Samsung TV Keeps Turning Off by Itself? Timers, Anynet+ and Power
Samsung names two main reasons a TV switches itself off: a connected device has powered off, or the TV's own settings are doing it. A standby light that flashes as the TV shuts down means a fault that needs repair. Otherwise Samsung's steps cover the power cord, timers and power saving, Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC), Power On with Mobile, connections, the remote and a software update.
Quick answer
Samsung names two main reasons a TV turns off by itself: a connected device has powered off, or a setting is switching it off. First watch the standby light: if it flashes as the TV shuts down, book a repair. If not, unplug the TV for 30 seconds, then turn off the Sleep Timer and Auto Power Saving.
- 1.Unplug the TV from the wall for 30 seconds, check the power cord for damage and plug it straight into a wall outlet instead of a surge protector.
- 2.Turn off Settings → All Settings → System Manager → Time → Sleep Timer and Settings → All Settings → General & Privacy → Auto Power Saving. If it happens when an HDMI device turns on or off, also turn off Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC).
What it means
Samsung UK says a TV that turns off by itself can have a number of causes depending on the TV and its setup, and that the two main ones are a connected device that has powered off and the TV's settings. Samsung Australia gives the same pair: your settings and the external devices connected to the TV.
Before you change anything, find out whether the TV is faulty. Samsung UK's test is the standby light: if it flashes when the TV shuts down, the TV is defective and needs a repair. If it does not flash, work through the settings, cables and devices below.
When the TV turns off and then back on again in a loop, Samsung Gulf points to power supply problems, network interference, conflicts with external devices or incorrect settings. Two features can wake the TV on purpose: Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC), which lets some HDMI devices turn the TV on when they turn on, and Power On with Mobile, which lets SmartThings devices turn it on. If your TV only switches itself on, see our guide on a Samsung TV that turns on by itself.
Common causes
- Sleep Timer or Auto Power Saving. The Sleep Timer turns the TV off after a set period, and Auto Power Saving turns it off when it detects inactivity. Samsung UK lists both (Sleep Timer, and Auto power off / Eco Solution) among its checks.
- A connected device controlling the TV through Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC). Anynet+ lets HDMI devices and the TV switch each other on and off. Samsung Gulf says it can make the TV power cycle when external devices are turned on or off.
- A damaged or loose power cord, or a surge protector. Samsung Gulf says a damaged or loose cord can cause intermittent power issues. Samsung US also suggests plugging the TV straight into a wall outlet if it was on a surge protector.
- Power On with Mobile (SmartThings). TVs linked to SmartThings can be turned on by compatible devices. Samsung US says abnormal power-on signals sent over the wireless network can trigger this and turn the TV on.
- Set-top boxes, consoles or PCs sending conflicting signals. Samsung Gulf says external devices can make the TV power cycle if they send conflicting signals.
- Wrong input source or uncertified HDMI cables. With no external devices connected, Samsung Gulf says an incorrect input source can make the TV turn off unexpectedly. It also warns that uncertified HDMI cables can cause connection errors or black screens.
- A malfunctioning remote. Samsung Gulf says a faulty remote can send incorrect signals to the TV.
- Outdated software. Samsung Gulf says outdated software can cause compatibility issues or bugs, and Samsung UK lists checking for software updates.
- A hardware fault. If the standby light flashes when the TV shuts down, Samsung UK says the TV is defective and needs a repair. No setting will fix that.
Before you start
- Watch the standby light the next time the TV shuts down. If it flashes, Samsung UK says the TV is defective: skip to the support section and book a repair.
- Note when it happens: after a set time, after a while without pressing any button, or when a connected device (set-top box, console, soundbar, PC) turns on or off. Timers point to the Sleep Timer, inactivity to Auto Power Saving, and a device to Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC).
- Look at the power cord and the outlet. Is the plug fully seated, and is the TV on a surge protector or directly on the wall?
Fixes, from safest to last resort
Unplug the TV for 30 seconds
No data loss- 1Unplug the TV's power cord from the wall outlet.
- 2Wait 30 seconds.
- 3Plug it back in, turn the TV on and see whether it still switches off.
This is the first step in Samsung's US and Australian troubleshooting for this symptom, and Samsung UK's checklist starts with a soft reboot.
Check the power cord and plug into a wall outlet
No data loss- 1With the TV unplugged, inspect the whole power cord for visible damage or fraying.
- 2If the cord is damaged, replace it with a certified Samsung cord. Samsung US points to samsungparts.com, where you can search by your TV model for the exact cord; Samsung Gulf says to visit a Samsung Service Center or contact customer support for a replacement.
- 3If the cord looks fine, plug it back in firmly. If the TV was on a surge protector, plug it directly into a wall outlet instead.
⚠ Electrical safety: always unplug the TV from the wall before you handle or inspect the cord. Do not keep using a cord that is frayed or visibly damaged; replace it first.
Restart your external devices
No data loss- 1Unplug the power cables of every device connected to the TV (set-top box, game console, PC and so on).
- 2Wait 30 seconds.
- 3Plug them back in and check whether the TV still turns off or on by itself.
Samsung Gulf recommends this because external devices can make the TV power cycle if they send conflicting signals.
Test the remote
No data loss- 1Remove the batteries from the remote.
- 2Use the power button on the TV itself to turn it on.
- 3If the remote turns out to be the problem, replace it or contact Samsung support.
Samsung Gulf says a malfunctioning remote can send incorrect signals to the TV; Samsung UK and Australia also list checking the remote. If you are not sure where your TV's own button is, see our guide on controlling a TV without the remote.
Check the input source and the HDMI cables
No data loss- 1If no external devices are connected, press Home on the remote, go to Menu → Connected Devices and select the source labeled TV.
