Samsung TV - A Bit Of A Long Shot
Discussion
Morning all. We have an 11 year old Samsung LED TV. It's been fantastic up to last night! We switch the TV on, you get sound but no picture. Once or twice it flickers on then off. Last night it came on and I watched a whole football match. This morning, nothing. It's definitely screen as we have sound. Any obvious starting points or just scrap it?
It's both a wonderful and terrible thing as I've wanted it to die for a while so I can get a bigger one but wanted a bit of warning first!
It's both a wonderful and terrible thing as I've wanted it to die for a while so I can get a bigger one but wanted a bit of warning first!
Things you could try (if you’re comfortable):
• Torch test → Play TV with sound, shine a torch close to the screen. If you see faint images, it’s almost certainly the backlight.
• Inspect boards (if you’re handy with a screwdriver):
• Unplug, remove the back cover, check the power board for bulging capacitors.
• Sometimes, a cheap capacitor replacement (<£10 parts) revives it.
• Professional repair: Expect £70–£120 call-out/repair if it’s just backlights or capacitors. If it’s the panel, it’s scrap.
• Torch test → Play TV with sound, shine a torch close to the screen. If you see faint images, it’s almost certainly the backlight.
• Inspect boards (if you’re handy with a screwdriver):
• Unplug, remove the back cover, check the power board for bulging capacitors.
• Sometimes, a cheap capacitor replacement (<£10 parts) revives it.
• Professional repair: Expect £70–£120 call-out/repair if it’s just backlights or capacitors. If it’s the panel, it’s scrap.
Scrap unfortunately, some models you can physically replace the panels but they cost almost as much as a new TV so not worth it. We looked in to similar when ours developed a faint line down one side.
Ended up replacing it and keeping it in the spare room where it lasted a good few years more before finally giving up.
Ended up replacing it and keeping it in the spare room where it lasted a good few years more before finally giving up.
Some TVs have blinking LEDs to indicate the fault.
I bought a Sony in December 2013. Last August I got the shutdown and 4 blinking LEDs fault.
Made a few enquiries for repairs and a repairer actually replied: "4x Blinking LED on this model would indicate panel failure. Unfortunately the panel is not available for replacement as this part has been discontinued by the manufacturer. We would recommend purchasing a new TV from retailers that have extended warranties, such as John Lewis, Costco or Richer Sounds."
Missus looked online and found a youtube video where the "Bl err" cable is cut and earthed and got the TV going. Followed the video to fix and 20 minutes later TV was back to life. Was resigned to having it replaced last Christmas, but It's still going.
So try to see if there's a fix on youtube?
I bought a Sony in December 2013. Last August I got the shutdown and 4 blinking LEDs fault.
Made a few enquiries for repairs and a repairer actually replied: "4x Blinking LED on this model would indicate panel failure. Unfortunately the panel is not available for replacement as this part has been discontinued by the manufacturer. We would recommend purchasing a new TV from retailers that have extended warranties, such as John Lewis, Costco or Richer Sounds."
Missus looked online and found a youtube video where the "Bl err" cable is cut and earthed and got the TV going. Followed the video to fix and 20 minutes later TV was back to life. Was resigned to having it replaced last Christmas, but It's still going.
So try to see if there's a fix on youtube?
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff