More people are purchasing Vizio TVs. That is because they are fairly priced and have features that people normally pay extra for on other TV brands. Occasionally, VIZIO TVs malfunction, and most of these problems can easily be solved as it is easy to isolate and solve the problem. However, some problems are more complex; for instance, the TV can randomly start displaying dark spots on the screen. Of course, the first instinct is that the screen is defective, but there are other possible causes, as we shall see.
Read on as we look at what you can do to rid of the dark spots on the screen of your Vizio TV.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
In most cases, dark spots on your TV indicate LED backlight damage or dead pixels.
Before contacting a technician or VIZIO support, it would be smart to do some basic troubleshooting and make sure that the problem is, in fact, caused by a damaged backlight or dead pixels.
When was the last time you cleaned your VIZIO TV screen? I know it sounds crazy, but dark spots could be just smudges. So, try cleaning your screen.
On rare occasions, dark spots can be caused by some minor hardware glitches that can be solved by restarting your TV.
Also, if restarting doesn’t help, try resetting your TV.
If none of the basic troubleshooting steps fix the problem, contact VIZIO support or a licensed technician.
Restart the TV
Common as well as some more complex Vizio TV problems can sometimes be solved by restarting the TV. Also, a restart is one of the primary troubleshooting procedures as it allows the TV to restart all internal processes setting up any rogue firmware afresh.
A restart will also remove any mild firmware bugs that could also be causing the TV to show dark spots, especially if they keep appearing and disappearing.
Therefore, restart the TV before trying any other troubleshooting suggestions. You can properly restart the TV by following the steps below:
- Power off the TV. You can use the power button on the TV or the one on the remote.
- Unplug the TV from the power outlet.
- Press and hold the power button on the TV for sixty seconds. This drains the TV’s circuits of any residual power.
- Plug the TV back into a power outlet, power it on as you normally would, and observe whether it still shows dark spots.
If the TV no longer shows dark spots keep observing it for a few days, and if the problem reoccurs, restart the TV again and contact Vizio to send a technician, as that could indicate a screen component within the TV is damaged.
Ensure the Screen Is Clean
Although rare, it is also possible that the dark spots are just dirt smudges that look dark because of the bright light emanating from the TV screen. It is possible that the screen has not been cleaned for a while and dust, among other elements, has accumulated on the screen.
If this is the case, sometimes you can still see pictures on the screen through the dark spot. You should press the Menu key on the remote, and if you can see the menu through the dark spots, then there are chances that the problem is reversible.
Therefore, you can use a microfiber cloth dipped in water and then wrung completely dry to wipe the screen. Remember to do this gently and while the TV is off.
After cleaning the screen, turn on the TV and check whether the dark spots are still there.
Cleaning a TV Screen
Check the Inputs
Another possible cause of dark spots on the screen is poorly connected inputs. Or the TV’s ports could be damaged, affecting how video signals are transmitted from the source device.
So, power off the TV carefully, disconnect all devices connected to it then power it on.
Press the Menu key and check whether you can still see the dark spots. You can also put the TV on the Smartcast output by pressing the Smartcast Home button on the remote (V button) so that images are displayed on the screen, making it easier for you to observe whether the dark spots are still there.
If they are still present, the TV’s screen will likely be damaged. However, if the dark spots disappear, reconnect the devices connected to the TV one after the other until you find the device or Input with a problem.
Once you do, check if the cables are in good condition if not use a different better-quality cable. If any of the ports are damaged, contact Vizio or the place you got the TV from and ask them to validate your warranty or send a technician to repair it.
Factory Reset the TV
A factory reset is a last resort, as it will clear all settings on the TV and restore the default ones. It is also less likely to solve your issue if other suggestions have not worked. However, it is necessary to reset the TV because once you contact Vizio, they will ask if you have, as it is a troubleshooting requirement before they escalate the issue.
Also, a factory reset will clear any settings that could be causing some areas of the screen to appear darker than others. Otherwise, you would have to manually re-adjust every picture-related setting on the TV, which can be hectic.
You can use the TV’s Menu to reset it by navigating to Admin & Privacy > Reset to Factory Settings, then enter the System PIN if you have set one, or use 0000 since it’s the default in case you have never updated the PIN.
Alternatively, you can reset the TV by pressing and holding the power/Input button for twenty seconds.
However, the reset procedure is different if the TV has separate power and Input buttons.
You can reset the TV by pressing and holding the Input and Volume down buttons until a notification directing you to press the Input button for ten seconds appears on the screen.
Resetting a VIZIO TV
When it does, press and hold the Input button for ten seconds, and the TV will reset to the factory default settings.
Once it’s on, check whether the dark spots are still present; if they are, try the next suggestion.
Contact Vizio
If the TV still has dark spots after restarting and factory resetting it, then it is time to contact Vizio for further assistance or to ask them to validate the warranty.
When you get in touch with an agent, notify them of the troubleshooting you have done so that they can help you arrive at a solution faster.
If you purchased the TV from a retailer like Walmart, you can still contact them and ask about your warranty and if it is still valid. If it is, request them for a new TV or ask them to send a technician to check the TV and provide alternative solutions.
Do not open the TV and try fixing it on your own, as this can expose you to an electric shock. Also, if you attempt to open the TV, you will void the warranty if it is still active.
If the warranty period has expired, contact an experienced technician near you and request a home visit or arrange an appointment to take the TV to them.
It is important to contact a technician as the dark spots would indicate the TV’s LEDs are burnt out and need replacing. It could also be another screen-related component that requires an experienced technician to diagnose.
Conclusion
TV screens are fragile and bound to wear out after a few years. However, you can always prolong your TV’s screen life by lowering the screen brightness to half of the maximum possible brightness. Also, ensure the TV is situated in an appropriate area away from direct sunlight or heat from nearby devices. Also, ensure magnets are as far away from the TV as possible.
Suppose the screen has dark spots, and you are certain it is spoilt. In that case, it is advisable to contact an experienced technician to repair it instead of doing it yourself, especially if you have no prior experience with such tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Why does my Vizio TV have dark areas?
Answer: Your Vizio TV has dark areas because probably the backlight is damaged or the pixels are dead or stuck. If this is the case, your best option is to contact a technician or Vizio and schedule a repair.
If the TV is still under warranty, Vizio might offer a replacement.
Question: Can Vizio TV be repaired?
Answer: Yes, a Vizio TV can be repaired if you get a credible and qualified technician. You can search for technicians online and remember to read their reviews before settling on one.
However, if your TV is still under warranty, you can contact Vizio or the retailer that sold you the TV and request them to validate your warranty.
