Samsung TV Troubleshooting and How to Guide

Samsung TVs are undoubtedly the best in the market, with plenty of options to choose from depending on one’s preference and budget. But like other appliances, they can develop issues from time to time. Before you request service, it can save you time and money if try troubleshooting the issue first.

Some problems with Samsung TVs can easily be resolved by performing the required troubleshooting. In this guide, we give steps on how to troubleshoot common Samsung TV issues, as well as guide users on how to perform several operations that may have otherwise seemed challenging.

How to Reset Samsung HD TV

A factory reset restores all TV settings (excluding the network settings) to their factory defaults. To reset your Samsung HD TV:

Open “Settings”, and then select “General”.
Select “Reset”, enter your PIN (0000 is the default), and then select “Reset”.
To complete the reset, select OK. Your TV will restart automatically.
If the above steps don’t match your TV, navigate to “Settings”, select “Support”, and then select “Self Diagnosis”. Reset will be located in that menu.

To reset picture:

Open “Settings”, and select “Picture”.
Select “Expert Settings”, and then select “Reset Picture”.
Select “Yes” to confirm.

To reset sound:

Open “Settings”, and then select “Sound”.
Select “Expert Settings”, and then select “Reset”.
Select “Yes” to confirm.

How to Update Software on Samsung Smart TV

Every once in a while, your TV will receive software updates to add new features or fix bugs. However, you can manually update your TV’s software over the internet or using a USB flash drive. Keep in mind that after a software update your video and audio settings might automatically be reset to defaults.

To update over the internet:

Using your TV’s remote, navigate to “Settings”, and select “Support”.
Select “Software update”, and then select “Update Now”.
New updates will be downloaded and installed on your TV. Updates usually take a few minutes; please don’t turn the TV off until the update is complete.
The TV will restart automatically when the update is finished.
If there aren’t any new updates, select “OK” to exit.

To update using USB:

Visit Samsung Download Center to download new software updates for your TV model. On the support page, locate the firmware file for your TV under downloads. Then click on Download to download the compressed file.
After the file has finished downloading, locate it and then unzip the file. There should be one folder inside.
Copy or move the folder to a USB flash drive and do not place it inside any other folders.
Connect the USB drive containing the software upgrade into a USB port on your TV.
Using your TV’s remote, navigate to “Settings”, and select “Support”. Select “Software Update”, select “Update Now”, and then select “Yes”.
Your TV will search the USB drive for the update files. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the updated software.
The TV will restart automatically once the update is complete.

Check this too: JVC TV Troubleshooting & How to Guide

Samsung TV Troubleshooting No Picture

If there is no picture on your Samsung UA55NU7100 TV, follow these instructions to troubleshoot:

Make sure the connection to the device is correct and that all cables are fully inserted.
Remove and reconnect all cables connected to the TV and external devices. Try new cables if possible.
Confirm the correct input source has been selected.
Perform a TV self diagnosis to determine if the problem is caused by the TV or device. Press the Home button and navigate to Settings> Support> Self Diagnosis> Start Picture Test.
If the test results are normal, reboot the connected devices by unplugging each device’s power cord and then plugging it in again. If the issue persists, refer to the connection guide in the user manual of the connected device.
If you are not using a cable box or satellite box, and your TV is receiving TV signals from an antenna or a cable wall connector, run Auto Tuning to search for channels by pressing the home button on your remote and navigating to Settings> Broadcasting> (Auto Tuning Settings)> Auto Tuning)

Samsung Frame Power Button

The Samsung Frame comes with a single remote in the box. The on/off button has been modified to have a double function. A single click will wake the TV to its picture frame mode whereas holding down the button will switch to TV mode.

How to Wake Up Samsung TV

The Samsung TV platform allows you to control a Samsung Smart TV. You can wake up Samsung TV using WoL (Wake on LAN). WoL helps you remotely turn on TVs over the internet. Connect Samsung TV and a PC in the same network, and send Magic Packet programs to the MAC address of a registered TV. Then, it will wake up the TV via LAN port.

Given a compatible device that has been auto discovered or otherwise has a MAC address set, adding the Wake on LAN command is simple:

Open the Activity or Button to which you would like to add a command to power the TV.
Select the TV from the list.
Select the special “+WAKE ON LAN” command as the command to send

If your Samsung TV is Ex-Link enabled, you may control it via serial via the use of a serial adapter and the Simple Cable Serial 3.5mm. For Samsung TVs that are not EX-Link enabled (typically old or low-end models), use IR control via an infrared adapter.

