.png)
Metro TV & AppliancesTV Troubleshooting Guide
Before you call for service, check these common TV issues. Some problems have simple fixes you can do yourself. For everything else, Metro TV & Appliances is here to help.
Troubleshoot Your TV Before Calling for Repair
Metro TV & Appliances has been repairing televisions since 1947 — it's literally in the name. Over nearly eight decades of service, we've seen every kind of TV failure imaginable, from vacuum tube burnouts in the early days to backlight failures and smart TV software crashes today. We've put together this troubleshooting guide to help you identify common TV problems and determine whether the fix is something you can handle yourself or whether it's time to bring your TV to our service center.
Work through the relevant section below based on the symptoms you're seeing. If the basic checks don't resolve the issue, we're always just a phone call away at (402) 466-9090.
No Picture / Black Screen
A black screen is one of the most common TV complaints. The good news: not every black screen means your TV is broken. Work through these checks in order.
Is the standby light on? If there's no light at all, the TV may not be receiving power. Try a different outlet — plug something else into the same outlet to confirm it's working. Check that the power cable is firmly seated in the back of the TV. If you're using a power strip or surge protector, try plugging the TV directly into a wall outlet. If the standby light is on but the TV won't respond, try holding the physical power button on the TV itself (not the remote) for 10 seconds.
Your TV may be on the wrong input. Press the Input or Source button on your remote and cycle through the available inputs (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc.). If you're trying to watch cable or a streaming device, make sure the TV is set to the HDMI port where that device is connected. This is one of the most common "my TV has no picture" issues, and it takes five seconds to check.
Unplug and re-seat your HDMI cable at both ends — the TV side and the device side. HDMI connections can work loose over time, especially if the cable is heavy or the TV is wall-mounted. Try a different HDMI cable if you have one. Try a different HDMI port on the TV. A bad cable or a failed HDMI port can cause a black screen with no error message.
This is the single most useful diagnostic you can do at home. Turn the TV on in a dark room. Shine a flashlight directly against the screen at a close distance. If you can see a faint, dim image where the flashlight is shining, your backlight has failed. The TV is producing a picture, but the LEDs that illuminate the screen are no longer working. This is a hardware failure that requires professional repair.
When to call us: Backlight failure (confirmed by the flashlight test), power supply issues (standby light blinks but TV won't turn on), or main board failure (TV is completely unresponsive despite having power). These are component-level failures that require professional diagnosis and genuine OEM parts. Call (402) 466-9090.
Screen Issues (Lines, Spots, Color Problems, Flickering)
If your TV turns on and produces a picture, but the picture doesn't look right, work through the symptoms below to narrow down the cause.
Horizontal lines typically indicate a failing T-Con (timing control) board — the circuit board that processes the video signal before sending it to the display panel. T-Con board replacements are a common, cost-effective repair. Vertical lines are often caused by a failing display panel or loose ribbon cable connections between the T-Con board and the panel. If the lines appear on all inputs and persist after a power cycle, the issue is hardware-related.
Dark spots or shadowy patches on the screen are usually caused by individual backlight LEDs that have failed. Modern TVs use strips of LEDs behind the display panel to illuminate the picture. When one or more LEDs fail, the area they illuminate goes dark. This is repairable — we replace the failed LED strips. In some cases, dark spots can also indicate panel damage from impact or pressure.
Before assuming a hardware failure, check your picture settings. Go to Settings > Picture and try resetting to the default picture mode. Someone may have accidentally changed the color temperature, tint, or saturation. If adjusting settings doesn't help, try a factory reset (this will erase your personalized settings but won't delete apps or accounts on most TVs). Persistent color issues after a reset typically indicate a T-Con board or panel problem.
Screen flickering can be caused by a failing backlight driver circuit, a loose internal cable, or a power supply issue. First, try changing the backlight or brightness setting in the picture menu — some TVs flicker when the backlight is set to maximum. Also check if any energy-saving or "eco" modes are enabled, as these can cause the backlight to fluctuate. If flickering persists across all settings, the issue is hardware-related.
We'll be honest with you: a cracked display panel is almost never worth repairing. The cost of a replacement panel for a 55-inch TV, for example, can run $400–$800 for the panel alone, while a comparable new TV may cost $300–$500. If your screen is cracked, the most cost-effective option is usually a replacement TV. We're happy to assess the damage and give you a straight answer about whether repair makes financial sense. We'd rather give you honest advice than charge you for a repair that isn't worth it.
