Nothing is quite as panic-inducing as a TV not turning on. You’ve pressed your Samsung TV’s power button and checked that the TV is plugged in about a million times, but the screen is still dark.
You don’t have the budget right now to purchase a replacement, so you’re really hoping this is only a small glitch that can be fixed at home for free.
What should you do if your Samsung TV can’t turn on?
Keep reading to find out!
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First Things To Try
Before you start troubleshooting your TV, it’s best to get an idea about what could be wrong with it by observing its red LED standby light, which is usually found by the Power button.
Usually, your TV’s red standby light should be illuminated whenever your TV is in standby mode and turned off when you turn your TV on.
See the scenarios below to troubleshoot what your TV’s problem may be based on its standby light status.
- Your TV’s standby light is on: If your TV remote’s Power button won’t turn the TV on but its control panel button will, then your remote is faulty. Follow the instructions outlined in Solution 1.
- Your TV’s standby light is flashing: Your TV’s power supply or cable may be faulty, or your TV may be damaged. Follow the instructions in Solutions 2 and 3.
- Your TV’s standby light is off: Double-check that your TV is securely plugged in. If it is, your TV may be internally damaged. Follow the steps in Solution 3.
3 In-depth Solutions
1. Remote Control Might Be Faulty
Change the Remote Batteries
Open your remote’s battery mount and remove the old batteries, discarding them following local guidelines. Then, put the new batteries in (do not reuse old batteries from other devices) and ensure they’re oriented correctly.
Clean the Inside of the Remote
Step 1: Remove your remote’s batteries and place them to the side.
Step 2: Slide a thin sturdy piece of plastic/metal (e.g. a guitar pick or flat-head screwdriver) along your remote’s seam. Apply pressure and slightly turn your tool to open your remote in half. Be gentle when doing this to avoid cracking your remote.
Step 3: Pull your remote’s silicon button layer away from the front facade.
Step 4: Remove your remote’s circuit board, which looks like a green piece of metal.
Step 5: Spray the circuit board with a dry contact cleaning spray like the WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner . These sprays clean electronics without leaving any harmful residue and moisture. Do not use any household cleaners on your remote’s internal components.
Step 6: Use cotton swabs to gently clean the circuit board’s surface.
Step 7: Repeat Steps 5 and 6 to your remote’s silicon button layer, and front and back pieces.
Step 8: Reassemble your remote by placing the circuit board in the back piece and pressing the silicon button strip back into the front piece. Then press the remote’s back and front pieces together. Re-insert the batteries and re-attach the battery mount cover.
Watch the video below demonstrating how to safely clean the inside of a remote.
Fix the Remote’s Faulty Buttons
Your remote’s Power button may be faulty, especially if your remote is several years old. Luckily, there’s an easy way to restore it using an unexpected tool: a graphite pencil.
Step 1: Remove your remote’s batteries and disassemble it by following Steps 2 to 4 in the above section.
Step 2: On your remote’s circuit board, you will see several indents corresponding to your remote’s buttons. Find the Power button’s contact point.
Step 3: Take a graphite pencil and gently color in the indents. Graphite acts as an electric conductor and should help restore the faulty button’s functionality.
Step 4: Reassemble your remote and replace the batteries.
Watch the video below demonstrating how to fix faulty remote buttons using a graphite pencil.
2. Power Supply/Cable Is Not Working Properly
Here are our top troubleshooting solutions to try if your TV’s power supply/cable is faulty.
- If you’re using a surge protector, ensure it’s working correctly since it may have stopped working after several years of wear and tear. You may want to plug another device into it to see if it works normally. If you find that your surge protector does not deliver any power, plug your TV directly into a wall outlet.
- Check if your home’s wall outlet is faulty by trying to power another device with it. If it is faulty, plug your TV into another outlet.
- If you bought your Samsung TV from another country with different power requirements, you may need to use a power adapter. To learn more about using Samsung TVs internationally, check out our article Can I Use My Samsung TV in Another Country?
- Look for any physical signs of damage on the power cable, like tears or teeth marks (if you have kids, pets, or rodents). Check the cable’s prongs for burn marks, which suggest electrical damage.
3. Your TV Might Be Internally Damaged
If you’ve checked the TV remote and power supply/cable but still cannot turn your TV on, its internal components may be damaged.
However, this solution is highly technical and may be dangerous if performed by an inexperienced individual. You must open your TV and take note of its internal components. TVs have several internal components that hold high amounts of electrical charge, which can instantly hurt anyone who touches them if they’re not properly drained.
So, if you have very little or no prior experience repairing TVs, we suggest leaving this task to the professionals.
To check your TV for internal damage, leave your TV unplugged for several minutes before placing it screen-side down on a flat surface. We suggest padding the table/floor with a towel or blanket to avoid scratching the screen and bezel.
Then, unscrew the back panel using a compatible screwdriver. Place the screws in a small dish so you don’t lose them.
Now, you should see your TV’s circuit boards. Follow the guidelines listed below to troubleshoot the problem:
- See if any of the components are burnt or damaged. Then, check if the capacitors are raised or puffy. Capacitors can fatally electrocute you if they’re charged, so if you’re not sure how to drain them, do NOT follow this solution. Replace the damaged components.
- Check the bottom of the power board for any damage. We suggest taking a picture of it to remember the cables’ placements before unplugging them. Detach the screws to remove the power board from your TV so you can carefully examine each side.
- Check the TV’s glass fuse for damage, as it may have blown, cutting off all electricity. If it is damaged, replace it accordingly.
This process can be quite involved. Luckily, the video tutorial below clearly outlines how to check your TV’s internal components for damage.
Still, if you have no technical experience, we urge you to take your TV to a repair shop to avoid any fatal accidents.
Good luck!
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.