How to Troubleshoot & Fix Flickering in Your TV

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Repair flickering screens on Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, LG, Vizio, Sony, Samsung & more

Co-authored by Darlene Antonelli, MA Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: October 16, 2024 Fact Checked

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Common Reasons for Flickering

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Top Fixes

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Is the screen on your TV flickering when you turn it on? This issue can happen to various TV and smart TV models, including TCL, Samsung, and Sony. Find out how to diagnose the problem and troubleshoot the flickering screen on your TV.

What to Do When the TV Screen Flickers

The easiest troubleshooting step is power cycling your TV to get rid of any temporary glitches that can cause your TV's screen to flicker. Also check for loose or damaged cables, dust build-up, outdated firmware, overheating, or the wrong refresh rate.

Section 1 of 2:

Common Reasons for Flickering

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Here are 5 of the most common causes of flickering in a TV. Diagnose your issue at home by investigating these issues.
- Loose cable.
- Dust and debris build-up.
- Outdated firmware or software.
- Overheating.
- Incorrect refresh rate settings.

Section 2 of 2:

Top Fixes

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1
Unplug it and plug it back in. The most frequently suggested tech solution is suggested for a reason. Disconnect the power cable from the TV or the wall and leave it unplugged for 20 seconds. Finally, plug the TV back into power and see if the screen still flickers.
- It might just be temporarily glitching and restarting the TV will help in this case.
2
Check the connections. Whether you're using an HDMI cable or a USB plug-in, you want to make sure that anything connected to your TV is plugged in all the way and that no cords are damaged.
- Cables that aren't plugged in correctly or are damaged will lose data and your screen will flicker. ^{[1]
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3
Clean your TV. Use a lint-free cloth, like a microfiber rag, and wipe down your TV's screen and wires. If dust is clogging up ports, use compressed air to get rid of it.
- Dust can accumulate and cause electrical devices to malfunction, like causing your TV to flicker.
Outdated firmware will get bugs, like causing your screen to flicker. How you update depends on the model and make of your TV, but you can generally find the Update option in Settings.^{[2]
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5
Let your TV cool down before using it again. If you use your TV for extended periods of time, it can overheat. Touch your TV to see if it's too hot; it might be placed in a spot that's not good for ventilation (like inside a cabinet), or the internal fan stopped working.
- If the internal cooling fan doesn't work, you might have to take it to a professional to get it replaced, or this might be a sign to buy a new TV.
If your TV's firmware is up-to-date, a too-high or too-low refresh rate can be the cause behind the flickering on your screen. Changing it depends on the make and model of your TV, but you will generally find the "Refresh Rate" options in Display Settings or Picture Options.