Question:
“Yesterday, I came home and my wife, Jessica, told me that our Hisense TV is acting up. She said it’s not turning on at all. I rushed to check it out myself, and sure enough, it’s completely dead.
But before this, I went through some basic troubleshooting steps. I checked the power outlet and the cord, and everything seems to be in order. I even gave the TV a few restarts, but no luck!
What could be the issue? Is there anything else I can do before taking it to a repairer?”
—Melbon Dykstra, Texas
Melbon, you did an excellent job checking the power outlet, power cord, and restarting the TV.
But there is a small catch!
Although a simple power reboot resolves 80% of issues, often it can’t solve internal transistor errors. And this is where you need to perform some robust troubleshooting.
Well, in this article, I will break down why your Hisense TV won’t turn on and what to do to get the TV working again.
Let’s dive into it…
Understanding when and why a Hisense TV may stop powering on
Typically, When a Hisense TV won’t turn on, loose or damaged power cable, malfunctioning remote control, or corrupted firmware files are to be blamed. Aside from these, Physical damage to the TV, such as damaged internal components, may also be responsible.
Melbon, as you said you rebooted multiple times and even checked the power outlet and cord, issue is with either the TV’s power board or with the internal power supply.
However, let’s break it down…
Whenever a Hisense TV stops working (won’t turn on), there might be some indication!
Either the standby light might blink or you might hear a beep sound or the entire screen might stay black while you might still hear sound.
- Standby light is blinking: If the indicator light is blinking red, TV is in standby mode. In this case, issue is with either the remote control or the TV’s IR receiver.
- TV has sound but screen is black: Chances that the T-con board, display panel, or backlight has been damaged.
- TV has no sound/no standby light and the screen is black: If you don’t see a light at all, then that means your TV isn’t receiving power for some reason.
How to fix when Hisense TV won’t turn on?
- Disconnect the TV from the power source completely.
- Wait for 60 seconds
- During this time, press and hold the TV’s power button for bout 20 seconds.
- Once done, power the TV back on.
Step 1: Do the basic checks
Let’s start with checking the basics first. In 80% of cases, this is enough to address the issue. I know, many of these you already did.
But, there may be some other steps you haven’t taken or don’t know about. Here’s what you have to check:
- Check the connection: Not just the power cable, but also the HDMI cable. Make sure that the surge protector or power strip you are using is functioning correctly, and ensure that the HDMI cable is still in good condition.
- Check the remote control: Make sure the batteries in the remote are not dead, and the remote is functioning.
- Power reset the TV: Unplug it from the power source, and wait for a few minutes. During this time, press the power button for about 30 seconds and then plug it back in.
- Check the power button: Make sure the power button on the TV is not stuck or damaged. Press it firmly and make sure it is working correctly.
- Check the TV’s standby light: If the standby light is not on or blinking, check all the wiring in your home, especially the power outlet where the TV is plugged in. Make sure it provides enough power to turn on the TV properly.
Step 2: Going deeper
Power resetting works almost in 57% of cases but if you have tried it and had no luck, TV is experiencing either software or hardware-related issues.
In this case, first factory reset the TV and then check the backlight if it’s faulty.
♦ Resetting the TV to Factory settings
A factory reset will restore and rewrite the TV’s corrupted firmware files.
As I mentioned earlier, if the system file of the TV is somehow damaged or infected with a virus, your Hisense TV will not turn on no matter what you do.
That’s the logic, of why you have to reset the TV. Hopefully, a factory reset may help you.
Remember, resetting the TV will remove all the data including the installed apps and your customizations.
Here’s how:
- First, locate the reset button at the back/bottom of your TV. (It is a small hole labeled “RESET”)
- After then, take a paper clip and insert it into the hole.
- Press and hold the button for about 15 seconds.
- Hold it down until your TV restarts.
Resetting may take up to 10 minutes to complete. During this time, don’t unplug it from the power outlet.
♦ Backlight checking
Unfortunately, if none of the above steps work, check the backlight.
Because the backlight can be burnt out due to a sudden power surge or unusual electricity flow.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to open the TV or display panel to check this. There is an easy way.
- Turn on the TV.
- Bring a flashlight very close to the screen.
- Now, look closely at the TV’s screen if there is any image on it.
If you see a picture, but it’s very dim, it’s probably because your TV’s backlight has been damaged. If this is the case, contact Hisense customers care.
Step 3: Out-of-the-box thinking
In some cases, the usual solutions won’t do the trick.
If that happens, trying some unconventional tactics may work.
Here’s what I meant:
- Place the TV upside down: This might seem strange, but sometimes placing the TV upside down can dislodge the internal components that may be preventing it from turning on.
- Blow dry the TV: Take a hair dryer and blow dry the TV for a few minutes. This will help to evaporate the moisture that may be preventing the TV from turning on.
WARNING: These solutions are not guaranteed to work and could potentially damage your TV further. It’s always best to consult a professional or contact the manufacturer’s customer support before trying any unusual solutions.
F.A.Q.s
Q: Why won’t my Hisense TV turn on but the red light is blinking?
If your Hisense TV is blinking red 2 or 3 times, it means that there is an issue with the television’s power supply or with the LED backlight.
The solution is simple! Just unplug the TV from the wall outlet, wait 60 seconds, and then plug it back in. If that doesn’t fix the problem, factory reset the TV.
Q: My Hisense TV’s power light is on but no picture!
Most probably it’s due to the faulty backlight. Aside from this, if the t-Con board is defective or there is an issue with the internal capacitor, the TV screen will remain black and the power light will be on.
Q: I’ve noticed that my Hisense TV sometimes takes multiple attempts to turn on. What should I do?
If your Hisense TV requires multiple attempts to power on, there may be an issue with the internal circuitry or the power supply.
Try disconnecting the TV from the power source, waiting for a few minutes, and then plugging it back in. If the problem persists, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance to diagnose and resolve the underlying cause.

Abdul Kader, a handy guy and experienced founder of a TV repair shop in Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is mainly an expert in understanding and repairing different types of issues with Smart TVs and providing helpful insights on how to keep them in good working order. Read his Full Story.