Are you the type of person who leaves their television on for hours on end? Do you enjoy white noise in the background 24/7?
If the answer is “yes,” you’re not alone.
If you live by yourself, having the TV on all day can provide some much-needed company and break your home’s silence.
But, can your TV break from being on too long? If so, what steps can you take to prevent your TV from breaking?
Keep reading to find out!
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Can a TV Break From Being On Too Long? (Day & Night)
Yes, leaving your TV on too long can decrease its lifespan, but it won’t break it per se.
Most TVs will eventually break and stop working, but leaving them on all the time can speed up this process.
Many modern TVs last much longer than the bulky CRT TVs of the past. However, most TVs come with an expected lifespan.
For instance, LCD TVs usually last 100,000 hours before showing signs of deterioration. On the other hand, LEDs are 20% dimmer after only 60,000 hours.
So, you’re slowly chipping away at its lifespan by leaving your TV on all the time. Yes, even if you’re not actively watching it.
TV speakers also deteriorate with use. With time, you’ll notice they produce a low, muffled sound.
To make matters worse, many modern TVs are ultra-thin, meaning that manufacturers are often forced to equip them with smaller and weaker speakers. So, playing sound from your TV’s speaker 24/7 could break them or negatively impact their sound quality sooner than expected.
Additionally, leaving your TV on all night in your bedroom will decrease your sleep quality since the TV’s blue light disrupts melatonin production. This can lead to other serious diseases, like diabetes and obesity.
So, will your TV suddenly break from being left on all the time? Probably not.
But it will reach the end of its lifespan quicker, forcing you to buy a new TV sooner.
Does It Hurt a TV To Leave on All Day?
Yes, leaving your TV on all day damages it.
Although leaving your TV on all day won’t immediately break it, it will damage it over time.
Leaving your TV on continuously can hurt it by dimming the screen, weakening the speakers, and damaging the internal components.
Lets elaborate.
Dimmer Image
One of the biggest appeals of your new TV was its bright screen. However, you may start to notice your TV screen dimming if you always leave it on.
This is especially common for LED TVs, though it eventually happens for all screen types.
This can make the screen difficult to see, especially in broad daylight.
Though you can try to make the picture brighter in the settings, it will never be the same as it once was.
So, the best solution is to either pay for expensive repairs or purchase a new TV altogether.
Weaker Speakers
TV speakers weaken over time, and playing sound 24/7 will quicken this process, especially if the volume is set to “high.”
You may find you’re unable to hear what people on-screen are saying or that soundtracks sound distorted. This can be extremely distracting, and you may have to purchase an external sound system, which can be expensive.
Lagging
Your TV may begin to lag if it’s always left on.
This will make it more difficult to open and close apps on smart TVs, navigate the settings, and play fast-paced video games.
Lagging will quickly become noticeable and decrease your TV’s value since things like scrolling, streaming, and gaming will become difficult.
Overheating (For Smart TVs)
While regular TVs usually maintain the same internal temperature, smart TVs tend to overheat.
This is because, like your smartphone and computer, smart TVs also connect to the internet and can download and use apps. This uses a lot of energy, which can cause the TV to overheat.
So, constantly using your TV could cause it to frequently overheat, damaging it.
Increased Chance of Burn-In
You may think burn-in is a thing of the past, but you’d be wrong.
Burn-in refers to when a still image on-screen “burns into” the TV, remaining there even when you turn the TV off or play something else. It often happens when you pause a film for several hours at a time, especially if the static picture contains large, dark areas and brightly-colored spots.
New OLED TVs have shockingly high rates of burn-in, making it essential to ensure the picture is constantly moving. So, if you like falling asleep to Netflix, which will ultimately pause on the “Still Watching?” screen, be aware of burn-in and turn your TV off instead.
While the appearance of burn-in can be minimized, it’s best to avoid it altogether.
Decreased Lifespan
A TV’s lifespan measures how many hours you can use a TV before expecting to see obvious signs of degradation.
Every TV model will boast a specific lifespan, so check your user manual for more information.
You are slowly decreasing the TV’s lifespan by using your TV all the time.
