Television Repair in Nairobi, Kenya >0704843613
Samsung TVs are known for their quality and longevity, but like any electronic device, they can develop problems over time. This Samsung TV repair guide covers the most common issues and their fixes, helping you troubleshoot problems before calling a technician.
Samsung TV Won’t Turn On
This is one of the most frustrating problems Samsung TV owners face. Before assuming your TV is dead, try these fixes:
Check the power source by unplugging your TV for 60 seconds, then plugging it back in. This soft reset clears temporary glitches in the system. Verify the wall outlet works by plugging in another device. Inspect the power cable for damage or loose connections.
If the standby light blinks red, your TV is detecting an internal error. Count the number of blinks, as this indicates specific component failures. Six blinks typically means a power supply board issue, while two blinks suggest a backlight problem.
For Samsung TVs that won’t turn on at all with no lights, the power supply board likely needs replacement. This repair costs between $100-$200 if done professionally, or you can replace it yourself if you’re comfortable working with electronics.
No Picture But Sound Works
When your Samsung TV has sound but no picture, you’re dealing with a backlight or display panel issue.
First, shine a flashlight at the screen while content is playing. If you can faintly see the image, your backlight has failed. Backlight LED strips degrade over time and are a common failure point in Samsung TVs, especially models from 2013-2017.
Check all HDMI connections and try different ports. A faulty HDMI port can cause display issues even when internal apps work fine. Test with different HDMI cables to rule out cable problems.
If the screen is completely black with no faint image visible, you may have a T-Con board failure or a failed display panel. The T-Con board is cheaper to replace than the entire panel.
Samsung TV Screen Flickering
Screen flickering ruins your viewing experience and indicates several possible issues.
Disable the Eco Sensor by going to Settings, then General, then Power and Energy Saving. This sensor adjusts brightness based on room lighting but can cause flickering. Turn off Energy Saving Mode as well.
Check if flickering happens on all sources or just one input. If it’s isolated to cable or streaming devices, the problem lies with that device, not your TV.
Loose cable connections cause intermittent flickering. Remove and firmly reconnect all cables, especially HDMI and power cables. Try different HDMI cables, as damaged cables cause flickering and signal dropouts.
If flickering persists across all sources, your power supply board may be failing. Capacitors on this board deteriorate over time, causing voltage fluctuations that manifest as screen flicker.
No Sound From Samsung TV
Audio problems are among the most common Samsung TV issues.
Check your volume settings first. Press the volume up button and verify the on-screen indicator appears. Make sure the TV isn’t muted. Go to Settings, then Sound, then Sound Output, and verify it’s set to TV Speaker, not external devices.
Perform a sound test by navigating to Settings, then Support, then Self Diagnosis, then Sound Test. If the test tone plays, your speakers work and the problem is with your source device or cable.
If there’s no sound even during the test, try a soft reset by unplugging the TV for two minutes. This often resolves software glitches affecting audio output.
For Samsung TVs with no sound after updates, go to Settings, then Sound, then Expert Settings, then Reset Sound. This restores factory audio settings without affecting other configurations.
If hardware failure is suspected, the main board or speakers themselves may need replacement.
Samsung TV Remote Not Working
Remote control issues frustrate users but are usually easy to fix.
Replace the batteries first. Even if batteries seem fine, weak batteries cause intermittent remote function. Use fresh batteries from a new package.
Remove any obstructions between the remote and TV sensor, located at the bottom center of most Samsung TVs. Clean the sensor with a soft cloth, as dust accumulation blocks the infrared signal.
Reset your Samsung remote by removing the batteries, pressing and holding the power button for 8 seconds to discharge residual power, then reinserting batteries.
For Samsung Smart Remotes that connect via Bluetooth, re-pair them by pressing and holding the Return and Play/Pause buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds while pointing at the TV.
If your remote still doesn’t work, test it with your phone camera. Point the remote at your camera and press buttons. If you don’t see a light on your phone screen, the remote’s infrared emitter is broken and needs replacement.
Samsung TV Apps Not Working
Smart TV apps crashing or not loading is a common complaint.
