LG TV Screen Flickering: Causes and How to Fix It
A flickering LG TV screen points to one of two places: the signal reaching the TV (weak broadcast signal, loose or worn cables, the set-top box or other external device) or the TV itself. One test with the remote tells you which, and the rest of the checks follow from that result.
Quick answer
LG TV screen flickering comes from a weak or unstable input signal, a loose or worn cable, an external device such as a set-top box, or a fault inside the TV. Open the settings menu with the remote: a steady menu points to the signal or cables, a flickering menu points to the TV.
- 1.Press the settings or volume buttons on the remote and watch whether the on-screen menu displays normally.
- 2.If the menu is steady, turn everything off and reconnect the HDMI cable at both ends, then check the antenna cable for damage or loose connections.
What it means
Flickering, a screen that goes black, or picture glitches are what an LG TV shows when the signal it receives is too weak or unstable. LG's own troubleshooting starts there: the broadcast signal, the antenna connection, worn-out cables, and the connection between the TV and an external device such as a set-top box.
Flickering can also come from a component inside the TV. The way to tell the two apart is the on-screen menu: the menu is drawn by the TV itself, so if it displays normally while the picture flickers, the problem is in what is being fed to the TV. If the menu flickers too, LG says the issue may lie with the TV and should go to LG Customer Support for inspection.
Common causes
- Weak or unstable input signal. When the digital broadcast signal is weak, the screen can flicker, go black or show glitches. You can check the signal strength and quality in the TV's channel tuning menu.
- Unstable antenna connection or worn-out cables. A damaged or loose antenna cable, or a worn HDMI cable, can cause picture abnormalities, including flicker.
- External device connection. A problem in the connection between the TV and a set-top box or other external device can make the screen flicker.
- Internal component issue in the TV. If the settings menu also flickers, the cause may be inside the TV. This one is a case for LG Customer Support, not for home fixes.
Before you start
- Press the settings or volume buttons on the remote. If the on-screen menu displays normally, look at the cables, the external device and the signal. If the menu flickers too, skip ahead to contacting LG support.
- Note what you are watching when it flickers: an antenna broadcast, a set-top box or other HDMI device, or an internet-based IPTV service. Each one leads to a different check below.
- If you watch IPTV, check that your internet connection is working. For an antenna broadcast, the internet connection is not related to the flicker.
Fixes, from safest to last resort
Run the menu test to find out where the flicker comes from
No data loss- 1While the screen is flickering, press the settings button or the volume buttons on the remote.
- 2Watch the on-screen menu or volume display that appears.
- 3If it displays correctly, the issue may be with the connected external devices (for example a set-top box) or the cables: continue with the next steps.
- 4If the on-screen menu flickers as well, the issue may lie with the TV itself. Stop here and contact LG Customer Support.
This is the first check in LG's own troubleshooting article for continuous screen flickering.
Reconnect the HDMI cable at both ends
No data loss- 1Turn off the TV and every connected external device.
- 2Remove the HDMI cable from the back of the TV and plug it back in firmly.
- 3If you can reach it, also disconnect and reconnect the HDMI cable at the external device (set-top box, player or console).
- 4Turn the devices back on and check whether the flicker is gone.
Check the antenna cable
No data loss- 1Follow the antenna cable from the back of the TV to the wall socket or antenna.
- 2Look for damaged sections and loose connections at each end; LG notes these can cause screen abnormalities.
- 3Make sure each connector is seated properly, then check the picture again.
Check the broadcast signal strength
No data loss- 1TVs released from 2022 onward (webOS 6.0 and later): press the Settings button on the remote → All Settings → General → Channels → Channel Tuning → Manual Tuning, then select the connected antenna.
- 2TVs released in 2021 or earlier (webOS 5.0 and earlier): press the Settings button → All Settings → Channels → Channel Tuning → Manual Tuning, then select the connected antenna.
- 3On a webOS 25 TV (2025): press Settings, select the All Settings icon at the top left of the screen → General → Channels → Channel Tuning → Manual Tuning, and select the antenna connected to the TV.
- 4Read the signal strength and quality shown for the channel that flickers.
LG considers the broadcast signal very weak if the signal strength is 50% or if both signal strength and quality are below 70%. In that case the fix is outside the TV: contact your building's maintenance office or your service provider.
If a menu doesn't match your TV
- Menu names and positions differ between webOS versions. On 2022 and newer models Channels sits under All Settings → General; on 2021 and older models it sits directly under All Settings. LG notes its guide covers all models, so the screens on yours may look different.
- No antenna connected? The signal strength check only applies to antenna broadcasts. With a set-top box or other HDMI device, focus on the HDMI cable and the device; with IPTV, check your internet connection.
When to contact support
Contact LG Customer Support if the on-screen menu flickers along with the picture, or if the flicker continues after reconnecting the cables with a normal signal reading. If the signal reading itself is weak, the right contact is your building's maintenance office or your service provider. Do not open the TV's back panel yourself: a fault inside the TV is for LG to inspect.
- Have your TV's model number ready, along with the year it was released if you know it.
- Tell them the result of the menu test (menu steady or menu flickering too). It is the first thing LG asks you to check.
- Mention which source flickers (antenna, set-top box or other HDMI device, IPTV) and the signal strength and quality readings from Manual Tuning.
Sources
- Official source: LG USA Support: [LG TV] Troubleshooting Continuous Screen Flickering · www.lg.com
Frequently asked questions
Why is my LG TV screen flickering?+
LG lists four causes: a weak input signal, an unstable antenna connection or worn-out cables, a problem in the connection with an external device such as a set-top box, and internal component issues in the TV. Open the settings menu with the remote to narrow it down: if the menu is steady, the cause is in the signal, cables or external device.
Is my LG TV broken if the screen keeps flickering?+
Not necessarily. If the settings menu displays normally while the picture flickers, the TV is drawing its own image fine and the problem is in the signal or the connected devices. Only if the menu flickers as well does LG point to the TV itself, and then the next step is LG Customer Support.
Can the internet cause my LG TV screen to flicker?+
For antenna broadcasts, no: LG says the internet connection is not related. If you watch through an IPTV service, check your internet connection.
Why does my LG TV screen flicker and then go black?+
A weak digital broadcast signal can make the screen flicker or go black. Check the signal strength and quality for that channel under Channel Tuning → Manual Tuning, and inspect the antenna cable for damage or loose connections.
What if my LG TV still flickers after checking the signal strength?+
Look at the numbers. LG considers the signal very weak if strength is 50% or if both strength and quality are below 70%; then contact your building's maintenance office or your service provider. If the readings look normal and the cables are reconnected, contact LG Customer Support.
Can a loose HDMI cable make an LG TV flicker?+
Yes. Worn-out cables and a poor connection between the TV and an external device are both on LG's list of causes. Turn everything off, remove and reconnect the HDMI cable at the TV and, if possible, at the device too.
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