A television that keeps restarting is frustrating and disruptive. This guide walks you through the exact causes and solutions to fix this problem.
Why Your Television Keeps Restarting
When your television keeps restarting, it’s usually caused by one of these issues:
- Power supply problems
- Overheating components
- Software glitches
- Faulty hardware connections
- Failing capacitors or internal components
Quick Fixes to Try First
Check Your Power Connection
Loose or damaged power cables cause restart loops. Unplug your TV, inspect the power cord for damage, and plug it firmly back into both the TV and wall outlet. Try a different outlet to rule out electrical issues.
Let Your TV Cool Down
Overheating triggers automatic restarts. Turn off your TV for 30 minutes. Check that ventilation vents aren’t blocked by dust, walls, or other objects. Clean vents with compressed air if needed.
Perform a Power Cycle
Unplug your TV from the wall. Press and hold the power button on the TV itself for 30 seconds to drain residual power. Wait 2 minutes, then plug it back in and turn it on.
Remove External Devices
Disconnect all HDMI cables, USB devices, and streaming sticks. A faulty external device can cause restart issues. Turn on the TV. If it stops restarting, reconnect devices one at a time to identify the problem device.
Software and Settings Solutions
Update Your TV’s Firmware
Outdated software causes instability. Go to Settings > System > Software Update (exact path varies by brand). Install any available updates. Some TVs update automatically when connected to the internet.
Disable Sleep Timer and Power Saving Features
Incorrectly configured power settings mimic restart behavior. Navigate to Settings > Power or System settings. Turn off sleep timers, auto power-off, and eco mode temporarily to test if these are causing restarts.
Factory Reset Your Television
When software corruption causes restarts, a factory reset often fixes it. Go to Settings > System > Reset or Advanced Settings > Factory Reset. This erases all settings and installed apps, so use it as a last software solution.
Hardware Problems That Cause Restarts
Failing Power Supply Board
The power supply board delivers electricity to TV components. When it fails, your television keeps restarting because it can’t maintain stable power. Signs include the TV turning on briefly then shutting off, or random restart patterns. This requires professional repair or board replacement.
Bad Capacitors
Capacitors store electrical charge. Failed capacitors cause power fluctuations that trigger restarts. You might see bulging or leaking capacitors if you open the TV. Capacitor replacement requires soldering skills or professional service.
Faulty Main Board
The main board controls TV operations. A defective main board sends incorrect signals that cause restart loops. This typically needs professional diagnosis and replacement.
Overheating Internal Components
Blocked internal cooling fans or degraded thermal paste on processors cause overheating shutdowns that appear as restarts. Check if your TV feels extremely hot during operation. This requires opening the TV to clean fans or reapply thermal paste.
Brand-Specific Issues
Samsung TV Keeps Restarting
Samsung TVs often restart due to instant-on mode. Disable this in Settings > General > Network > Expert Settings > Power On with Mobile. Also try disabling Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) in Settings > General > External Device Manager.
LG TV Keeps Restarting
LG TVs may restart from Simplink (HDMI-CEC) conflicts. Disable Simplink in Settings > General > Devices > HDMI Settings. Energy saving features also cause issues—turn these off temporarily.
Sony TV Keeps Restarting
Sony TVs restart from automatic software downloads. Go to Settings > System Software Update and disable automatic downloads. Also disable Bravia Sync in Settings > External Inputs.
Vizio TV Keeps Restarting
Vizio Smart TVs commonly restart from CEC issues. Go to System > CEC and disable CEC. Clear cache by going to System > Reset & Admin > Clear Memory.
When to Call a Professional
Contact a TV repair technician if:
- Your TV restarts after trying all troubleshooting steps
- The TV smells like burning electronics
- You see visible damage to internal components
- The TV is less than 2 years old and may be under warranty
- You’re uncomfortable opening electronic devices
Professional repairs cost between $75-$250 depending on the component that needs replacement.
Preventing Future Restart Problems
Keep your TV from restarting again by:
- Using a surge protector to prevent electrical damage
- Keeping at least 4 inches of clearance around vents
- Cleaning dust from vents every 3 months
- Updating firmware when available
- Avoiding powering on/off repeatedly in short periods
- Maintaining proper room temperature (below 80°F is ideal)
Conclusion
A television that keeps restarting is usually fixable. Start with simple solutions like checking power connections and updating software. If basic troubleshooting doesn’t work, the problem is likely hardware-related and needs professional repair. Most restart issues resolve with a power cycle, firmware update, or factory reset.