TV screen lines are among the most annoying problems you may face. There are many reasons why horizontal or vertical stripes run across your TV screen. This does not always mean your TV display is broken or damaged. No matter the reason, it’s a good idea to fix this issue.
If you are about to pick up the phone and call someone to have it fixed, please stop right here. We suggest you inspect the TV itself and try one of our solutions below. Some issues can be quickly resolved with some button presses or cable replacement.
In this tutorial, we will show you how to fix a TV screen with lines. First of all, let’s break down what causes lines to appear on your TV screen.
Why does Your TV Screen Have Lines?
A TV that displays vertical lines or horizontal lines could indicate some problems with the power supply. In other cases, it could signal that your HDMI cable is faulty or there is a poor connection between the processing board and the panel.
Another cause lies in loose cables that result in a bad connection to the TV. If you have moved your TV around recently, this could be the reason lines show up on your screen.
Make sure your screen is not damaged. There are times when a damaged LCD can cause the lines to appear. In this case, check your screen carefully to see if any of its parts are damaged or broken.
In short, when you see lines on your TV screen, the first thing step is to identify the cause of the problem. Try testing your screen to see if it’s broken or damaged, checking your cable connections and any external devices connected to your TV. If the problem persists, make sure you read on.
How to Fix a TV Screen with Lines
There are several workarounds for fixing a TV screen with horizontal and vertical lines. Check out our fixes below if your basic things like checking cables or testing your screen won’t help.
Method 1: Knock or Tap On the Back of your TV
If you have already tested your cable connections, but nothing is fixed, try knocking or tapping at the rear of your TV. It’s one of the easiest ways to get your TV screen working correctly again. If the lines disappear and then reappear, the problem is with your T-Con board.
The T-Con board is the smallest board inside a TV, for those who may not know. It’s connected to the LCD panel and the mainboard. It receives image data and converts the signal into one format that an LCD panel can interpret. If your T-Con board is broken or faulty, you need to have it replaced.
Method 2: Adjust your TV Settings
If the above solution does not work, try changing your TV settings. There are times when you accidentally change some display settings, causing the lines to appear. Try switching your TV’s input to a different HDMI port or an AV port (if your TV has one). If your TV works well when connected to a different port, the problem is with your port.
Method 3: Do a Picture Test
One of the coolest features on newer TVs is the ability to check if your display is corrupted. Running a picture test varies depending on the TV model you are using. If your TV has the feature, make sure you try it. If it’s corrupted, have it repaired. If your TV is under warranty, you will not be charged.
Method 4: Update the Software
If nothing works, the problem may be with the software. An outdated software update may result in image errors. It’s a good idea to keep your TV up-to-date. Updating a TV may differ per TV, so make sure you read your TV’s manual before proceeding.
Method 5: Reset Your TV to Factory Settings
If none of the above solutions works, the best shot is to perform a factory reset. Doing so will erase all settings to their original state, thus fixing all software-related problems. The process may vary depending on the TV model you are using.
If a factory reset doesn’t help, the chances are that your TV is having a hardware problem. If this is the case, have it repaired.
