TCL TVs are great, but sometimes they just stop working. You may get the TCL TV black screen of death with sound or without sound. This can happen from any number of reasons.
It could be a software or firmware issue, a cable issue, or a hardware issue with the TV. The good thing is many of these issues are easy to fix.
I’m going to walk you through the most common causes of a black screen on the TCL TV and the fixes. Let’s get your TCL TV back online in no time!
- Related article: TV Screen is Black
12 Fixes for TCL TV Black Screen
1. Test the HDMI Cable Connection
This test and fix is also valid for other types of cables and not only HDMI cables.
The first thing that you should do if you have a problem with your TCL TV having a black screen is to test the HDMI cable connection to your streaming device or other external device, like a smart hub or DVD player.
The cable might be loose from either end or there could be something wrong with the cable. To check if there’s a problem with the cable, follow these steps first:
- Look for and check the HDMI cable on the back of your TV.
- Unplug the HDMI cable on the TV and plug it back in.
- Unplug the cable on the external device.
- Check the TV for an image.
If there’s still no image and it’s a black screen on the TCL TV, you can perform a signal test to see if it’s a problem with the HDMI cable. Follow these steps to perform the HDMI cable test:
- Navigate to Settings
- Select Support
- Select Device Care
- Select Self Diagnosis
- Select Signal Information
- Select HDMI Cable Test
- Select Start Test.
The cable test will let you know if the HDMI cable is “Good” or “Bad.” If the test says that the HDMI cable is bad, use a different cable to see if that works.
If the test says good, let’s move on to the next solution to try.
2. Check the Input Source of the TCL TV
Sometimes when you switch on the TCL TV it may be set to a different input source than expected. Someone else might have been watching the TV before you and changed the input source.
There are a few different things to try here with the input source:
First thing to do, double-check that you are using the HDMI 1 TV source if that’s where your streaming, cable, or other device is connected. Make sure your external device is turned on as well.
Second thing to try, if there’s no picture in HDMI 1, try checking HDMI 2 and the other input sources to see if they will give you a picture on the TV screen or if it’s still a black screen.
If you see images from any of the input sources, then there may be an issue with the first HDMI port or the external device connected to it.
Third thing to try is to remove all the other HDMI cables in the other sources on your TV. One of them could be affecting the HDMI 1 from functioning correctly.
3. Try Different External and Streaming Devices
Another possible cause of a black screen on a TCL TV is a problem with your streaming device, like the Roku or Apple TV, cable box, or even gaming console.
If there is a blank screen on the TCL television, but you still hear sound coming from the speaker, then you know that it is turned on. The black screen could mean that there’s an issue with your external device and not your television.
Let’s try using other external devices in the HDMI port to test if it’s an issue with the external device or the HDMI port itself.
- Plug another external device into the same HDMI port.
- Confirm the TCL TV input source is correct and see if you have an image.
- If you have an image and sound, then it’s an issue with the external device and its video output.
- If you still have a black screen with sound, then it’s an issue with the HDMI port or the TV itself.
4. Try a Soft Reset or Reboot of the TCL TV
With TCL smart TVs becoming more powerful and ability to run processes like a computer, a soft reset can help. It will clear any settings on the internal components of the TCL TV, but not your personal settings.
A soft reset, also known as a power cycle, will also stop any background processes and apps that might’ve been causing black screen issues. Soft resets can also help with other issues like slow Wi-Fi speeds and Bluetooth connection problems.
To perform a soft reset on a TCL TV, follow these steps:
- Unplug the TV’s power cable for at least 60 seconds.
- Plug the cord back into the power outlet.
That’s all there is to a soft reset.
Another thing to try is to reboot the TCL TV, which can also help with various issues.
- Unplug the TV.
- On the Remote, Press and Hold the Power button for 30 seconds.
- Plug the TV back into the power outlet.
5. Configure the TCL TV Input Settings
Black screens on the TCL TV can occur with bad input settings for the input source. To check this, first make sure that the TV is powered on.
To check and fix the input settings on the TCL TV, follow these steps:
- On the remote control, Press the External Power Source button.
- Select Input Settings.
- Go over the TV Inputs and make sure they’re all Enabled.
- Go back to Input Settings.
- Make sure the other Input Source Settings have no issues.
- Save the Settings.
- Try the TV again.
6. Turn Off Power Saver and Sleep Timer
Power saving and sleep timer are two features on some TCL TVs that can cause black screens on the TV. These features are great for saving on your energy and electric bill, but they can potentially lead to black screens of death.
If you’re having trouble getting a picture on the TV, try turning off the power saver and sleep timers. Follow these steps to disable the Sleep Timer on your TCL TV:
- On the remote, Press the Home button to open the Menu.
- Select Settings.
- Select Time.
- Select Sleep Timer.
