As an aggrieved Vizio TV owner, I recently had an issue with my TV where the power light would fade but the TV wouldn’t turn on. After trying a few different things with no success, I decided to do some research and see if others had the same issue and what solutions I could find. I’m writing this blog post to share the tips and tricks I discovered while trying to fix this problem, and to share what worked for me in hopes that it can help others with the same issue.
| Issue | Possible Causes | Solution(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. TV is Frozen | TV software glitch | Power cycle the TV (unplug, press power button, plug back in) |
| 2. Broken TV Backlights | LED backlights malfunction | Warranty claim, TV repair shop, DIY repair, sell for parts |
| 3. Circuit Component Malfunction | Faulty inner board or connectors | TV repair shop, DIY repair if experienced, buy a new TV |
Why Does My Vizio TV Power Light Fade But the TV Doesn’t Turn On?
When you turn on your Vizio TV, the white power light is supposed to turn on and then fade out. You’re then greeted by the Vizio logo animation, which then takes you to the page displaying whatever input you have plugged in or activated.
If the Vizio logo never shows up and you’re left with a black screen, it could be one of the following issues:
The TV is Frozen
The first and easiest-to-solve problem is that your TV is frozen for some reason. Sometimes, electronics fail to launch or get a few hiccups that make the TV freeze and not work as smoothly.
Thankfully, the answer to this problem is to power cycle the TV. Here’s how to do it.
How to Power Cycle Your Vizio TV
- Unplug your TV from the wall socket or remove the power cord from the back of the TV.
- Press the power button on the back of the TV for 3–5 seconds while the TV is still powered off.
- Plug the TV back in and turn it on using the remote.
If your TV powers on as usual, you’re good to go. If not, then explore the next options.
The TV Backlights Are Broken
This is an issue that many new LED back-lit TVs experience nowadays. It’s simply a malfunction that kills the backlights illuminating the image on your TV when it’s turned on.
The LEDs are arranged in columns that cover the whole TV’s back screen. If some or all of them are shot, the result looks like a completely black screen when you turn the TV on.
You can figure out whether this is the problem you’re facing by using the flashlight test.
All you have to do is shine a flashlight, or even your phone’s LED light, onto the screen right after you turn it on. If you see any words, animations, or menus, your TV backlights are the only broken part of the TV.
Can You Fix a TV With Broken Backlights?
You have a few options when it comes to a problem of that sort:
- If the TV is still under warranty, you can contact Vizio customer support to know your options. They might offer to repair or replace the unit.
- If it’s out of warranty, you can take it to a TV repair shop where new backlights can be installed instead of the broken ones.
- You can purchase second-hand or all-new backlights and DIY the backlight repair if you have experience dealing with electronic circuits and a large-enough workspace. Just be careful not to crack the screen or ruin the inner connections!
- You can dismantle and sell the still-functioning parts of the TV on eBay or other e-commerce websites to fund a new TV purchase. Parts like the TV stand, main board, T-Con board, and sound components can bring in a couple of hundred dollars.
A Circuit Component is Broken
Lastly, if your TV power light turns on, fades, and the TV screen shows no signs of life, you might have a faulty inner board or failed connectors.
Troubleshooting this issue is almost impossible unless you have previous experience dealing with logic boards on smart TVs. However, it’s pretty easy to replace the faulty board once you realize where the malfunction is coming from.
If you’d rather not open your TV, you can take it to a repair shop where they’ll troubleshoot and fix the problem if it’s applicable. If not, then buying a new TV is probably your best option.
Conclusion
If your Vizio TV power light fades but the TV doesn’t turn on, then you could either be facing a small issue or a much bigger problem.
All electronics freeze sometimes and that can be solved by power cycling the TV. If that doesn’t work, then maybe a flashlight test can tell you if the TV is functional but with broken backlights.
If the TV screen never turns on, then there could be a malfunction in the circuits that feed the screen. In this case, being covered by warranty would be super helpful. Out of warranty, your options are limited to chucking the TV, selling it for parts, or to DIY the repair.