- 2Disconnect all HDMI cables from the TV.
- 3Reconnect your devices using certified HDMI cables.
Samsung Gulf says an incorrect source can make the TV turn off unexpectedly, and that uncertified HDMI cables can cause connection errors or black screens.
Turn off the Sleep Timer and Auto Power Saving
Re-setup needed- 1Open Settings → All Settings → System Manager → Time → Sleep Timer and turn it off.
- 2Open Settings → All Settings → General & Privacy → Auto Power Saving and turn it off.
- 3Use the TV as normal and see whether it still switches itself off.
Both are built-in power-saving features: the Sleep Timer turns the TV off after a set period, and Auto Power Saving turns it off when it detects inactivity.
Turn off Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC)
Re-setup needed- 1Open Settings → Connection → External Device Manager (Settings → General → External Device Manager on some models).
- 2Turn off Anynet+.
- 3Turn your HDMI devices on and off and check whether the TV still follows them.
Samsung US explains that some HDMI devices are set by default to turn the TV on when they turn on. With Anynet+ off you can power each device separately, but you can no longer control both with your TV remote.
Turn off Power On with Mobile
Re-setup needed- 1Open Settings → All Settings → Connection → Network → Expert Settings (Settings → General → Network → Expert Settings on some models).
- 2Turn off Power On with Mobile.
- 3Check whether the TV still turns on and off by itself.
This stops SmartThings and other compatible devices from turning the TV on. Samsung says abnormal power-on signals sent over the wireless network can trigger it.
Update the TV software
Re-setup needed- 1Open Settings → All Settings → Support → Software Update.
- 2Select Update Now and install any available update.
- 3Let the TV restart, then check whether the problem comes back.
Samsung Gulf says outdated software can cause compatibility issues or bugs.
If a menu doesn't match your TV
- Menu paths vary by model and year. Samsung US gives External Device Manager under Settings → General, while Samsung Gulf gives it under Settings → Connection. Power On with Mobile appears under Settings → General → Network → Expert Settings or Settings → All Settings → Connection → Network → Expert Settings.
- The power-saving option may not be called Auto Power Saving on your TV. Samsung UK refers to Auto power off and Eco Solution settings; look for those names in your TV's settings or e-manual.
- Samsung UK's checklist also includes checking the TV's Event Logs. Samsung's text does not give the menu path, so look it up in your TV's e-manual or user manual.
- Samsung Australia notes that models, sequences and settings vary depending on where the TV was bought. If a menu is missing, check your user manual on Samsung's Manuals & Downloads page.
- A factory reset is not part of Samsung's troubleshooting for a TV that turns off by itself, so it is not included here.
When to contact support
Book a Samsung repair if the standby light flashes when the TV shuts down, or if the TV keeps turning off, or on and off, after every step above. Samsung US and Samsung Gulf both say to request service at that point.
- Use your country's Samsung support: Samsung UK lists 0333 000 0333 and Live Chat; Samsung Australia lists 1300 362 603 and Chat Support; Samsung US offers online chat, the Support Center and the Samsung Members app.
- Say whether the standby light flashes when the TV turns off. Samsung UK treats that as the sign of a defective TV.
- Have your TV model number ready and list what you have already tried: the 30-second unplug, the cord check, timers, Auto Power Saving, Anynet+, Power On with Mobile and the software update.
- If you are having trouble turning the TV on at all, see our guide on a Samsung TV that won't turn on with the red light on.
Sources
- Official source: Samsung UK Support: My TV switches itself off · www.samsung.com
- Official source: Samsung US Support: Samsung TV or projector powers on or off by itself · www.samsung.com
- Official source: Samsung Gulf Support: How to Fix a Samsung TV That Keeps Turning On and Off · www.samsung.com
- Official source: Samsung Australia Support: How to Troubleshoot Samsung TV that Keeps Turning Off by Itself · www.samsung.com
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Samsung TV keep turning off?+
Samsung gives two main reasons: a connected device has powered off, or a setting is switching the TV off. The usual settings are the Sleep Timer, which turns the TV off after a set period, and Auto Power Saving, which turns it off when it detects inactivity. A damaged or loose power cord can also cause intermittent power issues.
Samsung TV keeps turning on and off by itself: what should I check?+
Unplug the TV for 30 seconds and inspect the power cord. Then turn off Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC), which lets HDMI devices switch the TV on and off, and Power On with Mobile, which lets SmartThings devices turn it on. Samsung also suggests restarting your external devices and updating the TV software.
Is my Samsung TV broken if it keeps switching off?+
Check the standby light the next time it shuts down. Samsung UK says that if the light flashes, the TV is defective and needs a repair. If it does not flash, the cause is more likely a setting, a connected device, the cord or the software, which you can check yourself.
Why does my Samsung TV turn off when I turn off my set-top box or console?+
That is Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC). It lets HDMI devices and the TV control each other's power, and Samsung Gulf says it can make the TV power cycle when external devices are turned on or off. Turn it off in External Device Manager; you will then need separate remotes for the TV and the device.
Can a surge protector make my Samsung TV turn off and on?+
Samsung US lists it among its checks: if the TV is plugged into a surge protector, try plugging it directly into a wall outlet. Inspect the power cord at the same time and replace it if it is damaged.
Why does my Samsung TV keep restarting?+
Samsung Gulf treats a TV that keeps powering on and off as power cycling and lists hardware issues, software glitches and incorrect settings among the causes. Work through the same steps: unplug for 30 seconds, check the cord, restart connected devices, turn off Anynet+ and Power On with Mobile, and update the software. If it continues, request service.
Related guides
Still not fixed?
Try the guided diagnosis for your symptom, or browse problems by category.