LG TV Won't Turn On? Standby Light, Power Cord and Remote Checks
When an LG TV won't turn on, LG starts with the standby light on the lower edge of the TV and the power connection. Reseat the power cord, press the power button on the TV itself, then replace the remote batteries or check the outlet and circuit breaker depending on what happens. Clicking or whistling noises, or a red light that keeps blinking, point to a fault that LG service should handle.
Quick answer
Look at the standby light on the lower edge of the TV first. Unplug the power cord, plug it back in securely and press the power button on the TV itself. If the TV turns on that way, replace the remote batteries. If it still won't turn on, check the outlet and the circuit breaker.
- 1.Unplug the power cord from the back of the TV and from the wall outlet, plug both ends back in securely, then press the power button on the TV.
- 2.If the TV turns on with its own button, put new batteries in the remote; if it doesn't, plug another device into the same outlet and check your circuit breaker.
What it means
LG's own troubleshooting for a TV that won't turn on starts with the standby light at the bottom of the TV. In standby mode that light should be on. If it is off, the first suspect is the power supply to the TV: the power cord, the outlet or the circuit breaker. LG USA lists four causes: a loose power connection, depleted remote batteries or signal interference, a power outlet or circuit breaker issue, and a hardware issue.
LG Magazine (LG Russia) splits the problem into three situations that point in different directions: the indicator is off and the screen stays dark; the screen stays dark but the indicator lights or blinks as usual; or the TV makes unusual sounds when you switch it on, such as clicking, humming or whistling. LG Magazine's checks for the first are about power reaching the TV, for the second about the remote, settings, software and voltage, and for the third about faults inside the TV.
A dark screen doesn't always mean the TV is off. LG Magazine notes that the TV can be in standby (an energy saving mode that starts after several minutes without use), set to an input with nothing on it, or set to minimum brightness. LG USA's check for this is to press the Volume button on the remote: if the volume bar or a menu appears, the screen is working.
Common causes
- Loose or damaged power cord. LG USA lists a loose power connection as the first cause. LG Magazine adds that the cord should be straight, without kinks or bends and with no exposed wires; a frayed cord needs replacing.
- No power at the outlet. The outlet, the circuit breaker or the power in your home may be the problem. LG Magazine also mentions a power strip or adapter whose own switch is off, and a voltage stabilizer that has stopped working.
- Remote batteries or signal. Depleted batteries, batteries put in the wrong way round, or signal interference stop the remote from turning the TV on. If the TV turns on with its own button, LG says the issue is likely the remote or the remote sensor.
- The TV is on but the screen is dark. Standby mode, an input with no signal (for example HDMI or AV selected when you want TV) or brightness set to the minimum can all leave the screen black while the TV has power, according to LG Magazine.
- Unstable mains voltage. LG Magazine says that with unstable voltage the indicator lights red and blinks intermittently.
- A software update that didn't install correctly. LG Magazine describes a TV that keeps trying to restart and doesn't respond to commands after a bad update.
- A hardware fault. LG Magazine names a power supply lockout after voltage surges (often during a thunderstorm), a failed power supply board (long start-up, clicking, whistling, a blinking light; often a swollen capacitor, a burnt chip or a blown fuse) and, less often, a failed panel or LED backlight (sound but no picture, stripes or bright patches, no LG logo at start-up).
Before you start
- Note what the standby light is doing: off, on steadily, or blinking. Listen for clicking, humming or whistling when you try to turn the TV on.
- Make sure the power is on in your home and that other devices in the room work.
- Plug another device, such as a lamp, into the same outlet to see whether it supplies power.
- If the TV is plugged into a power strip with its own switch or into a voltage stabilizer, check that it is switched on and working.
- Press the Volume button on the remote. If a volume bar or a menu appears, the TV is on and the screen works: the problem is the input or the connected device.
Fixes, from safest to last resort
Reseat the power cord at both ends
No data loss- 1Unplug the power cord from the back of the TV and from the wall outlet.
- 2Plug it back in securely at both ends. If your TV has a built-in cord, unplug it and reconnect it at the wall outlet.
- 3Look along the cord for kinks, sharp bends or exposed wires.
- 4Press the power button on the TV and watch the standby light.
This is the first fix on LG USA's list for a TV that won't turn on. It doesn't change any settings.
⚠ If the cord is frayed or you can see bare wire, don't plug it in again. LG Magazine says a worn cord needs replacing.
Check the outlet, the circuit breaker and any power strip
No data loss- 1Plug another device into the same outlet to see if it supplies power.
- 2If the other device doesn't work either, check whether your home's circuit breaker has tripped and reset it if necessary.
- 3Look at the outlet itself: it shouldn't have scorch marks, smell of burning or give off smoke.
- 4If the TV goes through a power strip or adapter with its own switch, make sure the switch is on. If you use a voltage stabilizer, check that it works.
⚠ If the outlet is scorched, smells of burning or smokes, stop using it and don't plug the TV back into it.
Turn the TV on with its own power button
No data loss- 1Find the power button. LG USA says it is usually under the logo on the front or on the back of the TV; LG Magazine says it is often on the side panel. The position varies by model; see our guide on finding your TV's hidden button if you can't locate it.
- 2Press it. The indicator should light (red, green or blue) and the TV should start responding to the remote.
- 3If the TV turns on with this button, the problem is likely the remote or the remote sensor: go to the next solution.
If the button on the TV does nothing but the remote works, LG Magazine suggests the child lock may be on. That lock only blocks the buttons on the TV body, so use the remote.
Test and fix the remote
No data loss- 1Put new batteries in the remote and check they are inserted the right way round.
