TCL is considered a top choice when it comes to budget-friendly TVs available in the market.
These TVs are prized for their excellent picture quality, despite being a whole lot cheaper than many other brands. The Roku smart platform and durability of TCL TVs are also big draws for TV watchers.
But let’s be real, even the best brands can run into problems, and TCL is no exception. A common issue users run into is a TCL TV refusing to power on.
I know how maddening this can be. You race home, eager to catch up on your favorite show on your TCL TV. You’ve got your snacks all lined up, you’re snuggled on the couch, and you go to press the power button on the remote… only to be met with total silence.
You try again, and again, and… nothing. Your TCL TV just won’t turn on!
Thankfully, this is something you can generally fix yourself right at home. And you’ve come to the right spot for guidance.
I’ll be walking you through the reasons why your TCL TV might refuse to turn on, as well as sharing some fail-safe methods to get your screen up and running again.
The Clever Fix
Do a power cycle by unplugging the TV from the power outlet. Then, press and hold the power button on the TV for at least 15 seconds. After that, plug the TV back in.
Why won’t my TCL TV turn on?
There could be a bunch of reasons why your TCL TV isn’t turning on. It might have to do with a loose connection, glitches in the system, issues with the power outlet, problems with an external device, incorrect input source selection, or a power supply board failure.
How to troubleshoot my TCL TV
The first thing you should do is check the status LED on your TCL TV.
You’ll usually find the status LED smack dab in the middle of the lower bezel, directly under the TCL logo. This little light will provide valuable insights into where the issue might be.
On a regular day, when your TCL TV is turned off or in standby mode, the status LED should be on (displaying a steady white light).
When your TCL TV is turned on, the status LED light should be either off or flashing. The light will flash when your TCL TV is on and you hit a button on your remote.
If your TCL TV won’t turn on and the status LED light is off, your TV might not be receiving power. Focus your effort on checking the connections and the power outlet.
If your TCL TV won’t turn on and the status LED light is on, your TV is receiving power. Focus your attention on your remote or your external devices.
If your TCL TV won’t turn on and the status LED light blinks, your TV has power but is malfunctioning. Focus your effort on finding your TCL TV reset button.
If your TCL TV won’t turn on and you hear a popping sound, your TV may have a broken power supply board. You should contact TCL TV support or bring your TV to your local repair center.
How to fix a TCL TV that won’t turn on
One effective method is to perform the Clever Fix (power cycle, also known as soft reset) on your TCL TV.
(Just a heads up, your TCL TV’s power button might be located beneath the TCL logo on the bottom of the TV. If you can’t find it there, it might be on the backside, usually on the right.)
This process, known as power cycling or a soft reset, drains residual power and refreshes your TV’s main board. Think of it as a reboot that helps clear out any bugs or glitches causing problems in your TV.
If your TCL TV still refuses to turn on after a power cycle, don’t sweat it. I’ve got some more tried-and-true solutions up my sleeve that should help you get your TV running again.
If the status LED is off
1. Reconnect your power cord
In the case where your TCL TV won’t turn on and the status LED light is off, there’s a chance your TV isn’t receiving any power.
Start by unplugging the power cord from both the outlet and the back of your TV. Let it sit unplugged for about a minute.
While it’s unplugged, inspect the cord for any visible damage like exposed wires. If everything looks good, plug it back into your TCL TV.
Ensure the cord connection to your TV is snug, then give powering it up another shot.
2. Try a different power outlet
If you’ve reconnected the power cord and the status LED light is still off, it’s time to investigate the power outlet.
Sometimes, an issue with the outlet may not be immediately visible from the outside, but it could be that the wires inside are loose or it’s simply burned out.
To figure out what’s going on, try plugging your TCL TV into another outlet. If moving your TV isn’t feasible, you can also test the original outlet by plugging in a different device.
If the other device isn’t powering up either, then bingo, you’ve found the problem. It’s likely the outlet that’s faulty, so your next step would be to get in touch with a professional electrician to take care of it.
If the status LED is on
3. Check your TCL TV remote
Sometimes, it might not be your TV causing the issue at all.
If the status LED on your TCL TV is on and still won’t power up when you press the remote’s power button, it might just be that your remote isn’t working as it should.
To confirm this, give the power button directly on your TV a press. If the TV powers up from there, then it looks like your remote is the culprit.
