Samsung TV Black Screen of Death (It Could Be A Very Simple Fix!)

When I go to watch my favorite show, the last thing I want to happen is turn on my TV to find a black screen. There’s a reason people refer to it as the “black screen of death,” because at the moment, nothing seems worse. But how do you fix the darkness?

If you experience the black screen of death on your Samsung TV, you should ensure all HDMI connections are in the right place and secure. You can also perform a soft reset of your TV by unplugging it for 60 seconds and then plugging it back in.

Sometimes the problem is caused by incorrect input settings or unwittingly having the sleep or power saving mode enabled. Other times, you might release too much voltage, which your TV cannot withstand.

The good news is there are numerous paths to take when troubleshooting, and you rarely need to replace your TV or have it serviced by a professional.

While it’s a nuisance to deal with, there are several troubleshooting solutions I will lay out for you so that you can say goodbye to the black screen of death for good.

Types of Samsung TV Black Screens

Samsung TV Black Screen of Death No Menu

Several troubleshooting solutions have you clicking the menu button on your remote, but what happens if you can’t access it? At this point, you want to try to use an external device to fix the problem.

If that doesn’t work, or you don’t have an additional device, you can try connecting to another display. Also, resetting your TV can help bring the menu option up even if the black screen still appears.

Samsung TV Black Screen of Death with Sound

You may have the issue where your Samsung TV produces sound but no image. Unfortunately, this annoying error is common, and it wouldn’t be surprising if you experienced it at some time. To fix this, you should unplug your television for 60 seconds before plugging it back in.

Resetting your television is a simple fix that can help some common problems, like a black screen of death with sound.

Samsung TV Keeps Going Black For A Few Seconds

If your Samsung TV keeps going black, you want to ensure you don’t have the sleep or power saving mode enabled. Both settings will cause your television to turn off, even if you are watching TV. You can look at the troubleshooting solution for turning off these features further up in the article.

Troubleshooting Samsung TV Black Screen Of Death

1. Check all HDMI connections

Before troubleshooting, it’s wise to look at your HDMI connections and ensure everything is connected correctly. In addition to checking secure connections, you can unplug them and plug them back in to verify they are in snugly.

If the plug is secure, you can try another port on your TV to see if that fixes your problem. You may also replace your cable if it appears damaged or frayed.

Finally, if you use a device like Roku or Firestick, there’s a chance the black screen of death is caused by a poor HDMI connection. Also, you want to ensure you are on the correct input; otherwise, you will not be able to stream to your TV.

2. Unplug Samsung TV from the wall

To perform a soft reset, you want to unplug your Samsung TV from the wall for 60 seconds. During this time, press and hold the TV’s power button for 30 seconds before plugging your television back in.

The majority of the time, this simple fix will take care of the black screen of death, and you’ll be on your way to watching your favorite show or movie. However, if resetting your TV does not fix the problem, you’ll want to continue with our list of troubleshooting solutions.

If resetting your TV doesn’t eliminate the black screen of death, you likely have a hardware issue that needs to be addressed.

This YouTube video covers how unplugging your TV can help solve the problem:

3. Double-check the Sources

If the input in your Samsung TV is corrupted, you will face the black screen of death. In this case, you want to unplug everything connected to your television and plug them back in. In addition, you should unplug your TV, plug it back in and turn it on to see if the issue was resolved.

Suppose you have an external device, like a Blu-ray player or similar device, plugged into your television that could be the reason for your black screen. So, if your device is faulty, it can cause issues on your television.

4. Configure the TV Input Settings Correctly

If you use the incorrect input setting, you will come across a black screen and be unable to watch television. While it’s an easy fix, you must take action to eliminate the black screen, so follow these two steps to get your TV back in working order:

  1. Choose Source on your remote
  2. Select the correct Input option

For example, if you are using a streaming device like a Roku, then ensure your input is set to HDMI. For televisions with several HDMI ports, you may have to choose them individually to determine which is the correct input.

5. Use Voltage Management Devices

Not all televisions can handle changes in voltage, regardless of size, so if you experience fluctuating voltage, you may encounter blackouts on your television. So, for example, if your television cannot get the correct amount of voltage, it can experience a malfunction.

It’s best to monitor your television’s voltage, which you can do with an uninterruptible power supply or a device like Voltguard. Voltage management devices protect electronic devices from power surges and avoid internal damage.

In addition, the devices help balance your TV’s voltage power to ensure the voltage levels remain normal.

6. Turn off Sleep Timer / Power Saver Mode

The sleep timer and power saver mode on your Samsung TV are meant to save energy and prevent unnecessary use; however, they can also cause your TV to turn off for no apparent reason.

While the two features have their benefits, they also can cause your TV to produce the black screen of death. For example, the sleep timer aids in managing screen time and will turn off once you reach a specific amount of time.

If you don’t remember the setting, you could have accidentally activated it, or someone else got a hold of the remote control.

The following steps will help you disable the sleep timer:

  1. Select the Home button on your remote
  2. From the menu, select Settings, then Time, and finally Sleep Timer
  3. Using the remote’s arrows, turn off the sleep timer

The power saver mode conserves energy by adjusting your TV’s brightness, which is beneficial in a dimly-lit room or if you are trying to be gentle on your eyes. However, one setting is “picture off,” where your TV produces no brightness.

