LG 48" OLED - Power Supply Capacitor Plague (September 2025)
Bulging capacitors on LG OLED power supply
High ESR capacitors identified and replaced
New 105°C capacitors installed
LG OLED48C3PUA came in with intermittent power issues. Sometimes it would turn on, sometimes it wouldn't.
Intermittent power issues are usually caused by failing capacitors in the power supply.
Understanding the Symptoms
TV would turn on sometimes, but not reliably. Sometimes it would turn on and then shut off after a few minutes.
This pattern indicates capacitor degradation in the power supply.
Diagnosis Process
Opened it up. Found the usual suspects: bulging capacitors on the power supply section.
Some capacitors were only slightly bulged, but they were clearly failing.
The Repair
Replaced all electrolytic capacitors on the power supply: - 4x 1000µF 10V (replaced with 1000µF 16V 105°C) - 3x 470µF 25V (replaced with 470µF 35V 105°C) - 2x 220µF 25V (replaced with 220µF 35V 105°C)
Used Nichicon or Panasonic capacitors. They cost a bit more but last much longer.
Testing and Verification
TV powered on immediately and reliably. Let it run for 48 hours. No issues.
Checked all voltage rails with a multimeter. Everything stable and within spec.
Why This Happens
LG OLED TVs are known for power supply issues. The capacitors they use are cheap and degrade quickly.
But the repair is straightforward if you have the right parts.
Cost Analysis
Capacitor replacement: $50 Labor: 1 hour Total: $100
New LG OLED TV: $1000+
The customer saved $900+ by repairing instead of replacing.