Reliable TV Repair in Nairobi | Refitec Experts (0704843613)
Description:
Professional TV repair in Tena Estate (Umoja/Embakasi) by Refitec. Screen replacements, backlight repairs, power-board fixes, spare parts available. Call 0704843613 or visit refitec.co.ke.
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TV repair Tena Estate, TV technician Tena Nairobi, screen replacement Tena Estate, backlight replacement Umoja, Refitec TV repair, TV spare parts Nairobi, Manyanja Road TV repair, Embakasi TV technician
Contact: Refitec — 0704843613 · refitec.co.ke
Refitec — Your Neighborhood TV Repair Experts in Tena Estate, Nairobi
When your TV has gone dark right in the middle of the match, a movie scene freezes on a blue screen, or that bright line runs across your screen, panic sets in. But in Tena Estate — nestled in the Umoja/Embakasi part of Nairobi — you don’t need to panic. Refitec brings experienced, reliable TV repair to your doorstep: skilled diagnostics, clear quotations, genuine spare parts, and careful repairs done right. We specialise in LED, LCD, QLED and smart TV repairs including screen and backlight replacements, power board servicing, and software troubleshooting.
Tena Estate is an active residential community around Manyanja Road and within the Embakasi area (Umoja/Tena), and we service every corner of it. If you live along Manyanja Road, or in Tena, Donholm/Doonholm, Umoja (Umoja 1/2) and nearby Eastlands estates, we’ll come to you or you can drop your unit for service.
What this post covers (quick guide)
- Common TV problems in simple language and technical detail
- Step-by-step diagnostics Refitec technicians use
- Deep technical explanations (screen, backlight, power board, T-con, HDMI & smart TV faults)
- Maintenance tips to keep your TV healthy
- Spare parts availability and warranty on parts/work (Refitec policy)
- Roads and estates we cover in and around Tena Estate (practical list)
- Meta title, description, keywords (above)
1) Common TV problems (overview)
Everyday TV faults we see in Tena Estate fall into several repeatable categories:
- No power / TV won’t turn on — the display and LEDs stay dark though the remote reacts. Often power board or standby circuit failure.
- Power on but no picture (sound only) — TV boots, you hear sound but screen stays black (often backlight or T-con failures).
- Dim or patchy backlight / vertical dark bands — failing LED strips or driver circuits.
- Lines on screen, flicker or horizontal bands — panel damage, LVDS cable/T-con or faulty timing circuits.
- Cracked screen / physical damage — requires LCD/LED panel replacement.
- Pixels stuck or dead, patchy colour — local panel defects or driver IC issues.
- Smart TV software problems, Wi-Fi not connecting, apps crashing — firmware or app software issues, occasionally memory or eMMC faults.
- HDMI/USB or tuner problems — port damage or signal processing faults.
We’ll take each of the above and explain causes, how Refitec diagnoses them, and what the typical repair looks like.
2) No power / TV won’t turn on — causes, tests, solutions
Symptoms: TV shows no light on front LED, no sound, no display when pressing power. Sometimes the front LED blinks in patterns.
Common causes:
- Faulty mains/AC input, blown fuse, failed surge protector.
- Dead standby circuit on the power board.
- Bulged capacitors on power board (common on older sets).
- Damaged mains transformer or shorted components due to power surge.
How Refitec diagnoses (step-by-step):
- External checks: power cable, wall socket, test with a known good device.
- In-line mains measurement: measure AC at the input.
- Visual board inspection: look for bulged/ leaking capacitors, burn marks.
- Measure standby rail voltages: using a multimeter, we check standby 5V or 3.3V rails, and secondary rails when turning on.
- Isolation: disconnect other boards (T-con, main board) to isolate the power board.
Repair options:
- Replace fuse, MOV, or surge parts.
- Replace bulging capacitors and damaged components (electrolytic capacitors on SMPS are common fails).
- Replace the whole power board if repairs are unreliable.
