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How to Fix Samsung TV Black Screen of Death

Samsung TV Black Screen of Death (11 Ways to Fix + Tips)

For countless times there, the color black symbolized doom and gloom. So when all your Samsung TV exhibits is a dark screen (commonly called the Black Screen of Death), it might get you all panicky!

But don’t let fear overcome you. A completely black screen is typical in any electronic device that has a screen. Plus, it does not mean the untimely demise of your boob tube, as there are quick fixes you can do to remedy the situation. 

The most common cause of the black screen of death on a Samsung TV is the loss of signal from the source device. To fix this issue, check the source connections at the back of your TV (HDMI port, RCA cables) and make sure they are all secure. 

In case the quick fix doesn’t work out, the problem may be bigger than that. In this post, we’ll show you eleven proven fixes to the black screen of death on your Samsung TV, plus we’ve more solutions to deal with other screen issues! Read on!

1. Restart your Samsung TV.

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps2
Time to Perform Fix60 seconds
Things NeededSamsung TV

Restarting your television might sound like a straightforward and irrelevant method. However, know that doing so is a common and effective way to fix the Samsung TV black screen of death issue. 

The key to a successful reset is patiently waiting for 60 seconds before plugging your device back in. Your little patience will give your Samsung TV enough time to discharge any residual energy that will aid in fixing this issue. 

Regarding the settings configuration and personal data stored on your Samsung TV, you don’t have to worry, as this method doesn’t remove them. This solution has no downsides, so it’s advisable to do it before anything else.

Step 1: Unplug your TV from the wall socket, making sure that it isn’t
            connected to a surge protector as it causes power issues. 

Step 2: Wait for a full minute before you plug back your Samsung TV’s power
            Cord into the wall socket. 

2. Carefully check the HDMI and power cables.

If you’ve already performed a quick restart, but the Samsung TV black screen of death issue persists, check your HDMI connections and power cables. Loose HDMI cables and dirty ports can mess with the data transmission on your Samsung TV.

It usually results in your Samsung TV display producing low-quality images or a black screen. Thus, we highly recommend reseating your HDMI cables and blowing air into the ports to ensure the contact points are tight and clean.

Also, one thing to remember about your power cord connection is that it must be snug to prevent power supply issues. Otherwise, it might also cause various display issues on your Samsung TV, such as the black screen of death.

This solution is easy to do and many people are bound to sidestep it. It’s important, however, that you apply this one head-on so you don’t miss an essential solution for the problem at hand. 

3. Select the appropriate input source.

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps3
Time to Perform Fix60 seconds
Things NeededSamsung TV remote control

When you’ve already secured all the HDMI connections and power cables on your Samsung TV, another culprit might be the input source. Ascertain that your Samsung TV uses the appropriate input source for the device you’re trying to display.

After you have connected another external input device to your Samsung TV, you need to change your input selection. Otherwise, your old input device will still be transmitting data to your Samsung TV instead of the new device you’ve connected. 

Step 1: Have access to your TV remote and then proceed to press the home
            button. 

Step 2: Find the Source option and select it.

Step 3: Click Source for input devices to appear, then select the desired source. 


Note: You need to make sure that you have labeled all inputs correctly so you can easily recognize what input source you’re trying to select.

4. Check your TV’s input source.

Newer television models nowadays aren’t dubbed as smart for no reason. One such reason is their ability to provide different methods of accessing a wide array of content, which is as beneficial as challenging.

With different features and input sources, navigating through them can be hard for some users. Simple mistakes like this might explain the occurrence of the Samsung TV black screen of death, specifically due to an incorrect source setting.

If you suspect your Samsung TV is using the wrong input source, we recommend double-checking before trying other troubleshooting tricks. You can follow the previous steps to choose the correct input source on your TV.

5. Do a TV firmware update.

Difficulty Easy ●●○○○
Number of Steps4
Time to Perform Fix10 minutes
Things NeededSamsung TV remote control
A working internet connection

Bugs in your Samsung TV’s firmware are a likely cause of the Samsung TV black screen of death issue. Firmware-related issues usually result in problems with the display screen, causing the Samsung TV not to generate any images at all. 

Since the firmware runs everything on your Samsung TV, upgrading to the latest version is a viable way to resolve this issue. Fortunately, performing a firmware update on your Samsung TV is easy.

You need not worry as this method doesn’t require you to be a teach freak. Just follow the instructions below step by step, and make sure your Samsung TV is connected to a reliable WiFi network.

Step 1: Choose the menu button on your TV’s remote.

Step 2: Locate the settings option on your Samsung TV, then proceed to the
            Support section.

Step 3: Choose the Software Update option to start updating your TV’s firmware. 

Step 4: Click Update Now to complete the update process.


Note: If your Samsung TV has up-to-date firmware, a dialogue box will appear indicating that no new updates are available.

