5 Common TV Problems and Exactly How to Fix Them

TV Turns on But No Picture

There are a number of possible causes for your TV turning on but not producing a picture.

The most common reason is that your TV is on the wrong input. You can typically change the input by pushing a button on your TV remote labelled "input", "source", or "TV/Video." Keep pushing the button to cycle through the inputs until you have your picture back.

If you're on the correct input and still don't have a picture, make sure that your cable or satellite receiver is turned on and that all connections are secure. If you've done that, you may need to reset your cable box by unplugging it and plugging it back in. If that still doesn't resolve the issue, try switching to another device. If you have a picture on another device, then there is likely an issue with your signal or the box itself and you will need to contact your provider for service.

Video not matching Audio

There's nothing more annoying than when you see someone's mouth moving, but what you are hearing is not in sync. You see someone's mouth say "hello," but then you hear "hello" after the mouth stops moving. It's like watching a foreign film with a voice-over. You will want to go into the audio settings of your TV or cable box and adjust the "audio delay." This should get you back in sync.

Hearing an Echo

If you're hearing an echo, you probably have a separate sound system, like a soundbar or surround sound system and you have the volume playing both through your external sound system AND your TV speakers. If you have a separate sound system, you DO NOT want to also have sound playing through your TV speakers, as it will always result in an echo, plus you paid for that separate sound system because it sounds so much better than your TV speakers. You will want to disable, mute, or turn the volume all the way down for your TV speakers and only use your external sound system. This should eliminate the echo.

Picture is pixelating or breaking up

If your TV picture is breaking up, cutting in and out, or pixelating (looks like everything is a bunch of squares), then you probably are experiencing a weak signal. Check all of the connections from the wall to your cable box and from the cable box to your TV to ensure that all connections are tight. If you're still experiencing issues, you'll need to contact your cable or satellite provider.

My Flat Screen Plasma, LED, OLED, or QLED has lines or is cracked

If your screen has lines, bring up the TV menu. If the lines run through the menu, or if the screen is cracked, your panel needs to be replaced. This is not a cost effective repair. If you have an extended warranty and there are lines in the panel, the warranty company will likely replace your TV. If the screen is physically cracked, this would not be covered by a warranty and you will unfortunately need to replace your television.

If replacement is the answer, that's exactly what we do best. For a full walkthrough of when repair makes sense versus when to replace, see our guide: Should You Repair or Replace Your Broken Flat Screen TV? And if you're replacing, it's a great opportunity to go bigger than what you had — see our big screen TV buying guide for options starting at just $1,399.

Visit any of our 11 Baltimore and Washington area showrooms — no appointment needed — and we'll help you troubleshoot or find the right replacement.