If your LG TV won’t turn on, but the red light is on, the most likely reason is a faulty main board of the TV.
Now here are two possibilities:
Either the power supply on the main board is not providing the necessary voltage to activate the TV’s components, or there might be a malfunction within the main board itself that is preventing the TV from fully powering up.
Jasmine wrote Homespoiler:
“This is the first time I contacting you. Today at morning while turning on my LG TV, I encountered a starnge issue. TV’s red light is on, but it won’t actually turn on. I’ve checked the power source and made sure all connections are secure, but no luck. Not sure how to deal with this. Any advice? Thank you! .“ – Jasmine, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Well, in this article, I will break down everything why your LG TV won’t turn on but the red light is on and what you have to do to troubleshoot the issue.
Let’s dive in…
Why LG TV Won’t Turn On But Red Light Is On
When an LG TV fails to power on, as Jasmine pointed out, you will likely observe certain indicators.
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.
Let’s talk about these signs:
- Blinking standby light: If the small red light is on and blinking, it indicates an issue with your TV’s power supply or the main board.
- Sound but black screen: If you can hear the sound from your TV but the screen stays black, it could be because something like the T-con board, display panel, or backlight is damaged. These are like important parts inside the TV that help make the picture.
- No sound, no standby light, and black screen: If there’s no light at all, it means your TV isn’t getting any power. In other words, it’s not plugged in properly or there might be some issue with the power supply.
How to Fix LG TV Won’t Turn On But Red Light Is On
- Perform an HDMI reset.
- Replace and securely connect the power cord.
- Test the LED backlight.
- Consider replacing the main board.
Here are the detailed guidelines:
Scenario 1: LG TV screen is black but can hear sound
If you can hear sound from your TV but the screen is black, issue is likely with the TV’s system or with the backlight.
Do the following two things.
♦ Power Cycle the TV
System glitches, widely known as ‘temporary software issues’, very common in a TV.
Developers are aware of this, which is why they have included an option called “power reset.”
Just to clarify, I’m not talking about restarting, it’s more like turning off and then on again.
Jenuas claimed power cycling as a reviver. He said:
“Power resetting rocked it. I was about to give up and was ready to call a repairman to fix this f**king issue! But this simple pesky solution revived my TV.”
Anyway, here’s how:
- Turn off the TV and disconnect it from the power outlet completely.
- Wait for 50 seconds.
- During this time, press and hold the TV’s power button for about 20 seconds.
- Once done, power the TV back on.
Now check whether you can see the picture on the TV now!
♦ Test the backlight
Backlight is the main component that displays visuals on the screen. If it gets damaged, you know what will happen—the screen will remain black even though the TV works properly.
However, there’s an easy way to check this.
Here’s how:
- Power on the TV and set it to a dark room with no lights on.
- Take a flashlight and shine it at the TV screen at an angle.
- Look for a faint image on the screen.
If you can see an image, but it’s too dim, your TV’s backlight may be damaged. If this is the case, visit your nearest TV repair shop.
Scenario 2: LG TV won’t turn on but the Red light is blinking
I mentioned this before, but let me explain again.
If you see the standby light on your TV blinking in red or blue, and the TV doesn’t turn on, there could be an issue with a few different parts.
It might be the main board, the power supply, the remote control, or even the TV’s IR receiver.
Here’s what to do:
♦ Malfunctioning remote
Even though you think your TV’s remote is brand new, but actually it could stop working at any time without any reasons.
When a TV’s remote stops working, dead batteries, incorrect pairing, or signal interference are typically the main culprits.
So, make sure the remote you are using to turn on your TV is working properly.
If you think it isn’t working, check out my previous guide on what to do when an LG TV remote stops working from this link.
♦ Dust in IR receiver
TV has a special part inside it called IR sensor that receives the signals from the remote control.
But, sometimes this sensor gets covered with dirt or dust, which makes it hard for the TV to understand the signals from the remote control.
Simply check the TV’s IR receiver and wipe it with a soft cloth. If the sensor appears to be broken, replace it with a new one.
♦ Replace the main board or the power board
If the remote control and IR receiver appear to be functioning correctly, and you’re still facing the issue of your LG TV not turning on with a blinking standby light, it might be necessary to consider more advanced troubleshooting steps.
In many cases, problem could be related to the main board or the power board of the TV.
The main board is a crucial component that controls various functions of the TV, including processing signals, managing inputs, and controlling the display.
If the main board is malfunctioning, it can lead to issues like the TV not turning on.
Similarly, the power board, also known as the power supply unit, is responsible for providing the necessary electrical power to all the components of the TV.
If there’s a problem with the power board, it can prevent the TV from receiving the power it needs to turn on.
Simply contact LG customer care and submit a warranty claim. Of course, your TV must have a valid warranty.
But, if you don’t want to invest any single buck, buy a new one!
Warning: Please be aware that these components play a crucial role in the TV’s operation, and any replacement should be approached with extreme care.
Scenario 3: LG TV Not Turning On/No Standby Light/No Sound
In this case, the problem is clear—TV doesn’t getting any power.
It could be due to a faulty power outlet, a loose cable connection, or damage to the internal power board.
♦ Power outlet & Cable connection
Make sure that the TV is firmly plugged into a working power outlet.
However, You can check this by plugging in another device like a lamp or phone charger to see if it works.
Also check the power cord that connects your TV to the outlet and make sure it is not damaged. If you notice any damage, such as frayed wires or exposed insulation, the solution is simple—buy a new one and replace it.
F.A.Q.s
Q: My LG TV isn’t Turning On, Just Clicking.
This indicates a power supply problem. If the manufacturer’s warranty covers your TV, get it serviced or replaced.
The vibration could also be caused by the internal cabinet expanding and contracting in response to changing temperatures. The system is most likely malfunctioning if the sound is clicking.
Q: Why is my LG TV screen black?
Several reasons exist why your LG TV screen might be black. This includes a defective backlight, a faulty HDMI cable, issues with the input source, or problems with the TV’s firmware.
Q: How can I tell if it’s time to replace my LG TV instead of repairing it?
If the cost of repairing your LG TV is higher than the cost of buying a new one, or if the TV is several years old and has other signs of wear and tear, it may be time to consider replacing it instead of repairing it.
Or, if you’re looking to upgrade to a newer model with better features or picture quality, it may make more sense to replace the TV.
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.