Is your Samsung TV blinking red light and giving you a headache? Before you throw one of the world’s leading TV brands out the window, hold your horses as the DIY solutions below may save your day.
The flashing or blinking red light on the Samsung TV is usually an indicator of a software or hardware issue. You can fix this issue by resetting the TV, replacing faulty power sources, or repairing and changing broken components.
But that’s not all there is to it! In this guide, we’re giving you an in-depth summary of what’s causing the Samsung TV blinking red light issue and 11 of its most effective fixes — so read up to get things done within the hour.
| Difficulty | Moderate ●●●○○ |
| Duration | 58 minutes |
| Number of Fixes | 11 |
| Things You Need | Samsung TVPower CordPower Outlet/Surge Protector2 AAA BatteriesScrewdriverHDMI CableUSB stickA PCA working internet connection |
Samsung TV Blinking Red Light
A Samsung smart TV blinking red light can be a foreboding of ugly things to come. The worst scenario is the TV needs a replacement; on the other end of the spectrum, attending to the problem yourself may put the problem away.
It’s essential to identify the root of the problem when troubleshooting correctly. Or you can make matters worse.
What does the blinking red light mean for your Samsung TV?
A Samsung TV power button blinking red light indicates a defective power supply, lousy startup configuration, HDMI error, or incorrect source selection. Troubleshoot these problems by resetting the TV or managing the power lines.
There are many possible reasons for the problem. Worse, not one but two reasons could be causing your TV’s power button to blink red.
As a consequence, you will have trouble turning your Samsung TV on. Think of the red light as a call for distress — your TV has suffered internal damage that must be attended to immediately.
What causes the blinking red light in Samsung TV?
Your Samsung TV’s blinking red light can be due to three general categories of issues. These are:
- Software Issues: Your Samsung needs a soft reset to factor in needed software updates.
- Interrupted Electricity Flow: Power may have been obstructed to your device due to faulty electrical components such as a power surge protector.
- Connection Issues: A loose HDMI cable connection is a top example.
But there may be other reasons, such as burned or swollen capacitors and a broken LED backlight. In such cases, these parts should be replaced to prevent further damage to your Samsung TV.
Let’s dive in for the details of the 7 common issues that cause the blinking red light on your Samsung TV!
1. Minor Bug or Glitch
Even the smallest bugs and glitches in the software can cause the TV not to work as intended resulting in the Samsung TV blinking red light issue. Don’t worry, a minor issue like this is usually easy to fix.
In most cases, you must power off your Samsung TV and turn it back on afterward. Otherwise, it may call for an extra step which involves unplugging the device from its power source for a while before plugging it back in.
2. Residual Electrical Charge
Samsung TVs will run low on memory and store residual electrical charges as time passes. This may result in glitches, slow startup, and other malfunctions, ultimately leading to the Samsung TV blinking red light.
Please note that the build-up of residual electrical charge may not always cause the red light to blink, but it’s always a good idea not to leave any stones unturned by considering every possible cause to help narrow down to the real culprit.
3. Insufficient Power Supply
Receiving insufficient power is the most common cause of the blink of the Samsung TV’s red light. This is because the device usually fails to turn on when it doesn’t receive enough electricity from its power source.
Sometimes, it’s also due to some parts of the Samsung TV receiving insufficient electricity or nothing. Problems can arise when some of its internal hardware, such as the capacitors or the LED backlight strips, break.
The likelihood of this is small since most power supply issues can be traced back from the power source itself. In this case, your power outlet may not be supplying enough electricity, or when the surge protector your TV connects to is broken.
A rundown of the parts or power supply that can cause insufficient energy flow is shown below:
Power Cord
The power cord is the cable that connects your Samsung TV to the wall outlet or surge protector. If the power cord is broken, it will cause the electricity to not flow properly into the TV.
Power Supply Board
The power supply board is important because it supplies electricity to other components and parts inside your Samsung TV. A faulty power supply that doesn’t do its job will result in the TV not turning on even when connected to an outlet.
Power Outlet/Surge Protector
A power outlet or surge protector is where you plug your Samsung TV to receive power. Either of these power sources not giving enough electricity will result in your TV not turning on.
Capacitors
Capacitors are small components inside your Samsung TV that stores electrical charges and releases them as needed. Over time, these little buggers can swell up, blow up, and wear out, resulting in different problems arising.
Problems due to bad capacitors include pink dots during startup, slow startup, pictures not showing/black screen, clicking noises, and screen flickering.
