5 Common TV Problems and How to Fix Them

Your TV is acting up — and you're not sure whether to call for a repair, try to fix it yourself, or just buy a new one. We've helped thousands of customers through exactly this situation across our 11 Maryland and Virginia showrooms. Here's an honest guide to the most common TV problems and what to do about them.

Problem 1: The TV Won't Turn On

This is the most common complaint we hear. Before assuming the worst, work through these steps:

First, check the obvious. Is the TV plugged in? Is the outlet working? Try plugging something else into the same outlet to confirm it has power.

Second, try a power cycle. Unplug the TV from the wall — not just the remote standby, but physically unplug it. Wait 60 seconds, then plug it back in. This clears the TV's internal memory and resolves many startup issues.

Third, check the remote. If the TV turns on when you press the physical power button on the TV itself but not with the remote, the issue is the remote, not the TV. Replace the batteries or try the TV's manufacturer app as a remote.

If none of these work, the issue is likely a failed power supply board. On older TVs this is sometimes worth repairing. On TVs more than 5-6 years old, the repair cost often approaches the cost of a new TV — and a new TV comes with modern features, better picture quality, and a fresh warranty.

Not sure whether yours is worth fixing? Here's how to decide whether to repair or replace.

Problem 2: The Picture Looks Washed Out or Dull

This is almost always a settings issue, not a hardware failure. Here's what to check:

Picture mode: Most TVs ship in "Vivid" or "Dynamic" mode, which is calibrated to look bright on a showroom floor under fluorescent lights — not in your living room. Switch to "Movie" or "Filmmaker Mode" for a dramatically more natural, accurate picture.

Backlight setting: If your TV's backlight is set too low, the picture will look dim. Find the backlight setting in your picture menu and increase it.

HDR content: If you're watching HDR content but your TV isn't detecting it correctly, the picture can look washed out. Make sure your HDMI cable is HDMI 2.0 or higher, and that HDR is enabled in your TV settings.

Aging panel: If your TV is more than 7-8 years old and the picture has gradually become dimmer and less vibrant despite correct settings, the backlight or panel itself may be degrading. At that point, replacement is usually the better investment.

If your TV looked better in the store than it does at home, here's exactly why that happens.

Problem 3: Lines or Dead Pixels on the Screen

Vertical or horizontal lines on a TV screen are usually a sign of a failing T-Con board (the board that controls the panel's image processing) or a damaged panel itself.

A T-Con board replacement is a relatively inexpensive repair — typically $100-200 in parts and labor — and is worth doing if the TV is otherwise in good condition and less than 4-5 years old.

A damaged panel is a different story. Panel replacements typically cost as much or more than a new TV, making repair uneconomical in almost every case.

Dead pixels — small black or colored dots that don't change — are a panel issue. A single dead pixel is usually not worth repairing. Multiple dead pixels or a spreading cluster typically means the panel is failing.

If your screen damage looks panel-level, see our full repair-or-replace guide — panel damage almost always means it's time for a new TV.

Problem 4: No Sound

Before assuming a hardware failure, check these settings:

Make sure the TV isn't muted — it sounds obvious, but it happens. Check that the volume isn't set to zero and that the mute function isn't activated.

Check your audio output settings. If you have a soundbar or receiver connected, your TV may be set to output audio through HDMI ARC or optical rather than the internal speakers. If you've disconnected your soundbar, you may need to change the audio output setting back to internal speakers.

Check your HDMI cable. A failing HDMI cable can carry video but drop audio. Try swapping the cable.

If none of these resolve the issue, you may have a failing audio board. This is generally a repairable issue on newer TVs, but factor in the repair cost versus the TV's age and value before committing to a fix. Here's how we'd think through that math.

Problem 5: The TV is Slow or Freezing

Modern smart TVs run on processors and operating systems that can slow down over time, just like a phone or computer.

Clear the cache: Most Samsung TVs have a "Device Care" option in settings that clears cached data and can significantly speed up a sluggish TV.

Check your internet connection: Buffering during streaming is usually a network issue, not a TV issue. Run a speed test on your phone near the TV — streaming 4K requires at least 25 Mbps, and HDR content benefits from 50 Mbps or more.

Factory reset: If the TV is consistently slow despite clearing the cache, a factory reset often resolves software issues. You'll need to re-enter your streaming apps and settings, but it's usually worth it.

Older processor: If your TV is more than 5-6 years old, the processor simply may not be fast enough to handle modern streaming apps efficiently. App developers optimize for current hardware, and older TVs often struggle with updated app versions. This is one of the more compelling reasons to consider an upgrade — modern Samsung TVs with the latest processors run dramatically faster than TVs from 5+ years ago.

If your TV is showing its age in more ways than one, it might be time to consider a replacement. Here's how to decide if it's worth fixing or replacing.

When to Repair vs. Replace

Here's our honest rule of thumb after helping thousands of customers make this decision:

Repair makes sense if the TV is less than 4 years old, the repair cost is less than 40% of a comparable new TV, and the issue is a board or component failure rather than a panel issue.

Replace makes sense if the TV is more than 5-6 years old, the repair cost is more than $300-400, the panel itself is damaged, or the TV is missing features you want (HDMI 2.1, 4K, HDR, faster processor).

The reality is that TV technology has improved dramatically over the past few years. If your TV is 6+ years old and needs a significant repair, the money is almost always better spent on a new TV — you'll get a dramatically better picture, faster smart TV performance, and modern gaming and streaming features.

For a deeper walkthrough of the repair-vs-replace decision — including real repair cost ranges and the questions we hear most in our showrooms — read our full guide.

If you're ready for an upgrade, our Samsung S95H vs LG G5 comparison is a great starting point for premium TVs.

We're Here to Help

If you're not sure whether your TV is worth repairing, stop in or give us a call. Our staff has seen thousands of TV issues and can give you an honest assessment — no pressure, no sales pitch. If your TV is worth fixing, we'll tell you. If it makes more sense to replace it, we'll show you what's available in your budget.

Find your nearest showroom | Use our TV Finder quiz | Shop all Samsung TVs