TCL TV is great, but it experiences a lot of issues in its lifespan. Among them, the black screen issue is pretty common.
In some cases, this happens due to the TV’s temporary system glitches, but in most cases, it is caused by hardware-related damage.
In this guide, I will break down the TCL TV’s black screen issue, whether it’s caused by glitches or any other hardware issue, and what you have to do in these situations to get your TV back to its normal state.
Here we go! Let’s dive into it…
Understanding the Black Screen issue on a TCL TV
Whenever a TCL Roku TV displays a black screen, there might be some indication!
It could be the standby light is on, or it could have sound but not display any picture, or the picture might be very dark or dim.
Inspect the TV and check if the:
- The TV’s standby light is on: If the indicator light is red, the TV is in standby mode. In this case, the issue could be with the remote control or the TV’s IR receiver.
- The TV has sound but no picture: Possible that the T-con board, display panel, or backlight has been damaged.
- The TV has no sound/no standby light: If you don’t see a light at all, then that means your TV isn’t receiving power for some reason.
How to Troubleshoot TCL Roku TV Black Screen Issue?
In short: If the standby light on your TV is on, try turning it on by pressing the physical power button on the TV. But if there’s no sound or standby light, check the power outlet and cable.
Method 1: Troubleshooting a TCL TV that has sound but the screen is black
When a TCL Roku TV has sound but the screen is black, it typically means there is an issue with either the TV’s software or hardware.
♦ Resolving software issue
Software issues/temporary system glitches are common in TVs, but thankfully, the manufacturer has made it easy to solve them with a simple power reset.
Before writing this guide, I looked at several YouTube videos and their comment sections related to this issue. But a comment by Jenuas caught my eye.
He said,
“Power resetting rocked it! I can’t believe that this simple pesky solution would work for me, but it did! I was ready to call a repairman to fix this f**king issue!
Here’s how:
- Turn off the TV and disconnect it from the power outlet.
- Wait 60 seconds.
- During this time, press and hold the TV’s power button for about 30 seconds.
- Once done, turn the TV back on.
Now check whether you can see the picture on the TV now!
♦ Checking the backlight
TV displays picture with the help of the backlight. But if it gets damaged, screen will remain dark even if the internal functionality is still working.
However, there is an easy way to check this!
Here’s how:
- Turn 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, it means that the backlight is not working.
Method 2: TCL TV’s screen is black but the standby light is flashing
As I already mentioned, if the indicator light is flashing red or blue, the TV is in standby mode. In this case, the issue could be with either the remote control or the TV’s IR receiver.
♦ Checking if the remote is working
TV remote could stop working at any time even if it’s brand new!
When a TCL TV remote stops working, dead batteries, incorrect pairing, or signal interference are typically the main culprits.
So, make sure the remote is working correctly. If you think it isn’t working, check out my previous guide on what to do when a TCL TV remote isn’t working from this link.
♦ Cleaning the TV’s IR sensor
TV receives your command through a sensor, but over time, it can get clogged with dust and dirt.
In some cases, cleaning the TV’s IR receiver resolves the issue of a black screen caused by signal obstructions.
To clean the sensor, take a soft cloth and carefully wipe it. If the sensor appears to be broken, replace it with a new one.
Method 3: TCL TV screen is black, no standby light or sound
In case the standby light on your TV is off, which is the red light that remains on even when the TV is not in use, it is most likely an indication of a power supply problem.
In this case, the problem could be with the:
♦ Power outlet & Cable connection
Verify that the TV is properly plugged into a working power outlet.
If you’re using a power strip, make sure that it is functioning correctly and that it has not tripped a breaker or blown a fuse.
However, you can test the outlet by plugging in another device, like a lamp or a phone charger, to see if it works.
On the other hand, carefully check the power cord and ensure that all the cables connecting your TV to external devices are securely plugged in and that there is no visible damage to them.
If the power cord appears to be damaged, such as if it’s frayed or the cord’s insulation is exposed, the problem is with this.
The solution is simple—buy a new one and replace it.
♦ Internal power board
Now you know the issue is with the TV’s main power board or the inverter board.
In such cases, contact TCL customer care and submit a warranty claim. (Of course, your TV must have a valid warranty)
Otherwise, if you don’t want to invest any single buck, buy a new one!
F.A.Q.s
Q: Can a factory reset resolve my TCL Roku TV’s issue of displaying a black screen?
A factory reset may resolve a black screen issue on your TCL TV if it’s caused by a software problem. However, you should only perform a factory reset as a last resort, as it will erase all of your TV settings and data.
Q: Could a faulty HDMI cable be the cause of this issue?
Yes, a damaged or malfunctioning HDMI cable can prevent your TCL TV from receiving a signal, resulting in a black screen.
Q: My TCL TV screen flickers and then goes black. What could be the problem?
If your TCL TV screen flickers and then goes black, it could be due to a faulty backlight or power supply.
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.
My Tv is working fine now after a power reset. But I noticed a issue that the picture is very dark even when I turned the brightness lavel high. Don’t know what’s the problem. Do you?
I had the same issue with my TCL Roku TV last year. The screen was so dark that I could barely make out the picture. I tried adjusting the brightness and contrast settings, but nothing seemed to work. Eventually, I had to call a technician to come and fix it. fvking brand