Time & cost note: Power board repairs are often cost-effective vs full board replacement; if the SMPS is irreparably damaged, board swap is the next step. Refitec sources authentic power board replacements and offers a parts warranty.
Technical diagram (simplified):
Mains (AC) -> EMI Filter -> SMPS (Power Board)
-> Standby rail (3.3V/5V) -> Main board (CPU, HDMI, WiFi)
-> +12V/+24V -> T-con & Backlight driver
If standby rail fails, the main board never wakes.
3) Power on but no picture (sound only) — backlight vs T-con
Symptoms: TV appears to be on (sound plays), but screen is dark or very faint when shining a torch (you can sometimes see a faint picture).
Root causes:
- Backlight failure — LED strip or CCFL lamps (older sets) dead or driver failed.
- Backlight inverter/LED driver board faulty.
- T-con (Timing Control) or LVDS cable fault — the T-con drives the pixels and timing for the panel; if it fails you may get lines or no image.
- Panel power rails — if panel supply voltages are missing.
Diagnostic steps by Refitec:
- Torch test: shine a torch at an angle to the screen to see if an image is faintly visible. If yes — backlight issue.
- Measure backlight voltage rails: check LED drivers for correct voltage.
- Inspect T-con board: look for damaged components or connector issues.
- Swap test: if a compatible donor T-con is available, we may temporarily swap to confirm.
Solutions:
- Replace LED strips (on modern LED TVs) or replace LED driver board.
- Replace/repair T-con board if timing ICs failed.
- Panel replacement if the panel itself has failed (rare when only backlight fails).
Cost & parts: LED strip replacement is often cheaper than panel replacement. Refitec keeps common LED strips, drivers and T-con boards in stock for popular brands and sizes.
4) Backlight replacement — deeper technical view
What the backlight is:
On modern LED TVs the backlight comprises several LED strips mounted behind the LCD matrix. They provide the illumination. If LEDs burn out or the driver fails, the entire screen can go dark or show patchy lighting.
How LEDs fail:
- Age and thermal cycling cause LED diodes to degrade.
- Power surges or faulty drivers supply incorrect current leading to premature failure.
- Physical damage or water ingress.
Steps to replace backlight (Refitec standard):
- Disassemble TV back cover carefully — retain screws and plastic clips.
- Remove the bezel and diffuser layers (diffuser plate, prism sheets) to access LED strips.
- Inspect strips and connectors — sometimes only one strip is dead (resulting in dark band at top/bottom).
- Replace only the failed strips if the rest are healthy, or replace full set for uniformity.
- Test continuity and driver output before reassembly.
- Reassemble ensuring no light leaks and test with varied content.
Diagram (strip layout simplified):
[Rear cover]
[LED driver board]---(power/connector)--->[LED strips array]
[Diffuser plates]
[LCD panel]
[Front bezel]
Quality note: Replacing only some strips on older sets can lead to brightness mismatch; for best result, replace all strips of the same manufacturer spec or replace the driver & strips together.
5) Screen replacement (cracked or physically damaged panels)
When is a screen replacement needed?
A cracked panel, large black splotches, or smashed glass means the LCD/LED panel itself needs replacement. This is the most expensive repair because the panel is the most costly single component.
Assessment steps:
- Confirm external damage vs internal fault. If there’s visible physical damage — replacement required.
- Check whether replacement panel is available and cost-effective vs new TV. For small, older or budget models, panel replacement can be comparable to buying a new set.
How Refitec handles panel replacements:
- Source a compatible OEM (or properly matched aftermarket) panel.
- Check serial/model compatibility — panel codes and LVDS timing must match.
- Replace carefully, verify backlight, T-con and connectors.
Practical advice: For older <40″ budget models, replacement panels are often expensive. For bigger or recent mid/high-end TVs, a panel swap can be economical.
6) Lines, dead pixels, flicker — panel vs electronics
Symptoms: Vertical or horizontal lines, flicker, random pixels, or color drift.