6. Turn off your TV’s power saver mode.

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps3
Time to Perform Fix1 minute
Things NeededSamsung TV remote control

Features such as power saver mode and sleep timer are cool aspects of Samsung TVs that help you reduce your device’s power consumption. It’s especially helpful for households that are looking for ways to reduce their monthly power bill.

The Samsung TV black screen of death is a display issue that occurs when the TV is on but the screen is off. Sometimes, display issues like these are caused by the power saver feature, which disables your TV display to save energy.

Turning the power saver feature off lets you confirm if this is the culprit of the display issue on your Samsung TV. If the black screen of death persists, move to the next solution.

Step 1: Go to your TV’s settings, then choose the Energy Saving Mode option.

Step 2: Turn this feature off by choosing the Off option.

Step 3: Turn off your Samsung TV to apply the recent changes you’ve made and
            make sure to wait for 30 seconds before turning it back on.

7. Replace the batteries of your remote.

Difficulty Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps1
Time to Perform Fix10 seconds
Things Needed2 AA batteries
TV remote

If you’re expecting a technical solution to fix the Samsung TV black screen of death issue, then this step will subvert your expectations. Believe it or not, you might not even have a black screen of death issue on your Samsung TV.

In some cases, the issue lies with the batteries on your TV remote control running low on juice. When this happens, your Samsung TV doesn’t turn on because your remote doesn’t send any signal when you press its power button.

There have been cases where owners who changed their remote batteries could bring their TV pictures back. Therefore, we highly recommend replacing the pair of batteries inside your TV remote control before proceeding to the other methods.

Again, this solution might seem obvious but many people who have painstakingly sought solutions to their black screen of death regretted not doing this solution earlier. This should be one of the first steps. 

8. Try using a different wall outlet.

Similar to the possible issue with your remote control’s batteries, other factors might also explain the Samsung TV black screen of death issue. Another likely culprit to look into is the power outlet you’re plugging your Samsung TV into.

We’ve already discussed previously how power supply issues can cause problems on your Samsung TV display, which is why we suggested tightening your power cord. However, there are times when the outlet you’re plugging into is faulty itself. 

To ascertain if this is the root cause of the issue, you should try using a different power outlet. After doing so, check if the issue persists.

If it does continue bogging you, no worries. Proceed to our next solution if this proven fix fails you as we’re sure you’re getting closer to success. 

9. Restore the factory settings on your Samsung TV. 

Difficulty Easy ●●○○○
Number of Steps5
Time to Perform Fix3 minutes
Things NeededSamsung TV remote control

If you’ve already reached this far in the guide and have tried all the methods discussed previously, it is time to pull out the big guns. What we mean by this is to perform a factory reset to fix the Samsung TV black screen of death issue.

Please consider that the factory reset will delete all the data and settings on your TV before proceeding. That’s the only downside to this otherwise effective method for solving any software-related issues on your Samsung TV.

Also, we highly recommend saving your important data before initiating the factory reset procedure. Remember that like bugs, viruses, or system glitches being deleted, your device’s custom settings and stored data are removed as well.

Step 1: Proceed to the Settings option on your Samsung TV.

Step 2: Choose the General option.

Step 3: Continue by clicking on Reset.

Step 4: Type your Samsung TV passcode if the reset process asks for a PIN.

Step 5: Continue by pressing Reset and complete the factory reset process by
            clicking OK afterward.

After the factory reset process, your Samsung TV will automatically restart. Upon setting up your TV, make sure that you set things correctly to avoid the possibility of getting errors. 

You can also restore your Smart TV’s previous data by connecting to your Samsung account. Through Samsung Cloud, all of your user data will be restored in the system automatically.

Take note that your Samsung account is a free service you can access. You only need one account for all of your Samsung devices, something that should help you get quality customer service from the brand. 

10. Replace your Samsung TV’s T-Con board.

Difficulty Easy ●●○○○
Number of Steps4
Time to Perform Fix5 minutes
Things NeededScrewdriver
Replacement T-con board

While it’s true that replacing the T-con board is no easy task, you don’t have to worry as it’s easy when you know what you’re doing. That’s the exact reason why guides like this exist to help show you the ropes.

The T-con board must generate both the horizontal and vertical timing panel signals, including the enabling signals and the providing panel bias. Simply put, it plays a crucial role in the control and correction of your TV’s brightness, touch, color, etc.

Therefore, a problem with the T-con board means the screen won’t show the correct pictures, and in some cases, cause the Samsung TV black screen of death. In cases like this, your only option is to replace the faulty T-con board on your TV.

Step 1: Start by removing the rear panel of your TV.

Step 2: Disconnect all of the ribbon cables that are connected to the T-con
            board.

Step 3: Remove the screws on the T-con board so you can detach it from the
            chassis of your Samsung TV.

Step 4: Take your replacement T-con board and install it in the same location.       
            Reinstall the rear panel of your Samsung TV and turn the device back on.

