Complete Guide to Fixing No Power Issues in TVs

Your TV won't turn on? Before you throw it out or call a repair shop charging $200, there are several things you can check yourself. Most no-power issues come down to failed capacitors in the power supply, and that's a fix you can do in an afternoon with basic tools.

Safety First: This Is Critical

I'm going to say this loud and clear: power supplies store dangerous voltages even when unplugged. We're talking 300+ volts on large capacitors. I've seen people get seriously hurt ignoring this.

Here's what you need to do:

Wait at least 30 minutes after unplugging before opening the TV. The capacitors need time to discharge.
Use an insulated screwdriver to discharge large capacitors by shorting their leads through a resistor. Don't just touch them.
Wear safety glasses. If a capacitor explodes, you don't want debris in your eyes.
Never work alone. If something goes wrong, you need someone to call for help.
If you're not comfortable with this, don't do it. There's no shame in calling a professional.

Step 1: Check the Obvious (Yes, Really)

I know this sounds stupid, but I'm serious. Check the outlet. Plug something else into it—a lamp, a phone charger, anything. Does it work? If not, you have a breaker issue, not a TV issue.

Check if the TV is actually plugged in all the way. I've spent 30 minutes troubleshooting a TV that just had a loose power cord. It happens more often than you'd think.

Check if there's a power switch on the back of the TV that got turned off. Some TVs have a physical power switch separate from the remote. I've seen people miss this.

Check the remote batteries. If the remote is dead, you might think the TV is broken when it's just the remote.

You'd be surprised how many "broken" TVs just have a loose power cord or a tripped breaker. Seriously, check these things first.

Step 2: Listen and Look for Clues

When you press the power button, does anything happen? Any sounds? Any lights? This tells you a lot about what's wrong.

Clicking Sound, No Power

If you hear a clicking or buzzing sound when you press the power button but nothing happens, the power supply is trying to start but failing. This is usually bad capacitors or a protection circuit kicking in.

This is actually good news—it means the power supply is partially working. You're probably looking at a capacitor replacement, which is fixable.

Standby Light On, Won't Turn On

If the standby light (usually red or blue) is on but the TV won't turn on when you press the power button, the power supply is working. The problem is either the main board or the backlight circuit.

This is a different diagnosis than a completely dead TV. The power supply is fine, so look elsewhere.

Absolutely Nothing: No Lights, No Sounds

Could be the power supply, could be the main board, could be a blown fuse. This is the hardest to diagnose without opening it up.

Step 3: Open It Up (Carefully)

Most TVs have screws around the back bezel. Remove them carefully and set them aside in a container so you don't lose them. Gently separate the back panel from the TV.

You'll see several circuit boards. The power supply is usually the one with the largest components and connects directly to the AC power input. It's often in a corner of the TV.

Take a photo of the board layout before you start working. This helps you remember where everything goes when you reassemble.

Step 4: Visual Inspection for Obvious Damage

Look for obvious damage. This catches problems 70% of the time:

Bulging Capacitors

The top of electrolytic capacitors should be flat. If it's domed, bulging, or looks like it's about to explode, it's bad. This is the #1 sign of a failed capacitor.

See our detailed case study on Samsung TV capacitor replacement for photos of what this looks like.

Leaking Capacitors

If there's brown or white crusty stuff around a capacitor, it's leaking electrolyte. The capacitor is definitely dead. Replace it.

Burn Marks

Black or brown discoloration around components means something failed and got hot. This could be a capacitor, resistor, or IC. Look for the source of the burn.

Cracked Solder Joints

Look around large component leads for cracks in the solder. Vibration or thermal cycling can crack solder joints, breaking the connection.

Blown Fuses

Fuses are usually a glass tube or surface-mount component near the power input. If the wire inside is broken or the component is blackened, it's blown.

Step 5: Test the Power Supply with a Multimeter

If you have a multimeter, you can test the power supply outputs. Most TV power supplies have multiple voltage rails labeled on the board: 12V, 5V, 3.3V, etc.

Important: Be very careful here. There are dangerous voltages on the power supply.

With the TV plugged in (use a power strip with an on/off switch so you can kill power quickly if needed), measure these voltages:

If all voltages are zero, the power supply isn't working at all.
If some voltages are present but not others, you've narrowed down the problem to a specific section.
If all voltages are present but the TV still won't turn on, the problem is the main board, not the power supply.

Step 6: Replace the Capacitors

This is the most common fix for no-power issues. Electrolytic capacitors fail over time, especially in hot environments. They're cheap to replace if you can solder.

Identifying Bad Capacitors

Look for capacitors that are:

Bulging or domed on top
Leaking brown or white crusty stuff
Discolored or burned
Have high ESR (use an ESR meter if you have one)

Replacing Capacitors

Replace them with capacitors of the same value but higher temperature rating. If the original is 85°C, get a 105°C rated capacitor. This makes them last longer.

The voltage rating must be the same or higher. If it says 25V, don't use a 16V capacitor.

See our detailed guide on soldering techniques for step-by-step instructions on desoldering and replacing capacitors.

Real-World Example

See our Samsung TV capacitor replacement case study for a detailed walkthrough with photos.

Common TV Power Supply Failures by Brand

Samsung TVs (2010-2015)

Samsung power supplies from this era are notorious for bad capacitors. The BN44 series boards almost always need capacitor replacement after 5-7 years. It's so common that replacement boards are cheap and readily available.

If you see a Samsung TV from this era with no power, capacitors are your first suspect. See our Samsung UN55D6000 repair.

LG TVs

LG power supplies tend to be more reliable than Samsung, but when they fail, it's usually the standby power section. Check the small capacitors near the standby transformer first.

LG also uses more ICs in their power supplies, so sometimes it's not just capacitors. If you replace the capacitors and it still doesn't work, the problem might be an IC.

TCL and Skyworth TVs

Budget TVs use budget components. Expect capacitor failures within 2-3 years. The good news is the power supplies are simple, making them easy to repair. The bad news is they fail frequently.

If you're repairing a TCL or Skyworth TV, assume the capacitors are bad and replace them all. It's cheaper than diagnosing each one individually.

Sony TVs

Sony power supplies are generally well-designed, but they use high-quality capacitors that are expensive to replace. When they fail, it's usually a complete power supply replacement rather than individual capacitor replacement.

Vitron and Vision+ TVs

These budget brands use generic power supply boards. The good news is replacement boards are cheap and readily available on eBay. The bad news is they fail frequently.

When to Replace vs Repair

Replace the Power Supply

If the power supply board has visible burn damage, blown ICs, or multiple failed components, replacement is usually easier than repair. Power supply boards are available on eBay for $20-50.

Replacement is also a good option if you're not comfortable soldering. It's faster and less risky than trying to repair it yourself.

Repair the Power Supply

If it's just capacitors, repair is definitely worth it. Capacitors cost pennies and the repair takes 30 minutes. You'll save money and learn a valuable skill.

Repair is also good if you want to understand how the TV works and build your repair skills.

Testing After Repair

After you replace the capacitors or power supply, test it carefully:

Plug it in and listen for any buzzing or clicking sounds.
Check if the standby light comes on.
Press the power button and see if it turns on.
Let it run for 30 minutes and check if it stays on.
If everything works, you're done!

Related Troubleshooting Guides

Related Case Studies

Final Thoughts

No-power issues are frustrating, but they're usually fixable. Most of the time it's just capacitors, and that's a repair you can do yourself. Take your time, follow the safety guidelines, and don't rush. If you're not comfortable working with high voltages, call a professional. There's no shame in that.