For instance, if you only actually watch TV for four hours a day, but have the TV turned on all the time, then an additional 20 hours a day are eliminated from the lifespan. That’s a whopping 7,300 hours a year!
Additionally, your TV frequently overheating will also decrease its lifespan as it puts extra pressure on the unit’s internal hardware.
How Long Should I Use My TV in a Day?
You should use your TV for no more than two hours a day.
New studies suggest using your TV for no more than two hours a day.
Not only will this keep your TV in tip-top shape, but it will also decrease your risk of eye strain.
These same studies also show that less TV time increases your likelihood of dying from a heart-related illness since you’re more likely to be physically active.
If you’re a big TV watcher, watching only two hours of TV a day may seem like an impossible feat. So, start slow and cut down your TV time in half-hour increments. It just may save your life.
What Can I Do To Prevent My TV From Breaking Down?
You can do several things to prevent your TV from breaking down.
Your TV breaking down can be a nuisance, but it can be avoided.
Follow our tips below to keep your TV in good health and increase its lifespan.
Avoid Leaving it On All the Time
As discussed, leaving your TV on all the time will decrease its lifespan and increase its likelihood of breaking down and degrading.
Try to keep your TV time to a minimum and turn it off before going to bed or leaving the house.
If you like to fall asleep to the sound of your favorite TV show, see if your TV has a timer feature. This will automatically turn off your TV after a set amount of time, ensuring your TV won’t remain on the whole night.
Ensure it’s Properly Ventilated
Overheating is a common problem for smart TVs, resulting in a decreased lifespan and lagging.
To avoid this, ensure it’s properly ventilated by leaving several inches of free space between your TV and other furniture and using spacers.
You should also avoid placing your TV in an area that receives direct sunlight, as this could heat your TV even further.
Decrease the Brightness
Many TVs have brightness settings that allow you to adjust the screen’s luminance.
Decreasing the screen’s brightness will slow down the screen’s degradation, allowing you to enjoy a sufficiently bright screen for longer.
It will also decrease your likelihood of experiencing eye strain, which can cause headaches and blurry vision.
If available, you can also use your TV’s eco mode or energy saving mode, which decreases your TV’s electrical consumption (and therefore its likelihood of overheating) and screen brightness.
If you’re unsure how to activate your TV’s eco mode, consult your model’s user manual.
FAQs:
Is It OK To Leave a TV On All Night?
It’s not recommended to leave a TV on all night.
For starters, it will decrease your TV’s lifespan, resulting in a dim image and poor speaker quality.
If you have an OLED TV, you may wake up the next morning to discover the image on-screen has burned into the TV screen.
You may notice your TV is degrading at a faster rate than usual, costing you hundreds of dollars in repairs and replacements.
Not to mention that sleeping with a TV on is bad for your eyes and sleep pattern. So, if you must sleep with a TV on, set a sleep timer on your TV before getting some shut-eye.
Does Turning a TV on and off Damage It?
While it wasn’t recommended to turn old CRT TVs on and off, it’s completely safe to turn a modern TV on and off.
In fact, it’s better to turn the TV off when leaving your home or going to bed. Not only will you save electricity, but you’ll also help prevent your TV screen from dimming.
Wrapping Things Up
It may seem harmless to leave a TV on all the time, but it can damage your TV long-term.
All the things you love about your TV (e.g., its brightness, speakers, low lag time) will quickly vanish if you leave it on 24/7. It can also cause burn-in on OLED TVs, which can be difficult to fix.
Additionally, watching TV all the time is terrible for both eye and heart health, and it consumes a lot of electricity!
So, save the planet and preserve your health by turning your TV off when not in use!
If you need to play constant noise in your home, try playing the radio, a podcast, or music from your smartphone instead.
What’s your experience leaving a TV on all the time? Did you know you’re hurting your TV by always leaving it on?
Let us know in the comments below! (And go turn off your TV!)
Yesenia Achlim is a technical copywriter and editor with a focus on AV equipment. She aims to break down complicated topics and make technology accessible, no matter your technical expertise. When she’s not teaching you how to replace a projector lamp, you can find her reading and baking.