- 2To test the signal, point the remote at an Android phone's camera and press any button. If you don't see a flashing light on the phone screen, the remote might not be working. This camera test may not work on iPhones.
- 3If new batteries don't help, LG Magazine says the remote will need replacing. Our guide on telling whether the remote or the TV is broken covers the next checks.
If you use an LG Magic Remote, see our guide on the LG Magic Remote not working.
Check whether the TV is on with a dark screen
No data loss- 1Press the Volume button on the remote. If the volume bar or a menu appears, the screen is working.
- 2If the TV seems to be in standby, press the power (standby) button on the remote.
- 3Check which input is selected. If HDMI or AV is selected and you want to watch TV channels, switch the input to TV; if you watch through a box or console, check that device.
- 4If the menu appears but the picture looks black, check that brightness hasn't been set to the minimum and raise it.
- 5If the screen stays completely black even when you press Volume, LG USA says the TV may need service.
LG Magazine adds that if the TV is on and the light is lit but a broadcast channel shows no picture, the cause can be bad weather or a fault at your TV provider.
Red light blinking: unplug the TV and wait at least 30 minutes
No data loss- 1If the indicator is red and blinking intermittently, unplug the TV.
- 2Leave it unplugged for at least 30 minutes so the mains voltage can settle.
- 3Plug it back in and turn it on.
- 4If voltage drops and spikes are common where you live, LG Magazine suggests connecting the TV through a voltage stabilizer.
⚠ If the TV clicks, hums or whistles when you try to turn it on, stop here and contact LG service. LG Magazine links those sounds to a power supply lockout or a failed power board, both of which need the case opened by a specialist.
Reinstall the firmware from a USB stick
Re-setup needed- 1Use this only if the TV keeps trying to restart and doesn't respond to the remote or its buttons, which LG Magazine links to an update that didn't install correctly.
- 2Download the right firmware for your TV model from LG's official website onto a USB flash drive.
- 3Install it on the TV manually from the USB drive.
The LG Magazine article doesn't list the installation steps. Check them on LG's support site for your exact model before you start, and have the model number ready (see our guide on finding your TV's model number).
If a menu doesn't match your TV
- Can't find the power button? LG USA says its location varies by model and is usually under the logo on the front or on the back of the TV. LG Magazine says it is often on the side panel. See our guide on finding your TV's hidden button.
- If your TV has a built-in power cord, you can only unplug and reconnect it at the wall outlet.
- The phone camera test for the remote may not work on iPhones. Use an Android phone if you can.
- LG USA notes that its guide is based on standard models and that menus may vary by model.
- If the problem is the opposite and your LG TV turns itself on when nobody touches it, see our guide on an LG TV that turns on by itself.
When to contact support
If the TV still won't turn on after these steps, LG USA points you to LG Chatbot on its website or to a technician visit. LG Magazine recommends not taking the TV apart yourself, because opening it voids the warranty, and sending it to an LG service centre when it needs disassembly or diagnosis. Don't open the back of the TV: the power board can stay dangerous after the plug is out (our article on discharging TV capacitors explains why this is a job for someone trained). Have this ready:
- Your TV's model number. See our guide on finding your TV's model number if the label is hard to read.
- What the standby light does (off, on steadily, blinking) and whether you hear clicking, humming or whistling.
- Whether the TV responds to its own power button, and what the outlet test with another device showed.
- Whether the problem started after a thunderstorm, a power cut or a software update.
Sources
- Official source: LG USA Support: If Your LG TV Won't Turn On · www.lg.com
- Official source: LG MAGAZINE Russia: LG TV won't turn on, checking and fixing the fault (in Russian) · www.lg.com
Frequently asked questions
lg tv blinking red light won't turn on: what does it mean?+
LG Magazine links a red light that blinks intermittently to unstable mains voltage. Unplug the TV, wait at least 30 minutes and plug it back in. If the light keeps blinking and you hear clicking or whistling, LG Magazine points to the power supply board, which is a job for LG service.
What does it mean when the LG TV light blinks 2 or 3 times?+
The LG articles cited in this guide don't give a meaning for a specific number of blinks, so this guide doesn't either. Follow the blinking-light steps above (unplug for at least 30 minutes, check the outlet) and give the blink pattern to LG service if the TV still won't turn on.
LG TV won't turn on but the standby light is on. What should I check?+
A lit standby light means power is reaching the TV. Check the remote first: if the TV turns on with its own button, replace the remote batteries. Then press Volume on the remote; if a volume bar or menu appears, the TV is on and the input or connected device is the problem.
LG TV won't turn on and the standby light is off. What now?+
In standby the light should be on, so an unlit light points to power. Reseat the power cord at the TV and at the wall, test the outlet with another device, check the circuit breaker and any power strip switch or stabilizer, then press the power button on the TV.
Why won't my LG TV turn on with the remote?+
Press the power button on the TV. If the TV turns on that way, LG says the issue is likely the remote or the remote sensor: replace the batteries, check they are the right way round and test the remote with an Android phone camera. If nothing flashes on the phone screen, the remote might not be working.
My LG TV clicks or whistles but won't turn on. Can I fix it myself?+
No. LG Magazine links clicking, humming or whistling at start-up to a power supply lockout after voltage surges or a failed power board, and both need the case opened. LG recommends not disassembling the TV yourself, as that voids the warranty. Contact an LG service centre.
Is my LG TV broken if it won't turn on?+
Not necessarily. LG's checks start with the power cord, the outlet, the circuit breaker and the remote, and a TV can be on with a dark screen because of standby, the selected input or minimum brightness. Service is the next step when those checks don't help or the TV makes unusual sounds.
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