Fixing your remote might differ based on what model you have. TCL TV provides both a standard infrared (IR) remote and an enhanced remote.
The standard IR remote operates by aiming it at your TCL TV. Meanwhile, the enhanced remote works through a wireless network, so you don’t need to point it directly at the TV.
Here are a few troubleshooting steps for a TCL TV standard IR remote:
- Check for any objects that might be blocking the path between your remote and the IR receiver on your TCL TV.
- Try removing the batteries for a minute, then pop them back in. If the remote still doesn’t respond, it might be time to switch in some new batteries.
- Remove any devices that could potentially be messing with your remote’s infrared signals, like smartphones, radios, or lights.
- Make sure none of the buttons on your standard IR remote are stuck.
- You can use your smartphone’s camera to see if your remote is still sending out infrared light. If you can’t see any light on your phone’s screen, it might mean it’s time to invest in a new remote.
To troubleshoot an enhanced remote:
- Take out the batteries, then restart your TCL TV. Once you see the home screen on your TV, put the batteries back in.
- You’ll need to pair your remote with your TCL TV. Here’s a handy video that will guide you through the process:
4. Reconnect your external devices
Next, if your remote is in good working order, the status LED on your TCL TV should flash each time you press a button on your remote.
If this is happening, it’s time to inspect any external devices you’re using. Make sure they’re on and securely plugged into the correct port on your TCL TV.
Consider plugging your external device into a different HDMI port if necessary.
Just remember, you’ll have to select the appropriate input source on your TCL TV if you change ports. Do this by pressing the INPUT button on your remote and picking the correct HDMI input source.
If the status LED is blinking
5. Reset your TCL TV
If your TCL TV isn’t powering up and has a blinking status LED, it likely means your TV is stuck in standby mode.
To get it back up and running, you’ll need to find the reset button on your TCL TV and perform a factory reset.
The reset button can be a bit elusive. It’s small and not labeled clearly.
Often, you’ll find the reset button on the back of your TCL TV, either below or above the HDMI and USB ports. If it’s not there, you may need to check underneath the bottom bezel of your TCL TV.
Once you locate the reset button, grab a pen or a straightened paper clip. Use this to press and hold the reset button for around 10 seconds. If it doesn’t work the first time, give it a few more tries.
If you’ve done it correctly, your TV will reboot. After the reboot, you’ll need to go through the setup process for your TCL TV again.
If you hear a popping sound
6. Replace your TV’s power supply board
Hearing a popping sound when you switch on your TCL TV? That’s probably not a great sign.
This could indicate that your TV’s power supply board is damaged, specifically, that a capacitor has blown out.
Here’s a bit of good news, though: replacement capacitors or even a whole new power supply board typically aren’t pricey, plus they’re easy enough to order online.
The catch? Taking on the task of replacing these parts yourself can be a bit dicey.
If you’re not proficient in such tasks, you might end up causing more harm to your TV than good. Besides, if your TV is still under warranty, trying to fix it on your own could void that warranty.
But, if your TCL TV is older and you feel confident in handling the repair, you might find this video helpful:
If all else fails
7. Contact TCL TV support
If none of these solutions have done the trick and your TCL TV is still under its one-year warranty, your next best step is to reach out directly to TCL TV support.
With TCL TVs, there’s typically a one-year limited warranty. If TCL determines that the issue is due to a manufacturing defect, they may cover the costs of repairing or replacing your TV.
You can reach them at 1-877-300-8837 from Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 12 AM (ET), or on weekends from 9 AM to 6 PM (ET). They’re only closed on US Federal Holidays.
Final thoughts
Remember, there are several tried-and-true approaches to fixing a TCL TV that won’t power up. No need to rush off to your local repair shop just yet.
Start by attempting a power cycle or soft reset on your TCL TV. Unplug your TV from the power outlet, then press and hold your TV’s power button for at least 15 seconds. After that, plug your TCL TV back in.
While a power cycle usually fixes the issue, if it doesn’t work, you’ve got other options:
- Reconnect your power cord.
- Try a different power outlet.
- Check your TCL TV remote.
- Reconnect your external device.
- Reset your TCL TV.
- Replace your TCL TV’s power supply board.
And remember, if your TCL TV is still under warranty, reach out to TCL support. They might cover the cost of the necessary repairs or a replacement.
So, were you able to get your TCL TV to turn on? Which of these fixes did the trick for you? I’d love to hear from you. Leave your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!