Samsung TV Won't Turn On After Power Outage? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Dennis Howard
by Dennis Howard

In the United States, we are blessed with a very stable power grid. However, there are times when anyone can suffer a power outage. The sudden loss of power can have a devastating effect on sensitive electronic equipment. Often, this can result in a Samsung TV that won’t turn on after a power outage.

If your Samsung TV won’t turn on after a power outage, more than likely a circuit breaker or fuse has blown, or the power supply board in your TV has been damaged. Before doing anything else, make sure you are getting power to your Samsung TV. If your TV has power, you should perform some diagnostics on the TV.

There is a difference between what may be wrong with a Samsung TV that won’t display a picture and won’t power up any part of the TV. Determining what is happening with your Samsung TV that won’t power up or turn on after a power outage takes a little work and diagnosis. These tips and tricks should help you find the problem.

Do You Need Appliance Repair Services?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

Before you State a Word of Caution

Before you start trying to diagnose a power problem with your Samsung TV, reiterate some commonsense rules. Electricity can cause serious damage and injury if not respected. Your Samsung TV may not be displaying a picture or seem to be working. However, the internal components of the TV may still have an electrical current and can deliver a deadly shock.

When testing for electrical current, use extreme caution and the correct tools. A sudden arc or short circuit can cause intense light and spray sparks. Wear eye protection always.

Diagnosing Electrical Problems with your Samsung TV

After a power outage, several things can cause your Samsung TV to operate improperly. Before you call a service technician, you should eliminate as many problems as possible other than a defective Samsung TV. These steps can help you eliminate problems outside your Samsung TV that might cause it to fail to turn on after a power outage.

Step 1: Check the Circuit Breaker or Fuse

Locate the circuit breaker or fuse box in your home’s electrical system. Make sure all the circuit breakers are turned on or all the fuses are good. An unexpected power surge that might accompany problems in the power grid can trip circuit breakers.

On some circuit breaker panels, a tripped circuit breaker must be turned completely off and then back to the on position to reset the circuit breaker. Fuses should always be replaced with the proper size and type of fuse.

Once you are sure that your circuit breakers or fuses are all in working order, try turning your Samsung TV off and on again.

Step 2: Don’t Forget Your GFCI Outlet

If the circuit that supplies power to your Samsun TV has a GFCI outlet in the circuit, reset the GFCI. The GFCI outlet may not be the outlet serving your Samsung TV. Once you locate a GFCI breaker in the circuit, press the reset button until it clicks.

Step 3: Remove any Surge Protectors

If you have a surge protector installed on your Samsung TV, unplug the TV from the surge protector and plug the power cord directly into the wall. If your surge protector did its job, the surge protector might need to be reset or replaced.

If your Samsung TV turns on when you bypass the surge protector, we recommend that you trash the surge protector and buy a new one. Some surge protectors can be reset, but a large surge or spike in power can damage the surge protector. Better to be safe than sorry.

Step 4: Check the Power Cord and Outlet

Check the outlet where your Samsung TV is plugged in and make sure it has power. To easily check the outlet, plug a known good appliance such as a lamp into the outlet. If the lamp doesn’t work, you know that the outlet isn’t getting power. A call for a licensed electrician is in order to repair the outlet.

If the outlet has power, check the plug and cord connected to your Samsung TV. Some Samsung TVs may have a small fuse built into the plug. Follow the directions in your Samsung TV user’s manual to check the condition of this fuse and replace if necessary.

Don’t forget to check the plug on the back of the TV where the power cord is inserted. We suggest that you unplug this connection, check the power cable. Plug the cable back into the TV. Plug the power cord into the outlet. Try turning on your Samsung TV.

Diagnosing Power Problems on Your Samsung TV

A Samsung TV that won’t turn on after a power outage is often related to damage to the TV. Samsung TVs have many different electronic components that are sensitive to power spikes or surges. Some of these issues can be resolved by a homeowner. Others usually entail a call for a service technician to make a visit.

Before you make that call, try a power cycle reset to resolve the issue of a Samsung TV that won’t turn on after a power outage.

Power Cycle your Samsung TV

Performing a power cycle may reset the electronic components in your Samsung TV. TO perform a power cycle reset, follow these instructions carefully.

  • Unplug your Samsung TV from the wall outlet or surge protector.
  • Press the power button and hold it for about 30 seconds. This allows the capacitors on the power control board to drain any residual electrical energy that is stored.
  • Plug your Samsung TV back into the outlet. If you normally use a surge protector, we suggest bypassing the surge protector for this step.
  • Try your Samsung TV. If this power cycle reset works, your Samsung TV should turn on normally.

If a power cycle reset doesn’t work, your Samsung TV has probably suffered internal damage to the electronic components. More than likely, the power supply board has been damaged and must be replaced. A call to a qualified Samsung Service Technician is your best option.

Can I Replace a Power Supply Board Myself?

A homeowner can replace a damaged power supply board in a Samsung TV. However, there are some considerations to be aware of before you start this kind of project.

  • Is Your Samsung TV Under Warranty? – If your Samsung TV is still under warranty, if you attempt to repair your Samsung TV, you will void the warranty. A phone call or message to the Samsung Customer Service Center should be your first step at this point.
  • Are You Comfortable Working on Complicated Electronics? – You should probably avoid making repairs yourself unless you are quite familiar with electronics and electricity. You can do more damage if you don’t know what you are doing when you open your Samsung TV case.
  • So, You Have the Right Tools – In some cases, opening a Samsung TV and replacing parts requires special tools. Some of these tools are beyond what most homeowners have in their garage took lit. Without the proper tools, you risk damaging Your Samsung TV further.
  • Do You Have Enough Space – This is a problem if you have a larger Samsung Smart TV. Opening the case of a very large Samsung TV requires laying the TV face down on a protected surface. Many homes don’t have a place to properly support the TV in this position while you make repairs.

If you are still of the mind to attempt to replace the power supply board in your Samsung TV, work carefully and slowly. Take plenty of pictures of the components inside your Samsung TV, so you have a reference when you reinstall the parts.

What is the Best Protection from Power Outages and Brownouts?

If you suffer from frequent power outages or brownouts in your area, you should protect your Samsung TV. There are several options to consider as protection for your sensitive electronics.

  • Install a Good Surge Protector – You should put a good surge protector between the power outlet and your TV. The surge protector will help mitigate the effects of power spikes often associated with sudden power losses or brownouts.
  • Invest in an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) – A UPS is a battery backup system that protects your Samsung TV from power spikes, outages, or brownouts. If a power outage occurs, the UPS will power your Samsung TV for a few minutes, giving you time to turn off the TV normally. This protects the electronic components in your Samsung TV from damage.
  • Protect Your Entire Home with an Emergency Generator – Many people in areas that suffer frequent power outages have a generator system to power the major appliances in their homes. Many of these systems switch over automatically if the grid power goes out. Remember, it isn’t just your Samsung TV that is at risk from power surges or outages.

Whichever protection you choose, it is important to check the operation regularly. Most surge protectors and UPS systems have test buttons or switches for this purpose. Follow the directions in the user’s manual to perform these checks and tests.

Do You Need Appliance Repair Services?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

Dead May Not Mean Dead for your Samsung TV

After a power outage, a Samsung TV that appears to be dead on arrival may be resurrected. Often the cause of the problem is not with the TV but elsewhere in the electrical system. If your Samsung TV does have a problem, a reset may bring it back to life. A visit from a service technician can often bring life back to your Samsung TV with a new power supply board.

Dennis Howard
Dennis Howard

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.

More by Dennis Howard

Next