Half of my TV screen is darker (Causes and How to Fix)

As an owner of a flat-screen TV, I’m sure you’re familiar with the issue of one half of the screen being darker than the other. I have experienced this same issue and it can be incredibly frustrating. After some research and testing, I’m here to share how I solved this issue and other solutions I discovered to potentially help you out.

In this blog post, I will explain the possible causes of this issue, as well as some tips on how to fix it. Hopefully, this will help you get your TV back in tip-top shape!

There are a couple of reasons why half of your TV screen may be darker than the rest, and the problems can stem from power supply problems, old software, malfunctioning cables, or even the device connected to your TV. However, though most issues are easy to solve, you may need to replace your TV.

Issue	Cause	Solution
Outdated or Corrupted Software	Smart TV software	1. Update the software.
		2. Reset the TV to factory settings.
Trouble with HDMI Cable	HDMI cable issues	1. Switch to a different HDMI port.
		2. Replace the HDMI cable.
		3. Test with a different HDMI cable.
Device Problem	Device connected to the TV	1. Unplug and reboot the device.
		2. Update the device’s software.
		3. Replace the device if necessary.
Soft Reset	Technical glitches	Unplug the TV, wait 60 seconds, plug it back in, and turn it on again.
Hard Reset	Persistent issues	Perform a factory reset following your TV model’s specific instructions.
Seek Professional Help	Unresolved issues	Contact a professional or independent repairman if the problem persists after trying all solutions.

Table of Contents

Why Half Of Your TV Screen Is Darker

As previously stated, there are numerous explanations for why half of your TV screen may be darker than the rest and some problems you can fix quickly.

You do not need to be a professional to follow the steps below, and you may be able to solve the problem with no other help required. However, if you attempt the steps below and they do not work, additional help may be a good idea.

It is important to remember that some companies would rather have you buy a new TV, which will benefit them more than fixing a TV.

For this reason, if you require extra help, it is best to hire an independent professional instead of a person working for the brand of your TV.

Outdated Or Corrupted Software

Though this is not the case for all TVs, it is widespread for those with smart TVs. Along with several other issues, parts of your TV may appear darker because of outdated or corrupt software.

There is a chance this may happen to you because of a sidebar or box showing over one side of your TV due to the software your smart TV uses.

The Solution – The easiest way to ensure this issue isn’t due to software-related problems is to ensure that the software is up to date.

There is usually an easy-to-navigate menu that you can use to make sure the most recent updates get installed on your smart TV. If you have no other options, you may even need to reset your TV to the factory settings to ensure it reinstalls all the updates without errors.

Trouble With Your HDMI Cable

Another common reason a part of your TV screen may be darker than the rest, or even wholly black at times, is due to problems with your HDMI cable. There are a couple of ways you can fix this since there are a few different reasons this may happen to your TV. The solutions below will explain the issue and how to fix it.

The Solution – The first thing you need to do to see if the issue is with your HDMI cable is to switch to a different input method.

Most TVs have more than one HDMI port you can use, so switch to a different one to see if the issue persists, and if the dark area is still there, your problem is less likely getting caused by HDMI issues. However, if the dark is gone, the following may be ways to fix the problem:

Switching the HDMI cable around can help you resolve this issue temporarily, though you will likely need to replace the HDMI cable at some point.

You can also attempt to plug the cable into another TV port to see if that fixes the matter; if not, you may also need a new HDMI cable.

If neither of the two options above affects the dark area on your TV, you should use a different HDMI cable to connect to the device of your choosing, and if the issue persists, the problem is not with your HDMI cable. However, you must replace the HDMI cable if the issue is gone.

It’s Not Your TV That’s The Problem

If you are using your TV with different devices like a smart tv box, DVD player, decoder, or anything else that plugs into your HDMI port and notice that the steps above did not work, the problem may be with the devices you use and not the TV.

The easiest way to determine if this is the case is to plug a different device into the same HDMI slot while using the same cable.

If the TV still has an area of the screen that is darker than the rest, the problem is not your device; however, if switching devices solve the problem, there may be a software or hardware malfunction with the device you’re trying to connect to the TV.

The Solution – If you have determined that the problem is with the device and not the TV, you can attempt to unplug the device to allow it to reboot before trying again. You can also try to update devices like a smart TV box, as they will have similar issues as a typical smart TV.

If you have tried both options before-mentioned, and the problem persists, you may need to contact the manufacturer or find a replacement.

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:

Head to Settings > General.
Select Reset.

Enter your PIN > then select Reset.

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

What To Do If There Is Still A Dark Area On Your TV

If you have tried all of the before-mentioned options to solve the issue, you may be stuck with some permanent damage that needs to be repaired or replaced.

However, before you do anything else, it is best to unplug your TV and all the devices connected, wait a couple of minutes, and then try again.

Sometimes the problem with a TV having half of its screen darker can get fixed by simply allowing any energy to drain from it and letting it reboot.

Though this will not work for all devices or TVs, it is a good attempt before calling a professional. If your TV restarts and still has the same issue, you will likely need professional help.

Should I Get My TV Repaired Or Replaced?

The unfortunate truth about televisions is that they will break at some point, and you will have to choose between repair or replacement.

Though repairing an expensive TV may seem like the obvious choice, restoring your screen may cost you nearly the same price as buying a new one.

If you have recently bought your TV and these issues have started, you may still have a warranty to get it repaired or replaced at no extra cost.

However, if you have had your TV past the warranty point, you may want to look into buying a new one with an extended warranty in the case that something like this happens again.

Conclusion

There are many reasons your television may be darker on one side than the rest; some issues get easily solved, while others may require professional help. Before you start panicking, it is best to do some troubleshooting and attempt to resolve the issue by yourself. However, if you need professional help, you may be able to save some money by hiring an independent electrician or repairman.

References:

https://www.lg.com/us/support/help-library/how-to-troubleshoot-and-fix-a-dark-or-dim-tv-picture-webos-20-CT10000020-1432651636835