How to Quickly and Easily Fix a Sony TV That Won’t Turn On

Tips and tricks for solving power issues before calling for TV repair

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

Last Updated: March 22, 2024 Fact Checked

Is your Sony TV unresponsive and not turning on? Some older Sony TVs (mostly Bravia models) were negatively affected by a firmware update from Sony, which will require you to replace the main board or get a new TV.^{[1]
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Research source} This wikiHow article lists troubleshooting steps to get your TV working again.

Quickly Fix a Sony TV That Doesn't Turn On

Use the Power button on the TV to rule out remote control problems, and check the LED light(s) to see if the TV has power. Check the power cord, try different outlets, and make sure you're using the right input. If you have an older TV that received a bad firmware update, contact Sony.

1

Use the TV's power button instead of the remote.

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If you cannot turn on the TV with the remote, the remote could have a dead battery or may not be working at all. Try turning the TV on by pressing the power button, which is usually near the Sony logo. You can check your TV's manual for specific instructions on where to find it.^{[2]
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2

Check the LED light.

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A light on means that your TV is receiving power, but the light will be either green, orange, or red to show you its status. The lights have different meanings for different models, so check your manual for more specific instructions. You can also check Sony's support online: here and here.

3

Make sure the cables are snug.

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Check that the power cable is connected securely to the wall socket and to the back of your TV. If you use an adapter block, make sure the cable is secure on both ends of the block.

4

Power cycle your Sony TV.

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A glitch in the current session can cause the TV not to turn on. Pull out the power cable that leads to the wall socket. After unplugging the TV from power, press the Power button on the TV and wait about 2 minutes. Pressing the button without the TV connected to power drains it of any residual electricity.
- After the 2 minutes, plug it back in and wait about 10-20 seconds until pressing the Power button again to turn it on.^{[3]
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5

Check the outlet.

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The outlet might not be getting power. You can plug the TV into another outlet to see if it turns on, or you can plug something you know works (like a lamp) into the current outlet to see if it's getting power.
- Some homes are built so a light switch controls the power in an outlet. You might have found a wall switch that seems to control nothing, but it actually turns the outlet on and off! In that case, make sure the switch is flipped "On" so you can use your TV.
- Also, try plugging the TV directly into the wall outlet to rule out problems with the adapter or surge protector.

6

Disconnect all external devices.

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To eliminate external devices like streaming sticks and set-top boxes as the source of the problem, disconnect everything that's connected, like your console or a soundbar.^{[4]
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7

Change the input source.

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An incorrect input source can make it look like the TV isn't turning on. If you're watching with a streaming device or set-top box, you'll need to select the input source that corresponds to the port it's plugged into. If the wrong source is selected, you'll see a black screen even if you try to use that device's remote or a controller to change the channel or navigate through menus.
- Press the "Input" button on your Sony TV remote, which is usually in the top left corner, opposite the "Power" button. Continue pressing until you've found the source of the connected device.

8

Reset it to factory settings (Android or Google TV).

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Reset any settings that might be preventing it from turning on. If your Sony TV still won't turn on, use the buttons (not the remote) to force it to factory reset, even if it's off. The steps differ depending on how many buttons your TV has:
- One button: Unplug the TV, press and hold the Power button, and plug the TV back in. Continue holding the Power button on the TV as a white LED light turns on, then release the Power button. The TV will factory reset and restart twice.
- Three buttons: Unplug the TV, press and hold the Power button, and plug the TV back in. Continue holding the Power button on the TV as a green LED light turns on, then release the Power button. The TV will factory reset and restart twice.
- More than three buttons: Unplug the TV from power, then press and hold both the "Power" and "Volume Down" buttons at the same time while you plug the TV back into the wall socket. Wait 10-30 seconds for a green LED light, then let go of the buttons. Next, use your remote to navigate to Home > Settings > Storage & reset > Factory data reset > Erase everything > Yes.^{[5]
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Tips

Some older Sony TVs usually fail in two areas: the power board or main board. If you're confident in your handiness ability, you can try replacing your TV's power board or main board instead of buying a new one.

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