When to call us: Any persistent display issue that doesn't resolve after checking your picture settings and performing a factory reset. Lines, dark spots, flickering, and color distortion that appear on all inputs are hardware problems requiring professional repair. Call (402) 466-9090.
Sound Problems
TV audio issues range from the simple (the mute button got pressed) to the complex (a failed audio circuit on the main board). Start with the easy checks first.
Check the obvious first: is the TV muted? Press the mute button on your remote to toggle. Then check the volume level — it may have been turned all the way down. Next, check the audio output setting. Go to Settings > Sound > Sound Output. If it's set to an external device (HDMI ARC, optical, Bluetooth), the TV's internal speakers are disabled. Switch it back to "TV Speakers" and see if sound returns. If you recently connected a soundbar or receiver, the TV may have automatically switched its audio output.
Distorted, crackling, or buzzing audio usually points to speaker damage or loose internal connections. Try lowering the volume — if the distortion goes away at low volume but returns at higher volume, the speaker is likely damaged. Also check if an external audio source is causing the problem by testing the TV's built-in tuner or a different app. A blown speaker is a straightforward repair.
If the audio doesn't match the video (lips move but sound comes a moment later), check the audio sync or audio delay setting in your TV's sound menu. Many TVs let you adjust the audio delay in milliseconds. If you're using HDMI ARC to send audio to a soundbar, make sure the TV's sound output is set to "HDMI ARC" (not optical or Bluetooth). Also verify that your soundbar's firmware is up to date. Audio sync issues are usually settings-related, not hardware failures.
If audio only comes out of one speaker (left or right), first check the audio balance setting in your TV's sound menu. The balance slider may have been accidentally moved to one side. Reset it to center. If the balance is already centered and sound still only comes from one side, one of the TV's internal speakers has likely failed.
When to call us: Speaker replacements, main board audio circuit failures, and persistent audio issues that don't resolve after checking settings and resetting audio output. We test speakers individually and diagnose main board audio circuits to pinpoint the exact failure. Call (402) 466-9090.
Smart TV & Connectivity Issues
Smart TV problems are often software-related and can be resolved without professional repair. Here are the most common issues and what to try.
Start by restarting both your TV and your router. Unplug the router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart. Then restart the TV. On the TV, go to Settings > Network, forget the WiFi network, and reconnect by entering your password again. Make sure your TV is within reasonable range of the router — walls, floors, and distance all degrade the signal. If possible, try a wired ethernet connection to rule out a WiFi-specific problem. If wired works but WiFi does not, the TV's internal WiFi module may have failed.
First, check for a firmware update: Settings > Support > Software Update. Outdated firmware is one of the most common causes of app crashes. If the firmware is current, try clearing the cache for the specific app that's crashing (on Samsung: Settings > Apps > [select app] > Clear Cache). If clearing the cache doesn't help, uninstall and reinstall the app. As a last resort, perform a factory reset — this will erase all settings and apps, so use it only after other options fail.
Buffering is almost always an internet speed issue, not a TV issue. Most streaming services recommend at least 5 Mbps for HD and 25 Mbps for 4K. Test your internet speed using the TV's built-in browser or a speed test app. If your speed is adequate but you're still buffering, try a wired ethernet connection instead of WiFi — wired is always more reliable for streaming. Also check how many other devices are using your network at the same time.
Start with fresh batteries — this solves the majority of remote issues. If your remote uses Bluetooth (most modern Samsung, LG, and Sony remotes do), you may need to re-pair it with the TV. Point the remote at the TV's IR sensor (usually at the bottom center of the screen) and hold the pairing button combination for your brand (check the manual or search "[your TV brand] remote pairing" online). If the remote still doesn't work, try using the physical buttons on the TV itself to verify the TV is functional. A failed IR sensor on the TV is uncommon but possible.
When to call us: WiFi module failure (wired works but WiFi doesn't, even after resetting), main board issues causing persistent smart TV failures, or software problems that won't resolve with a factory reset. We can diagnose whether the issue is a failed component or a software problem that requires a firmware reflash. Call (402) 466-9090.