LED Backlight Strips
The purpose of LED backlights is to adjust the display screen’s lighting quality based on ambient lighting conditions. Unfortunately, this component can short out, which results in the Samsung TV blinking red light.
4. Faulty LCD Screen
Aside from damage to the Samsung TV’s internal components, a dead or broken LCD screen will give you a blinking red light. In this case, your TV will turn on with only the audio playing in the background and no pictures appearing on display.
5. Outdated Software Version
Samsung TVs that still use an old software version are prone to software errors and glitches. Also, turning on automatic updates will cause your TV to download the updates in the background whenever it’s connected to the internet.
The red light will blink during an automatic update while the TV downloads the necessary files. Once it’s done, the blinking should stop, and your Samsung TV should resume working normally.
6. Remote Not Working
Another cause for the Samsung TV blinking red light is the remote not working properly. The remote can stop working due to its batteries running low on juice or interference with its wireless connection.
The usual culprits of inference with the remote include nearby smartphones and other wireless devices.
7. Faulty HDMI Connection
A loose HDMI cable will cause a blinking red light on your Samsung TV due to a black screen. Worse, it can also prevent the TV from turning on due to a glitch causing a source selection error when a gaming console or TV box is connected to the HDMI port.
Also, a broken HDMI cable will mess with the signal and data transmission between your Samsung TV and its external devices, which can lead to a blinking red light error.
How to Fix Blinking Red Light on a Samsung TV
As the causes of the issue are varied, there are also various troubleshooting methods that you can use to address this issue. Once the root cause of the blinking red light is identified, applying the appropriate fix should be easy.
Applying the troubleshooting techniques below in an orderly manner should fix the issue of a blinking red light on your Samsung TV. Take note that the more technical solutions require a host of electronic tools.
So, without further ado, let’s get it on.
1. Turn your Samsung TV off and on.
A simple way to fix minor problems caused by bugs and glitches on any electronic device is to perform a quick reset, which involves turning your Samsung TV off and on. This action should refresh your TV and correct the cause of the blinking red light.
Turning off your Samsung TV may vary depending on the power control layout available on your unit. Some Samsung TVs have a control stick, while others only have a single power button.
Follow these steps to turn off your Samsung TV with a control stick:
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 2 |
| Duration | 5 seconds |
- Press the power button
to open the control menu on your TV screen.
- Select/click power off by pressing the button on the control stick that corresponds to its position.
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For Samsung TVs with a single power button, you can turn them off using the method below.
Follow these steps to turn off your Samsung TV with only a power button:
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 3 |
| Duration | 7 seconds |
- Press the power button
- Press the power button
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- Press/hold the power button
When using a remote control or the Samsung SmartThings app, you only have to press the power button to turn off your TV. To turn it back on, a single press of the power button on the TV, remote, or SmartThings app should do the trick.
2. Cold reboot your Samsung TV.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 2 |
| Duration | 30 seconds |
For the blinking red light caused by the build-up of residual electrical charges, you can fix it by performing what’s called a cold reboot. The cold reboot will remove any residual power in your Samsung TV.
This residual power usually causes problems such as unresponsive apps, slow startup, and an unopened menu. Once you’re done with the cold reboot, the stored electricity should deplete, and the power supply board will be reset.
Follow the steps below to perform a cold reboot on your Samsung TV:
- Press/hold the power button
- Hold it until the TV shuts down and reboots completely.
If you don’t have access to a remote or the TV’s power button is busted, there’s an alternative way to perform a cold reboot. You can unplug the TV from the power outlet for 30 seconds while it’s turned on before plugging it back in afterward.
3. Perform a power cycle on your TV.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 4 |
| Duration | 1 minute and 5 seconds |
Another way to drain stored electricity on your Samsung TV is to do a power cycle. This action will eliminate the electrical charges on the capacitors and starve the entire system of any electricity.
Once electricity is reintroduced to your Samsung TV, it should work like usual without the blinking red light. This is an effective way to solve any power issue your Samsung TV is suffering from.
Follow these steps to power cycle your Samsung TV:
- Unplug the TV from its power source.
- Press/hold the power button
- Release the power button
- Plug the TV’s power cord into the power source.
4. Keep other wireless devices away.
Wireless devices near your Samsung TV can interfere with its communication with the remote control. When this happens, the remote control will not work, and it may result in a blinking red light.
Standard Samsung remotes that use infrared may not be susceptible to this interference, but the same can’t be said about the Smart remotes that support Bluetooth. After all, Bluetooth devices are prone to it.
