TCL Roku TV not Turning on? (Do This Now)

“Time and technology wait for no one; electronic damage can strike at any moment.”

That’s a universal truth, and your TCL Roku TV is no exception.

You can’t prevent an electronic device like a TV from getting damaged. But once it malfunctions, several options are available to troubleshoot!

Typically, when a TCL Roku TV won’t turn on, the power cord and the internal power board are usually to blame.

This article will break down the reasons why a TCL Roku TV may not turn on and what you need to do to get the TV working again.

Let’s dive into it…

Understanding why a TCL Roku TV not turning on

some reasons why tcl roku tv may not turn on

Whenever a TCL Roku TV won’t turn on, there are a few potential hints to consider.

For example, the standby light may be illuminated, there may be sound playing but no picture visible, or the picture itself may be excessively dark or dim.

  • The TV’s standby light is on: If the indicator light is red, the TV is in standby mode. If this is the case, the problem could be with the remote control or the TV’s IR receiver.
  • The TV has sound but no picture: If you can hear sound but cannot see any picture, it’s possible that the T-con board, display panel, or backlight has been damaged.
  • The TV has no sound/no standby light: If the TV has no sound and there is no standby light, then it is not receiving any power. In this case, the issue could be with the power source or internal power supply of the TV.

How to fix when TCL Roku TV won’t turn on

In short: To troubleshoot a TCL Roku TV that isn’t turning on, check the power cord, power button, and remote control. If everything seems to be working properly, factory reset your TV.

Step 1: Troubleshoot related things first

TV problems are often caused by issues with power outlets, damaged power cables, or malfunctioning remote controls.

That’s why, it’s crucial to examine these components before troubleshooting the TV itself.

♦ Check the power cable

inspecting tcl roku tv's power cable for damage

Start by trying the most basic solution first.

In my case, I checked the power cord of my TV when I encountered the issue of it not turning on. Although this did not solve my problem, it may work for you!

Look at the cord connecting it to the wall outlet. Make sure it is plugged in firmly on both ends and not loose or damaged.

If the cable looks like it may not be providing enough power, unplug it from both the TV and the outlet, then reinsert it firmly.

♦ Check the power strip

inspecting power strip if its working

Once you have verified that the power cord is properly plugged in, check the power outlet.

Ensure that a switch or timer does not control the outlet and that the outlet is providing enough power to other devices.

You can test this by plugging in a lamp or another device to see if it turns on. If the outlet does not have power, connect your TV to another outlet.

♦ Check the remote control

checking tcl roku tv's remote if it's working

If these (power outlet & power cord) are working as they should, verify that the remote control is functioning properly.

To do this, first, ensure that the batteries in the remote control are not damaged and have enough charge. If the remote control has a power button, try pressing it to see if the TV will turn on in response.

If the TV does not turn on when you press the power button on the remote, try using the power button on the TV itself to see if it will turn on that way.

Note: Consider replacing the batteries at this point (just to be sure)

Step 2: Troubleshoot the TV

If the issue persists even after checking the power cords, power strip, and remote control, the problem could be related to the TV’s internal components.

Chance that the TV has defective firmware, a damaged main board, or a software malfunction causing the problem.

♦ Power cycle the TV

forcing to power cycle tcl roku tv

TVs are susceptible to damage when exposed to power outages or sudden shocks. In such cases, performing a power reset can help restore the TV’s functionality.

Here’s how:

  • Unplug it from the electrical outlet.
  • Then, for about 30 seconds, press and hold the TV’s power button.
  • Wait another ten minutes without turning on the TV.
  • Replug the TV.

Now, try turning the TV on using the power button on the remote or the TV itself. If it does not work, proceed to the next step.

♦ Check the power button to see if it’s stuck or broken

checking the tcl roku tv's power button if it's stuck

It is possible that the power button on your TV is not functioning properly, either because it is stuck or because it is broken. If the button is broken, there is no way for you to repair it on your own.

However, if the button is simply stuck due to dirt or dust accumulation, you can try to fix it by taking the following steps:

  • First, check to see if the button is physically stuck. If it is, try gently pushing it in and out to see if it will become unstuck.
  • If the button is still stuck, try using a toothpick or other small object to carefully push it in and out.

Warning: when trying to unstuck the button, be gentle and careful to avoid causing additional damage. Use caution and be gentle.

♦ Update the TV’s firmware

trying to usb update tcl roku tv to fix not turning on issue

If your TV’s firmware is not up to date or has become damaged, it may not work properly, or you may face a black screen issue with your TV. TCL releases updates each month to improve the performance of its system and fix small problems.

As previously mentioned, keeping your TV’s firmware up to date can help ensure it functions correctly.

However, if you update your TV, there is a good chance that your problem may be fixed.

Here’s how to USB update your TCL Roku TV:

  • Download the latest firmware update for your TV model from the Roku website.
  • Right-click the downloaded firmware file, then select “Send To,” “Extract” (or “Zip“), and the extraction program loads onto the screen.
  • Connect a USB drive to your computer and copy the downloaded firmware file to the drive.
  • Click “Start,” “(My) Computer,” then right-click the removable device icon and select “Eject.” (Disconnect the USB flash drive from the USB port on the computer once the icon disappears.)
  • Now, insert the USB drive into a USB port on your TV and then power the TV on.

If your TV’s hardware is working properly, inserting a USB flash drive into it will automatically start transferring data to the TV.

Once the data has finished uploading, a message will appear on the screen telling you to remove the flash drive from the TV.

♦ Factory reset the TV

checking if factory reset work

A factory reset is always recommended to fix any internal software-related error. There are two methods to do that, but use the manual method as you cannot access the TV’s settings.

Remember that this will erase everything, including your data and settings. However, tap on this link to factory reset your TV.

Step 3: Nothing has worked so far. What next?

If the previous methods did not work and your TCL TV is still not turning on, there may be another potential cause.

♦ Cool down the TV

is your TCL roku tv overheated

Televisions generate a significant amount of heat when they are used for long periods. However, if your TV is in a confined space with limited ventilation, it is more likely to overheat.

If the internal circuit board has not been damaged, the TV will not turn on again until it has cooled down.

So, allow the TV to rest overnight and remove any dirt or debris from the vents. This will help to ensure that the TV can dissipate heat properly.

♦ Check the TV’s backlight

checking tcl roku tv's backlight whether it's damaged

The backlight of your TV may have burned out. This can be caused by a power outage or an irregular flow of electricity.

To determine if this is the problem, turn on your TV and hold a flashlight near the screen. As you shine the light on the screen, closely observe whether any image is visible.

If you see a faint image, this indicates that the backlight needs to be replaced.


F.A.Q.s

Q: Why does my TCL Roku TV keep turning off?

If your TCL Roku TV turns on but then turns off again shortly afterward, it could be due to a number of reasons, such as overheating or a software issue.

Check to make sure the TV is not blocked by any objects that could be blocking its vents and causing it to overheat.

You could also try resetting the TV to factory settings, which can sometimes fix software issues.

Q: Can a power surge cause my TCL Roku TV not to turn on?

Yes, a power surge or electrical storm could potentially damage the TV’s power supply or other internal components, preventing it from turning on.

Q: I can hear sound coming from my TCL Roku TV, but the screen won’t turn on. What does this mean?

If you can hear sound coming from your TCL Roku TV but the screen won’t turn on, it could be a problem with the TV’s display.

Try unplugging the TV and leaving it unplugged for a few minutes before plugging it back in and attempting to turn it on again.

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