The backlight on a TV is the component behind the screen that lights it up, allowing us to see the picture. If this fails, we are left with a blank screen. TV repairs can be costly, so the thought of a potential backlight issue can be scary. Before looking at the cost of a repair versus a replacement, it is best to ensure we correctly diagnose the issue to check there isn’t an alternative solution. So, how can you check if there is an issue with the backlight?
Is the LED on?
Firstly, we would recommend checking the TV has been turned on by checking the LED lights. If the LED light has gone off or turned green, this would indicate the TV has turned on. If the LED is still showing red, the TV is likely in standby, not a backlight issue, and would need to be taken out of standby to view the screen. Of course, LED behaviour varies by different models of TV so refer to your user guide to check what the LED should be doing when the TV is on.
What’s on the screen?
Although the screen may be blank, try pressing the menu button or source button on the remote to see if anything opens. If something does appear on-screen, the issue is likely something else, and we would recommend going down a different route to diagnose the issue. If nothing appears at all, but the LED has come on to show the TV has turned on, it would indicate something is preventing it from showing on the screen, which could possibly be the backlight.
Rebooting the TV
If the screen is still blank, it may be worth rebooting the TV in case it is a software error causing the issue as opposed to a backlight failure. You can perform a soft reset, or a power cycle as some may call it, by unplugging the TV from the wall and holding down the manual button for 10 seconds. Once plugged back in, try turning it back on.
Performing a torch test
Another way to diagnose the issue is by performing a torch test. This is done by standing close to the TV and shining a torch to see if you can see any picture. If the backlight is not working, you should be able to see the screen using this method. The same principle applies by ensuring the room is dark and standing close to the TV; it may be faint, but you may be able to see imagery on-screen. This means the screen is working, but the backlight isn’t lighting up the picture.
Checking the vents
You can also get an idea about the status of the backlight by checking the vents at the back. With the TV on, look down the vents behind the TV. If the backlight is working, you should be able to see light shining through. If not, you are unlikely to see this light, and this would suggest a backlight failure.
In the event the backlight has a failure, we would suggest exploring the option of a repair. If you are in doubt we would recommend contacting the relevant support team for your TV which can be found in the user manual.