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TCL TV won’t turn on: Quick Fix

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  • 4 min read

TVs have come a long way from being old and clunky CRT boxes. Modern-day smart TVs have full-blown operating systems that allow users to enjoy them as standard cable TVs and streaming devices that can pull from any streaming service you want. 

That said, they aren’t always perfect, and random bugs and glitches occasionally happen. In this article, we’re talking about your TCL TV not turning on, its causes, and what you can do to fix the problem.


What causes this issue?

Several different reasons can trigger the error. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Hardware failure.
  • Damaged cables.
  • Low or dead remote batteries.
  • Power outlet issues.

Also read: How to fix error: USB connector disconnected on Android?


How to fix this?

Here are six fixes you can try out. 

Cold boot your TV

Cold booting your TV is the equivalent of restarting your PC. It’s also different from simply turning your TV off and on again. 

There are two ways you can cold boot your TV:

  • Using the remote: press and hold down the power button on your remote until the TV turns off and back on again. This should take about five seconds. 
  • By unplugging the TV: unplug the TV from the wall and leave it unplugged for about 30 seconds before you plug it back in again. 

Check the remote batteries

If you’re using your remote to turn your TV on, chances are there’s a problem with the remote that’s causing it not to send the required signals to the TV. This is most commonly caused by weak or dead batteries or the remote being out of range. Try swapping the batteries on your remote and using it near the TV to see if that solves your problem.


Check the TV’s status light

The primary LED on your TV can often indicate any problems with the unit. Check to see if the status LED is blinking or stable in any colour, like red or orange, which can indicate an issue. Anything other than a solid white light can indicate hardware issues with the TV. 


Try another power outlet

Sometimes, faulty outlets don’t give out enough voltage or current for an appliance to work; this can very well be the case with your TV. Unplug the TV and plug it into another power socket to rule out any power issues. 

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Check the input source

Another potential reason could be a faulty input source. But, if your TV isn’t getting any signals from the input device (a console, PC, cable connection or streaming device), it won’t display anything on the screen.

Check to see if the input source is connected and working as expected. Additionally, ensure that your WiFi or ethernet is working if your streaming device requires an internet connection.


Check your cables

Another possible reason for seeing the red light flashing can be faulty HDMI connections. Check that your input source is properly plugged into the TV and that any cables used in the process aren’t damaged. If any of the cables have mechanical damage (cuts or nicks) or the HDMI connector itself isn’t seated properly, the TV won’t get an input signal, hence the error. 

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Hardware reset the TV

If your TV turns on for a short period of time but then goes off, you can try hardware resetting it to see if that solves your problem. 

Step 1: Press the Settings button on your remote.

Step 2: Navigate to More Settings, followed by Device Preferences.

Step 3: Click Reset and then Factory Data Reset, followed by Erase Everything. 

This will reset your TV’s default factory configuration and all the hardware inside. 


Contact customer support

If nothing else works, contacting customer support is the best way to fix your TV. A qualified technician can point out the exact cause of the issue and fix it for you.

Also read: Does Culver’s take Apple Pay?

Yadullah Abidi

Yadullah Abidi

Yadullah is a Computer Science graduate who writes/edits/shoots/codes all things cybersecurity, gaming, and tech hardware. When he's not, he streams himself racing virtual cars. He's been writing and reporting on tech and cybersecurity with websites like Candid.Technology and MakeUseOf since 2018. You can contact him here: yadullahabidi@pm.me.

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