Yesterday night, I was excited to watch my all-time favorite show—Money Heist.
I powered on my TCL TV and was waiting to power it on, but even after two minutes, its screen remained black.
At first, I thought “TV might be not getting power; either the power cord has been damaged or the outlet burnet out“
Then I noticed that the standby light was on. You know, what the flashing standby light means! Right?
So, I performed some basic troubleshooting like unplugging and replugging the TV, but nothing worked.
However, being a TV technician, I always keep some basic DIY tools like screwdrivers, multimeters, and hot glue in my house.
I decided to test some components whether my backlight was faulty or not.
Testing the Backlight
To begin with, I wanted to determine the cause of the issue.
I had a hunch that it might be related to the backlight.
So, grabbed a flashlight and brought it close to the TV screen, shining the light directly onto the surface. Then looked closely and noticed that a faint image was visible, but it was extremely dim and hard to see.
This led me to conclude that my TV’s LED backlight had been damaged, possibly due to a sudden surge of electricity.
I continued to shine the flashlight on different areas of the screen and noticed that the image became clearer to the center of the screen.
This indicated that, the backlight was damaged.
However, if you can also see a faint image on your TV’s screen after following the above procedure, it’s likely that your TV’s backlight inverter is faulty.
What causes the TV’s backlight to be damaged?
Several reasons exist why your TCL TV’s backlight can be damaged.
These include:
- Electrical issues: If there is an issue with the electrical supply to the TV, such as a power surge or voltage fluctuation, it can damage the backlight.
- Physical damage: If the TV is subjected to physical abuse, such as being dropped or hit, it can damage the backlight.
- Age: As the TV ages, the LED backlight may wear out and become damaged.
- Overheating: If the TV is in a poorly ventilated area or is subjected to high temperatures, it can also damage the backlight.
TCL TV Backlight Replacement Guide
You will need a screwdriver, replacement LED flexible strips, wires, and a soldering iron.
Remember, You are going to disassemble your TV. It may lead to serious damage if you make any mistake.
Here’s how:
- First, unscrew all the screws from the back of the TV, and then open the back panel.
- Turn the TV around and remove the frontal housing and the LED panel.
- Now take out the bezel that holds the backlight diffuser.
- Check all the LEDs and identify the faulty ones.
- After identifying the bad LED remove it from the LED strip and replace it with a new one.
That’s it…
But if you are a novice in the DIY field and don’t have enough courage to disassemble and then reassemble the TV, Hand it over to an experienced TV repairer!
Because if you try to do it yourself, you will end up damaging the entire LCD panel.
Before replacing the faulty LED, make sure that the replacement LED has the same values as the faulty one. If the replacement LED has different values, it may not function properly or fail after a certain time.
Here’s a good video tutorial from YouTube that might help you to better understand this process.
Alternative Solutions for TCL TV Backlight Issues
While a faulty backlight is a common culprit for a dark or dim TCL TV screen, it’s not the only possibility.
Before diving into a backlight replacement, it’s worth exploring a few other potential solutions:
1) Checking the Power Supply Board
The power supply board delivers the necessary voltage to various components of the TV, including the backlight.
If the power supply board is malfunctioning, it can result in insufficient power to the backlight, causing it to not work properly.
Visually inspect the power supply board for any signs of damage, such as burnt components or bulging capacitors. If you’re comfortable with electronics, you can use a multimeter to test the output voltages of the power supply board.
2) Replacing the Backlight Inverter (if applicable):
In some TCL TV models, the backlight is powered by an inverter board.
This board converts the low voltage from the power supply into a higher voltage required for the backlight to function. If the inverter board fails, the backlight won’t receive the necessary power.
Replacing the inverter board might be a simpler and more affordable solution than replacing the entire backlight.
Remember, troubleshooting TV electronics can be complex and potentially dangerous if not done correctly. If you’re unsure about any of these steps, it’s always best to consult a qualified TV technician for assistance.
F.A.Q.s
Q: How do I know if my TCL TV backlight is not working?
The most obvious sign that your TCL TV backlight is not working is a dark or dim picture on the screen, even when the TV is turned on.
You may also notice that the screen is flickering, or that the picture is distorted or discolored.
Q: Is a faulty backlight the only reason for a blank screen on my TCL TV?
No, there are other potential causes of a blank screen.
It could be a problem with the mainboard, the power supply, or even the display panel itself. Troubleshooting would help narrow down the issue.
Q: How much does it cost to repair a TCL TV backlight?
The cost of repairing a TCL TV backlight will depend on the extent of the damage and the specific components that need to be replaced.
It’s difficult to give an accurate estimate without knowing the specifics of the situation, so it’s best to visit your nearest TV repair shop for a proper quote.
In some cases, the cost of repairing a backlight may be around $60-$110, but this can vary widely depending on the issue.
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.