The Samsung TV fails to turn on issue can be caused by several factors. This could be due to a software issue, a bad power supply, or even a faulty surge protector. To fix this you will need to perform a series of troubleshooting steps.
Samsung is a South Korean company that you probably know for making some of the best Android smartphones. But did you know that this company also has several other consumer electronic products such as smart TV, washing machines, and refrigerators just to name a few. The Samsung TVs for example are consistently one of their top selling products worldwide.
What to do when your Samsung TV is not turning on
Samsung TV’s are best known for their high quality and feature packed characteristics. Consumers will usually pick this brand over others when purchasing a new TV.
There are however times when certain issues will occur when using your Samsung TV. One such issue is when the TV won’t turn on. This can sometimes be a frustrating experience especially if you are excited to watch the latest episode of your favorite show.
To easily fix this issue you need to take note of the red light on your Samsung TV. This red light is the standby light which can be found at the edge of the screen. This light can either be off, blinking, or on. The troubleshooting steps you will need to perform will depend on the condition of this standby light.
Here’s what you can do to fix this problem.
Samsung TV won’t turn on, Red light is off
When your Samsung TV not turning on and the red light or standby light is off then this means that your TV does not have any power.
Power outage in area
Are you currently experiencing a power outage in your area? This might sound silly but sometimes the problem can be caused because of a power outage. Try to check if your other appliances or lights work.
Damaged power cord
You should check if the power cord of the Samsung TV is connected properly an outlet. If possible try connecting the power cable of your TV to a different power outlet.
Defective surge protector
If the TV is connecting to any surge protectors then I suggest that you try removing the surge protector to check if this is what’s causing the problem.
Power outlet is not working
Try to unplug your Samsung TV and leave it unplugged for at least 30 seconds. This removes any residual power on the TV. Plug the TV back in in an outlet that is known to work.
You can check this outlet before plugging the TV by plugging a different device to it such as a lamp and see if it is functioning properly.
Hardware problem
If the Samsung TV won’t turn on and the red standby light is still off then this might already be due to a hardware issue.
This could be due to a faulty power supply, a defective power board, or even a damaged circuit board.
The best thing you can do right now is to have this TV repaired at a service center. If the TV is still under warranty then the repair or replacement will be free of charge.
Samsung TV won’t turn on, red light is on
When your Samsung TV not turning on but the red standby light is on then this could either be due to a software glitch on your Samsung TV or the remote control might not be working and may need new batteries.
The red light on on your TV is a good sign since this means that it is on standby mode.
Power cycle the TV
To eliminate the possibility of the power issue being caused by a software glitch you need to restart your Samsung TV.
Unplug the TV from the power outlet then wait for at least 30 seconds before you plug the TV power cord to the outlet.
Make sure that it is plugged securely.
Check if the standby mode light is on then press the power button on the TV itself.
Does your Samsung TV turn on? If it does then try checking if the remote control works.
If you constantly need to unplug and plug the TV for it to work then you should consider performing a reset as this will remove any corrupted data that could be causing the problem.
Once the reset is complete your TV will be in its factory settings.
You should also make sure that your Samsung TV is running on the latest firmware update by downloading any updates that appear on the TV notifications.
Replace remote control batteries
When you press the power button on the TV and it turns on but the TV does not respond when you use the TV remote control then you will need to replace the batteries of the remote as this is most likely what’s causing the problem.
One the batteries have been replaced try to check if the remote control is working properly.
Make sure to point the remote to the IR window of your TV while pressing the power button on the remote.
Samsung TV won’t turn on, red light is blinking
When your Samsung TV won’t turn on and the red standby light is blinking then this usually means that the TV has a bad power supply.
Power supply damaged
Your TV power supply does not get damaged easily however there are cases such as when a lightning storm occurs a surge of electricity will damage it.
When this happens you will need to have your TV fixed at a service center.
HDMI glitch
Your Samsung TV might be affected by an HDMI glitch that can usually occur when a game console is connected to one of the HDMI port using an HDMI cable and the TV is turned off.
When you turn on your Samsung TV the game console will prevent it from starting properly.
Surge protector not working
If your Samsung TV is connecting to a surge protector then there’s a possibility that this is what’s causing the problem.
Although a surge protector is used for preventing sudden electrical spikes from damaging your TV it can also cause the TV not function properly especially if it is damaged.
To check if this is what’s causing the problem you can try to connect your TV directly to the power outlet.
Other troubleshooting steps you can perform
If the above steps fails to fix the problem and the issue persists then here are some additional troubleshooting steps that you can do.
Samsung TV has a black screen
If nothing appears on your Samsung TV and all you can see is a black screen then try to check if it is connected to an external device such as an Android TV box.
Make sure that the device is connected properly on one of the HDMI ports of the TV.
Try disconnecting the external HDMI device from the TV and check if the TV will turn on. If it does then the problem is caused by the HDMI device.
You should also make sure that the the TV is set to the same source as the external device. If any of your HDMI devices is connected to HDMI 1, set the TV source to HDMI 1.
Some newer TV models have an HDMI test which checks if the HDMI cable you are using is working or needs to be replaced.
Samsung TV won’t turn off
You might experience an issue where your TV will not turn off.
This is usually caused by a software glitch where the operating system has frozen or is glitching.
To fix this all you need to do is to unplug the TV from its power outlet then wait for 30 seconds before plugging it back in.
Reset your Samsung TV
When the problem is caused by a software glitch then a factory reset will usually fix this.
Open Settings, and then select General.
Select Reset, enter your PIN (0000 is the default), and then select Reset.
To complete the reset, select OK. Your TV will restart automatically.
If these steps don’t match your TV, navigate to Settings, select Support, and then select Self Diagnosis. Reset will be located in that menu.
Update your TV firmware
You might need to update your TV firmware to prevent any software glitches present in the old software version that your TV is running on.
To do the update over the internet use your TV’s remote and navigate to Settings, and then tap Support. Tap Software Update, and then select Update Now.
Contact the nearest service center
If you have already exhausted all of the troubleshooting steps in our guide then you will need to contact the nearest service center to have your TV fixed.
The service center will have the qualified personnel and correct tools to properly diagnose and fix your TV problem.
If your TV is still under warranty then you won’t have to pay any repair fees and is some cases when repair is not possible you will be getting a new TV of the same exact model.
If your TV is out of warranty then certain fees will apply especially if some parts of your TV need to be replaced.
Final thoughts
Having a TV that does not turn on can be a frustrating experience. The good thing is that this issue can usually be fixed easily as long as it is not caused by a hardware failure.
If you live in an area where the voltage fluctuates frequently then you should consider using an automatic voltage regulator or a surge protector.
In case an electrical spike occurs the voltage regulator or surge protector will protect the electronic circuits of your TV.
Your TV is expected to last a long time as long as you take care of it properly.
Make sure your TV is located in a well ventilated place so as to prevent it from over heating.
It’s important to clean your TV regularly to prevent any dust build up.
Turn the TV off and let it cool down for a few minutes before unplugging it.
To clean the frame and screen, gently wipe it with a microfiber cleaning cloth.
Make sure to wipe the TV frame and screen as gently as possible.
If you don’t see results, spray distilled water on to your microfiber cleaning cloth and gently wipe the frame and screen.
Let the TV dry completely before you plug the TV back in.