To turn off the power saver mode, follow these steps:

  1. Select the Menu button on the remote
  2. Choose Settings and then Power Saving
  3. Turn the setting to the Off position

7. Update TV Firmware

Your TV’s firmware setting can often cause the black screen of death, mainly if it is not updated. For instance, if there is a bug in your current firmware, it can cause your TV to produce a black screen.

Firmware is vital because it operates everything on your television, and that is why you can sit and watch TV. The good news is that it’s easy to update your TV firmware even if you’ve never done it before.

To update your firmware, follow these simple steps:

  1. Select Menu and then Settings on your remote
  2. Choose Support and then Software Update
  3. Select Update Now

Updating your firmware helps improve features, boost security operations, and fix or replace software programs. Having out-of-date firmware makes you more susceptible to viruses and bugs, which also can be responsible for black screens.

8. Factory Reset your Smart TV

If you are still experiencing the black screen of death after updating your firmware, you can perform a factory reset on your Smart TV. A factory reset will remove saved user data and eliminate errors or bugs causing the black screen. Also, ensure you know your login information before completing a factory reset.

Since the factory reset removes saved data and custom settings, you should ensure you back up any information to the Samsung Cloud that you do not wish to lose. The below steps will help you complete a factory reset of your Smart TV.

  1. Select Menu followed by Settings on the remote
  2. Choose Support and then Self Diagnosis
  3. Select Reset and enter your Security Pin
  4. Choose Yes to complete the reset

After you reset your TV, you will have to log in to your account and download your saved data. As a note, if you’ve never changed your pin, it will be 0000.

Once your reset is complete, you’ll want to customize your settings again, which will make for easier streaming. You will also want to ensure your streaming device is hooked up and operating correctly.

9. Issue with Samsung TV backlight

Another issue you might encounter is your TV’s backlight, especially if you can hear the audio without getting a picture. The blacklight has LED power strips, and if one of them is faulty, there will be no picture on the screen since it only takes one to be out for the whole backlight not to work.

A blacklight is usually damaged due to water or if the television has been dropped; however, low-end TV models are more susceptible to a blacklight issue. In addition, if you received a defective model, you may also experience a black screen.

To check your backlight, aim a flashlight close to your TV screen, and if you see a small image, your TV is working. However, if nothing appears, your backlight is likely the problem.

10. Replacing Samsung LED Backlight Strips

If you need to replace your LED backlight strips, you should order a new set that matches your TV model. Taking photos while removing the strips is recommended, so you know where to put the new ones.

Here are the steps to replacing a faulty bulb on your backlight:

  1. Unscrew the back of your TV (about 15-20 screws) and carefully remove the panel
  2. Next, remove the LED panel, and front housing of your TV with extreme caution as the panel can break easily
  3. Remove the bezel holding the backlight diffuser
  4. Identify which LED is faulty to determine whether you will replace the strip or single bulb
  5. Once you make the change, carefully being

If you decide to replace the faulty bulb, ensure the new one is the same value as your current one; otherwise, it likely will stop working after a period.

This YouTube video does an excellent job of showing how to replace Samsung LED backlight strips carefully:

11. Replace streaming device

If you use a streaming device, like a Roku or Firestick, it may be defective, and you need to replace it, especially if you’ve already attempted the troubleshooting steps listed above.

Thankfully, the issue isn’t with your TV but the streaming device. (A streaming device is much cheaper to replace than a Smart TV.) So, if you have another streaming device, you can try hooking it up to your TV, and if the black screen goes away, you know the problem is with your external streaming device.

When purchasing a new streaming device, ensure it is compatible with your Samsung TV model; otherwise, you will not have success when setting it up.

12. Replacing the T-CON Board

If you believe the issue is with your hardware, you may need to replace your T-CON board, which is responsible for the images you see on the TV screen. The T-CON board is situated under the main circuit board and creates vertical and horizontal lines of your picture.

Your T-CON board controls the TV’s brightness with an LCD driver chip, but when there is a malfunction on the board, your backlight is lighter than usual, causing less vibrant colors.

If you are forced to replace the T-CON board, you’ll pay about $100 or less, but it’s necessary to get your TV working again.

This YouTube video details how to replace the T-CON board in your Smart TV:

13. Samsung TV support

If you are still having issues with the black screen of death, it’s recommended you contact Samsung TV support via chat, email, or phone. On the Samsung website, you can enter your TV model number or search from the listed categories and view their recommended solutions to a problem.

For example, they suggest you contact them directly to discuss an issue with a black screen through messaging or telephone or make a service request. Samsung can send a technician to your home for service or schedule an appointment to drop the TV off at a service center. They helped me while I was having an issue with Samsung TV Volume Not Working.

14. Samsung TV warranty

It’s always a good idea to check your warranty to see if you are still covered for replacement. However, most Samsung TVs come with a one-year warranty, so if you’ve had your TV for a while, you likely are no longer covered. In addition, several issues (i.e flashing red light) that cause the black screen of death don’t usually occur in the first year.

Samsung TV Screen Goes Black Then Comes Back On

Another common issue Samsung users encounter is a TV screen that goes black and then comes back on. Understandably, you would feel frustrated if the screen kept going on and off for you, but there are solutions to this problem.

First, ensure your power cord is completely plugged into the television and wall and not hanging loose; otherwise, it may give you a poor connection. Secondly, check whether the cord is in good condition and damage-free since that could cause connection errors to your television.

Unfortunately, if this doesn’t fix your problem, you should consider having a service tech look at your television.