TV Has Sound But No Picture (Troubleshooting Tips)

Whether using a smart or regular non-smart TV, you will likely experience picture issues at some point. 

A TV with sound but no picture is a common problem regardless of brand or model.

Fortunately, fixing this issue does not have to be complicated so long as you know the possible causes.

Here’s a breakdown of the possible reasons your TV has sound but no picture. Read on to find out how to fix this problem.

TV Has Sound But No Picture


TOP FIXES

Check the connections – all cables must be FIRMLY connected to the appropriate inputs/outputs.

Replace damaged cables. If there are damaged ports, avoid using those ports.

Check if the right input is selected.

There might be an issue with your source device (Blu-ray player, set-top box, gaming console, etc.).

Disable Energy Saving Mode.

Disable Sleep Timer or Auto OFF feature on your TV.

Try soft-resetting your TV.

Update your TV.

Try resetting to factory default settings.

If your TV has a hardware issue (usually some kind of backlight malfunction), you may have to call a professional technician to repair your TV.


Loose Connections

If you are using the old composite cables for your AV connection, ensure the yellow color-coded wire is firmly in the appropriate port, as it is responsible for video display.

Learn how to connect your TV using a component cable to avoid no-picture problems in the future.

How to Connect a Set-Top Box to Your TV Using a Component Cable

Even though HDMI does not have separate cables for audio and video, a loose connection can cause your TV to have sound but no pictures.

As such, you need to disconnect and reconnect the HDMI cable firmly into the appropriate port to restore your TV’s display.

inspecting your cables

Also, check the power sources and ensure the cords are firmly secure in the wall outlets and power strips or extensions.

Damaged Cables

Faulty or damaged cables could be another reason your TV has sound but no picture.

Cables used with TVs and external devices comprise small delicate wires that can break when subjected to frequent bends.

Even though high-quality HDMI cables are durable, they are not exempt from faults and defects and can get damaged over time, leading to no-picture issues.

Consider testing your connections for faults and visible damage by physically checking all cables.

You can test your cables by switching to a different port or swapping it with a known functional replacement.

Also, check the ports for clogs and bent pins, as these could prevent your cables from correctly plugging into the appropriate ports.

damaged HDMI connector

Wrong Input

Selecting the wrong input source is another major culprit of no-picture issues leading to a black screen on your TV.

The sound might come from an external device such as a Blu-Ray player or audio bar, but your TV has no picture because of incorrect input settings.

Whether you are using a cable box, satellite receiver, or DVD player, you must ensure you select the correct input source.

HDMI input

Here’s how to change the input source on your TV:

  • Check which port on your TV the external device is connected to
  • Press the INPUT/SOURCE button on your TV’s remote
  • Use the arrow keys to move to the appropriate input source
  • Select the correct input source and press OK

How to Change the Input Source on an LG TV

Video Source Issues

If the connected device is OFF or has electrical glitches or technical problems, it won’t transmit video signals to your TV, leading to no-picture issues.

Confirm that the external device connected to your TV is ON to be 100% sure the problem is with your TV.

Examine the video source for visible damage or defects to determine whether you need to call a technician.

You can consider rebooting the device to refresh the system board if the device has technical glitches and bugs.

Some DVD players and set-top boxes have reset buttons that you can use to reset them to default settings.

If the problem is beyond repair, consider replacing the external device with a genuine replacement.

Energy Saver Mode

The latest TV models from Sony and Samsung support power-saving mode, making them among the most energy-efficient televisions.

While this setting seems to reduce energy consumption, it can cause your TV screen to dim and turn black.

Disabling the Power-Saving mode on your TV can help restore your display and resolve no-picture issues.

Energy Saver Mode

Here’s how to disable Energy Saver Mode on a Samsung TV:

  • Press the Home button on your TV’s remote control
  • Navigate to Settings
  • Select General
  • Go to Power and Energy Saving
  • Turn off all active settings listed

How to Disable the Energy Saving Mode on a Samsung TV

Sleep Timer Setting

Nearly all modern TVs have a sleep timer that turns the television OFF after a specified period.

If the sleep timer feature is ON, it will turn your TV OFF, and the sound might continue playing from the connected external audio devices.

Sleep Timer

Here’s how to disable the Sleep Timer on a Sony TV:

  • Press the Home button on the supplied remote
  • Navigate to Settings
  • Go to Preferences
  • Select Clock/Timers
  • Select Sleep Timer
  • Press OK to set to OFF

Hardware Failure

Your TV might have sound but no picture because of hardware failures and backlight malfunctions.

The backlighting of your TV consists of tiny LED lights that might burn after some time, leading to no-picture issues.

Other components, such as the power supply and motherboard, may also succumb to hardware failures, causing display issues.

Since these components require expert input, you may have to call a professional technician to repair your TV.

Dealing with electrical parts can be risky and can cause bodily harm from electric shock.

Firmware Issues

Your TV screen might turn black but still play sound because of firmware issues.

Some TVs require constant software and security updates to ensure they are working optimally.

Depending on the model, you can turn on automatic updates to ensure your TV is up to date with the latest software.

Here are the steps to update a Sony TV’s firmware:

  • Press the HOME button
  • Select the Apps icon
  • Go to Help
  • Navigate to System software update
  • Select Software update

How to Update a Sony TV’s Firmware


Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why is my TV screen black, but I can hear the sound?

Answer: If your TV screen is black but you can hear the sound, check all video connections to ascertain they are firmly in the appropriate ports. Loose or incorrect connections can cause your TV screen to turn black. Power Saver mode can also cause your TV screen to turn black, although you can still hear sound. The sleep timer can also turn off the TV and leave your audio units playing sound.

Question: What causes TV not to show pictures?

Answer: Your TV may fail to show pictures for several reasons, including backlight malfunctions, loose or incorrect connections, damaged cables, hardware issues, firmware errors, and image scanner malfunctions. Verify all connected cables and wires are firmly in the appropriate ports. Selecting the wrong input can also cause your TV not to show pictures. Change the input source using the TV remote to resolve the problem.

Question: What makes a TV screen go black?

Answer: A TV screen can go black because of inactive power sources, faulty cables, and loose connections. Verify that the TV is ON and verify all connected devices are well secure in the appropriate ports. Video source issues can also make a TV screen go black unexpectedly. Ensure the input device is ON and has no technical or electrical problems.

Question: How do I fix my TV when the screen goes dark?

Answer: The quickest way to fix your TV when the screen goes dark is to reset it. Unplug the cord from the wall outlet and wait for about 30 seconds. With the TV unplugged, press the power button on the TV for 25 seconds to discharge it. Reinsert the cord and turn on the TV. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, verify that all connections are firmly secure and that the input source is correct.

Question: What do you do when your smart TV screen goes black?

Answer: Performing a soft reset can help restore your TV and bring it back to life. Unplug the TV for 60 seconds and plug the power cord back in. Alternatively, reboot the TV to fix no-picture issues and other minor glitches. Finally, you could also try manually resetting your TV to factory default settings.

Leave a Reply