Experiencing a busted TV screen can be quite a bummer.
Perhaps your TV took an accidental tumble or your child chucked a toy or remote at it. So now you’re stuck with a fractured display.
I’ve been there. I once dropped a TV while moving it between rooms. The screen ended up with severe cracks, and turning it on made it seem like I’d created a gateway to a different universe!
Like you, I also found myself asking – is it possible to mend a shattered TV screen?
This post will give it to you straight if you’re curious about how to repair a broken TV screen. Plus, I’ll share tried-and-true methods for safeguarding your TV.
Can a broken TV screen be fixed?
In a nutshell, not really. Fixing a broken TV screen is close to impossible in most cases.
In theory, you could swap out your TV’s screen. However, often times, the cost of a fresh screen is around the same or even more than the price of a brand new TV. There might be instances where you’d need to swap out other internal parts along with the screen.
When breaking down the TV’s components, the screen is the priciest part.
Even experts from TV repair stores would affirm that the repair simply isn’t worth it. Depending on the make or model, they might propose to purchase your broken TV for its usable parts.
Why are TV screens so expensive?
TV screens carry a hefty price tag due to their complex manufacturing process, low production yield, and the fact that they’re shipped halfway across the globe.
In the US, a majority of TV screens, regardless of whether they’re Sony, Samsung, Vizio, or other brands, are made in China, most likely by a company called BOE Technology.
Established in 1993, BOE is a global giant in the production of liquid crystal display (LCD) screens, boasting facilities in Beijing, Hefei, Chongqing, Chengdu, and other Chinese cities.
Creating LCD screens is ridiculously difficult. It demands high-tech machinery and a multitude of engineers. To grasp the sophistication of a BOE factory, you can watch this video:
Furthermore, not every produced TV screen ends up being shipped. Out of each batch of screens produced, only a certain number pass rigorous quality controls. This low yield contributes to the high cost.
These delicate screens must then be transported from China to the US. The high shipping costs are a further burden. There’s also a risk that screens could sustain damage during their global voyage.
This helps explain why most manufacturers don’t sell replacement screens, and why fixing a broken TV screen might be a lost cause.
Does the warranty cover broken TV screens?
Possibly.
If your TV screen exhibits issues like dead pixels, tiny vertical lines, or discoloration due to a manufacturing defect, your warranty might cover it, assuming it’s still within the warranty period (typically one year).
However, if your screen is cracked or broken due to accidental damage, then it’s a no-go. Your warranty won’t cover that, even if it falls within the warranty period.
To be certain, refer to your TV manual. Look for the warranty terms. Most warranties have a limitations section where the manufacturer outlines what isn’t covered by the warranty.
For instance, consider this snippet from Sony LCD TV warranty limitations:
“Limitations: This Limited Warranty only covers product issues caused by defects in material or workmanship during ordinary consumer use; it does not cover product issues caused by any other reason, including but not limited to, (i) product issues due to acts of God or nature; (ii) misuse; (iii) accidental damage, including but not limited to, contact with liquid, extreme heat or foreign material.”
So if your TV screen got damaged accidentally, unfortunately, your only option might be to invest in a new set.
What do I do with a broken TV?
1. Sell your broken TV
Don’t despair. You still might be able to flip your broken TV for a bit of cash, although don’t expect a windfall.
Some folks hunt for TVs with busted screens because they can disassemble them and resell the internal parts. Components such as circuit boards, LED drivers, speakers, buttons, and more might still hold some value.
Therefore, if you’re looking to sell, offer up the entire TV. Avoid trying to take it apart yourself. If you go DIY, you risk damaging other valuable elements.
If you can’t offload it to a nearby TV repair shop, consider posting it online. Here are some of the top websites to sell your malfunctioning TV:
- Facebook Marketplace
- Craigslist
- eBay
Be sure to capture high-quality photos and craft a thorough description. Specify any problems with your TV and explain how it got damaged. If you can, reset your TV to its factory settings to wipe out any personal data.
2. Donate your broken TV to a recycling facility
If no one is biting on your broken TV, your best bet may be to dispose of it appropriately by donating it to a recycling center.
Recycling defunct electronics like damaged TVs helps the environment. Rather than extracting new resources, diverse materials and metals can be recovered from e-waste. Plus, recycling can prevent air and water pollution.
To find a local recycling center near you, you can use the following sites:
Just select or search for “TV” and input your ZIP code. Once you’ve identified the closest recycling center, you’ll probably need to drop off your damaged TV yourself.
Alternatively, electronics retailers like Best Buy accept broken TVs. You can take your defunct TV to any Best Buy store in the country.
Best Buy also offers a haul-away service. Say you’re purchasing a new TV from them; they can cart off your old, busted TV for a certain fee.
One of Best Buy’s recycling collaborators is Electronic Recyclers International (ERI). ERI deconstructs old electronics into materials that can be repurposed for constructing new items like fiber-optic cables.
Finally, you could drop off your broken TV at your local hazardous waste facility. Give your local public works department a ring and inquire about the closest facility.
3. Repurpose your broken TV
If you’re feeling artistic and have some spare time, why not transform your broken TV into something practical like a coffee table or light panel?
By repurposing your damaged TV, you ensure that it doesn’t end up in a landfill, causing environmental pollution with toxic waste.
But remember, some components of a TV can be dangerous. So make sure you’re familiar with safe handling practices before you dive in.
How do I protect my TV screen?
1. Use a TV screen protector
Numerous TV screen protectors are available in the market nowadays. These screen protectors offer an additional defense layer without altering your TV’s aesthetics.
Moreover, most TV screen protectors come with anti-blue light and anti-glare capabilities. These features can shield you from eye strain or fatigue, reducing the likelihood of vision-related headaches and potentially enhancing your sleep quality.
You might want to hire a professional to make sure a TV screen protector is installed correctly.
2. Mount your TV on a wall
Securing your TV on a wall can significantly reduce the chance of it being accidentally bumped or knocked over.
If you have little ones in the house, a TV on the table might pose a risk. Some toddlers could mistake your TV for a touchscreen device and reach out to swipe it.
Given that today’s TVs are quite lightweight, they can easily topple over. In essence, they could present a potential hazard to your kids and even your pets.
Wall-mounting your TV also comes with the bonus of saving space and money. You’ll free up floor space without needing a TV table or stand. Plus, a wall mount is generally more budget-friendly than purchasing TV furniture.
3. Allot more space if kids play near the TV
Even with your TV securely mounted on a wall, it won’t prevent kids from accidentally hurling their toys or other items at the screen.
Sometimes, it’s tough to keep kids away from the TV, especially since video game consoles have become such a hit.
To minimize the risk of your kids unintentionally throwing something at your TV, create a larger buffer zone. You could place a table or even chairs between them and the TV.
The more distance there is between them and the TV, the lesser the chance they’ll throw an object that could jeopardize the screen.
Bottom line
I totally get how annoying it can be to end up with a busted TV screen, and even more so when you find out it can’t be repaired.
In most cases, a shattered TV screen is beyond repair. It’s usually not worth the cost of fixing it, given that such a repair can often run higher than the price of a brand-new TV. Among all the components of a TV, the screen is the priciest.
TV screens cost a pretty penny because they’re complex to produce, churned out at a relatively low rate, and have to be shipped all the way from China to the US.
If your TV screen cracked due to accidental mishaps, your warranty won’t cover it. You’ll be left with no choice but to invest in a new TV. As for the broken one, you could try selling it online or donating it to a recycling center.