Why is My TV Not Turning Off?

There could be several reasons why your TV doesn’t turn off when you try to turn it off:

The TV could have been turned on using the power button on the TV rather than the remote, and may not respond to the remote.
The remote batteries may be drained or were not inserted in the correct position.
There could be an obstruction blocking the IR Port making it difficult for the TV to receive the infra-red signals from the remote.
HDMI CEC feature could be turned on and disabling the power button on the remote.
Interference from fluorescent lights and other remotes could be preventing the TV from properly sensing the infra-red signal being sent from your remote control.
The TV’s basic control system could have crashed.

Samsung TV Won’t Turn On Red Light Flashes

If your Samsung TV won’t turn on and the red standby light flashes, it could be point to an issue with your power source. Surge protectors may eventually wear out and stop providing the necessary voltage for your TV. Check to make sure the TV is getting sufficient power.

If the problem is not the surge protector or power source, it could be a sign something is wrong with your TV. It could be a component failure that will have to be replaced.

Samsung UHD TV Series 7 Remote Control Not Working

Check if the power indicator at the bottom of the TV blinks when you press the remote’s power button. If it does not, replace the batteries in the remote control.
Make sure that the batteries are installed with their poles in the correct direction.
Try pointing the remote directly at the TV from 1.5 – 1.8 m away.

Where is the Power Button on My Samsung TV?

The power button on many Samsung TV models is on the front of the set, in the center, just below screen. The button is usually in the top right or top-left corner of the remote control.

Samsung TV Black Screen of Death

A black screen could just be a sign that the TV is turned off, although if it is producing sound then you know that is not the case. If your Samsung TV has a black screen even when it is on, it is possible it could actually be your external device and not your TV.

To fix the problem, try these instructions:

Press the Home (Menu) button on the remote. If the menu appears, the TV is powered on, but is either not on the correct source or not receiving a signal. If the menu doesn’t appear, the TV may be having power issues.
Confirm the TV is set to the same source as the external device.
Test the HDMI cable. Some TV’s have an HDMI cable test which you can navigate to by going to Settings> Support> Self Diagnosis> Signal Information> HDMI Cable Test> Smart Test. Replace the cable if the test says the cable is bad.
Try connecting a different device, or using a different source port. If you were not able to test the cable in the previous step, then try swapping the cable too.
If the TV can display picture in any other setup, then you have rule the TV out as the cause of the issue. Keep trying various setups until you identify the device or cable that is not working, and troubleshoot or replace it.

If your TV is connected using a One Connect Box, follow these steps to troubleshoot the black screen:

Check the One Connect cable for damage and solid connection. Make sure the connection is firmly connected. Make sure the cable is not bent, broken, kinked or has a heavy object on top of it.
Disconnect the One Connect Box to see if the TV displays an error message. Replace the One Connect Box if you see anything (like a message or picture) on the TV after disconnecting the One Connect Box.
Press the Home button on the remote. If the menu does not appear the TV may be having power issues.
Confirm the TV is set to the same source as the external device.
Test the HDMI Cable. Replace HDMI cable if it is bad or fails the test.
Try testing different external devices. If the TV can display a picture in any other setup then you have ruled out the TV as the cause of the problem.

Why Does My Samsung TV Keep Cutting Out?

If your TV picture or sound is breaking up, cutting in and out, or pixelating, then you likely are experiencing a weak signal. Check all of the connections from the wall to your cable box and from the cable box to your TV to make sure the connections are tight.

Samsung TV Won’t Turn on Red Light is off

When the TV does not turn on and the red light is off, the TV either does not have power, or it is turned on and the screen is just black.

To troubleshoot:

Without using the remote, press any button on your TV except power. If anything appears on the screen this confirms your TV is on and you can proceed to troubleshoot for no picture or a black screen. If the TV’s controls cause anything to appear on the screen but the remote doesn’t, then make sure you also troubleshoot your remote.
Unplug the TV for 30 seconds, and then plug it directly into a working outlet. If the red light comes on (and doesn’t flash or blink), your TV is receiving power and will probably turn on now. This means there is an issue with the original outlet or the surge protector if you were using one.
If after trying a new working outlet, the red standby light never comes on and the TV will not turn on, call service.