1. Replace the LED backlight strips of your TV

Difficulty Easy ●●○○○
Number of Steps15
Time to Perform Fix20 minutes
Things NeededCamera
Screwdriver
Tape
A pair of suction cups
Replacement LED strips

The primary role of LED backlight strips in any TV is to provide lighting for the screen. Faulty backlight strips are a common culprit of the Samsung TV black screen of death and other display issues where pictures are darker on one side.

If you have exhausted all efforts to try the previous methods but the issue wasn’t resolved, it’s time to replace the backlight stips of your Samsung TV. If you’re skilled enough in handling electronics, you should be able to do the replacement yourself.

However, note that replacing LED backlight strips is quite a complicated process and it may require professional assistance for some users. If you aren’t confident with your skills, your best bet would be to call a technician to perform this step for you.

It will cost you more money but you also don’t run the risk of causing further damage to your Samsung TV due to mishandling.

Step 1: Lie your Samsung TV facedown on a smooth surface.

Step 2: Remove the screws on the rear panel to remove it.

Step 3: Disconnect the ribbon cables on the TV’s scan drive boards.


Note: Remember to snap a photo of the inside of your TV so you have something to refer to when putting the components back together.
Step 4: Press against the rivets connecting to the chassis to push/release them.


Note: Look below the boards on your Samsung for some hidden rivets.
Step 5: Flip the Samsung TV to detach its bezel.

Step 6: Dislodge the scan drive boards to lift and tape them to the LCD panel.

Step 7: Lift the LCD panel using suction cups to remove it from your TV’s chassis.

Step 8: Remove the TV’s filter frame.

Step 9: Tape the edges of the filter sheets to bind them before they’re removed.

Step 10: Pull out the tabs on the reflector sheet.

Step 11: Remove/lift the reflector sheet.

Step 12: Disconnect the power cord on the faulty LED strips to remove them.

Step 13: Install your replacement LED strips and connect them to the power cord.

Step 14: Put the components of your Samsung TV back together.

Samsung TV Black Screen: Other Issues and Tips to Solve Them

Several other issues can plague your Samsung TV when it’s experiencing a black screen of death. We’re discussing below the different Samsung TV black screen issues you may encounter along the way.

1. The Samsung TV screen is black but it has sound. 

There are times when you’ll notice that despite the Samsung TV black screen of death issue, the unit is still producing a sound. While there are various ways to approach this issue, you can focus on the following:

  • Perform a soft reset on your Samsung TV device by unplugging it from the power source while waiting for a full minute before plugging it back in.
  • Check all HDMI connections and power cables and use a different port or socket if necessary.
  • Perform a factory reset on your Samsung TV in case it’s caused by a software-related issue. 

If none of the above-mentioned steps worked, you can try other methods discussed in this article and see what works best for your case.

2. Only half of the Samsung TV screen is black.

Devices such as televisions, personal computers, and mobile phones might encounter problems upon booting up. If things don’t go right, this will cause issues such as having a half-black screen.

With this issue, restarting your Samsung TV will be the best possible method to resolve it. Below are the steps for doing this:

  • Unplug your TV from the wall socket and make sure that it wasn’t connected to a surge protector as it’s famous for causing power issues.
  • Wait for at least a full minute or 60 seconds before you plug back your television’s power cord.

If this doesn’t work for you, this means that you’re experiencing a more complicated issue. This issue might be due to faulty backlights that aren’t able to illuminate your TV display properly.  

3. Reset your Samsung TV with a black screen without a remote.

Resetting your Samsung TV with a black screen, plus not having a remote is quite challenging – but it’s not impossible. Below are the steps to accomplish this.

  • Unplugging your Samsung TV from the electrical source.
  • Use the TV’s physical buttons to press/hold both the power and volume down buttons simultaneously.
  • Keep holding down both buttons and ask another person to plug the TV back into the electrical source.
  • Follow the steps that are displayed on your Samsung TV display to finish the reset process.

The above steps will come in handy especially when you are facing these two issues: malfunctioning TV and Samsung remote not working. 

FAQs about Samsung TV

How do you disable the ECO Sensor on a Samsung TV?


Navigate to System > Eco Solution > Eco Sensor and choose the off option to disable your Samsung TV’s ECO sensor. This action will stop your Samsung TV from reducing the display’s brightness level automatically.

How do you turn on Intelligent Mode on a Samsung TV?


Navigate to Settings > General > Intelligent Mode and select it to enable Intelligent Mode on the Samsung TV. While it’s turned on, the energy efficiency features that might be causing display issues on your Samsung TV will be turned off.

How can you increase the brightness of a Samsung TV display?


Navigate to Settings > Picture > Expert Settings > Brightness to increase the value of the display’s brightness level. This action will help brighten the display screen of your TV if you think it’s too dim or dark.

How long can I expect my Samsung TV screen to last?


15 years is the life expectancy of Samsung TV screens. However, this can be much lower or longer depending on external factors like weather, power supply, component health, and the unit’s overall design.


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