A few days ago, I published an article on troubleshooting the black screen issue on a TCL Roku TV.
However, in the comment section, I received a significant amount of comments like “Hey, why is my TCL Roku TV picture dark?” and “Why is my TCL TV so dark.”
Mebor wrote Homespoiler:
“Mine is turning on normally, but the picture is very dark. It looks like the screen went black. But when I close all my windows and doors, then I can see the picture. I tried checking the brightness, but it seems to be okay. Any idea?”—Mebor, Canada
This article will break down everything you need to do to get the TV back to its normal state.
Let’s dive in…
Why is My TCL TV Picture Dark
There are several reasons why your TCL Roku TV’s screen is dark, such as a faulty backlight strip, incorrect picture settings, or a malfunctioning power board.
Alternatively, this issue can also occur if the TV’s system firmware is corrupted, outdated, or infected with malware.
Anything could be…
How To Fix This Issue?
- Disable the ECO mode
- Adjust the picture setting.
- Upgrade the TV’s firmware.
- Replace the TV’s LED backlight.
Here are the guidelines in detail:
Method 1: Resolve issue with the system or settings
By ‘resolving the system’, I mean removing temporary glitches. And by ‘settings’, I mean disabling ECO mode or changing the picture mode.
♦ Power Cycle The TV
I know this is something no one even wants to hear.
But it really works!
Before writing this guide, I checked the Roku community forum, where a user named Maliha (a TCL TV user) said,
“Power cycle has been a lifesaver for me.”
Almost 67 users upvoted her comment.
This means that power cycling works in many cases, and hopefully, it will work for you too!
Here’s how:
- Disconnec the TV from the power outlet completely.
- Similarly, disconnect all the HDMI connected device from the TV.
- Wait for about 5 minutes.
- During this time, press and hold the TV’s power button for about 30 seconds.
- Once done, power the TV back on.
Now turn on the TV and check if the screen lights up properly.
If not, proceed to the next step.
♦ Adjust the picture settings
It’s possible that the brightness, contrast, or gamma settings on your TV are incorrect due to a mistake made by you or a family member.
Although this is a rare occurrence, it is worth checking to see if this helps!
Here’s how:
- Play a video.
- Press the (*) button on the remote.
- You’ll see several settings there.
- Adjust the picture mode to something more appropriate for what you’re watching. You might choose “Movie” for a film or “Sports” for a game.
- Try increasing the backlight level.
Dive into the ‘advanced settings‘ option to fine-tune the gamma, contrast, and other elements until you find the perfect balance.
Method 2: Resolve issues with the software or hardware
If adjusting the settings and performing a power reset does not resolve this issue, the problem may be with the software (firmware) or the hardware (LED backlight).
♦ Update the firmware
Sometimes, the core file inside the TV can get corrupted due to malware attacks or other viruses.
When this happens, TV behaves strangely, like not turning on or not responding to the remote.
Simply, go to the settings and check if there is any latest update available.
If not, reset the TV to the default settings.
Check out my previous guide on how to reset TCL Roku TV from this link.
♦ Backlight issue
TV displays pictures brightly with the help of LED backlight.
However, the backlight strip can often get damaged due to sudden power outages or other technical malfunctions.
If that’s the case, hand over the TV to an experienced technician.
Or, if you want to try repairing the backlight yourself, we have an article that guides you through the process.
Here’s the link: How To Repair a TV Backlight Step-by-Step
F.A.Q.s
Q: Can a faulty backlight cause this issue?
Yes, a faulty backlight can cause a dark screen on your TCL Roku TV.
If this is the case, you may need to replace the backlight or have it repaired by a professional.
Q: How do I know if the dark screen issue on my TV is due to a faulty panel?
If you see black lines or spots on the screen, or the picture is completely distorted, it could be a sign of a faulty panel.
Q: Why is my TCL Roku TV screen dark only in certain parts of the image?
This could be a sign of a localized backlight issue.
Try adjusting the picture settings or contacting TCL customer support for further assistance.
But you have to replace the backlight must!
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.