We all know that backlights are the primary source for illuminating the TV screen for displaying pictures. When this fails to work, one cannot see the display as the screen looks black. TCL TV users are also coming across this backlight not working issue recently, but there is no need to worry as we are here to help you. Whether your screen is flickering or goes dark, you can rectify it by yourself.
The issue seems to appear more commonly on the older TCL TVs. There are even chances for your new TCL TV to get a backlight not working issue when the brightness set is too high for a longer period.
Continue reading this article to know what causes your TCL backlight to stop working and the relevant measures to fix it before taking it to the service center.
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Why is the TCL TV Backlight Not Working
There are several reasons for the backlight of your TCL TV to start malfunctioning. We have listed the most common issues in the following to help you understand where it goes wrong.
- Sudden/High voltage supply
- Damaged LED driver board
- Faulty backlight LED bulbs
- Failed power capacitor
- Defective powerboard
- External damage
- Water damage
Possible Causes for Backlight to Fail
The technical causes for your TCL TV backlight to stop working have been mentioned previously. But you need to know how to identify your TCL TV backlight stop working, so take a look at the following.
- When the display turns black
- The screen appears to be dim
- If you start seeing a flickering screen
- Fluctuating screen lights on one side
- Leaking lights from the corners
- The sound works properly while the screen goes black
Troubleshooting Ways to Fix the TCL TV Backlight Not Working
If the backlight fails to work, you can initiate some troubleshooting methods to fix the issue. The below methods will fix the backlight not working issue on all TCL models, including TCL Roku TV, TCL Android TV, TCL Google TV, and TCL Fire TV.
Pre-Requisite
To fix the issue by yourself, ensure you are carrying these tools with you to get it done.
- Necessary screws and screwdrivers
- A multimeter
- LED backlight tester
Note: Before initiating the troubleshooting method, we recommend using a pair of rubber gloves for safety.
Try Testing the LED Driver and Power Supply Board
The LED driver can be seen separately or attached to the power board according to your TV model. You need to find where the backlight cable connects to the respective board. To proceed further, remove the back panel of your TV using suitable screwdrivers and go through the below steps carefully to fix it.
1. Once the back panel is removed, plug in your TCL TV to the power socket and turn it on.
2. Now, fetch the multimeter and check the connection points by placing Red lead on the positive and Black lead on the negative points.
3. Note the voltage measurements separately. If the measurements show more than 100V or closer to zero, you can try the below steps by yourself.
4. Turn off your TV and disconnect the backlight cable. Once done, turn your TV on.
5. Again, use the multimeter to test the connection points as described earlier.
6. If you could see the voltage between 100 and 120V, then there’s a problem with the backlight. Then, you must replace the TCL TV’s backlight to fix the issue.
7. In case the voltage falls between zero and nearly zero, you need to replace the powerboard based on the model of your TCL TV.
Check for Damage in Internal Components
When there is a sudden or high-voltage power supply, there are chances that the internal components get burned out. So you need to check for it as it is one of the important reasons for your TCL TV backlight not working properly. This can be done by removing the back panel of your TCL TV and going through each component.
Make sure that your TCL TV is turned on, and place the multimeter in the connection point of your powerboard, T-Con, and mainboards. Check for power supply and if you find zero power supply to any of the components, then you can confirm that they’ve burned out due to the sudden or high voltage power supply. In such cases, you must replace the newer components to resolve the issue. This will fix your TCL TV not working caused by poor backlight.
Replace the Backlight If Damaged
This should be your first troubleshooting way to know where it goes wrong. Just grab a flashlight or turn on the torch from your smartphone. Point the light on the display of your TCL TV screen. If you can see the images in a dim manner then you can assure that the problem is caused by the backlight of your TV.
In such cases, you need to understand that the inverter has failed and you need to replace the backlight. Take a glance at the following to learn how to replace the backlight in your TCL TV.
1. Turn off your TV and remove it from the power source.
2. Remove the back panel of your TCL TV using the appropriate screwdrivers.
3. Now, try detaching the frontal housing and the LED panel carefully, as they are very fragile.
4. After taking out the panel, remove the bezel in order to locate the backlight.
5. Look for the damaged LED lights in the strip and replace them with newer ones.
6. While replacing the LED lights, it is essential to choose the LED light with the same value as the older one. Otherwise, it will not work.
7. After replacing the lights, reassemble your TCL TV and turn on it to see whether the issue has been resolved.
Note: If you find it difficult to fix the backlight on your own, try contacting a technician to get it done.
Try the Alternative!
If your backlight fails to work even after performing all the above troubleshooting methods, then try replacing the TV with a newer one. Fortunately, if your TCL TV is under warranty, you can claim it under the stipulated time. If it is expired, then buying a new TCL TV is the best alternative way to fix this.
We have recommended some of the best TCL Smart TVs for your reference, which are all packed with mind-blowing features.
TCL TV | BEST SELLING POINT | BUY ON AMAZON | BUY ON WALMART |
---|---|---|---|
TCL Q750G | Overall best | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Walmart |
TCL Q650F | Power-packed performance | Buy on Amazon | – |
TCL R635 | Best for gaming | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Walmart |
FAQ
Yes. You can adjust the backlight settings on your TCL TV from the Settings menu and it helps fix the issue.
Your TCL TV backlight will start fading out when there is not enough power supply or the LED Strips get damaged by a high-voltage supply.
The repair cost for the TV backlight will vary according to each region. In the US, it costs around $30-$200 based on the damage.
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