As an owner of a Samsung TV, I was frustrated to find a bright spot on my screen. I had no idea what was causing it, and it was annoying to me every time I watched something on my TV. I decided to do some research and testing to figure out what was causing the spot and how to fix it. After some trial and error, I was able to solve the issue.
In this blog post, I’m going to share with you my experience and the solutions I discovered. Hopefully, this will help other owners of Samsung TVs who are dealing with the same issue.
| Tips for Samsung TV Bright Spots |
|---|
| – Bright spots on Samsung TVs can be caused by dead pixels, loose LED reflectors, and other forms of damage. |
| – Samsung TVs have a Picture Test that can be used to test for a well-known problem that causes white spots. |
| – If the test detects the problem and the TV is still under warranty, Samsung should offer a refund, replacement, or repair. |
| – Dead pixels and malfunctioning LED reflectors are two other possible causes of white spots. |
| – To avoid this problem, ask your retailer to allow you to see the TV in its activated state before you buy it. |
| – If spots develop after purchase, check for a test in the unit settings. If the unit offers a test and fails, you should seek a remedy from the manufacturer or the dealer. |
| – It is always up to the consumer to do everything possible to ensure the unit is in good working condition before it leaves the store. |
Table of Contents
Why does my Samsung TV have a bright spot?
Bright spots can be caused by dead pixels, loose LED reflectors, and other forms of damage to the “projection” system. If the damage is due to a malfunction and is the fault of the manufacturer, Samsung or your retailer should offer you a refund, replace, or repair the unit.
Fortunately, Samsung TVs have a common, known defect for which Samsung offers a useful test.
What to do if Your Samsung TV Has One or More Bright Spots
The solution to the most common reason for bright spots on a Samsung TV is to perform a Picture Test. To do this, follow this path:
Home –> Settings –> Support –> Self Diagnosis
Then choose “Picture Test.” This menu selection is there to test for a well-known problem that causes white spots on Samsung TVs.
By following this chain of selections, your Samsung TV will begin a test for one common known cause of white spots. If your TV “fails” the test, you may contact the company for a refund, replacement, or repair.
But Samsung will only remedy the problem if the test determines that the fault is due to a malfunction and if your TV is still protected by a warranty.
If the test detects the problem it is designed to detect and your device is under warranty, the repair should take just 15 minutes of work by a professional.
Other Flat Screen Malfunctions that Cause White Spots
As mentioned above, white spots can also be caused by dead pixels and malfunctioning LED reflectors.
Dead Pixel/s: All LCD and LED TV screens are made up of millions of pixels. The main function of these pixels is to emit light and produce the image on the screen.
Sometimes, spots can occur if some pixels are damaged and/or become stuck in a certain color state which will cause the problem and they appear as spots on the screen.
As any photographer will tell you, pixels on a digital screen often die all on their own. When they do, it is usually just one at a time, not a finger-sized patch of pixels.
A single dead pixel will usually go unnoticed, at least for a while. (Unless you’e a photographer.) This is considered a normal use/wear issue, and may or may not be covered even under warranty.
LED Reflectors: Every LCD TV contains a reflector (lens) that helps facilitate and evenly spread the light on the screen. Sometimes, these reflectors can become loose or detached.
When they do become detached, you will see a bright white spot on your screen. In most cases, you will see multiple white spots, or dots in the same general area on the screen, rather than just one.
This problem can be fixed by opening the housing on the TV and reattaching the loose reflector with a small amount of super glue.
To perform this task you will need:
- 2 screwdrivers: small & medium
- A small prying tool
- Superglue
- Q-tips
Steps to Reattach Loose Reflectors:
1. Turn your TV off and unplug it from the wall
2. Remove all screws holding the back panel on
3. Pull out the metal tabs carefully
4. Disconnect the speakers and set them aside
5. Disconnect the circuit board from its metal mount plate and lift the metal plate
6. Lift the tabs on the plastic frame and look for fallen reflectors
7. Use Q-tips to apply glue to them around the spot from which the reflector has fallen
8. Place the reflector on the glued spot and hold until it firmly adheres
9. Reverse to reassemble your TV
Avoiding White Spots & Dealing With Them
To avoid this problem, ask your retailer to allow you to see the TV in its activated state before you buy it. Some retailers may refuse.
If they do, simply go to another retailer until one of them allows you to see the illuminated screen before purchase.
Alternatively, you can ask the dealer to test the screen before delivery and get them to confirm in writing that they did the test and the unit passed the test.
If spots develop after purchase, check for a test in the unit settings. If the unit offers a test and fails, you should seek a remedy from the manufacturer or the dealer.
Another way to test for discolored spots is to pause a movie during the black screen before or after the credits roll.
TV Types Most Likely to Exhibit White Spots
LCD & LED Screens:
- Likely Causes: Fallen Reflectors
- Possible Remedies: Reflector repair
Plasma Screens:
- Likely Causes: Defective Matrix
- Possible Remedies: Install new build blocks
Kinescope Screens:
- Likely Causes: Malfunctioning picture tube
- Possible Remedies: Replace the picture tube
Final Thoughts
The term “Caveat Emptor” always applies when buying complex electronic devices. Warranties may or may not cover your problem, even if the unit is new.
Manufacturers and retailers will often blame the user for damage, especially if the unit is not verifiably tested before delivery or sale.
Manufacturers that provide built-in diagnostics for known malfunctions, as Samsung has done, are rare.
It is always up to the consumer to do everything possible to ensure the unit is in good working condition before it leaves the store.
Read more: Does Samsung TV have Fire TV app?
