LG TV Half Screen Dark? Don’t Panic – Here’s How to Fix It

No matter how carefully you use your TV, one day you might notice your LG TV’s half screen is dark!

No, I’m not joking; it happens most of the time.

If the half screen of your LG TV is black, the most likely reason is a damaged T-con board, a faulty ribbon cable, or a burnt-out LED backlight on that specific side.

Before you hand it over to a repairer or contact LG customer care for a replacement, here are some top-notch tactics I use to fix these problems.

Let’s dive in…

Step 1) The Power Cycle Trick

You have to do this using a traditional (yet still effective and very popular) method: Power Cycling.

This is something that no one even wants to hear, including me!

But it really works!

The reason why power cycling works is that when you turn off your TV by pressing the power button, it goes into standby mode. This means many components and circuits are still active.

So, when you do this by disconnecting the cable, it will drain the power from all the internal capacitors and transistors!

Anyway, here’s how:

• Disconnect the TV from the outlet completely.
• Similarly, Disconnect every HDMI cable connected to the TV.
• Now wait for a minimum of 10 minutes. (Don’t compromise here)
• During this time, press and hold the TV’s power button for about 30 seconds.
• Once done, plug all the cables back in and power the TV on.

Now check whether the problem has been fixed! If yes, CONGRATULATION.

But if the TV’s half screen is still dark, proceed to the next step.

Note: Many online guides will suggest you adjust various settings or perform a factory reset on the TV. However, these steps are unnecessary as this issue is related to hardware faults.

Step 2: Is There a Boundary? (Diagnosing the Problem)

This means checking the physical components of your TV that might be faulty or damaged, such as the backlight, the T-Con board, or the display panel.

For this, you will need to open up the TV and inspect the parts carefully.

You might also need some tools and replacement parts, depending on what you find.

Here are some tips on how to do this:

Warning: If you lack the necessary skills for a DIY project or have a limited understanding of electronics, don’t attempt to disassemble and repair the TV on your own.

⊕ Clear Boundary Line (T-Con or Panel)

If there is a clear boundary line between the left and right sides of your screen (like the above picture), or if one side is completely blank, then the problem is likely with the T-Con board or the display panel.

T-Con board is responsible for processing the images and sending them to the panel and the display panel is where the images are shown on the screen.

To fix this, you can try adding some strips of tape to the ribbon cable that connects the T-Con board to the panel. T

his will block any faulty clock signals that might be interfering with the image transmission.

Here’s a video guide describing this process in detail. 

⊕ Gradual Darkening (Backlight or LEDs)

If there is no clear boundary line between the left and right sides of the TV screen, but rather a gradual darkening or dimming of one side, then the problem is likely with the backlight or the LED strips.

Backlight is what provides light for the display panel to show the images and the LED strips are what make up the backlight.

Try shining a flashlight on the screen and see if you can see a faint shadow of the image on the dark side.

If you can, then it means your backlight is defective but your panel is okay.

You can try replacing the backlight or the LED strips with new ones if you can find compatible models. Alternatively, you can try re-soldering any loose or faulty connections between the LED strips, if you have some soldering skills and equipment.

Here’s a video guide on how you can check and replace the LED Strip.

When to Call a Pro (and When to DIY)

Alright, so you’ve done the power cycle, you’ve checked for those boundaries, and you’re still staring at a half-lit LG TV.

Now comes the big decision: DIY or call in the cavalry (aka, a professional technician)?

Well, here is when to Grab Your Screwdriver (DIY):

• You’re a tech-savvy DIYer: If you’re comfortable with electronics, you have the right tools, and you’ve watched a few YouTube videos on the repair, then you might be able to tackle this yourself.
• The damage is obvious: If you open up the back of your TV and see a clearly damaged component (like a burnt-out LED strip), then replacing it might be within your skillset.

Now, let’s be honest, messing around inside a TV isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

So, If you’re not confident, it’s best to leave it to the experts.

Remember: Even if you’re feeling adventurous, always put safety first. Unplug your TV before you start tinkering, and be careful not to touch any components with your bare hands.

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F.A.Q.s

Q: Is a darkened half-screen on an LG TV fixable?

In many cases, a darkened half-screen on an LG TV is fixable.

The exact solution depends on the underlying cause. If it’s a hardware issue like a faulty backlight or LCD panel, it may require professional repair or replacement.

However, if it’s a software issue or a loose connection, it might be possible to resolve it through the troubleshooting steps I discussed in step number one.

Q: How much does it cost to fix the half-screen dark issue?

The cost of fixing the half-screen dark issue on an LG TV can vary depending on several factors.

The exact cost will depend on the nature of the problem, the specific model of the TV, the availability and cost of replacement backlight parts (if needed), and the labor charges of the repair service.

In some cases, if the TV is still under warranty, the repair cost may be covered.

However, if the warranty has expired or the issue is not covered, you may need to bear the full cost of repair.