Clear app cache by pressing Home, then go to Settings, then Support, then Device Care, then Manage Storage. Select problematic apps and clear their cache and data.
Check your internet connection. Go to Settings, then General, then Network, then Network Status to run a connection test. Slow or unstable connections prevent apps from functioning properly.
Update apps by pressing Home, going to Apps, highlighting the problematic app, pressing and holding the Select button, then choosing Update. Outdated apps frequently crash or fail to load content.
If a specific app won’t work, delete and reinstall it. Highlight the app, press and holding Select, then choose Delete. Reinstall from the app store.
Update your TV’s firmware by going to Settings, then Support, then Software Update, then Update Now. Samsung regularly releases updates that fix app compatibility issues.
Samsung TV Lines on Screen
Vertical or horizontal lines across your screen indicate serious display problems.
Try a picture test first. Press Home, then Settings, then Support, then Self Diagnosis, then Picture Test. If lines don’t appear during the test, the issue is with your source device or cable.
For lines that appear during the picture test, you likely have a T-Con board failure or panel damage. Vertical lines typically indicate T-Con board issues, which cost $150-$300 to repair professionally.
Horizontal lines often mean panel failure, which is rarely worth repairing as the cost approaches that of a new TV. However, try a factory reset before giving up. Go to Settings, then General, then Reset, then enter your PIN (default 0000).
Physical damage to the screen, like pressure points or cracks, cannot be repaired and requires panel replacement.
Samsung TV WiFi Connection Issues
Connectivity problems prevent streaming and smart features from working.
Restart your router and TV. Unplug both devices for 30 seconds, plug in the router first and wait for it to fully boot, then power on your TV.
Forget and reconnect to your network by going to Settings, then General, then Network, then Network Settings. Select Wireless, choose your network, and re-enter your password.
Change your router’s DNS settings to Google’s DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare’s DNS (1.1.1.1). This often resolves streaming issues caused by ISP DNS problems.
If your TV won’t detect your WiFi network at all, the wireless card may have failed. Try connecting via Ethernet cable as a permanent solution, or replace the wireless card for $50-$100.
Reduce interference by moving your router closer to the TV or using a WiFi extender. Microwave ovens, cordless phones, and other electronics can disrupt WiFi signals.
Samsung TV Keeps Restarting
Random restarts interrupt viewing and suggest software or power issues.
Update your TV’s software immediately. Go to Settings, then Support, then Software Update. Outdated firmware causes stability problems and unexpected restarts.
Disable Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) by going to Settings, then General, then External Device Manager. This feature sometimes causes conflict loops that trigger restarts.
Check for overheating. Ensure your TV has adequate ventilation with at least 4 inches of clearance on all sides. Dust buildup blocks vents and causes thermal shutdowns. Clean vents with compressed air.
Perform a factory reset if software issues persist. Go to Settings, then General, then Reset. This erases all settings but often fixes persistent restart problems.
If restarting continues after these fixes, your power supply board is likely failing and needs replacement.
When to Call a Professional
Some Samsung TV repairs require professional expertise. Call a technician if you encounter board-level component failures, need power supply board replacement, have confirmed backlight failure requiring panel disassembly, see physical damage to internal components, or smell burning odors coming from the TV.
Samsung offers warranty service for TVs under one year old. Check your purchase date and warranty status before paying for repairs.
For TVs older than five years with major component failures, replacement often makes more financial sense than repair. Compare repair costs to new TV prices before committing to expensive fixes.
Preventive Maintenance Tips
Extend your Samsung TV’s lifespan with these maintenance practices. Use a surge protector to prevent power spike damage. Keep your TV’s firmware updated. Clean vents and the screen regularly with appropriate cleaning solutions. Avoid maximum brightness settings, which accelerate backlight degradation. Ensure proper ventilation around your TV.
Most Samsung TV problems have simple solutions you can implement yourself. Start with basic troubleshooting like power cycling and checking connections before assuming the worst. When repairs exceed 50% of replacement cost, buying a new TV makes better financial sense.