TV won't turn on: power and hardware checklist
When a TV refuses to turn on, it is easy to assume the worst. In practice, many “dead” sets are stuck in a protection mode, waiting on a proper power reset, or being blocked by a misbehaving remote. This checklist takes you from the simplest possibilities up through the point where a repair call makes sense.
Simple power checks
- Verify the outlet with another device
Plug in a lamp or phone charger to make sure the outlet itself works. - Inspect the power cord
Confirm the cord is fully seated on both the TV and wall ends and shows no damage. - Try the power button on the TV
Bypass the remote to rule out dead batteries or a stuck remote button.
Perform a hard reset
- Unplug the TV from power
Leave it unplugged for at least 60 seconds. Some sets need this long to drop residual charge. - Hold the TV’s power button
While unplugged, press and hold the power button on the TV (not the remote) for 10–15 seconds to drain any remaining power. - Reconnect power and turn the TV on
Plug the TV directly into the wall—avoid surge protectors for this test—and try powering it on again.
Look for signs of life
- Standby light behavior
Note whether the standby LED blinks, changes color, or stays off. Different blink codes can indicate specific faults. - Startup chimes or logos
If you briefly see the brand logo or hear a startup sound before the screen goes dark, the TV might be shutting down due to an internal fault.
Expert tip: remove external devices during testing
Tip: Disconnect all HDMI devices and USB drives while troubleshooting. A shorted HDMI device or faulty USB stick can sometimes keep a TV from booting properly, and removing them is a quick way to isolate the problem.
Scenario example
Scenario example: Your General TV shows a blinking standby light and refuses to turn on after a storm. After unplugging it for a minute, holding the power button, and plugging it directly into a wall outlet instead of a surge protector, the TV boots normally and the standby light behavior returns to normal.
When a repair is likely needed
If the TV remains totally unresponsive—no standby light, no logo, no sound—after trying different outlets and performing a hard reset, there may be an internal power‑supply or main‑board failure. At that point, gather the model number, approximate purchase date, and a description of the symptoms. With that information, General support or a local repair shop can advise whether a warranty claim or paid repair is reasonable compared to replacement.