5. Change the batteries on the remote.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 3 |
| Duration | 10 seconds |
One more thing that can prevent your remote control from working is having insufficient power due to its batteries running low on juice. Samsung remotes typically require two AAA alkaline batteries to work usually.
Note: Older Samsung remotes may require two AA batteries. There are also solar-powered Samsung remotes that can recharge using natural sunlight or via a USB charging cable.
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We also recommend using rechargeable batteries as they’re more reliable and power-efficient. Plus, they help save you a back-and-forth trip to the store whenever you need to get a replacement.
Follow these steps to change the batteries on your Samsung remote:
- Slide the remote control’s back cover toward the engraved arrow.
- Insert new batteries with their positive and negative ends in the proper place.
- Reinstall the back cover by sliding it in the opposite direction to lock it in place.
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6. Check its LCD screen for damage.
Believe it or not, the display screen of your Samsung TV may remain black even after plugging it into a power source and pressing its power button. Instead of a power issue, you might have a faulty or broken LCD screen.
A great way to check if your screen works is to gently press your fingers against it for any visual signs, such as a ripple effect. If the display is unresponsive to your touch inputs, the problematic LCD screen is likely the cause of the blinking red light.
You will need to contact Samsung support to book an appointment with your local service center. If you’re lucky, it might be due to a manufacturer defect and will be covered by your warranty.
Unfortunately, there are instances where the LCD screen is no longer possible to replace. If the warranty covers it, Samsung may ship you a new unit, but you likely need to purchase a replacement instead.
7. Install the latest update on your Samsung TV.
With an old software version on your Samsung TV, you miss out on nifty features and performance upgrades. Moreover, this also keeps your unit prone to system errors and software malfunction.
A Samsung TV connected to the internet can download and install the update directly from the settings. For users who prefer to install the update manually, you need to download the update from Samsung support’s download page.
The manual update requires a separate device like a PC for downloading and extracting the update file. You also need to transfer the extracted file to a USB stick that you can plug into your Samsung TV.
It can be a tall order. But, it’s worth looking into if you want to DIY the issue yourself.
Follow these steps to update your Samsung TV via settings:
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 7 |
| Duration | 30 minutes |
- Press home
on the Samsung remote.
- Press left on the directional pad until you get to Settings.
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- Press the confirm button on your Samsung remote to open Settings.
- Scroll down/click Support.
 |  |
- Click Software Update.
 |
- Click Update Now.
 |
- Wait for the TV to search for and download an available update.
 |
Follow these steps to update your Samsung TV manually:
| Difficulty | Moderate ●●●○○ |
| Number of Steps | 19 |
| Duration | 35 minutes |
- Press home
- Scroll left/click Settings.
 |
- Scroll down/click Support.
 |
- Scroll down/click About This TV.
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- Take note of the TV’s model number and software version.
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- Visit Samsung support’s download page using a PC.
- Type/search your TV model number in the search field.
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- Find the firmware section and click the download button under Upgrade File(USB type).
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- Extract the upgrade file to any location on your PC.
Note: Don’t rename the folder containing the extracted file.
- Plug a USB stick into your PC and copy the extracted file there.
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- Unplug the USB stick from the PC and plug it into your TV’s USB port.
- Press home
- Scroll left/click Settings.
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- Scroll down/click Support.
 |
- Click Software Update.
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- Click Update Now.
 |
- Wait for the TV to fail with the update check.
- Click Yes to search inside the USB stick instead.
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- Click Yes to install the detected update file.
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8. Fix the faulty power outlet or replace the surge protector.
A faulty power source that doesn’t supply sufficient electricity to your Samsung TV is problematic. Not only does it cause the red light to blink but it might lead to further damage to your unit and other devices.
You can test if your power outlet or surge protector is supplying enough power by plugging in other devices to see if they work or not. If not, you need to call up an electrician to repair your broken power outlet or buy a new surge protector.
Another way to test for electricity flow on your power sources is to use a device called a voltmeter. The voltmeter will give you a reading if there’s electricity flowing from your power sources.
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Note: Working on power outlets can be dangerous. For your protection, we recommend wearing a pair of insulated gloves.
9. Check the Samsung TV’s power cord.
Even if the power outlet is supplying enough energy, none of that will flow into your Samsung TV if its power cord is broken. Luckily, you can also use a voltmeter to test if the power cord is the cause of the power issue.
The power cord is easy to detach from the back of the Samsung TV. Once you’ve got your hands on a replacement, attach the new power cord to the back of your TV.
