As an owner of a TV, I know the frustration of discovering a purple spot on the screen. I was surprised to find out that this issue is actually quite common, and after doing some research and testing, I’m here to share what I found out about the causes and possible fixes for this issue.
Color spotting on TV is usually caused by three things: HDMI cable issues, LED backlight fault, and magnetic interference. The solution to these problems could be as simple as turning your TV on and off, or it could be more complex and require professional service.
| Causes of Purple Spots | Description | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI Cable Issues | Loose or faulty HDMI cables can cause purple spots, screen glitches, or sound issues. | 1. Unplug and reinsert HDMI cable: Ensure it’s firmly and correctly attached. 2. Test HDMI cable on other devices: If the issue persists, replace the HDMI cable. |
| LED Backlight Fault | Defective or burnt backlit displays can cause purple spots on the screen. | 1. Replace the faulty backlit display: Seek professional assistance or replace it yourself if experienced. 2. Ensure the replacement LED has the same values as the old one. |
| Magnetic Interference | Purple spots at the edges or corners of the screen might be caused by magnetic interference from nearby magnetic or electronic devices. | 1. Move magnetic or electronic devices at least 3-4 feet away from the TV. 2. Turn off the TV and unplug it for 5 minutes, then plug it back in and turn it on. |
| Soft Reset | Technical glitches can sometimes cause purple spots on the screen. | 1. Turn off the TV and unplug it from the wall outlet. 2. Wait for 60 seconds, then plug it back in and turn it on again. |
| Hard Reset | A factory reset might help resolve purple spots on the screen. | 1. Follow the specific instructions for your TV model to perform a factory reset. 2. For Samsung TVs: Head to Settings > General, select Reset, enter your PIN, then select Reset again (default PIN is 0000). |
Table of Contents
Cause #1: HDMI Cable Issues
The purple spot on your TV might be caused by either a loose or faulty HDMI cable.
The HDMI cable transmits digital video and audio from a source, so if the cable isn’t properly attached, it won’t render the screen colors as it’s meant to.
It can cause a purple or pinking tint or spot on the screen, as well as screen glitches and worrying sound issues.
How to Fix
Luckily, there’s a relatively easy fix to this issue.
First, unplug the HDMI cable from the TV and the other device. Then, turn off both the TV and the device by either powering them off or unplugging them from the power outlet.
After about 10 seconds, insert the HDMI cable back into both devices, making sure it’s attached firmly and correctly.
If the problem persists, there might be an issue with the HDMI cable itself. You can test the status of the cable by connecting it to other devices. If the purple spot appears on the test device, you’ll need to replace the HDMI cable.
Cause #2: LED Backlight Fault
Most TVs are equipped with a type of liquid-crystal display that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to backlight the TV display. This LED display is responsible for producing bright and vivid pictures.
Like other LED fixtures, LED-backlit displays don’t last forever. They have a limited lifespan of around 10 years, and can get damaged due to LED driver board issues, sudden power surges, or when dropped or doused in water.
Defective LED-backlit displays can cause unattractive color changes on a TV screen. The purple spot on your TV might be the result of a defective or burnt backlit display.
How to Fix
The only way to fix a faulty backlit display is to replace it entirely.
Though you can do it yourself, it’s best to let a professional take over to avoid further damaging the TV screen (and injuring yourself).
For experienced handymen, here’s how to replace a faulty TV backlight:
- Unplug the TV and lay it down on a carpeted surface.
- Unscrew all the screws from the back of the TV. There should be around 15 to 20 screws back there, depending on the model.
- Turn the TV around and carefully lift the frontal housing and LED panel. Be extremely careful as the LED panel is fragile.
- Take out the bezel that holds the backlight diffuser and check each of the LEDs to identify the panel causing the purple spot. Once identified, remove the LED strip and replace it with a new one.
- Reassemble the TV and screw everything back in place.
Note that when replacing the backlit display, ensure that the replacement LED has the same values as the old one. If you use the wrong values, the TV might stop working.
Cause #3: Magnetic Interference
If you’re seeing purple splotches on both sides or at the edges, top, bottom, or corners of your TV, it’s likely caused by a magnetic interference by nearby magnetic or electronic devices. Such devices include clock radios, stereo receivers, and even speakers.
How to Fix
To fix this issue, simply move all magnetic or electronic devices from the TV by at least three or four feet.
If the purple spot remains, turn off the TV, unplug the power, then leave it unplugged for 5 minutes.
Once the 5-minute mark has passed, plug the power back in and see if the purple spot has disappeared.
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
Final Thoughts
This concludes our article on how to fix purple spots on TV. As you can see, there are multiple causes of such phenomena, including HDMI cable issues, LED backlight faulting, and magnetic interference.
Most of these issues have relatively easy fixes. However, don’t attempt to open the TV yourself if you don’t have background knowledge of how the TV works and is assembled. This can worsen the damage to the TV or even put you in danger.
If in doubt, contact a professional to fix the TV for you. If your TV is still within its warranty period, contact the manufacturer so they can fix the issue themselves.
Read more: Philips TV vs Samsung TV
