10 Signs Your TV Is Dying

Your TV has been your faithful friend and the focal point of your living room for over a decade, but lately, it’s been acting a little differently. It’s no longer delivering that reliable and crisp picture at the same speed it used to all those years ago. 

Your TV may be reaching the end of its life.

Is your projector in need of repair or is it on its way out? 

What are the signs that your TV is dying? 

Keep reading to find out! 

1. It Turns off Randomly 

If you’re in the middle of watching your favorite series only for the TV screen to randomly turn off, it may be an indicator that your TV is dying. 

Before you panic, make sure that there’s no other cause for your TV screen suddenly going black. 

Check that your device’s sleep timer isn’t turned on or, if you’re using an HDMI cable, make sure your computer hasn’t shut off. 

Also, check that the power cables are correctly plugged in. If you’re using a power strip, make sure it’s not faulty by plugging the TV directly into a wall socket. 

Your TV randomly turning off once or twice could be because of a power outage, but if it happens frequently it may be time for it to be replaced. 

2. The Picture is Blurry

If your TV’s picture quality isn’t what it used to be, your TV may be knocking at death’s door. Notice if the picture is blurry, fuzzy, or faded. 

This often happens because the TV has been positioned in direct sunlight, or underneath a harsh lamp for a long period. This lighting can dim the picture, resulting in a low-resolution image. 

This could also be a result of the backlight failing, making it difficult for the TV to properly illuminate the screen. 

However, your TV’s blurry screen could be because of a poor internet or satellite connection delivering a fuzzy image. Before ordering a new TV, make sure your Wi-Fi signal is secure and that your satellite dish is correctly positioned. 

Also, try restarting your TV to see if the problem is resolved. 

If the problems still persist, it’s a sign your TV is beginning to expire. 

3. Your TV is Emitting a Crackling Sound

Your TV emitting a constant crackling or buzzing sound when it’s turned on could be an indicator that its internal hardware isn’t working properly. 

Although it’s normal for a TV to make these noises when it’s turned on or off because of temperature changes, your TV crackling when it’s on and warmed up is not a good sign. 

Before you begin making the funeral arrangements, make sure this sound isn’t a result of something else. 

Ensure the TV is not placed right beneath or next to a heater or air conditioning unit and that all of its vents are clear of dust. Do not drape anything soft over your TV to avoid it overheating. 

Check that the TV is straight and level. If you’ve just installed a wall or ceiling mount, the crackling noise could indicate that the TV is askew. 

4. There are Flashing Spots

Concentrated flashing spots on your TV are not only distracting but also a hint that your TV has one foot (or power cable!) in the grave. 

These spots may appear frequently in the same part of the screen or randomly around the screen and is a result of your projector’s bulbs fading. 

It’s a good idea to check that your TV’s cables and input source are stable since loose cables can cause the screen to flash. If you’re using an HDMI cable to connect to an input source, make sure they’re both in good condition and securely attached. 

Try resetting the TV by leaving it unplugged for 15 minutes, then plugging it back in and restarting it. 

If you have a smart TV that connects to Wi-Fi, make sure your internet connection is stable. 

Once you’ve followed the above suggestions and confirmed your TV is still flickering, it’s time to pull out your wallet or consult the warranty policy for a replacement. 

5. The Sound has become Fuzzy (or Stopped Completely)

Speakers’ sound quality tends to decrease over time, especially if you have a habit of playing music or films loudly for hours on end. 

A dying TV’s speakers may sound fuzzy, and it could be difficult to understand what people onscreen are saying. Their sound level could have also decreased, forcing you to amp up the volume to the max to hear what the characters are saying. 

Alternatively, you could find that the speakers have stopped working entirely. 

Although you can connect an external speaker to your unit via an aux cord or Bluetooth, your TV’s condition will only continue to deteriorate. 

6. There are Color Blocks on the Screen 

Are there big blocks of black, blue, pink, and yellow across your screen? Do they shift but never quite disappear? 

Try checking all the cables, including the satellite cable, and adjusting them if needed. Consider leaving your TV unplugged for 15 minutes before turning it on again.  

If restarting your TV and securing the cables doesn’t fix the problem, your TV may be dying. 

It is possible to fix this issue, but depending on your TV technician it could cost the same as buying a new unit altogether. There’s also no guarantee that the blocks won’t return and there are most likely additional issues with the internal hardware. 

7. It’s Taking Longer for the Screen to Turn On

TV screens should usually turn on relatively quickly, so your screen taking a long time to light up isn’t a good sign. 

You may also find that although the LED power light indicator turns on, your screen remains dark. 

One reason for this could be a failed capacitor. Although it is possible to fix your TV’s capacitor at home, it’s a job best left to professionals. If touched, an electric device’s capacitor can be deadly as it carries vast amounts of electricity. 

Your life is not worth sacrificing to save your TVs.  So, either call an experienced technician or purchase a new television.

8. The Ports are Malfunctioning

You’ve repositioned the HDMI cable into its respective port a thousand times, but the TV won’t register the input. As each port stops working, you must come to terms that you’re fighting a losing battle. 

Check that your TV is set to the correct input source and test all of the available ports to confirm if they’re working. Try using a different cable and see the results. 

One port not working isn’t the end of the world, but several ports malfunctioning can make using your TV very challenging. 

You have the option of connecting your cables via adapters, but there are two reasons why this isn’t a long-term solution. For one, adapters tend to slow the signal between your input source and television, this can cause your screen to glitch, suddenly disconnect, and go dark. 

Secondly, if one port has died, there’s a good chance that the working ports will follow. Although adapters are a great quick-fix, it’s time to face the music. Your TV is quickly fading.

9. The Screen has Dark Spots

Dark spots on your screen that don’t illuminate when your TV turns on indicate that the pixels are dying. If pixels are black, there’s little hope of lighting them up again. Additionally, the methods used to fix dead pixels aren’t foolproof, and could even break your screen beyond repair.

Luckily, stuck pixels are a different story. These pixels are lit up in one color that doesn’t change with the rest of the screen. Although it’s not a good sign if your TV screen is scattered with these, it is fixable. 

Before consulting a technician try leaving your TV turned off for at least 24 hours to see if the pixels are a result of overheating. Also, consult your warranty or contact the manufacturer’s customer service to see if you’re eligible for a free repair or replacement. 

10. You Can See the Pixels 

Check if your TV has become grainy or if you can see the lines that make up the image. This can be caused by the pixels becoming stuck or dying, but it could also be a consequence of a weak signal from loose cables. 

Note that cables, like TVs, tend to wear down over time. Replacing your cables is a good and inexpensive way to try to revive your television. 

Check the strength of your cable box, and make any needed adjustments. Remember to always exercise caution whenever handling electrical wires. 

Note that you can be electrocuted by a freshly unplugged power cable. Turn off and unplug your TV and allow it to rest for several minutes before examining the cable box. 

Once you’ve confirmed that the cables are all in good condition, it’s time to get shopping for a new TV.