My TV does not turn on after a power cut, what should I do?

A power cut can occur due to various factors internal or external to the habitat. In some cases, it can cause significant damage to electrical devices. Among the devices particularly at risk, we find the television. It sometimes refuses to turn on or come out of standby mode. But then for what reasons? And what to do when your TV does not turn on after a power cut?

television does not turn on after a power cut what to do

Find the answers to your questions by first seeing, in a simple way, why your television no longer works after a power failure. Then learn the different manipulations to try to turn your TV back on and how to protect yourself from this problem in the long term.

Why does your television no longer turn on after a power cut?

Several causes can cause a power cut: a bad electrical installation in the room, a voluntary shutdown of the supplier, a thunderstorm, a power failure etc. Depending on the cause, power outages can be frequent or occasional. You should know that certain types of power cuts are then more likely to damage your television. This will include, in particular, repeated power cuts, resulting from a poor electrical installation or following a storm. When the power cut is occasional and results from a power failure or a deliberate cut, the devices suffer minor damage. But then, how to explain it?

In the event of a power cut, the voltage is first of all abruptly stopped and then suddenly restored. In some cases, it may happen that this causes voltage peaks, in other words instantaneous and high amplitude overvoltage. These voltage peaks appear in particular when appliances or electricity are switched on, or after the current has been cut; or when a sudden and unforeseen load crosses the lines, such as during a thunderstorm.

All of this sudden and sudden voltage variations are the enemies of our electrical devices because they receive a voltage higher than the normal voltage of the circuit and therefore than what they are supposed to take. Therefore, parts of your television may burn out causing the failure of the latter. If your television is new, these occasional surges should not impact your device. However, if it starts to get old and the power cuts are frequent and / or incessant, it will gradually deteriorate and eventually burn out. Finally, if the surge peak is sudden and too intense like during a thunderstorm, any television can be seriously damaged and therefore no longer work.

Please note: : recent televisions have a voltage regulator much more efficient than before and therefore better protection against voltage variations. 

Sudden and sudden voltage variations linked to a power cut are therefore the main reason why your television does not turn on after a power cut.. Now discover the solutions that exist to try to resuscitate your device.

What to do when your TV stops working after a power cut?

As we have just seen, electronic devices do not like voltage variations and therefore power cuts. These have a direct impact on the power circuit. The main risk is that this shutdown and then this sudden and unscheduled resumption of tension will burn out and damage your television partially or even completely.

what to do when my tv no longer works after a power cut

When your TV does not turn on after a power cut, it is very likely that this one is therefore unfortunately undergoing significant damage. It is also possible that a safety has engaged, and therefore needs to be removed. Finally, the power circuit may be affected and not your television. To be sure and to try to solve the problem, carry out the following checks and manipulations.

Check the electrical outlet

The first reflex when your television no longer works after a power cut is to check that the the problem is not with the electrical outlet. This is because the electrical circuit to your wall socket may have been damaged, and not your TV. This is particularly valid if no lights are lit on your TV because it can mean that it is not powered.

To check if the problem is not with the outlet, plug your television into a different wall outlet. Attention, connect its power cable directly to the wall outlet, without multiple socket. If your TV turns on again, the socket is defective and you will therefore need to call in an eclectician. If it still doesn't show any signs of life, the problem is probably with a faulty part of your device.

Also check that the circuit breaker has not tripped. Otherwise, you will have to reset it or change the corresponding fuse.

Electrical reset of your television

Know first that if your TV no longer turns on after a power cut but its standby indicator is on (light flashing ou steady light), this means first of all that it is receiving current and also that it is not not totally dead.

It is then possible that the device has gone into extended standby to secure itself. Then try to carry out a electrical reset by holding down the Power button on your TV for 10 seconds.

If that doesn't work, try the forced electrical reset. For that :

  1. Unplug the power cable of your TV from the mains
  2. Wait two minutes
  3. Reconnect the cable to the wall outlet

Check the components

You have been warned! : be very careful when carrying out manipulations. Switch off the power by unplugging your television from the mains socket or by turning off the electricity via the circuit breaker connected to the appliance. If you are not competent to carry out the manipulations, call a professional or a competent person around you. Beware of the risks of electric shock, cuts and damage to equipment. 

