Samsung TV Not Turning On [But Red Light On]—What To Do

Has your TV ever refused to turn on, yet you can see a small red light that is on? Just like any other TV, if you own a Samsung, it probably has behaved this way at some point. What could be wrong, and what should you do? We researched and compiled the answers below.

When your Samsung TV does not turn on but a red light is on, you can troubleshoot by:

  • Replacing the batteries in your remote control
  • Resetting your TV
  • Carrying out a hard reset on your TV
  • Trying a different power source
  • Checking if the cables plugged into your TV are still working
  • Updating the firmware

Isn't it frustrating when you sit down to watch your favorite movie, but your TV won’t turn on? Read on to learn how to troubleshoot the issue and find out what might be causing the problem. We will also cover the costs of repairing a TV with such problem and more.

Huge flat screen Samsung TV, Samsung TV Not Turning On [But Red Light On]—What To Do

Troubleshooting Samsung TV That Does Not Turn On But Red Light Is On

You don’t have to go ballistic or assume your TV is damaged when it does not turn on. The problem could be a minor issue, and that is why you should first troubleshoot before calling a technician.

The following are simple ways you can troubleshoot your TV:

Replace The Batteries In Your Remote Control

Man holding a remote pointing it to the TV

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Your TV could be refusing to turn on due to a simple issue such as dead batteries in your remote control. Remove the old batteries, put in new ones, and try turning your TV on. If your screen comes alive, then you have just solved the problem.

Reset Your TV

If the above method fails, then try resetting your TV. Unplug your TV, wait for 60 seconds, and plug it back in. Don’t be in a hurry when doing this; wait until the 60 seconds are over. This process is different from turning your TV on and off using the remote control.

Is your screen still blank? Unplug the TV, wait a few more minutes, and then plug it back in. 

Carry Out A Hard Reset On Your TV

Still having problems with your TV? Try a hard reset: unplug the TV and hold its power button for 30 seconds.

You drain out all the power that is in your device when you do this. Plug your TV back in and turn it on. If it works, go ahead and watch your favorite program or movie.

Try A Different Power Source

Electrician checking the voltage of the outlet

Your current power source could be faulty. Plug your TV into a different electrical outlet. If it turns on, the previous outlet has a problem and needs to be fixed by an electrician. 

Check The Cables Plugged Into Your TV

Inspect all the power and HDMI cables plugged into your TV. Check if they are loosely connected. This could be the reason power is not flowing through them.

Update The Firmware

Updating your firmware from time to time is a sure way of improving your viewing experience. Firmware updates simply update your TV for optimum performance, such as improving the quality of images.

If you have not been updating your TV, it could be experiencing software issues, which could cause the screen to go blank while the red light is still on.

If all the above don’t work, you may decide to call a technician to check it out. Or you may decide to buy another TV. The prices of TVs have gone down significantly over the last few years, so it might be worthwhile to buy a new one instead of repairing it. 

What The Red Light On Your Samsung Means

Samsung TV

If you see this light but your screen is blank, something is wrong with your TV.

Other than troubleshooting to make it work as discussed above, it's important to know the causes of this problem. You may need the services of a professional technician.

Power Failure

A cut-off power supply can happen, as discussed earlier. Your cables could be loosely connected, or your outlet might be faulty. Another likely cause is when damage occurs to your power supply due to a power surge.

A power surge can happen due to electrical power overloading the electrical system in your home. It lasts only a fraction of a second, but can cause serious damage to your TV and other electrical appliances. 

Lightning could also be another cause for a power surge. For example, during a rainstorm, lightning can pass through the power lines and into your power supply, damaging it. That is why it is important to install a surge protector like the one shown below. 

When a higher voltage than normal comes through the power lines and through your electrical outlet, the surge protector will stop the excess power from moving to your TV, and it will not be damaged. 

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This is a TV surge protector that you can find on Amazon.

Software Malfunction

Your TV can go blank when you are trying to update software, and the power is suddenly disconnected during the process.  

Hardware Damage

Accidents do happen. Your TV could have fallen and been damaged. Another cause could be that liquid may have been spilled on it. Consequently, it may not power up properly.

You may notice visible damage on your TV, but the damage could be on the inside. You may need an expert to open it up and check if there is any internal damage. 

HDMI Port Defect

This is an HDMI port or input that you can find on Amazon.

You could have turned off an appliance such as a gaming console that you had earlier connected to your TV. Afterward, you forgot to swap the HDMI input back over like the one shown above. This will cause your TV to not turn on. 

How To Maintain Your Samsung TV

It is disappointing when your TV does not turn on, and there are ways you can troubleshoot the issue. But other than this, you can make your TV last longer than expected. Below are some tips on how to do this:

Turn Off TV When Not Using It

When you are not using your TV, disconnect the power source. The backlight can malfunction due to heat building up and subsequently cause your TV to stop working.

Stand Your TV At A Good Spot

Don’t allow your TV to stand at a spot where it can easily be damaged by sunlight or rain. Thus, keep it away from windows.

Also, don’t bring other appliances close to it. They may produce too much heat causing issues to your TV. Ensure it has enough air flow so that it won’t overheat.

Clean Your TV Regularly

Woman cleaning the TV with a yellow cloth

Clean it often to keep off dust and debris away from your device. A microfiber cloth is excellent for the screen. Avoid using chemicals as they could damage your TV even further.

Control The Brightness

Too much brightness can cause the backlights to burn out much faster. Read your manual to set it at the recommended settings.

Surge Protector

Power surges can damage your TV. Hence, a surge protector can help your TV to last long.

Cost Of Repairing Your TV Refusing To Turn ON

Samsung TV

During an inspection, your technician may diagnose that your TV screen is damaged, for example, due to a fall. Repairing the screen can cost between $200 and $400, labor included. If a liquid like water spilled on it, you may be charged slightly higher between $150 and $400.

HDMI ports may cost from $60 and $250 to fix. They could have moved out of position and may need to be placed back correctly. In some situations, the fault may be more serious.

To replace TV parts may even be more expensive. For example, replacing a screen can cost from $400 to $1,000, and replacing a panel can cost up to $5,000. In such cases, you might be better off buying another TV.

In Closing

Huge flat screen Samsung TV

It can be disappointing when your TV screen remains blank after you turn it on. In this post, we have shown you how you can troubleshoot the problem before calling a technician.

We covered the reasons why your TV might not be turning on. Some reasons are complicated and need a technician to fix. The repair costs can vary from very low to fix a minor issue such as an HDMI port, to extremely high to replace a part like a panel. In addition, we provided tips on how to prolong the life of your TV.

Check out these related posts by clicking on the links below:

Should TV Stand Be Wider Or Longer Than TV

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