As an owner of a 4K TV, I know the feeling of frustration that comes when your TV starts flickering. I recently experienced this issue, so I decided to do some research to find out what the causes and fixes are. In this post, I’ll be sharing what I learned, including the pros and cons of each solution, as well as some helpful tips and tricks. If you’re also experiencing this issue, read on to learn how I solved the problem and other options you may have.
Your TV might flicker for many reasons. This includes cable defects, power inefficacy, or even issues with the internal TV components. Overlapping in the settings might also contribute to this problem.
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Potential Causes of 4K TV Flickering
The wavering image problem may occur for many reasons. Here are the most common causes:
Cables Are Loose or Defective
If the cables of your TV are loose or have a defect, this might be the reason for the wavering image.
Erroneous Screen Settings
In most TVs, there is an energy-saving mode setting. Surprisingly, it might be the cause of this flickering problem, especially if there is voltage fluctuation in your home power.
Screen Overheating
The image might flicker if your TV gets overheated due to extremely high temperatures or an internal power issue.
Power Supply Issue
The power supply of your TV might have some issues, causing a decrease in its efficiency.
As a result, you’ll notice changes in your TV performance, like a flickering screen and a delay in turning on.
Coprocessor Malfunction
Sometimes the problem is in the tape’s pins that connect the picture processing unit inside the TV with the other internal components.
Other Minor Causes
An unstable image can also happen for other reasons:
- Internal dust accumulation
- Minor power cycle overlap
- The TV firmware is outdated
- Interference from a nearby device
- Unstable or poor internet connection, if you stream online
How to Fix 4K TV Flickering?
Depending on the most common causes of the problem, here are a bunch of highly effective solutions:
Apply Simple Fixes First
Fixing this problem might take as little as two to three minutes by applying one of the following easy fixes. So, before trying any other solutions, try these first:
- Unplugging the TV and waiting for one minute, and then plugging it in again
- Update the firmware
- Improve the internet speed by moving the router closer or connecting the TV by Ethernet
- Move any electronic device that might cause interference away from the television
- Gently clean the internal components using a microfiber cloth
Check Your Cables and Ports
Check the TV ports and the cables plugged into each one. This is to ensure all wires are connected securely and that there is no problem with any cable.
If there is any damaged cable, replace it, but this time with a high-quality one to last longer.
Disable Power Saving Mode
To switch off the power saving mode, go to the “settings” menu. Look for “Power saving “ or the like on your TV. In some televisions it is called “Green mode”.
Once you find it, turn this feature off. Then switch the TV off for a minute and then turn it in again.
Replace the Power Supply
If you know that the power supply is the root of the problem, you need to replace it with a new one. You can do it yourself or with the help of professional help.
Disconnect Some of the Coprocessor Pins
If all the previous fixes are ineffective, you may need to disconnect some pins of the tape connecting the picture processing unit to the other components.
To do so, follow these steps:
- Disassemble the TV
Unplug the TV from the power outlet and disassemble its back panel.
- Identify the Defective Tape
Inside the TV back panel, you’ll find two connection tapes, one on the left and the other on the right.
Each transmits the picture on only one-half of the screen. The left tape is associated with the left screen side, and so on. So, one of them is responsible for the flickering problem.
To identify the one with the issues, disconnect one of them by simply pulling up the holder that fastens it. That way, you free the tip of the tape. Then, turn on the TV again.
Because you disconnected one of the tapes, when the screen turns on, only one side of it will run. This is the side associated with the tape that is still connected.
When the TV is running, check the screen. If the running side of the screen flickers, then the problem is in the connected tape.
If the running side is stable, then the problem is in the disconnected one.
- Disconnect a Portion of the Pins
Once you determine the tape with the problem, turn off the TV and disconnect the defective tape from its holder. Hold the tip of the tape in your hands, and count ten pins on the tip.
Right after the ten pins, place adhesive tape on that tip, over the pins. By doing that, you disconnect part of the tape from the device, which is required.
- Assemble the TV
After disconnecting the targeted pins, connect the tape again by placing it back in its holder. Assemble the TV and try it.
Contact a Professional
If you’re not comfortable applying one of the previous solutions yourself, or you used them with no result, this might be the time to resort to a professional.
In addition, in some cases, the fixes must be applied only by professionals. For example, installing a new cooling system.
| Solution | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apply Simple Fixes First | Unplug the TV, wait for a minute, then plug it back in. Update firmware, improve internet speed, move interfering devices away, and gently clean internal components. | Quick, easy, and cost-effective | May not solve the problem if the cause is more complex |
| Check Your Cables and Ports | Ensure all wires are securely connected and replace any damaged cables with high-quality ones. | Can be a simple solution if cables are the issue | May not solve the problem if the cause is unrelated |
| Disable Power Saving Mode | Turn off the power-saving mode or similar settings in the TV menu, then switch off the TV for a minute and turn it on again. | Can be an easy fix for flickering caused by settings | Doesn’t address hardware-related issues |
| Replace the Power Supply | Replace the faulty power supply with a new one, either by yourself or with professional help. | Addresses power supply-related flickering | Requires technical knowledge or professional assistance |
| Disconnect Some of the Coprocessor Pins | Identify the defective tape connecting the picture processing unit to other components, then disconnect a portion of the pins by placing adhesive tape over them, and reassemble the TV. | Can fix flickering caused by tape issues | Requires technical knowledge and may void warranty |
| Contact a Professional | If you’re not comfortable applying any of the previous solutions yourself, or they didn’t work, contact a professional for assistance. | Ensures a proper diagnosis and fix for the problem | May be more expensive and time-consuming |
Wrap Up
4k TV flickering can happen for a lot of software and hardware reasons. On top of these reasons: using defective cables or errors in the internal picture processing system.
Nevertheless, applying simple fixes like unplugging and plugging back the TV and adjusting the settings can really come in handy.
The problem might also need adjustments or even the replacement of internal components. In this case, if you’re not familiar with such fixes, you need to ask for professional help.