You should know that most of the time, when the television no longer works after there has been a power cut, the cause is to be attributed to one of its components. Indeed, the electrical parts that make up a television are numerous and all subject to voltage variations. They are then likely to toasting during a power cut which causes a voltage peak.

The power cord

First, check to see if the power cord is working. To do this, test it electrically using a multimeter or try replacing the current cord with another power cord if you have a compatible one available.

Fuses

The first internal components at risk and easily identifiable in the event of problems are the fuses. These allow the power supply to be cut off in the event of surges to secure an electrical installation. It is not uncommon to see them burn out when a voltage peak occurs. As a result, your TV will no longer be powered and therefore will no longer turn on at all (standby light off). Know that if your TV does not turn on after a thunderstorm, it is probably the fuse who is at fault.

An external fuse is located at the electrical panel of your home and is often the first to blow in this case; and the other internal fuses are located on the power board. Test the board fuses using a fuse tester or multimeter. If the fuse has blown, you will need to replace it. Caution: always replace the fuse with another fuse of the same amperage and voltage. 

Capacitors

It may happen that, following a power cut, your TV no longer turns on because one or more capacitors have burnt out. Capacitors are essential in an electrical circuit. They make it possible to stabilize the currents in an electrical circuit. In other words, they smooth out voltage fluctuations. However, these capacitors can age badly, become damaged and heat up due to the ripple current they store. On cylindrical capacitors, the breakdown is easily identifiable with the naked eye: they will be inflated on the upper part of its surface.

The capacitors are located on the power supply board of your television. You can test them using a multimeter. If one or more capacitors are defective, then you will need to replace them.

The other components

Other components may be responsible for a TV that won't turn on after a power outage. It could be a resistor, transformer, diode etc that has been damaged. If after all the manipulations seen above your TV still does not work, we advise you to call a professional.

Who to contact if despite everything your TV does not turn on?

Despite your best efforts, it may happen that your TV still refuses to turn on after the power cut. In this case, you will have to call the professional service. Several options are then available to you:

  • Contact the after-sales service for your TV brand. They can find you a personalized solution. In the best case and following an expertise, they will be able to repair or replace the television for you.
  • Contact the after-sales service of the store where you purchased your TV.
Footnotes : Remember to watch if your television is no longer under warranty. If you bought it recently or opted for an extended warranty, you may not be charged for the breakdown service. 
  • Contact a professional electrician or television repair service. They will be able to determine the source of the problem and replace the part or repair the faulty power supply.

Also note that if your TV no longer turns on following a general power cut (loss or voluntary general shutdown), you can obtain a compensation fromEnedis, the company that manages the electricity network in France. Indeed, according to the law, Enedis is held responsible for any potential damage caused by its product. Also contact your home insurance. Some contracts have an optional “electrical damage” guarantee.

In both cases, you will need to submit a claim for compensation. This is done in the form of a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt. Send it along with proof that the failure was caused by the Enedis service by means of proof: purchase invoice, replacement, repair and a certificate from the professional who assessed that the device was damaged or that it is out of service.

And for the next time?

The best prevention is unplug your TV and your other sensitive electrical devices during a storm or a power cut. However, there may be times when unexpected power outages occur. In these cases, the best option will be to buy a inverter. It is used to correct the electrical disturbances of the network by a voltage regulator. This is placed between your device to be protected and the electrical network. It then provides a stable electric current, even in the event of a power surge.

Read also: The 13 most common TV problems and their repair solutions

12 thoughts on “My TV won't turn on after a power outage, what should I do?”

  1. BRAVO and a thousand times thank you!
    Finally, clear and detailed explanations enlightening us completely on the possible causes or origins of such a disaster. Too bad they are unknown at Samsung ...
    You should be a brand trainer. Thus it would lose fewer customers.
    Again thank you to you.
    Marcel CHAMPAGNE - October 23, 2021

    Reply
  2. Good evening I have a huge problem my tv no longer works as well as the tv decoder and the modem I have done all the manipulations and nothing to do however all the other lighting works the lead index is 20 thank you for giving me the more information to finally have the problem resolved thank you cordially

    Reply
  3. Well my tv is flashing the red led three times and it won't turn on its a black screen after my daughter sat on the remote someone help please
    hisense tv
    Thank you

    Reply

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