A projector is a big purchase, especially when you pick a high-end Sony model.
Once you buy one of these, you don’t expect to be back in the market for a replacement after a few short months. Or years.
If you’re like most people, you hope it’ll be the last projector you buy in a long time.
But that can only happen if you handle the unit with care at all times. And it starts with basics like:
- Learning how to turn on the projector properly
- Learning how the standby mode works in Sony and when to use it
- And learning how to turn off a Sony projector the proper way
Quick Navigation
How To Turn On/Off Sony Projectors Properly?
You can turn on/off your Sony projector using the remote control. Or you can use the control buttons on the side panel of the projector. Both control systems work the same.
Nonetheless, the remote is the go-to control mechanism for most people because it allows you to operate the unit from a distance.
If the remote stops working, the side panel control buttons become a lifesaver.
How To Turn On The Projector
You first need to connect the projector to power. Your Sony projector comes with an AC power cord.
- Connect the power cord to the projector, then plug it into a wall outlet.
- Press ON/STANDBY (power button) on your remote or the projector’s control panel. On Sony projectors, this button has the I / ⏻ power symbol.
As soon as you press the power button, the lens protector will open, and a green indicator light will begin to flash.
After a couple of seconds, the flashing will cease. The green indicator will then light up in a steady, continuous manner.
The projector is now ready to use.
How To Turn Off The Projector
There are three ways to turn off Sony projectors.
The first method we discuss below applies to all Sony projectors. And it works by switching off the projector directly.
However, the last two methods apply to different models.
Check your user manual to know which process between Method 2 and 3 applies to your projector.
If you don’t have access to the user manual, you can check the user guidelines for your model on the Sony website.
Method 1:
Press and hold the ON button until the projector switches off.
It only takes a couple of seconds.
Method 2:
This method applies to some Sony projector models.
- Press I / ⏻. A message asking POWER OFF? will pop up on the projection screen.
- Press I / ⏻ again to confirm and then wait.
The indicator will flash in green as the projector begins the shut-down process. When the shutdown is complete, the indicator light will turn red.
- You can now unplug the power cord.
Method 3:
This method also applies to select Sony projector models. Among these are VPL-EW255/295 and VPL-EX235 /EX255/EX295.
Press the ON/STANDBY button.
On the screen, you’ll see the message “Projector will shut down soon. Press I / ⏻ to restart.”
Since the intention is to power off the device, you don’t need to press any other button.
The projector will begin to cool down in preparation for shut-down. Then it will switch off, and the indicator will turn red.
If you press I / ⏻ again, the shutdown cycle will abort, and the projector will remain on until you turn it off again.
Standby Mode
In standby mode, the projector is plugged into a power outlet but turned off.
Standby mode allows the unit to stay in a ready-to-use state. So when you turn it on, it powers up immediately.
Putting your projector in standby mode instead of powering it off can protect the unit against constant power surges that could cause solder bump fatigue.
Solder fatigue occurs when there are fluctuating stresses on the electronic chip. These stresses degrade the plating and solder components, shortening the projector lifespan.
If you plan to use the unit several times a day, put it in standby mode between sessions instead of turning it off.
How Do I Put My Projector In Standby Mode?
The process of activating standby mode is similar for most projectors. Sometimes, though, there are exceptions.
Let’s explore the different ways you can put your projector in standby mode:
- If using a model like the LSPX-P1 Sony Portable Ultra Throw Projector , tap the POWER ON button lightly.
The indicator light will remain white when the unit enters standby mode.
If you press and hold the power button, the device will switch off, and the power indicator will also turn off. So you’ll have turned off the device instead of putting it in standby mode.
But for most projectors, entering standby mode is pretty straightforward:
- Press and hold the ON/STANDBY button.
Wait until the indicator light turns red. That shows the projector has entered standby mode.
Do not unplug it from power.
- Alternatively, go to the settings under Setup > Standby Mode > On.
For Sony projectors: Choose between Standard and Low. In Standard mode, power consumption is normal, while in Low mode, the unit consumes minimal power.
Depending on your projector model, you may have more standby options, including:
- Switch to standby due to inactivity
Under this option, the standby mode kicks in when a given amount of time lapses without any activity. Most of the time, the time allowance is 10-20 minutes.
- Switch to standby at a specified time
You can set the projector to enter standby mode at a specific time.
When you select this option, you’ll see the option (on the screen) to input a time frame.
Go ahead and input your preferred time. The device will save it and from then, it will automatically activate standby mode at the specified time.
- Switch to standby when smartphone moves out of projector range
This function only applies when you’ve paired the projector with a smartphone.
So when the unit cannot detect the smartphone because of distance, it goes into standby mode.
- The projector will also enter standby mode when you activate Power Saving Mode > Standby.
How it works:
If the projector does not detect an input signal in 10 minutes, it will turn off the power and go into standby mode.
Note that some functions, like network, are not available in standby mode. You can only use these when the device comes out of standby mode.
How Do I Get my Projector Out Of Standby Mode?
To exit standby mode:
- Press and hold the ON/STANDBY button.
Wait until the indicator flashes and the device turns on. Then release the button.
- For the LSPX-P1 we mentioned above, tap the power button lightly to wake up the device.
- If power saving mode is on, go to Settings > Power Saving > Off.
Turning the power-saving function off ensures that the device doesn’t go into standby mode due to inactivity.
- If you’ve paired the projector with your phone, move the phone within projector range.
The unit will then detect the phone, exit standby mode, and resume projecting the image.
You may need to enable this function before activating standby mode for this option to work. To do so, go to:
Settings > Startup/Standby Settings > Auto On/Standby > On when smartphone detected.
If you’ve enabled standby mode and then take the phone away for five or more minutes, this function may not work.
In this case, you have to turn the projector on by pressing the power button.
Conclusion
With a bit of care, your projector can outlive its warranty period by years.
But that means you must be conscious of how you handle the projector whenever you use it.
Some easy steps you can take to preserve, and sometimes extend, your projector’s lifespan are:
- Turning it on/off the right way
- Using the standby mode
- Entering and exiting standby mode the right way
We hope this article has been an eye-opener for you and you now know the importance of correctly turning on and off your Sony projector.
Vance is a dad, former software engineer, and tech lover. Knowing how a computer works becomes handy when he builds Pointer Clicker. His quest is to make tech more accessible for non-techie users. When not working with his team, you can find him caring for his son and gaming.