Why does my TCL TV turn on but the screen is black?

My TV turns ON, but there is No Video

If you power on your TV but you do not see the menu options, or any video display - just a black, blank screen, and possibly no audio as well; try the recommended steps below to resolve the issue.

Índice Show

My TV turns ON, but there is No Video
How To Identify And Fix The Problem
Issues with HDMI Cable
Your TCL Software Needs an Update
A Blown Out Backlight
Your TV Needs a Hard Reset
Final Thoughts
How do I fix my TV if my screen is black but still works?
What does it mean when your TV turns on but the screen is black?

Check if the status LED, in front of your TV is ON. When the TV is off or in stand-by mode the LED at the base of your TV should be solid white. When the TV is on it should be either off or blinking. To confirm, point the TCL remote towards the TV and press any button. You should see the LED blink every time your press the remote. If you see the LED blink while pressing a button on the remote, proceed with Step #2. If not it is possible your TV is not powered on or not responding to your remote. For remote troubleshooting click here. If there is no indication that the TV is receiving power check that the power cord is firmly plugged into the back of the TV. Plug the other end to a know good outlet. Bypass any power strips for troubleshooting purposes.
Verify the cable connections. Make sure all external devices plugged into the TV are properly connected to the appropriate port, and are powered on. If necessary, unplug then reconnect the cables to the corresponding ports.
Restart the TV. Press the power button on your TV. The location of the power button on most models in underneath TCL logo on the bottom of the TV or behind the TV towards the right edge. Please consult your user's manual for the exact location. Unplug the TV from the power outlet. After 30 seconds, plug the TV back.
Factory reset the TV. Click here to view steps on how to reset the TV if you still cannot view the menu options.
Contact Support. If after performing the factory reset the display is still blank contact TCL Support for further troubleshooting.

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There is nothing worse than being in the middle of watching your favorite television show, and all of a sudden, the TV screen goes black. There are a few quick and easy fixes for TCL TV users to get their TV up and running; however, troubleshooting for the main culprit is the first step in solving the issue.

If you are struggling with figuring out how to fix your TCL TV black screen, keep reading to try these six easy fixes to try!

How To Identify And Fix The Problem

While TCL TVs are among the most popular inexpensive TVs on the market, it is not unusual for buyers to experience the screen going black with audio still working.

A TCL TV black screen can be caused by a number of reasons, including:

Faulty cable
Blown out a backlight
Outdated firmware
Loose connections
Corrupted chip

Troubleshooting for these common problems can quickly fix the issue without calling customer service if you are still under the one-year warranty or spending money to get it repaired.

The first step in troubleshooting is to reboot your TV:

Shut off the TV and unplug it.
Wait 10-15 minutes for the hardware to reset.
Plug the TV back in and turn it on.
The TV screen should turn back on.

If the TV screen doesn’t turn back on, you may want to try the same process again but plug it into an alternate socket to ensure it isn’t your outlet that is causing the issue. At this point, if the TV screen continues not to work, move on to the next possible problem and solution.

Issues with HDMI Cable

These cables may be loose, worn down, or broken. Check to ensure the cables are not disconnected from the port and check the HDMI cable connector for any bent or missing pins.

If the HDMI cable is damaged, a simple fix would be to purchase a new one. If the cable appears to be properly connected and all parts look good, continue to the next possible fix.

Your TCL Software Needs an Update

If you have never set your TCL TV to auto-update, the old software may be the reason you’re seeing a black screen.

To update the TCL software, follow these simple steps:

Choose Settings on the account home page.
Choose Menu.
Scroll to find the System Update menu and click on it.
Choose Update.

It is imperative you do not turn off your TV at this time as it can cause the operating system to be damaged. Also, depending on your internet speed and how big the update file is will determine how long this process will take.

Once the update is complete, the TV screen should turn back on properly; if not, move on to the next solution.

A Blown Out Backlight

A very common TCL TV black screen cause is when one or more of the backlight bulbs have blown out. One way to test this theory is to turn out all the lights in the room and place a flashlight up to the TV; if you can see a picture, the backlights have blown out.

If your TV is still under the one-year warranty, calling the customer care service would be the best solution to either get it repaired or replaced.

If you are not under the one-year warranty and have not purchased an extended warranty, this can be a DIY fix but will take much patience, time, and money.

This DIY fix can be found on Youtube, and all parts can be purchased either on the TCL website or Amazon. It is suggested you watch instructional videos several times before performing the fix or take the television to a local TV repair shop.

Sometimes the time and money necessary to fix this issue cost more than the television, especially if it is over the typical lifespan of a TCL TV of about seven years. If this is the case, it may just be time for an upgrade.

Your TV Needs a Hard Reset

If you have tried the first five solutions and none have worked or wasn’t the problem, you may need to do a hard reset on the television. This reset will restore the TV settings back to factory default, therefore, deleting all applications you downloaded and saved information.

To perform a hard reset, follow these instructions:

On the remote, locate the Home button.
Press the Home button quickly five times.
Press the UP arrow once.
Press the Rewind button two times.
Press the Forward button two times.

Once this is done, your TCL TV should turn off then back on, and the reset is complete. If this fix solves the black screen issue, you will then have to re-download all non-internal applications and re-do your personal setting preferences.

Final Thoughts

Most DIY solutions for a TCL TV black screen issue can be done easily and effortlessly without the hassle of having to call customer service or gather supplies. It will just take a little time and patience.

How do I fix my TV if my screen is black but still works?

Replace the HDMI cable as it may have a short or another defect which causes the black screen issue. Unplug the TV for 5 minutes to attempt a reset. Unplugging the TV will reset the television and clear any temporary issues. Factory reset of the TV to resolve the issue.

What does it mean when your TV turns on but the screen is black?

TV black screens are commonly caused by cable connection issues, issues with input devices, or outdated firmware updates. Worst case scenario, the power supply board could have malfunctioned. Could a loose cable cause a TV black screen? Perhaps the most common cause of a black screen is connection issues.