Possible causes:
- T-con board faults — timing controllers failing produce repeated lines.
- LVDS (ribbon) cable issues — loose or damaged flex cables cause intermittent lines.
- Panel driver IC faults — these are on the panel glass and can be expensive to fix.
- Main board GPU/processing faults — rare but possible on smart TVs.
Diagnostics & fixes:
- Reseat LVDS connectors and T-con connectors.
- Replace T-con board and test.
- If lines persist, the panel driver is likely damaged — panel repair/replacement.
7) Sound but no image, or image but no sound — signal path clarity
TV signal processing splits roughly into two major functional pathways:
- Power & display (power board → backlight → T-con → panel)
- Signal & audio (main board → audio amp → speakers / HDMI / tuner)
If you have sound but no image, focus on the display path. If you have image without sound, focus on main board or audio amp or speakers.
Simplified signal flow (single line):
Antenna/HDMI → Main Board (CPU/Codec) → Audio Amp → Speakers
↓
LVDS → T-con → Panel
↓
Backlight Driver → LED Strips
Refitec uses this flow for systematic diagnostics.
8) Common brand-specific quirks (what we often see)
- Samsung: Power-board capacitor failure and T-con issues on some models; bezel-pressure causing edge strip defects.
- LG: WebOS memory issues or boot loops due to eMMC failure; known issues with certain batch T-con boards.
- Sony: Backlight driver issues and occasionally proprietary T-con boards.
- Hisense/TECNO/Other Asian brands: Varying component sourcing; often cost-effective to repair.
Refitec maintains a database of model-specific quirks and common replacement part codes to speed diagnosis and repair.
9) Smart TV problems — firmware, apps, and network
Symptoms: Apps crash, TV won’t connect to Wi-Fi, or firmware update fails.
Common causes:
- Outdated or corrupted firmware.
- Full internal storage/cache (apps use eMMC).
- Wi-Fi module hardware failure or antenna issue.
- App compatibility issues after major firmware updates.
Refitec approach:
- Factory reset and reconfigure network settings.
- Reinstall or update firmware using manufacturer method (USB or network).
- Replace eMMC (rare) or Wi-Fi module when hardware faults found.
- Advice on app housekeeping and avoiding unreliable third-party app stores.
10) HDMI, USB, tuner & port faults
Symptoms: No signal from HDMI devices; ports physically loose; tuner doesn’t lock channels.
Solutions:
- Port replacement — soldering new HDMI/USB ports when contact pins are damaged.
- Main board repair — if port circuits on main board are damaged, part or board replacement.
- Software tuner retune and check antenna/cable feed.
11) Spare parts & warranty (Refitec policy)
Refitec keeps an inventory of common spare parts for models frequent in Nairobi’s market: power boards, T-con boards, LED strips, backlight drivers, capacitors, fuses, and common connectors. When a special panel or obscure board is required, we source authentic or OEM-matched parts.
What we provide:
- Genuine or high-quality compatible spare parts for most mainstream brands.
- Parts & labour warranty (length depends on part; typically 30–90 days for repairs; panels may have manufacturer terms).
- Transparent quotations before we buy costly parts.
12) Maintenance tips to extend your TV’s life (practical & local)
- Use a surge protector / UPS — Nairobi power can be unreliable; surges kill SMPS and backlight drivers.
- Keep ventilation clear — don’t enclose the TV in a closed cabinet without airflow.
- Avoid high brightness 24/7 — extreme brightness accelerates LED degradation.
- Dust the vents regularly — dust is the common enemy of electronics.
- Stable wall mounting — avoid pressure on the screen during mounting.
- Proper cleaning — use microfiber and manufacturer-recommended cleaners; never spray liquid onto the screen.
- Turn off at night — use eco timers, not 24/7 operation.
- Firmware updates — update via official channels and back up settings where possible.
