Vizio TV Brightness Fades In and Out? (Possible Causes & Fixes)
Those who have Vizio TVs love their televisions. And there is a good reason for that because Vizio has become recognized as a leader in TV technology. Just ask the thousands upon thousands of satisfied Vizio customers, and they will tell you, from the screen quality to the interactive technologies, that these are wonderful TVs.
That doesn’t mean, of course, that even the best products don’t have problems because they do. Like when that normally amazing high-quality screen fades in and out.
If the Vizio TV brightness fades in and out, then the settings need to be adjusted, or there is a problem with the screen, and or the hardware. Correcting the settings is simple and can be done using the TV remote. If the problem is with the screen or TV hardware there are a couple of fixes and troubleshooting steps to try before getting help.
The question isn’t so much as why the television screen is fading in and out as it is what to do about it. That, of course, does mean at least some knowledge of what is going on. Having the knowledge to fix the problem, however, is even more important than understanding the why.
There could be any number of reasons why a TV screen gets brighter or dim. And there could be many reasons why a hardware component inside the television could fail. What we care about though, is fixing our television, so we can get our TVs and our lives back to our normally scheduled programming.
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What to do When Vizio TV Brightness Fades In and Out
There is a common fix for when the Vizio TV brightness fades in and out. Fortunately, by simply adjusting the settings this problem can often be resolved. As it was mentioned before, what causes these settings to change is uncertain, but what matters is being able to fix it.
Here are the steps to adjust the settings and fix the TV when the brightness fades in and out.
Step 1: Access TV Menu
The first step is to make sure the TV is plugged in and powered on. Then, using the television remote, access the TV menu by selecting the Menu button on the remote.
Step 2: Accessing Picture Options
Once you have entered the menu screen, find the Picture option, then scroll down and select the More Picture option.
Step 3: Turn of Backlight
Now, we get to the heart of the problem. Locate and the Backlight Control option. It will most likely be turned on, you can turn it off on this screen, then exit.
Now restart your TV and this should fix that mysterious screen fading problem. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, however, the next likely cause is in television itself. The only way to be sure is to check it.
Related Guide: Vizio TV Flashing Like A Strobe Light?
How to Troubleshoot and Check Screen Projection Components
If the picture settings aren’t the problem with the TV screen then the issue is either a control board or a power supply board. Control boards such as the T-Con board and other internal screen projection components can cause screens to fade, flicker, or get brighter before failing.
Here is how to determine where the problem lies and what you might need to do to get it fixed.
The Sound Test
Using the process of elimination has always been an effective means for troubleshooting problems. This technique can also be very helpful when trying to isolate and determine TV screen issues. By performing a sound test, it can help to determine if the problem is related to a power supply issue or a control board malfunction.
Step 1: Power on the TV
To get started simply make sure that the TV is getting power and is powered on.
Step 2: Audible check
Once the TV is turned on listen for any sounds. If you don’t hear anything attempt to play a program or stream anything that has volume.
Step 3: Volume check
The last step is to check the volume. If there isn’t any sound then can anything be heard with the volume turned up? Issues or problems with the television sound system suggest that the problem is more than a control board. This would also help a TV tech to determine which control board may be at fault.
The Screen Test
If the TV is producing normal sound and volume then it can typically be narrowed down to an issue with lighting components in the television. That means we should check the TV screen to verify this problem.
Step 1: The flashlight test
To check the screen you will need a strong flashlight, preferably with fresh batteries.
Step 2: Image check
Hold the flashlight about 2 inches from the screen and turn the flashlight on. If you look closely and can see images on the screen then it indicates a bad inverter board.
Don’t Overlook the Obvious
It is always important to look before we leap, and to stay calm when our TV screens start acting up. Before we call the TV repair shop or contact Vizio for help, we should double-check the obvious.
Then means checking all the connections from the box to the TV and from the coax to the box. Then verify that the power cords and connections are good. Even though it isn’t likely, any of these situations could potentially be the cause behind a TV screen acting up.
Television Reset
After a final check of the power cords and connections, a reset of the TV is the last attempt to fix the problem. If there is a potential control board configuration error, a reset of the television may resolve the problem.
Step 1: Power off the TV
Begin by manually turning off the TV and unplug the power cord from the outlet.
Step 2: Reset using the power button
Next, hold down the power button on the TV for 30 seconds.
Step 3: Turn the TV on
Now, plug the TV back in and turn it on.
If these fixes don’t solve the problem or help to isolate the issue, then proceed to contact a professional TV repair service or the Vizio customer care center if the television is still under warranty.
Related Questions
In many cases, Vizio TV screens experiencing brightness fading in and out problems can be fixed. Sometimes, these issues require professional help, and sometimes they need to be replaced. Here are a couple more of the more frequently asked questions regarding Vizio TVs and TV screens.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a TV Screen?The cost of replacing a TV screen can range from $50 for smaller screens up to a few hundred dollars for larger screens. There are also other obvious considerations such as plasma screens and perhaps interactive screen technologies, that will influence the price.
It is also going to require professional installation, which is another expense that needs to be considered when shopping for a new TV screen. For televisions under warranty, the Vizio customer support center will help direct customers on how to handle repairs.
Should I Attempt to Repair the TV Myself?Although there are many parts that can be relatively easy to replace and fix, only those with some expertise and experience working with electronics should consider DIY options. If a TV is damaged while attempting repairs, that will also only be an additional expense.
TV service technicians also have tools and equipment they can use to test TVs. There can’t be much worse than going through the effort and expense of replacing a part only to discover that the replaced part wasn’t the problem.
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Our Final Take
So if your TV screen starts to get bright or fades on its own, don’t panic. First, follow some basic fixes and troubleshooting steps, and then if necessary, get help and back to your regularly scheduled programming.
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