How to Fix a TV with No Picture but Sound

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Written by:

Updated March 27, 2023
Difficulty Easy
Steps 6
Time Required 15 minutes
Tools Needed No Tools Needed

Having your TV go black while you watch can be very annoying. Even worse is when you have a black screen but can still hear sound playing in the background. If this happens, the power button may need to be pressed, or a factory reset may be needed. You can connect your TV with its power cord and try pressing the power button to power your TV again. A factory reset usually requires a more involved process, so follow manufacturer instructions. But these steps may not always work. 

Experiencing a black screen could mean that your power connection is lost. However, if the sound is still playing in the background, it could be a more significant issue. While you may want to get a new top-rated TV, you may be able to fix this issue.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • A TV may have more than one supply board together with the T-Con board. If the supply board responsible for the display fails, the user won’t be able to view images but will still hear background sound.
  • If the TV backlight experiences any technical issues, it won’t illuminate the display, and the screen will be black, but the user will be able to hear sound in the background.
  • Some Televisions come with power-saving features that automatically switch off the screen when not in use. This can be confused with a blank screen.

Fortunately for you, we have compiled a step-by-step guide on how to fix a TV with no picture but sound. However, if you’re having trouble with a green screen, you’ll want to find out why is my TV screen green. Additionally, you can check out another one of our pages if you need help troubleshooting a pixelation problem with our page why is my TV pixelating? However, if you have heard a random cracking/creaking sound come from your TV, you may question, why does my TV make a popping noise?

TV with picture but no sound in living room

Why is my TV screen Blank?

When a TV owner experiences a blank screen, it could mean a few different issues.

  • Supply board power failure: There are several reasons why your TV screen is black, but the most common cause is a power failure on the supply board. Depending on the model, whether it be a budget model or the best 24 inch smart TV, a TV may have more than one supply board together with the T-Con board. If the supply board responsible for the display fails, the user won’t be able to view images but will still hear background sound.
  • Backlight issues: LCD screens use a backlight to light up images displayed on the screen. If the backlight experiences any technical issues, it won’t light the display, and the screen will be black, but the user will still hear sound in the background. To fix this problem, TV owners need to repair their backlights.
  • Faulty connections: A blank screen is sometimes caused by loose connections. Check that your cables between devices, power, cable box, and auxiliary devices are tightly fastened. Half the time, television screens have a blank screen, and loose connections are the real culprits. If your TV uses HDMI cables, consider swapping them for new ones. In some cases, you might experience no sound, but you can easily learn how to fix a TV with no sound.
  • Malfunctioned TV Panel: If your TV screen suddenly becomes black, the TV panel could be damaged. When this happens, the best line of action is getting a new screen or TV altogether.
  • Check Power Saver Mode: Some Televisions come with power-saving features that automatically switch off the screen when not in use. The user will still hear some sound even when the screen goes off. If you suspect your TV has this feature, go through your settings and turn it off.

Fixing a Blank TV Screen

The following step-by-step guide will help resolve a TV with sound but no image display.

STEP 1 Power On the TV

First, power on your TV, don’t use your TV remote; instead, use the button on the TV control panel. You may want to fix the TV remote if it is now working properly. If you can see a menu setting, move to the next step. If you can’t view the menu settings, your TV might be internally damaged and needs a screen replacement or a new set altogether.

STEP 2 Check Cable Connections

Check your cable connections by removing and reconnecting them back. Make sure all the devices are turned on. Inspect the cable wires for any physical damage.

STEP 3 Inspect Other Input Devices

Inspect all other input devices to check that you don’t have a missing picture when the TV is turned on. Check the settings on the device for a switch that might turn outputs on or off.

STEP 4 Replace Cables if Necessary

If you cannot get any pictures, replace the cables between your TV and the input devices.

STEP 5 Try Another Device

Use another device with the same input cables. If you get a picture, your input device might be faulty.

STEP 6 More Learning

Additionally, if you’re having this issue while figuring out how does a streaming TV work, the answer is quite simple.

STAT: The global Smart TV market is set to grow by 293.32 million between 2020 and 2024. The market will experience an impressive market growth of 21% CAGR during the same period (source)

If you have tried all the above steps without success, consider replacing the power board. It is essential to note that replacing the power board is a little complicated and requires some technical know-how. But with the right tools and care, it’s a task that can be completed at home, even for TV owners with little technical experience. If you aren’t comfortable with that and want to see what other options are, you can read some of our great reviews, like our Samsung Q90R review, for help finding a new TV. Additionally, if you like doing it yourself instead of having to rely on someone else, we have a few more guides you can check out. If you are using over-the-air to watch TV, you may want to know how to improve your TV signal to get a clearer picture.

Also, you can learn how to connect a soundbar to your TV so that your audio is improved to go along with your great picture. However, if you are hearing your TV in another language that you are not used to, you should check out our guide for why is my TV in Spanish.

F.A.Q.S

Why is my TV screen black?

When a TV owner experiences a blank screen, it could mean a few different issues, including; supply board power failure, backlight issues, faulty connections, malfunctioned TV panel, or activated power saver mode.


Could faulty connections cause a black screen?

Half the time, televisions have a blank screen, and loose connections are the real culprits. If your TV uses HDMI cables, consider swapping them for new ones.


Is it possible to replace a malfunctioned TV panel?

If your TV screen suddenly becomes black, the TV panel could be damaged. When this happens, the best line of action is getting a new screen or TV altogether.


How do I remove the power-saving configuration on my TV?

Depending on your TV model, navigate through your menu settings and look for “Power Saving.” Go through the options and turn it off.

How can a power supply board failure lead to a black screen?

Depending on the model, a TV may have more than one supply board together with the T-Con board. If the supply board responsible for images fails, the user won’t be able to view images but will still hear background sound.



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