How to Turn On Your TV

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Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: January 10, 2025 Fact Checked

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Learn how to turn on your TV in a few simple steps!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

With Remote

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1
To turn on your TV with the remote, grab the remote and press the power button.^{[1]
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- Read How to Use a Basic Television Remote to know how to use the TV remote.^{[2]
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- If you have additional speakers, games consoles or DVD players, etc., be aware that you may have to turn them on separately too.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

With Remote and Cable Box

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1
Make sure the cable box is on first.^{[3]
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- Look at the cable box. Is it showing a number or is the screen blank? If it's showing a number, it's probably already on.
- Get the remote control for the cable box. Sometimes it is different than the one for the TV.
  - On this Comcast remote, you would press the "All On" button. If this remote controls both your TV and your cable box, it will turn both of them on at the same time. If it only controls your cable box, proceed to the next step.
2
Press the power button on the TV remote.^{[4]
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- If the TV doesn't turn on, something might be wrong with the remote. Check the batteries or, if it's a universal remote, press the "TV" button and try the power button again.
- If the TV turns on but you're not seeing a channel (just a blue screen, or the phrase "no signal"):
  - Check that the cable box is indeed on.
  - Check that the TV is on the correct channel to receive a signal from the cable box. In many cases, this is channel "zero".

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Without Remote

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1
To turn on your TV without the remote, just walk over to the TV and hit the power button. If you are having problems finding the power button, then the follow steps given below.^{[5]
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- Read through any manuals that came with your television if you still have them.^{[6]
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- Check if your TV has a visible touch power button. It is usually at the middle point of the lower panel of your TV.
- Check the left and right sides and the top of your TV, some TVs have power buttons there. It may be distinguishable by size, color, label, or a power symbol such as the one displayed here.
First try to find your lost remote. If you are unable to find the power button and don't have a TV remote, then try to buy a remote suitable for your television. If you have a broken TV remote, then the follow steps in How to Repair a Remote Control to fix it.

Community Q&A

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Question

How can I use my smart phone for a remote control on my TV?

Community Answer

On your phone download the app Peel Smart TV remote, then from there, turn on the remote. It should ask for your TV code and its make.

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Question

My cable box won't stay on. What should I do?

Community Answer

Note when your box goes off, and check both your TV and cable box for any timer settings. If you don't have any timers set, then call your cable provider.

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Question

What if it is stuck on black screen?

Community Answer

Try unplugging your TV and plugging it back in. If that doesn't work, call a technician.

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Tips

Don't hit your TV or remote if it won't turn on.

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Keep the manuals for any televisions or electrical appliances that you buy in a safe place so you can refer to them later if you need to.

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Warnings

AVI TVs are hard to turn on, because the power button on the AVI TV is on the bottom, and the power button on the AVI TV remote is scrambled with the other buttons on the remote.

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