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Black Streaks On TV Screen (Causes And How To Fix)

My recent experience with black streaks on my TV screen was a frustrating one. I felt like I was out of my depth and had no idea where to start. After a lot of research, trial and error, and help from a few experts, I was finally able to get to the bottom of the problem and find a fix. In this post, I’m going to share my story and the solutions I discovered, so that you don’t have to go through the same frustration I did.

Black streaks can appear on the screen when parts of the display are corrupted, damaged, or faulty. Typical faults can arise from issues with the T-con board, LCD, or row drivers. Sometimes you will need to replace parts, but you should also check the settings and connections and do a picture test.

TipsCauses of Black StreaksPossible Solutions
Black streaks on TV screenDamaged T-con board, LCD or row driversSend T-con board for repairs if defective
Pixel massage to remove stuck pixels that cause black lines on TV screen
Update TV’s software
Check TV warranty
Black streaks result from wrong resolutionSelecting the wrong resolution on connected devicesAdjust settings on connected devices, zoom in on movie, check cables
Do a picture test to check for display corruption
Black streaks only appear on some channelsRe-align the antenna or check for broadcasting area issues
Unplug devices to clear memories

Causes And Solutions For Black Streaks On TV Screen

Black lines on the screen can be very irritating. Horizontal lines can develop when the T-con board, row drivers, or LCD are damaged or defective. Loose connections between parts can also cause black streaks. This could result from damage, or it could happen on its own. Read on to see some common reasons for these lines appearing on the screen.

Black Streaks On TV Screen Could Be Due To LCD Damage

A TV gets its light from the LCD, so if this is damaged, it could result in the black lines interrupting your viewing pleasure. The best solution to this problem would be to get it professionally repaired or replaced. It may be cheaper than replacing the entire TV.

Adjusting The Settings To Remove Lines From LCD TV

If there is no physical damage to the LCD, you should be able to get rid of lines on the screen by adjusting the settings. The black streaks could arise from selecting the incorrect resolution on connected devices. The movie’s default image size could also mess with the settings and cause lines on the screen. These scenarios can be fixed in three steps.

First, switch on the connected devices and select the “Menu” option. Click on the “Resolution” button and set it to the exact resolution as your TV. This could be 720 or 1080, and you would find this information in the User’s Manual. Finalize by clicking “OK,” and the enlarged or pixelated lines should disappear.

Next, if your screen has black lines across the top and bottom, the movie has been produced in widescreen. There’s nothing wrong with this, but the lines can be annoying. To solve this, press the “Zoom” button on the remote control, and click until the image takes up the entire screen

Then check the cables running from the TV to the video source. If they weren’t properly put in, you will lose resolution, which could cause the lines on the screen. Plugging the cables in correctly fixes this problem

Check If The Black Lines Appear On All Channels

If the black streaks only appear on some channels, it’s unlikely that your TV has hardware or software problems. If you’re using an antenna, you may have weak signals on some channels. Re-aligning the antenna may sort out the issue. If the signal is strong, the broadcasting area may have technical difficulties.

Unplug Devices To Clear Black Streaks

You can unplug the satellite receiver and cable box to clear their memories. Then plug them back in again. The black lines may disappear.

Do A Picture Test On The TV 

Newer TVs have a great feature where you can run a picture test to check if the display is corrupted. You should find this in the settings menu under “Support” or “Picture Test.” If the black lines are present during the picture test, you may need to send the TV in for repairs. 

But before choosing the repair option, try resetting the TV to factory settings. The result will indicate whether you have software or hardware issues. 

The T-Con Board May Need Replacing To Erase Black Lines

The T-con board is likely faulty if the cables are stable and in place. The timing control board is responsible for converting video signals to formats suitable for LCDs to interpret. If the T-con board is defective, you should send it in for repairs. It is not an easy home fix.

Stuck Pixels Can Cause Black Lines On A TV Screen

Stuck pixels can display as a line on the TV screen. Pressing lightly on the stuck pixels may help remove the black lines. This is known as pixel massage.

Updating The TV’s Software Could Remove Black Streaks

Sometimes display errors result from outdated software. That’s why it is essential to keep updating the software. The method varies between brands, but you can find the details in the User’s Manual or online.

Lines On Plasma Screens

Plasma TVs have between 26 and 40 drivers that send electronic signals between the display and the circuit boards. When one of these drivers fails, it can cause black lines across the TV screen.

Vertical stripes will form over the screen when the control board stops functioning correctly. The best solution, in this case, would be to replace the TV, as parts are difficult to get and pricey, and plasma TVs are power-hungry. It is not worth trying to repair these TVs.

Don’t Forget TV Warranties

Although there are many things one can try from a DIY perspective, your TV will come with a warranty, which may be the solution you need.

Try a soft reset

A soft reset, is where you turn off the TV and unplug it from the wall outlet. You then usually have to wait for 60 seconds then you can put the plug back in and turn the TV on again. Performing a soft reset clears a device’s internal memory of running programs, which often clears up any technical glitches.

Try a hard reset

A hard reset involves completely resetting the TV to its factory defaults. Most TV models have specific instructions. However, if you have a Samsung TV here are the steps to follow:

To perform a factory reset:

  1. Head to Settings > General.
  2. Select Reset.
  3. Enter your PIN > then select Reset.

Note: If you didn’t change your PIN initially the code is 0000

Conclusion

There are many reasons that black streaks may appear on your TV screen. These range from technical and damage issues to “settings” issues. If you’re tech-savvy, you might be able to fix most of these problems at home.

But remember that your TV has a warranty. If it falls within the warranty period, pass it on to someone trained to sort out its issues. It may be the least costly option. Hopefully, the manufacturer will not give you directions to the TV cemetery!

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