13) How Refitec does on-site vs workshop repairs
On-site: Good for diagnostics, power-board testing, simple part swaps, and software updates. Faster turnaround for minor faults.
Workshop drop-off: Required for panel repairs, backlight strip replacements, in-depth soldering, and full board swaps. We provide pickup and delivery in Tena Estate on request.
14) Pricing guidance (general)
- Diagnostic fee: small flat fee often waived if repair done.
- Simple repairs (capacitor replacement, fuse, small parts): low cost labour + parts.
- Backlight strip or driver replacement: moderate cost; depends on TV size/brand.
- Power board replacement: moderate to high depending on board and model.
- Panel replacement: highest cost — quoted per model after sourcing.
Refitec always provides a transparent quote and explains the alternatives (repair vs replace).
15) Common FAQs
Q: My TV works with a torch but is dark — do you replace the whole screen?
A: Most often it’s the backlight (LED strips or driver), not the full screen. We test and replace only what’s needed.
Q: Does Refitec use OEM parts?
A: We source OEM where available and high-quality compatible parts when OEM is not available. We’ll always inform you.
Q: How long will a repair take?
A: Simple repairs can be same-day; parts-dependent repairs depend on part sourcing. We’ll quote realistic timelines before starting.
Q: Do you service Smart TV firmware issues?
A: Yes — we perform updates, resets, and module replacements when needed.
16) Roads and estates covered around Tena Estate (practical list)
We service Tena Estate and the surrounding Embakasi / Umoja area. Key local roads and nearby estates we regularly visit include:
Roads:
- Manyanja Road (main access road for Tena Estate).
- Nearby access via Outer Ring Road (the Outer Ring runs through Eastlands and connects nearby suburbs).
Estates & neighbourhoods nearby:
- Tena Estate (Umoja / Tena) — central to our service area.
- Umoja (Umoja 1 / Umoja 2) — immediate neighbour.
- Donholm / Doonholm — adjacent estate in Eastlands region.
- Kayole — a short distance away (we cover it on request).
- Embakasi / Eastlands general area — we operate across Embakasi sub-county.
If you want a printable list of streets (e.g., Manyanja Road service points, local lanes inside Tena Estate), tell me and I’ll compile a map-style list and route order for doorstep service.
17) A short example of a real diagnostic (typical repair case)
Case: 43″ LED — customer reports black screen but has sound.
Refitec steps: Torch test shows faint image → power measurements show LED driver output 0V though driver gets 12V input → visual inspection of driver shows a blown MOSFET from a surge → replaced LED driver board + tested LED strips → full working picture returned. Parts replaced: LED driver board. Warranty: 60 days on work and part.
18) SEO & content tips for your site page (quick)
- Use the meta title and description above as primary SEO tags.
- Include local keywords (Manyanja Road, Tena Estate, Umoja, Embakasi) naturally in headings and first 100 words.
- Add FAQ schema (structured data) for common queries like “How much to replace a TV screen in Tena Estate?” — this helps appear in featured snippets.
- Add a “book a repair” call-to-action with phone number (0704843613) and a simple contact form.
19) Why choose Refitec in Tena Estate?
- Local & fast — familiar with Manyanja Road and neighbourhood logistics.
- Parts on hand — we stock common parts and provide transparent parts sourcing.
- Skilled technicians — trained in power electronics, LED/backlight systems, and smart TV firmware.
- Clear warranty — we back repairs with a parts & labour guarantee.
20) Final notes, how to contact & next steps
If your TV is giving trouble in Tena Estate, call Refitec on 0704843613 or visit refitec.co.ke. Tell us your TV brand, model number (usually at the rear label), and a short description of the fault (e.g., “black screen but sound” or “cracked panel”). We’ll advise whether on-site or workshop drop-off is best, provide a diagnostic fee estimate and expected parts cost.
For immediate help: call 0704843613 — we service Tena Estate (Umoja/Tena) and the wider Embakasi area.