signal to the remote. This continuous signal can block other signals from being sent to the TV. A stuck button can also drastically reduce the life span of the batteries in the remote.
Interference From Other Remotes
It is not unusual to have more than one remote that can operate your Samsung TV. The array of accessory items used with a Samsung TV sets up some complicated situations. Often multiple devices are attached to the same TV. These can include:
- Satellite or Cable control boxes with remotes
- Home entertainment systems with remotes
- Internet interface devices with remotes
- Game boxes with remotes
In many instances, these additional remote controls may also control functions such as power, sound volume, and input selection. If any of these accessory remote controls have a problem, they can cause problems with the operation of your Samsung TV
Black Screen Problems
If your TV indicator light is showing that the TV is turned on but the screen is black, you likely have a problem with an external device. A good way to test if the TV is on is to lightly tap one of the screen corners with your finger. If there’s a noticeable blink on the screen, your TV is turned on by the screen is black. You’ll have to check each of your external devices, which we’ll go into detail about in a moment.
Video: Samsung TV Won’t Turn On – Simplest Trick To Fix
Samsung TV Black Screen Problem Due to Accessory Failure
It’s possible that your TV screen is working, but there’s a problem with one of the accessory devices connected to it. Finding the problem with an accessory device and your Samsung TV is a process of elimination. A systematic step-by-step process is the best method, even if it is time-consuming.
Step 1 – Start from the Beginning
Turn off your Samsung TV and remove all the accessory devices. Turn the TV back and make sure it is operating normally and go to the next step. If not, you have other issues.
Step 2 – One Accessory at a Time
Turn off your Samsung TV and set up one accessory device by plugging it into the Samsung TV. Turn on the TV and check for normal operations. Make sure the accessory device is working as well.
If there are no problems, turn off the TV and set up the next device. Repeat this until you have determined which accessory device is causing problems.
Step 3 – If No Issues Appear
If you complete the process of testing your accessory devices and your Samsung TV operates, the issue may involve the number of devices.
Check any remotes for each device to ensure that no buttons are stuck. Make sure the remote for the device is operating properly.
At times, turning accessory devices, especially video games, on and off can leave the Samsung TV controller in a state that makes the Samsung TV appear inoperative. Usually, doing a factory reset on the Samsung TV will remedy this situation.
Other Problems with Accessory Devices
Samsung TV’s seem to have a problem with some accessory devices plugged into the HDMI ports. Often, unplugging these devices such as video games, and performing a factory reset on the Samsung TV will have your TV operating again normally.
Sometimes, when a video game or other accessory device powers down, the Samsung TV fails to detect the change. The Samsung TV keeps the HDMI port open and expecting signals from the external device. An open HDMI port can lead to the “black screen” syndrome and an apparently unresponsive Samsung TV.
What do the Blinking Lights Mean on Samsung TVs?
The key to finding the right stop to begin when diagnosing a problem with your Samsung TV is the indicator light. Normally, the indicator light glows red when the TC is off. This red glowing indicator shows that your Samsung TV is in standby mode and waiting for instructions.
If the red indicator light on your Samsung TV is off, either your TV is on, or the Samsung TV doesn’t have any power. The first step is to determine the power condition.
The Red Light is On, but the TV won’t Turn On
If your Samsung TV is in this condition, the first suspect should be the remote. If the TV turns on using the switch on the Samsung TV, the remote is likely the problem. Typically, this means changing the batteries in the remote.
If changing the batteries doesn’t work, you should check the remote’s I/R signal. You can do this will your cell phone. Start the camera on your cell phone and point the remote at the camera. Press a button on the remote while watching the screen on your cell phone. When you push a button on the remote, you should see a flash of colored light from the remote.
If you don’t see a flash of colored light from the remote, the remote is probably defective and needs replacing.
The Red Light is Off, and the TV won’t Come On
If the red indicator light on your Samsung TV is off, it indicates that the TV is operating. This condition can also mean your Samsung TV doesn’t have any power. To test the Samsung TV in this condition, check the status of your TV.
Press the Menu button on your Samsung TV. Don’t use the remote. You should immediately see the menu screen appear. The menu screen’s appearance shows that the TV is operating but may not be getting any signal.
If you don’t see the menu screen, you probably have a more serious problem that requires a Samsung technician’s services to diagnose and correct.
The Red Light Blinks but Nothing Come On
A red blinking indicator light on your Samsung TV is a quick visual clue that your TV isn’t getting power. The blinking light may also indicate that the Samsung TV is getting insufficient power to operate correctly.
If your Samsung TV plugs into a surge protected outlet strip, this may be the problem. Unplug the TV from the power strip and plug it directly into the outlet. If this solves the problem, you should replace the surge protector power strip.
Should the power strip not be the problem and the red indicator light continues to blink, you have a more serious problem with your Samsung TV. Your best alternative is to contact a Samsung service representative for more advice.
Firmware Problems
Your Samsung TV is nothing but a computer. Like any computer system, you should regularly install updates to the operating system. Typically, these updates come through the internet connection to your Samsung TV.
If your Samsung TV doesn’t connect to the internet, you should contact Samsung customer service and request an update on a memory stick. Samsung will provide instructions to install the firmware update with the memory stick. Follow the instructions exactly to install the new firmware edition to your Samsung TV.
When All Else Fails Call for Help
When every trick and tip has failed, what do you do then? You schedule a visit from a Samsung trained technician is usually the answer. A Samsung trained service technician can accurately diagnose problems that will be beyond the scope of most homeowners.
You shouldn’t despair. Many problems with Samsung TVs are quick repairs. A replacement circuit board or power supply is usually far cheaper than replacing the entire television.
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Keeping the Entertainment Flowing
We hope that the tips and tricks provided in this article are helpful. Your Samsung TV is a big investment. Keeping it operating is worth some time and investigation. Many times the cause of problems with a Samsung TV are minor and easily addressed by a homeowner. A little patience is often the key to finding the problem.
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Dennis is a retired firefighter with an extensive background in construction, home improvement, and remodeling. He worked in the trades part-time while serving as an active firefighter. On his retirement, he started a remodeling and home repair business, which he ran for several years.
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