LG TV Keeps Blinking On And Off? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Ossiana Tepfenhart
by Ossiana Tepfenhart
Is your LG television acting up? This is a common problem with some models. In this article, we’ll take a look at why your TV is blinking on and off and what you can do to solve it immediately.

LG televisions are known for having a high standard of quality, which is why they are so popular. In fact, they’re the leader in the field. However, they still have their problems. One of the most common issues that people have deals with a television that keeps blinking on and off, almost as if it’s recalibrating itself. If you’re having this issue, it can be a fairly aggravating problem to deal with.

LG TVs that keep blinking on and off either have a problem with the cable that sends the television a picture or needs a hard reset. You will need to switch your HDMI cable. Or, unplug the tv, hold the power button for 10 seconds, let it sit for an hour, and plug it in.

As much as this might seem like a reason to throw out your TV, the truth is that it’s an easy fix in most cases. If you’ve found yourself in a situation where you’re tearing out your hair, use this guide to get a better grip on what’s really going on?

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Why Is My LG TV Blinking On And Off?

When people first see a TV that doesn’t seem to want to stay on, or that doesn’t seem to know whether or not it should stay on, it’s totally normal to feel alarmed. After all, televisions are expensive and you don’t want to have to deal with replacing them if you don’t have to. Seeing the screen blink can make it seem like there’s an internal wiring problem or something worse.

In many cases, LG TVs don’t need to be opened up to have this issue fixed, but it is usually a wiring problem. For the most part, this tends to be a sign of a bad HDMI cable, the television being in need of a hard reset, or just choosing the wrong picture settings for your television’s setup.

How To Troubleshoot A TV That Keeps Blinking On And Off

There’s some good news for people who are looking to troubleshoot their TV: you will not need any tools for this. Here’s how to make sure that your television stops its blinking problem, step by step.

Before You Begin

It’s important to know that a lot of television flickering problems can be solved by just turning the television off and on again. Don’t ask us why this works. It just does, and it is a good way to see if the problem is minor or requires more involved work.

Troubleshoot Your TV Settings

Before you begin looking at the hardware or doing anything too drastic, take a look at your TV settings. Here’s how to do it:

  • Grab your remote and do a picture test. If your TV doesn’t have a picture test button, skip this.
  • If you notice that your TV stops flickering during the picture test, turn your Energy Saving option to OFF. This usually will be enough to fix it.
  • If it’s still flickering, check your picture setting. Turn off your Smart Picture mode if it’s on, and switch to a static setting.

Doing these things alone should be more than enough to get your TV fixed. However, there’s a chance that you might still see flickering. If the issue persists, keep troubleshooting.

Troubleshoot Your Connections

Another issue that can cause TV flickering in LG models deals with cable connections. Here’s how to make the most of your cable troubleshooting:

  • Check to see if your TV is properly plugged in. If it’s plugged into an outlet, try plugging it into the wall to see if that changes anything.
  • Switch your HDMI cable out. Sometimes, a bad HDMI cable can cause flickering. Try switching it out for a new one to see if it stops the flickering. If your TV is mounted, you may need to take it down and prop it up to switch out the HDMI or to check a new outlet.

Still having problems? A hard reset should fix anything else. Here’s how to do it.

Do A Hard Reset Of An LG TV

LG TVs have a had reset procedure that’s known for fixing flickering as well as a slew of other problems. This is how you should try this:

  • Unplug your TV. Yes, this is the first step.
  • Hold the POWER button for 10 seconds. Counterintuitive as it may be, it works.
  • Leave the TV alone for an hour. This is more for the circuitry than it is for your actual tech settings.
  • Plug the TV into the wall. Once this is done, you can turn it on and enjoy your shows.

What Should You Do If Your TV Is Still Blinking?

Let’s say that you’ve done everything and you still somehow ended up with an LG TV that continues to blink away. There are two options that you can choose from here on out. The first (and probably better) option is to call customer service and get model-specific assistance for your TV. Their tech support is fairly good about these things and will walk you through other fixing methods.

Another option you can consider is to replace your television. Flickering screens can sometimes be a sign of an aging TV, and if you’ve had your TV for more than five years, it’s possible that it just might be time to replace it.

Should You Hire A TV Repairman To Fix Your Television?

In the past, hiring a TV repairman was a smart thing to do because televisions would cost an arm and a leg to replace. As time passed, the price of a standard television started to plummet. These days, it actually is cheaper to replace a television than it is to fix it in most situations.

If you cannot fix your TV on your own, you’re probably better off getting a new one. Unless your television is uniquely pricey (and most LGs aren’t!) you shouldn’t even consider getting a repairman to make it run smoothly once more.

How Much Would It Cost To Repair A TV?

Want to keep your television working, even if it means calling up a repair rep? It’s understandable, especially if you’re the type of person to get attached to appliances. A typical TV repair appointment will cost between $61 and $204 dollars. If your television is worth more than that, it still might be worth salvaging your television.

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Related Questions

Why Do Televisions Start To Flicker?

In most cases, it’s a matter of circuitry failing or a matter of inefficient power sourcing. Sometimes, though, it could just be that you chose a picture mode that isn’t very compatible with the size of your screen. The longer you’ve had your television, the more likely it is that you’ll start to notice flickering and other signs of screen failure.


Which TV brands last the longest?

A handful of brands have gotten accolades for their long-lasting wares. The most reliable brands, year-in, year-out, have been LG, Samsung, and Sony. When in doubt, go for a brand-name item rather than an aftermarket choice.


How can you tell if your television is dying?

Televisions that are on the verge of total failure tend to have problems with their pictures. Things like lines that won’t go away, burn marks at the corners of the screen, greyish “ghosts” that don’t go away, and double images are all common. Severely damaged televisions may have discoloration or distortion.


How long does a typical plasma TV last?

The half-life of a typical plasma TV ranges between 30,000 to 60,000 hours of use. After that amount of time, your television will lose half its brightness. If you continue to use your television, you’ll start to notice distortion or picture related issues. Most people will want to replace their plasma TV after five years or so.


Is it safe to leave your TV on 24/7?

As long as your television’s picture changes from time to time, leaving the TV on should be alright. The bigger issue people need to worry about is having an image burned onto the screen. With that said, leaving the TV on for such a long period of time can lower the number of years you can keep it without having to replace it.

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Ossiana Tepfenhart
Ossiana Tepfenhart

Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.

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