Samsung TV Troubleshooting
Metro TV & Appliances is a Samsung Established Authorized Service Center (ASC). We have access to Samsung's restricted diagnostic systems, technical service bulletins, and direct parts ordering. We are more familiar with Samsung TVs than almost anyone in the region. If you own a Samsung TV, here are the most common issues and what to try before bringing it in.
If your Samsung TV's standby light blinks red and the TV won't turn on, count the number of blinks. Samsung uses blink codes to indicate specific errors: 2 blinks often indicates a power supply issue, 5 blinks may indicate a main board failure, and 6 blinks can indicate a backlight failure. Unplug the TV from the wall for 60 seconds (a full minute, not just 10 seconds), then plug it back in. If the blinking pattern continues, the issue requires professional diagnosis with Samsung's diagnostic tools.
If your Samsung TV displays the Samsung logo, turns off, and then turns back on in an endless loop, this is typically a firmware corruption or main board issue. Try this: unplug the TV, hold the power button on the TV (not the remote) for 30 seconds while unplugged, then release and plug the TV back in. If the boot loop continues, the TV may need a firmware reflash or a main board replacement. As a Samsung Established ASC, we have the tools to reflash Samsung firmware directly.
Samsung Smart Hub issues are common, especially on older models. Try a soft reset: press and hold the power button on the remote for about 6 seconds until the TV turns off and back on. If that doesn't work, clear the Smart Hub cache: Settings > Apps > System Apps > Clear Cache. For persistent Smart Hub failures, try resetting Smart Hub specifically: Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset Smart Hub (the default PIN is 0000). If none of these work, a factory reset is the next step.
Samsung remotes (Smart Remote / One Remote) connect via Bluetooth, not just infrared. To re-pair: point the remote at the TV and press and hold both the Return and Play/Pause buttons simultaneously for about 3 seconds. The TV should display a pairing message. If this doesn't work, try the remote with fresh batteries. If the remote works via IR (buttons like Volume and Channel work when pointed at the TV) but not via Bluetooth (voice commands, navigation don't work), the Bluetooth module in either the remote or the TV may need attention.
Samsung TV Blink Code Reference
| Blinks | Likely Issue | What to Try |
|---|---|---|
2 | Power supply failure | Unplug for 60 seconds. If persistent, bring in for power supply board diagnosis |
3 | Main board communication error | Unplug for 60 seconds. Often requires main board replacement |
5 | Main board failure | Professional diagnosis required — main board replacement |
6 | Backlight LED failure | Confirm with flashlight test. Requires LED strip replacement in controlled environment |
Rapid | Firmware issue | May need firmware reflash with Samsung diagnostic tools |
Samsung Established ASC advantage: As a Samsung Established Authorized Service Center, we have full triage capability and access to Samsung's restricted diagnostic systems that are not available to standard authorized servicers. If your Samsung TV has a problem you can't resolve with the steps above, bring it to our service center at 1107 North Cotner Blvd, Lincoln, NE or call (402) 466-9090.
LG LG TV Troubleshooting
We are factory-authorized for LG television repair. LG's webOS smart platform has unique troubleshooting steps that differ from other brands.
If you hear audio but the screen is black, first try pressing the Input button on the remote to ensure you're on the correct source. If the issue persists, perform the flashlight test — shine a flashlight close to the screen and look for a faint image. If you see one, the backlight has failed and the TV needs professional repair.
If your LG TV shows the LG logo and won't proceed to the home screen, try a power cycle: unplug the TV, press and hold the power button on the TV (not remote) for 15 seconds, wait 2 minutes, then plug back in. If the issue continues, it may need a firmware update via USB or a main board replacement.
For app issues: Settings > General > System Manager > Reset to Initial Settings (last resort). First try clearing individual app data: Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Clear Data. Also check for software updates: Settings > All Settings > Support > Software Update.
Point the Magic Remote at the TV and press the Wheel (OK) button for 5 seconds. If that doesn't work, try pressing the Home and Back buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds to un-register, then re-pair by pressing the Wheel button. Ensure fresh batteries (alkaline, not rechargeable) are installed.
LG TV repair note: LG OLED TVs have unique panel characteristics. If you see burn-in or image retention, run the built-in Pixel Refresher: Settings > OLED Care > OLED Panel Care > Pixel Cleaning. If burn-in persists after running Pixel Refresher, the panel may need professional assessment. Bring it in and we'll give you an honest evaluation.
