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How to fix your TV screen.
Updated
Your dog knocked your flat screen off the TV stand. Now you’re watching “Jeopardy” on your smartphone. Here’s how to get your TV back.
The most common TV screen issues — and what they mean.
Problem #1: Easy-to-fix flat screen TV issues: brightness, color ratio, resolution.
Almost all TV screens on the market today are flat panels. These televisions have sophisticated settings that control everything from picture brightness and color ratio to motion interpolation (skips or jumps) and image resolution. If you’re having issues with any of these elements, try adjusting the display settings. It’ll help you figure out whether it’s a simple fix or whether you’re dealing with a broken flat panel.
Problem #2: LCD screen damage: vertical lines, spots, patches.
Unlike plasma TVs, liquid crystal display (LCD) systems are backlit using LED lights, making LCD/LED TVs thinner, lighter and more fragile than older generations of TVs. When an LCD screen is damaged, you’ll see vertical lines, spots and patches of discoloration, as well as cracks and breaks.
Problem #3: Signs of a broken flat panel TV: lines, colors, splotches, buzzing.
Did you accidentally knock over your smart TV and physically break the screen? If there’s a rainbow of lines and colors surrounding the crack, it’s time to take it to the repair shop or call a technician. Plasma panels won’t show cracks the same way LEDs and LCDs do. Occasionally, they’ll keep running as if nothing is wrong. Don’t be fooled — have a professional take a look.
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Top TV repair mistakes and the biggest causes of physical damage.
Mistake #1: Not fastening your TV to the wall.
Televisions have never been lighter, thinner or sleeker. And that’s great for transport and installation. But it does mean that you run a higher risk of causing damage or knocking over your expensive new LED HD TV. Keep your screen safe by having it mounted flush to a wall at around eyeline so it’s high enough to be out of your way (and far away from your pets). If you don’t have a suitable wall, make sure your TV is securely bolted down (especially if you live in an earthquake-prone state).
Mistake #2: Not checking your TV manufacturer’s warranty.
If your television develops cracks, lines, spots or color distortions on its own, there’s a good chance the manufacturer will fix it for you. Popular brands like Samsung, Vizio, Sony and Phillips offer standard warranties of between 12 and 24 months that cover parts and service for most defects, as well as any stress fractures that happen in transport.
Mistake #3: Fixing your TV when you should have bought a new one.
The price on that flat panel television in the Best Buy window just keeps going down. The same is true on Ebay and Amazon. With technology advancing so fast, new TVs cost less and the value of your current TV is depreciating. Repairs, replacement screens, and parts can cost more you than just buying a new TV. Consider this your excuse to spring for that new 48-inch LCD flat screen.
How much does TV screen repair cost?
If your TV screen is broken, you might be tempted to fix it yourself. But TV screen repair is far more complicated than switching out glass. TV repair professionals have the tools, training and experience to resolve most TV-related problems, no matter the manufacturer or kind of screen. As TV screens have gotten bigger and technology continues to advance, TV repair requires a lot more technical knowledge than it used to.
Most TVs can be repaired, regardless of how new or how outdated the TV technology is. In general, it’s harder (and more expensive) to repair older plasma TVs (built between 2004 and 2009) including projection TVs, digital light processing (DLP) TVs, LED TVs (particularly when the LED lights go bad) and LCD TVs. LCDs are the most common request for TV repair professionals. The cost for standard TV screen repair is generally around $175 to $200.
For more on costs, see “How much does TV repair cost?"
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Who to hire to fix your TV screen.
Watching the nightly news just isn’t the same with a rainbow-colored crack dividing your LCD screen in two. Hire a technician to fix your flat screen before it gets worse: