4k TV Flickering (Causes And Fixes)

As a frustrated owner of a 4k TV, I recently started experiencing flickering on my screen. After doing some research, I quickly discovered that this is a common issue among 4k TV owners. In this blog post, I will be sharing the pros and cons of different solutions I tried to fix the flickering, as well as the tips and tricks I learned along the way. Whether you’re experiencing flickering on your 4k TV or are just looking for tips to prevent it, I hope this post will have you covered!

The most common reason your 4k TV is flickering is an issue with the screen’s brightness or contrast settings. Other potential causes include poor cable connections, problems with the screen’s HDMI or USB port, and interference from other devices such as fans or lights.

Issue	Solutions
1. Brightness/Contrast Settings	Adjust brightness and contrast settings; turn off nearby fans/lights; disconnect cables
2. Low Supply Voltage	Replace power supply to meet the 12V requirement
3. Improper 12V Supply	Check internal wiring and cable connections
4. Bad HDMI Cable Connection	Replace HDMI cables or check cable connections; consider using an HDMI splitter
5. Bad Software Updates	Seek professional help for software issues
6. Bad Power Supply (PSU)	Check internal connections; replace PSU if necessary
7. Bad Capacitors	Replace damaged capacitors (seek professional help or DIY with proper skills)
8. Bad LCD Screen	Replace faulty LCD panel (seek professional help for installation)
9. Bad Resistors in Mainboard	Seek professional help for mainboard resistor replacement
10. Bad Capacitors/Mainboard Issues	Replace damaged capacitors or mainboard (seek professional help)
11. Factory Reset	Perform a soft reset; if necessary, perform a factory reset
12. USB Connection Issues	Test different USB devices; if issues persist, contact the manufacturer for service
Additional Steps	Power cycle TV; use “Game Mode”; try new HDMI cables

Table of Contents

Why Is My 4k TV Flickering And How Can I Fix It?

There are numerous reasons why your 4k TV is flickering. It can be anything from the brightness of your TV to issues with the supply voltage or HDMI cable. What’s causing my 4k TV to flicker? There are several potential causes of flickering on your 4K TV. Let’s look at how to fix it!

1. Check The Brightness Of Your 4k TV

Check the brightness and contrast settings on your TV. If it is too high, this can cause flickering for certain types of content (especially movies). To resolve flickering caused by brightness and contrast settings, try disconnecting all cables connected to your TV to other devices.

Then turn off any nearby fans or lights that may be causing interference. Finally, turn the brightness and contrast on your TV up for at least one minute to see if it stops flickering. If so, great! You have solved your problem. If not, adjust the brightness and contrast again until you find a setting that does not cause flickering.

2. Your 4k TV Is Flickering Because The Supply Voltage Is Low

4K TVs have a supply voltage requirement of 12V, while most TVs only need 6 to 8. For TVs, a power supply that can increase the voltage to the required voltage is a simple and inexpensive fix, but this is not the same for electronics.

If your 4k TV is flickering, you need a new power supply. For example, a power supply that raised the voltage to 12V would also increase the current, doubling the power consumption of the electronics running off the power supply. These electronics can be sensitive to input power, making them useless or damaging.

3. Your 4K TV Is Flickering Because The 12V Are Not Being Supplied Properly

Some TVs have issues with their internal power supplies that cause them to flicker, even if they have an acceptable voltage range.

In these cases, it can be due to bad wiring or poor construction of the TV itself. If you have already checked your power supply and found it to be working fine, check your cable connections and ensure that none are loose or broken.

4. Your TV Is Flickering Because Of A Bad HDMI Cable Connection

HDMI cables only carry two signals: video and ground (VDG). Problems with the HDMI cable connection can arise when there is interference in the signal from your original source device (such as a Blu-ray player) or if the HDMI cable is not connected properly.

Try switching to a new HDMI cable or rechecking the cables. Ensure that you look at the HDMI port on the TV, too, since it can also contribute to the issue.