Samsung TV Won’t Turn on Red light is on

It is normal for the red standby light to be lit when the TV is turned off (as long as it plugged in and receiving power). But if the TV still won’t turn on when you try, then the only thing left to rule out is the remote.

Press the power button on the remote. If the TV does not turn on, but the red light is lit, then there could be an issue with the remote.
Press the power button located on the TV itself. If the turns on, then the remote is the problem. If the TV doesn’t turn on with the button on the TV or the remote continue to the next step.
Request for service if your TV is getting power (indicated by the red standby light being lit) but will not turn on by either the remote or the power button on the TV.

Samsung TV Troubleshooting “The HDCP Has Been Compromised” Error Message

To correct the condition that causes the TV to display “The HDCP Has Been Compromised” error message:

Unplug the cable box or satellite box for 30 seconds and then plug it back in. Performing this soft reset will resolve the problem if the box was updated.
Remove any connections other than the HDMI connection.
If the message still appears on the TV, contact the set-top-box (STB) provider for assistance.
To verify that the TV is not the issue, connect any other device via HDMI (such as a Blu-ray player) to see if the error appears again. If it doesn’t appear, then the cable box is the issue. Connecting the STB with a set of component cables will resolve the issue temporarily until the cable provider can resolve the issue with the set-top-box.

Samsung LED TV Problems: Lines on Screen

Dotted line on the edge of the screen

Change picture size to 16:9
Change the cable/satellite box resolution

Samsung TV Half Black Screen

Major causes of half screen display may be due to panel or main board problem or due to poor broadcasting signals. If you are having this issue with your Samsung TV screen, please follow the steps below to resolve it:

Check whether input device is correctly connected or not.
Check the connected cable and replace it if found to be faulty.
Press Home/Menu button to open menu in TV and check whether the menu is displaying or not.
Check by changing the channels to appropriate the concern.
Play the content from pen drive or other source to check whether the issue is resolved or not.
Remove the connections and reconnect it, and then check if the problem is solved or not.
Perform a self diagnosis in your TV to check. For old series TV navigate Menu> Support> Self Diagnosis. For new series TV (K Series and above) navigate Home> Settings> Support> Self Diagnosis.

Samsung TV Power Supply Repair Kit

If your TV is not powering on, sometimes it is because of the failure of the power supply. There could be a blown fuse, bad capacitor, or other damaged part that will need to be replaced. You can be able to purchase a Samsung TV power supply kit to replace damaged parts.

BN44-00201A for Samsung Power Supply Repair KIT for TV NOT POWERING ON.

This kit is manufactured by Balance World Inc and is available on Amazon. The Kit contents capacitors CM851, CM852, CM854, CM855. – Check it Here

Watonics Capacitor Replacement Kit for Samsung LCD/PLASMA

This repair kit by Watonics includes replacement capacitors, 100Uf 10V (4 pieces), 1000uf 25V (6 pieces), 2200uF 10V (4 pieces), 220uF 25V (1 piece), a desoldering pump, soldering wick, and wire. Check it here

Wendry LCD Driver Board

This is a universal 10-65 inch LED LCD TV backlight constant current driver boost adapter board for LED TV and notebook monitors under 65 inches.

Samsung TV Power Board Failure

There are several indicators of a Samsung TV power board failure:

TV will not turn on.
TV keeps turning off.
TV clicks repeatedly then turns on.
TV repeatedly turns off and on by itself.

The main cause of power board failures is one or more capacitors on the board are blown. Many power boards use capacitors that have a lower voltage rating that they should. They work fine for some time, but then swell or burst- leading to the power board failure.

To fix a failed Samsung TV power board, you can either repair or replace. You can order a Samsung TV power board repair kit to replace the bulging or blown capacitors. Another option is to buy Samsung TV power board replacement. Though more expensive, replacing the entire board is a more definite fix and saves you from the soldering required for the capacitors.

Bad TV Capacitors Symptoms

If your TV has a problem and you suspect it has something to do with the capacitors, there are several visible symptoms that can confirm your suspicion:

Bulging of the vent on the top of the capacitor.
Broken or cracked vent, usually accompanied with visible crusty rust-like brown dried electrolyte deposits.
Capacitor casing sitting crooked on the circuit board.