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10. Replace the broken components.
| Difficulty | Moderate ●●●○○ |
| Number of Steps | 16 |
| Duration | 20 minutes |
If you’re confident in your skills in handling electronic devices, you can also look inside your Samsung TV to check and replace any of its broken components. To open your TV, you will need to unscrew the back panel using a screwdriver.
The components that usually result in the Samsung TV blinking red light are the capacitors, LED backlight strips, and the power supply board. The power supply board and the capacitors are easy to access as they are in the same location.
Right off the bat, this can be technical. But it can save you tons of time, not to mention money so we recommend you take things in stride and follow the steps as instructed.
| WARNING: Before you open your Samsung TV up, make sure you do your due diligence and have understood the steps clearly as stipulated. Otherwise, having an expert look it up may be best as you could make matters worse. |
The LED backlight strips are harder to access since you also need to take apart the display screen. You can use the voltmeter to test these components or you can inspect them for visible damages such as swelling or burnt parts.
Follow these steps to access the components of your Samsung TV:
- Lay your Samsung TV facedown on a flat surface.
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- Unscrew and remove the back panel of the TV.
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- Disconnect the speakers from the main board.
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- Inspect the power supply board and the capacitors above it for any damage.
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Note: You can use a voltmeter to check for an electricity reading.
- Detach the ribbon cables connected to the scan drive boards.
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- Unscrew and remove the covers on the scan drive boards.
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- Release the scan drive boards from the clips.
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- Flip the Samsung TV and remove its display panel frame.
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- Flip the scan drive boards and use tape to secure them on the display panel.
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- Lift and remove the display panel carefully using a suction cup.
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- Remove the filter frame.
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- Tape the corners of the frame and remove it.
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- Remove the tabs that secure the reflector sheet.
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- Remove the reflector sheet.
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- Inspect all of the LED backlight strips for any visible damage.
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Note: You can use a voltmeter to check for an electricity reading.
Pro tip: Take a photo of how everything looks before you disassemble the cables, components, etc. This will give you an idea of how to put everything back together.
If the inspection showed damage in the power supply board, capacitors, or LED backlights, buy a replacement for these components and replace them immediately.
Below is an example of how a normal capacitor looks compared to a swollen one.
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That was quite a solution. But if you’ve followed the instructions as given, you should be in good hands.
11. Check the HDMI cable.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of Steps | 5 |
| Duration | 10 seconds |
Using a faulty HDMI cable will only result in an input error and a Samsung TV blinking red light. If you’re suspecting your HDMI cable to be the culprit, you can use another one to test if your theory is valid.
You can also disconnect and reconnect the HDMI cable to see if it solves the issue. You must make sure that the connection is secure and not loose.
If you have any gaming consoles connected via HDMI, check if they’re turned on as well. This is important because of the Anynet+ feature that automatically turns your Samsung TV on whenever the gaming console is turned on.
While you might think this is convenient, it’s also causing a glitch that prevents your Samsung TV from turning on if the connected gaming console is turned off. For insurance, we recommend disabling the Anynet+ feature.
Follow these steps to turn off Anynet+:
- Press home
- Scroll left/click Settings.
 |
- Scroll down/click System.
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- Scroll down/click Expert Settings.
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- Scroll down/toggle Anynet+ off.
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That should do it. At this point, you should have your Samsung TV back in order.
However, if you’re still at a quandary even after applying all the solutions above you may have to be drastic about things. Let a professional assess things or you may have to welcome a new TV to your precious abode.
Wrapping Things Up
A Samsung TV blinking red light is definitely no good news. But with a comprehensive guide to go over this hump, you should be on your way in no time, watching the best VOD shows on one of the planet’s most revered TV brands.
FAQs About Samsung TV Blinking Red Light
Blinking isn’t normal for the red light on Samsung TVs. When it’s blinking, it’s telling you that there’s a problem with the TV that needs to be addressed.
Under normal circumstances, the red light should light up (not blinking) while the TV is turned off to show that it’s on standby. The red light will also turn off if the TV doesn’t have power or when it’s active.
Identifying the cause of the problem should be your first course of action when your Samsung TV has a blinking red light. If it’s caused by a power supply issue, replace the faulty power cord or the power outlet.
If the issue is caused by broken hardware and components, replace them with new parts or send your TV to Samsung for repair by reaching out to their support page first.
Samsung TVs are turned off while the red light is lit up to indicate that it’s on standby mode. You have to press the power button on the TV or the remote control to turn it on while in this mode.
If it’s not turning on, either your remote’s batteries are dead or the power button on your TV is broken.
Batteries running low on power will trigger the red status light to blink on your Samsung remote. This could also mean that the remote control was unpaired with your Samsung TV.