If either of these is lost in transmission, your picture will flicker, especially when there is a greater distance between the source and destination devices. To fix this problem, replace the HDMI cables with ones with better VDG insulation, such as carbon-based copper cabling.

If you have several electronics plugged into the same source, you need to use an HDMI splitter. This will prevent excessive signal loss and subsequent flickering in your TV’s picture.

5. Your 4K TV Is Flickering Because Of Bad Software Updates

Some manufacturers may have issues with their software that cause them to release faulty updates. These can include corrupted files or viruses that damage your system or even leak personal data. If it happens to you, it is best to get help from professionals familiar with the software used on your TV.

6. Your 4K TV Is Flickering Because Of A Bad Power Supply (PSU)

A PSU that suddenly stops working can cause your TV to flicker or shut down completely. You need to check the connections inside your TV and ensure that none are loose. You should also test the power supply on another system, preferably one with an LCD screen that is known to be compatible with power supplies.

If the problem continues and nothing changes, then the PSU needs to be replaced. Usually, you would ask technicians at a repair shop, but you can do it yourself if you are familiar with electronics and have the necessary tools for disassembly.

7. Your 4K TV Is Flickering Because Of Bad Capacitors

Sometimes, your TV’s power supply may work fine, but it still flickers because of an issue with its capacitors.

These can be damaged due to excessive heat or physical stress, so they need to be replaced by professionals. The DIY route is a possibility, but be prepared for a lot of disassembly and good fusing skills.

8. Your 4K TV Is Flickering Because The LCD Screen Is Bad

This is usually due to physical stress or excessive heat that causes some components inside the screen to fail.

Replace the old faulty LCD panel with a new one. I recommend asking a technician at a repair shop to install the new LCD panel.

9. Your 4K TV Is Flickering Because Of Bad Resistors Inside The Mainboard

If you have already checked your power supply and found it to be working fine, check your cable connections and ensure that none are loose or broken.

Ask a professional who is familiar with the software used in your TV. If nothing changes, then the resistors need to be replaced.

10. Your 4K TV Is Flickering Because Of Bad Capacitors Or Mainboard Issues

Your TV’s power supply may work fine, but it still flickers because of an issue with its capacitors. These can be damaged due to excessive heat, so they need to be replaced by professionals.

If you have already checked your mainboard and found it to be working well, you need to check your cable connections and ensure that none are loose or broken. Once again, approach a professional who knows the software used in your TV.

11. Factory Reset Your 4k TV

However, first try a soft reset. This is where you turn the TV off and unplug it from the wall for 60 seconds. Doing this resets the internal cache of the TV.

Do a factory reset to see if it stops your TV’s screen from flickering. After performing a factory reset, try connecting all of your devices again.

If the flickering stops, try watching a movie or playing a game on your TV for at least an hour to test the new settings. However, if the TV is still flickering after these steps, it may be because of a faulty screen.

12. USB Connection Issues Can Cause Your 4k TV To Flicker

If you are using a USB device (such as a thumb drive) to play content on your TV, this can cause flickering in some instances. Try plugging another device into the same USB port to see if that solves the issue. If these solutions don’t work for you, you might have a faulty TV or need to get it serviced by the manufacturer.

If these solutions above do not work, it might be time to contact your TV manufacturer for further troubleshooting help. The following are some additional steps you can take:

Try powering off the TV and then turning it back on again. Sometimes this can fix flickering problems.

If your TV has “Game Mode,” try using that setting for 4k content. While not all TVs have this feature, it might help with the flickering issue you are experiencing.

Consider getting new HDMI cables or switching to a different brand of cables if yours are causing interference or poor picture quality.

Conclusion

If increasing the brightness and contrast did not work, ensure all your cables are plugged in correctly. If they are, try disconnecting and reconnecting them.

Alternatively, check if your cables are not too long and are within the requirements of the HDMI or USB standard. You may need to reset your TV if there is no other resolution.

This process differs from brand to brand, so it is best to check your manual for specific instructions on how to do this. Back up personal files before a factory reset because it will erase everything stored on your TV’s hard drive.