The following TV symptoms indicate issues that can be fixed by replacing the capacitors on your board:

Pink dot/start up problems.
Slow start up
After start up the picture starts to disappear.
Flickering of the TV screen.
Clicking noise.
Sound/power LED is on but there is no picture.

Samsung TV Capacitor Cost

TV capacitor repair costs $60 to $ 130, including parts and labor. However, if you are a DIY guy, you can order replacements for bad capacitors. Replacement kits, like the Witonics Capacitor Replacement Kit is available on Amazon for about $20.

Reason of Frequent on off on Samsung LED TV

By default, some HDMI devices are set to turn the TV on when they turn on. This feature is Anynet+, also known as HDMI-CEC, and allows you to control both devices with your TV remote. If you want to turn on your devices separately, you can turn off Anynet+ by navigating to Settings> General> External Device Manager.

However, if your TV is turning off and on continuously, follow these instructions to fix it:

Unplug the TV from the wall outlet or surge protector and leave it unplugged for 30 seconds.
Check the power cord to see if there is any visible damage. Replace the power cord if it appears to be damaged.
Plug the TV power cord back into the wall outlet. Bypass the surge protector for now if you were using one.
If the problem is still there, try to update the software.
Disable the Power On with Mobile option by navigating to Settings> General> Network> Expert Settings> Power On with Mobile, and then turn the setting off,

Samsung TV Flickering Won’t Turn On

To establish what may be causing your TV to flicker you have to check everything that connects to it. If the flickering is only occurring in relation to a single source such as a DVD player, cable box or video game console, then your TV might not have a problem at all; instead the source is likely the problem. Try turning to different channels and unplugging devices from the TV to see whether the flickering is from one of the devices or the TV itself.

Power issues could also be the reason your TV flickers. This can happen if the TV’s power supply was interrupted (like during a storm). If the flickering is happening consistently, whether or not any video sources are connected to the TV, then the power supply is probably causing the issue. To fix the problem, perform a power cycle on the TV:

Unplug the TV from any power supplies.
Press and hold the power button for a few seconds.
Let the TV sit for a few minutes, then plug it back in.

If cycling power does not resolve the issue, there could be an issue with the bulb, backlight or LED inside the TV.

Samsung TV Flickering Recall

If your Samsung TV is flickering or dimming sporadically, you may need to disable some of the energy efficiency features. To disable Energy Saving navigate to Settings> System> Eco Solution> Energy Saving. To disable Eco Sensor navigate to Settings> System> Eco Solution> Eco Sensor.

If the problem persists there is a drastic measure you could try that can work, though it is not always advisable. Cutting a jumper on the power supply named JP852 has helped resolve the screen flickering issue on some Samsung LN46C630 TV models. However, note that doing may void the warranty.

If you don’t mind taking the risk, here is how to go about the process:

Remove the back cover of the TV using a Philips head screwdriver.
Find the power supply. It is located where the power cords plugs in.
Find jumper JP852 which is located on the power supply in the top left corner, just below the 46 written on the board.
Cut the jumper JP852. Cut it on the middle and separate the wire so it doesn’t touch. Put the case back on the TV once done.

Why is My TV Blinking on and off?

Screen blinking can be caused by the following reasons:

It can be cause when the broadcast signal is not stable.
When signal strength and quality is weak.
While using bad quality connecting cables and connectors.
When cable connection is loose from TV or from connected source device.
When the resolution from connected input device is low.

While using antenna, there should be more than 3 columns available to watch proper digital broadcast. If it is less than 3 columns, there might be some picture freeze while watching. If the TV screen seems freezed while watching by using set-top-box, it may be due to a problem of STB or broadcast weak signal strength.

Check this too: Can You Connect a Keyboard to a Smart TV?

If you checked all the above reasons and still facing the issue, try resetting your TV.

Samsung TV “White Flash” Causes

If you are getting white flashes on your TV every now and then, it could point to an issue with the firmware. Is the firmware up-to-date? Try updating the firmware to the latest version to see if the issue resolves. If the problem persists, completely reset the TV back to factory settings and then upgrade everything again.

Another possible fix is by changing your current picture mode. Try changing from Movie picture mode to the Natural picture mode.