Other Brands We Service
We are factory-authorized for most major TV brands. Here are quick tips specific to other popular brands.
Sony TV Troubleshooting
If the standby light is red and the TV won't power on, unplug it for 2 minutes, press and hold the power button on the TV for 30 seconds, then plug back in. Sony TVs have a power reset procedure: unplug, hold power, release, plug in, then press power once. If the standby light blinks a specific number of times, count the blinks — this is Sony's diagnostic code system. Write down the count and call us.
For app freezing or crashing: Settings > Apps > See all apps > [App] > Clear data. For system-wide slowness: Settings > Device Preferences > Reset (factory reset as last resort). Check for software updates: Settings > Device Preferences > About > System update.
Hisense TV Troubleshooting
Blinking red light: Unplug for 60 seconds, press power button on TV while unplugged for 15 seconds, plug back in. Hisense TVs are particularly sensitive to power surges — always use a surge protector.
VIDAA/Roku/Google TV issues: For Hisense TVs with VIDAA, try a network reset: Settings > Network > Reset Network. For Roku-based Hisense TVs, try Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset.
Remote not working: Some Hisense remotes use both IR and Bluetooth. Remove batteries for 30 seconds, reinsert, and point directly at the TV to re-pair.
Vizio TV Troubleshooting
Black screen with sound: Hold the power button on the back of the TV (not the remote) for 10-15 seconds to perform a soft power cycle. Vizio TVs have a known backlight issue on certain models — if the flashlight test reveals a faint image, the backlight has failed.
SmartCast not loading: Press and hold the input button and volume-down button on the TV simultaneously for 10 seconds to perform a soft reset. If that doesn't work, perform a factory reset: press and hold the input button on the back of the TV for 10 seconds while powering on.
Vizio remote issues: For Vizio remotes, try removing batteries, pressing every button once to discharge, then reinstall batteries. Re-pair by holding the input button for 5 seconds.
TCL TV Troubleshooting
TCL Roku TV stuck on loading: Unplug for 30 seconds. If persistent, try a factory reset using the physical reset button (usually a pinhole on the back or side of the TV). Insert a paperclip and hold for 15 seconds while the TV is on.
Screen issues: TCL uses similar panel technology across their lineup. Dark spots near the edges are typically backlight failure. Horizontal bands or vertical lines usually indicate a T-Con board or panel connection issue.
TCL sound issues: Check that the audio output is set to "TV speakers" in Settings > Audio > Audio Output. TCL TVs sometimes default to external audio after a software update.
Regardless of brand, if your TV has a hardware failure (backlight, power supply, main board, T-Con board), you need factory-authorized repair. We service Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense, Vizio, TCL, and most other brands with genuine OEM parts. Call (402) 466-9090 or bring your TV to our service center.
When to Call a Professional
Some TV problems can be solved with a settings change or a power cycle. Others require professional tools, genuine OEM parts, and technical expertise. Here's when it's time to call us.
Call Metro TV & Appliances at (402) 466-9090 when you encounter:
Backlight failures — confirmed by the flashlight test (you can see a faint image when shining a light on the screen). Backlight LED strips must be replaced in a controlled environment with proper ESD protection.
Power supply issues — the TV won't turn on, turns on and immediately shuts off, or the standby light blinks in a pattern. Power supply board repair requires testing voltages at multiple points in the circuit.
Any physical board component failure — failed T-Con boards, main boards, or individual capacitors and transistors. These require component-level diagnosis and genuine OEM replacement parts.
Persistent problems after a factory reset — if a factory reset doesn't resolve a software or smart TV issue, the problem is likely hardware-related (failed WiFi module, failing main board, or firmware corruption that requires a professional reflash).
Screen damage assessment — bring your TV in for an honest cost-benefit evaluation. We'll tell you straight whether repair makes financial sense or whether a replacement TV is the better option. We'd rather give you good advice than charge for a repair that isn't worth doing.
Any issue you can't identify — if you've worked through this guide and aren't sure what's wrong, that's exactly what we're here for. Drop off your TV and we'll diagnose it properly.
Need Expert TV Repair?
Metro TV & Appliances has been the trusted name in television repair in Lincoln, Nebraska since 1947. Factory-authorized service for Samsung, LG, Sony, and all major brands. Drop off your TV at our service center and let us diagnose it properly with manufacturer tools and genuine OEM parts.