Samsung TV Turning Off Every 5 Seconds (Proven Fix!)

Upgraded Home Team
by Upgraded Home Team

Does your Samsung TV keep turning off every 5 seconds? How frustrating! Samsung is a brand well-known for supplying a long list of different smart devices. Their high-quality displays make them a popular choice for smart TVs, but high-quality is only useful if you can actually watch it.

Sometimes, Samsung TVs will start powering themselves down every 5 or so seconds. This can be due to a variety of reasons.

If your Samsung TV keeps turning off every 5 seconds, there may be a power issue or some other technical fault, like a virus, in the TV itself. It could be that the TV is overheating or the TV’s software needs to be updated. If your TV timer or the Anynet+ feature is activated, this affects how the TV functions.

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Why Does My TV Turn Off After a Few Seconds?

Knowing the actual cause of your Samsung TV turning off on its own will help you avoid it in the future. A systematic run-through of each of the potential causes will help you diagnose the problem. Here are a few reasons your Samsung TV may be turning off every 5 seconds.

Potential Power Issues

The first thing we suggest you do is check for any sort of external power issues that may be present. Check the connection to the TV itself, the power cord, and the outlet the cord is plugged into.

The issue may be as minor as the plug not being inserted all the way. The TV won’t be able to stay on if the device isn’t receiving enough power. This leads to the TV automatically turning off every 5 seconds.

More serious issues may be fraying or breaking at the ends of the cable. Electrical tape can often help in these instances, but sometimes, the TV may simply need to be replaced.

If the TV is plugged into an extension or cord or a surge protector, that might also cause a power issue. Try plugging it directly into the wall to see if the problem fixes itself.

That being said, it’s also important to make sure the outlet you’ve plugged the TV into is working properly. Plug a small appliance such as a lamp into the outlet to check its functionality. If the issue isn’t with the outlet, it may be with the TV itself.

TV Overheating

One possible cause of your Samsung TV turning off unprompted may be that the TV itself is overheating. A TV overheats if it doesn’t have proper ventilation. When this happens, it may shut itself off to prevent internal damage to its components.

First, unplug the TV from the power source to let the TV rest and cool down. Ideally, you’ll want to let the TV rest for at least 30 seconds. Give the TV a good dusting and make sure nothing is blocking the TV vents. Then, plug the TV back in and see if it works correctly.

If the problem appears fixed but then persists, it may be a sign of a more serious issue with the internal components of the TV. Frequent overheating is usually an issue covered by the TV’s warranty, so it’s best to contact support if you suspect this is the case.

Outdated Software

Although this isn’t a likely option, it’s possible that the issue is being caused by outdated software on your smart TV. If this is the case, then it’s simply a matter of updating the existing software.

It’s important that you don’t turn off your TV while the update is in progress, however. Doing so could damage your TV. To update, go to Settings > Support > Update Software and select the most recent update option.

If updating to the latest version of the software does not resolve the issue, run through the other options listed before contacting support.

TV Timer

The TV’s sleep timer tells it when to shut itself off. It could be that the TV’s sleep timer is set for a short amount of time or is glitching somehow. To solve this issue, open the menu and navigate to Settings. Then go to General > System Manager > Time > Sleep Timer. Then, either reset the time or simply hit the Off button.

While this isn’t the most likely cause, it is something worth trying out if you’re trying to fix this issue.

Anynet+ is Turned On

Samsung employs an HDMI feature called Anynet+ or HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (HDMI-CEC). This feature allows your connected devices to communicate more effectively with each other. It allows the TV to partially control the connected devices and the HMDI to control the TV.

In some cases, the HDMI-CEC feature defaults to a setting that turns the TV off when the connected devices turn off.

If your TV automatically turns off, check to see if Anynet+ is activated. After clicking the Home button on your remote, go to SETTINGS > GENERAL > EXTERNAL DEVICE MANAGER > ANYNET+ > OFF. Once Anynet+ is off, you can only use your TV remote to control the TV.

Virus

A Smart TV can get viruses just like a computer, which causes the TV to turn off after 5 seconds. If you surf the internet and download files from your Smart TV, you run the risk of getting a virus.

To get rid of a virus, you can try a power reset. Turn off and unplug your TV. Hold down the TV’s power button for two uninterrupted minutes. Then, plug the TV back in and turn it on to see if the problem has been resolved.

You can also try a hard reset, which will the TV back to its factory settings, meaning you’ll lose any settings you had saved. Different models have different ways to perform a hard reset. It’s best to consult your user manual.

Additional Technical Faults

It’s possible that there’s some kind of technical fault in your TV which you can’t access or fix by yourself. These can include a power shortage or a motherboard failure. In cases like these, it’s best for you to contact support because they require removing the back of the TV. They can usually repair the TV, even if the fault is with the internal components.

An internal fault like this will likely also be covered under your TV’s warranty. If you haven’t had it for too long, it’s always a good idea to check if repairs or a replacement is covered.

Replace The Device

If nothing mentioned above has worked, then it’s time to have the device replaced. This usually includes the cost of upgrading to a newer device, as well as any service that was done beforehand.

Replacing a device should be the last resort as many of the problems experienced by homeowners are quite simple to fix if you know where to look and what to click on. Always exhaust your list of options first before running to the store.

How do I Stop My Samsung TV From Turning Off Automatically?

For TVs that work for longer than a few seconds before turning themselves off, we have a different solution. The fix for this is luckily very simple:

  • Open the Settings menu on your TV
  • Navigate to General
  • Then, go to Eco Solution
  • Navigate to Auto Power Off
  •  Select the length of time you want the TV to wait before powering itself off.

This should solve the issue and give you much more control over when the TV turns off in the future.

Why Does My Samsung TV Turn Off And On Repeatedly?

Power cycling—the TV turning off and on repeatedly—can indicate that the device has been damaged. It may also be caused by an outdated version of the TV’s software.

Before assuming that the device is damaged, make sure that you’ve installed the latest upgrade of the TV’s software. If updating the software doesn’t fix the issue, it’s probably time to replace the device.

Why won’t my Samsung TV turn on?

Occasionally, your Samsung TV may simply not turn on when you press the button. To fix this issue, you’ll want to do a factory reset on your device. This clears the device and sets it back to factory standards.

First, you’ll want to unplug the cord from the outlet and hold the power button down for ten seconds. Wait a few seconds. Then plug the power cord back in. If the red indicator light begins flashing, your Samsung TV has a bad power supply and will need to be repaired or replaced.

If Nothing’s Worked So Far…

Your next move should be to contact a trained Samsung technician. They will be able to diagnose and repair problems that fall above the average homeowner’s pay grade. Many Samsung repairs are simple fixes that can be handled in a few minutes’ time with the right equipment and know-how.

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The Bottom Line

Most issues with Samsung TVs are quick repairs that can be handled by the homeowner or with a quick visit from a trained technician. It just takes a little patience and persistence to get to the root of the problem. Carefully work through each step and each available option, and in most cases, you’ll have the problem fixed in no time.

If however the problem persists, or you’ve run out of quick-fix options, it’s always best to contact support and have the TV either repaired or replaced. On rare occasions, there have been dangerous shorts in household appliances. It’s always best to make sure things are working safely when they’re in your home.

Upgraded Home Team
Upgraded Home Team

We are a team of passionate homeowners, home improvement pros, and DIY enthusiasts who enjoy sharing home improvement, housekeeping, decorating, and more with other homeowners! Whether you're looking for a step-by-step guide on fixing an appliance or the cost of installing a fence, we've here to help.

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