You’ve been trying to watch the latest episode of Wednesday on your Samsung TV for what seems like hours. But, every time the episode is about to reach a climax, your TV randomly turns off.
Confused, you turn it back on only to have it restart a few short minutes later.
The TV hasn’t exhibited these problems before, so what’s happening?
There are a few reasons why your Samsung may be repeatedly turning off or restarting, all of which have relatively simple solutions.
So, what should you do if your Samsung TV keeps powering off or restarting?
Keep reading to find out!
Quick Navigation
1. Soft Reset
Soft resetting or cold booting your TV drains the TV’s excess electrical charge which may be causing it to randomly reboot.
Cold booting your TV also resets it, allowing the TV to recalibrate, especially after it’s been on for several hours. Since smart TVs have complex operating systems that tend to glitch, you may need to reboot the software if it’s beginning to malfunction.
You can soft reset your TV using its remote or with the plug.
Instructions
Follow the steps below to soft reset/cold boot your Samsung TV.
With the Remote
Step 1: Point your TV remote at your TV and press and hold the Power button.
Step 2: Wait for the TV to turn off and then on again.
Step 3: Release the Power button.
With the Plug
Step 1: Unplug your TV from its electrical outlet.
Step 2: Wait for at least 30 seconds for the TV’s residual power to drain before plugging it back into power.
Step 3: Turn the TV on.
2. Disable Eco Solution Feature
Samsung TVs have an Eco Solution feature that seeks to restrict the TV’s power consumption by automatically turning it off when there is no input after a set amount of time.
While eco-friendly, this feature can cause your TV to randomly turn off when you’re using it. So, to keep your TV on, it’s best to disable this feature or set a longer time.
This can be done in your Samsung smart TV settings.
Let’s learn how!
Instructions
Step 1: Navigate to your TV’s Settings.
Step 2: Head to General.
Step 3: Go to Eco Solution.
Step 4: Click on Auto Power Off.
Step 5: Select Off or set a longer time than the one that is currently selected.
Watch the video below to learn how to disable Eco Solution on a Samsung TV.
3. Disable the Sleep Timer Feature
Like your TV’s Eco Solution feature, its Sleep Timer function will also automatically turn off your TV. This nifty function sets a countdown timer that will trigger your TV to turn off after a set amount of time.
If you’re a person who loves to fall asleep to the sound of your TV every night, then this function will be extremely useful since you won’t wake up the next morning to find your TV still turned on.
However, it’s recommended to disable it if you’re not regularly using it as it will automatically turn off your TV.
Don’t worry. You can always re-enable it later.
Instructions
Step 1: Launch the Settings.
Step 2: Navigate to General.
Step 3: Head to the System Manager.
Step 4: Click on Time.
Step 5: Select Sleep Timer.
Step 6: Click on Off to disable it.
Watch the video below showing how to disable the Sleep Timer function.
4. Disable Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC)
HDMI-CEC allows HDMI devices to control each other, allowing you to control one connected HDMI device using another’s remote. For instance, you can turn off your TV with your streaming device’s remote using HDMI-CEC.
However, this function may cause your TV to randomly turn off if one of its connected HDMI-compatible devices misinterprets the command or if an incorrect setup is established.
The easiest way to avoid this problem is to disable HDMI-CEC. TV brands label their HDMI-CEC function differently, with Samsung calling it Anynet+.
Instructions
Step 1: Using your remote, head to Home.
Step 2: Go to the Settings.
Step 3: Open General.
Step 4: Head to External Device Manager.
Step 5: Click on Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) to disable it.
Note: These steps may vary slightly depending on which Samsung TV model you own.
If you’re a visual learner, watch the video below outlining how to disable Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) on a Samsung TV.
5. Update the TV Software
There may be an issue or bug in your TV’s current software causing it to repeatedly shut down or restart. If Samsung is aware of this problem, they may have released a new software version to fix it.
Please note that it’s best to regularly update your TV regardless of if it’s experiencing software issues. Software updates provide essential security patches, bug fixes, and the latest features so you can safely and efficiently use your TV.
Instructions
Step 1: Launch the Settings menu.
Step 2: Go to Support.
Step 3: Select Software Update.
Step 4: If possible, select Update Now or Auto Update to install the latest updates. If these options cannot be selected, then your TV is already using the latest version available.
However, if you select Auto Update, your TV will automatically install any future updates while in standby mode.
See the video below to learn how to update your Samsung TV’s software.
6. Your Wall Outlet Is Faulty/Improper
If your TV is in perfect condition, then its constant restarting may be due to a faulty outlet delivering an inconsistent or incorrect voltage.
This may be the case if you’re using a TV outside of the country it was designed to be used in.
For instance, TVs manufactured in the US and Canada require 110V of power. On the other hand, TVs designed in the UK or Australia need 220V of power – that’s twice the amount of power required by North American units!
To see how much power your TV needs according to where it was designed to be used, check out the List of Voltages and Frequencies (Hz) Around the World.
Not only will connecting your TV to an improperly charged outlet cause it to randomly shut off, but it could also cause overvoltage or undervoltage. If left unnoticed, this issue can cause your TV to overheat and/or permanently damage it.
Steps to Check a Wall Outlet’s Voltage
Since wall outlets supply high amounts of electricity, it’s best to ask an experienced electrician to check the outlet’s charge for you. Improper use of the necessary tool could shock you or cause a blackout.
Step 1: Set your multimeter or voltmeter to VAC mode.
Step 2: Notice the meter’s two probes. The red probe is positive while the black probe is negative. Please take care to only touch the probes’ insulated parts covered with plastic. Do not touch the probes’ exposed pins.
Step 3: Outlets have two vertical slots, one long and one short. Identify which is which before inserting the black probe into the longer slot. Then, insert the red probe into the outlet’s short slot.
Step 4: The multimeter will then begin to read and display the voltage. Depending on where you live, the reading should be:
- 110V to 120V for the US or Canada
- 220V to 230V for the UK or Australia
Step 5: Once the multimeter has calculated the reading, you will be able to tell if your TV’s issue is a result of its power or not.
- If the reading matches the TV input voltage, the outlet should be safe to use for your TV.
- If the reading doesn’t match the TV input voltage, you must use a transformer to match the voltages. Refer to the diagrams below to see which transformer you should use depending on the multimeter’s results.
Use a Transformer
Step 1: Purchase a step-up/down transformer, such as the ELC 1000W Step Up/Down Transformer .
Step 2: Plug the transformer into a wall outlet with its attached power cable.
Step 3: Plug your TV’s power cable into the transformer’s Output 220-240V or Output 110-120V port, depending on your TV’s wattage.
Step 4: On the back of the unit, press the button corresponding to the transformer’s output port you’ve plugged your TV into.
Step 5: Turn the transformer on by pressing the Power switch.
Step 6: Turn on your TV.
110V Outlet to 220V TV
220V Outlet to 110V 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.