- Change it to Off by using the arrows.
Follow steps to disable Power Saver Mode on the TCL TV:
- On the remote, Press the Home button to open the Menu.
- Select Settings.
- Select Power Saving.
- Change it to Off.
7. Update to the Latest TCL TV Firmware Version
There are times when older firmware can lead to the black screen on TCL TVs. TCL will release new firmware updates periodically to fix bugs, so it’s best to update to receive those bug fixes.
Firmware controls how a TCL smart TV works internally. It controls the menus and settings, how pictures are displayed on screen, and much more.
The latest firmware version for TCL TVs can be found through the TV Settings, and it should also be available for download on the TCL website.
To update the TCL TV firmware through Settings, follow these steps:
- On the remote, Press the Home button to open the Menu.
- Select Settings.
- Select Support.
- Select Software Update.
- Select Update Now.
- The TV will reboot, so the new firmware can take effect.
8. Protect the TCL TV From Voltage Fluctuations
Voltage fluctuations in the home can sometimes cause black screens and frozen screens on the TCL TV. This occurs because the voltage fluctuates too high or low, causing the TV to not function and display correctly.
If you experience black screens on your TCL TV, using voltage management devices such as surge protectors or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) can help prevent display issues.
These surge protectors will protect the devices connected to them from voltage fluctuations.
9. Factory Reset the TCL TV
You’ve tried all the other solutions above, but you still have black screen issues on your TCL TV. Before opening up the TCL TV, this is one last potential fix, a factory reset of the TV.
Factory resetting the TCL TV to its original factory settings can solve many problems caused by software errors.This is one of the last non-hardware solutions to try because a factory reset removes any personal information stored on the TV, including saved passwords, usernames, and favorites.
Resetting the TV will all clear out all of its settings and data. If you’ve been experiencing problems with your TV, resetting it may resolve the issue.
Here is how to perform a factory reset on your TCL TV with a black screen:
- On the remote, Press the Home button to open the Menu.
- Select Settings.
- Select Support.
- Select Self Diagnosis.
- Select Reset.
- Enter 0000 for the Security Pin.
- Confirm with the Yes.
But of course, if you have a black screen, you may not be able to navigate the menus. There are two ways to reset the TCL TV with a black screen using the remote control.
The first way to reset the TCL TV with the remote :
- On the remote, Press and Hold the Exit button for 15 seconds.
- Press OK to trigger the factory reset.
The second way to factory reset the TCL TV with the remote:
- On the remote, Press and Hold the Info, Menu, and Mute buttons for 5 seconds.
- Then Press 8 and 2 on the remote to start the factory reset.
10. Check the TCL TV T-CON Board
Now we get into potential TCL TV hardware issues. The TCL TV T-CON board is what creates the image on the TV screen. The T-CON board creates the horizontal and vertical lines that make up the picture, and it’s located below the main circuit board.
The T-CON board has an LCD driver chip that controls the backlight brightness. When the T-CON board malfunctions, the backlight becomes dimmer than normal. This causes the colors to become darker and less vibrant.
If the T-CON board is malfunctioning, you can buy a new T-CON board to replace the current one. These circuit boards are relatively inexpensive and under $100, even under $50 for the majority of TCL TVs.
You can find T-CON boards on Amazon.
Here is a great video on how to replace the T-CON board on a TCL TV.
11. Check the LED Backlight Strips in TCL TV
LED backlights are used in TCL TVs and most modern televisions. The LEDs emit light that’s converted into images displayed on the television screen. When an LED backlight fails, the image quality decreases, which causes the picture to appear dark and blurry.
To replace the LED backlight strips in the TCL TV, you’ll need to disassemble the TV, which is not easy.
It is definitely best to get a TCL service team member to repair the backlight strips or you may cause other issues.
Here’s a video of what it takes to replace the backlights on a TCL TV:
12. Check for an Active TCL TV Warranty
Most TCL TVs come with a warranty for 1 year from the purchase date. If your TCL TV is still under its warranty period, then you should contact TCL Support directly about any problems you’re having. The warranty you have may cover replacements and/or repairing various parts of the TV.
If you bought the TV at a retail store, you might be able to buy an extended warranty for it. Retailers often offer warranty extensions on products they sell you to increase revenues.
Extended warranties are often better than manufacturer’s warranties. If you’re buying a big ticket item like a TCL TV, the extended warranty may be worth considering.
TCL TV Black Screen Final Thoughts
There are many different ways to fix a black screen problem on a TCL TV, but they’re not always easy. You just need to know how to troubleshoot the problem and have some time as you go through possible solutions.
I hope this article helps you understand what’s going on when a TCL TV displays a blank screen. I also hope you learned some tips and tricks on how to resolve the issue yourself.
For more black screen troubleshooting for other TV manufacturers, check out these articles:
