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How to Fix a TV Screen that is Too Dark (STEPS)

man watching TV screen that is too dark

Why is my TV screen so dark?

The picture on a TV screen can appear too dark if the theatrical mode is turned on in the settings, if the backlight is placed behind the LCD panel or when power saving mode is set to the high setting.

  • There are different display modes on a TV, which we normally do not adjust. There are different modes for animated shows, soap operas, and even for different movies. In most of the TV sets, the display mode is set as the darker mode by default so that your eyes are not hurt.
  • In most cases, there are two modes, namely ‘theatrical’ and ‘neutral.’ The ‘theatrical’ mode is selected as the default, but you should choose the ‘neutral’ mode if you want a clearer vision of what is happening on the screen but do not want to hurt your eyes.
  • In some of the less-advanced models, the screen is normally lit up by a backlight. This backlight is placed behind the LCD panel and is not good at creating contrast, and as a result, the screen appears too dark.
  • Many times, by mistake, you might set the power saving mode as high. This is also a common reason behind getting a dark TV screen.

 

Why is half of my TV screen dark?

The reason for one half of a TV screen being too dark can be due to a faulty HDMI cable, faulty backlights or interference from connected external devices.

  • This kind of problem can occur for many reasons. The most common cause is that the backlights are not working properly. These lights can only be half-lit on one side, making the screen appear dark on that side.
  • It has often been found that there is some problem with the network broadcast your cable company is using. However, this is a very rare instance.
  • In many cases, the problem is occurring due to a faulty HDMI cable. If there is some kind of fault with the HDMI cable, then the signal given by it to the TV may be wrong, causing half of the screen to appear dark.
  • The problem with HDMI can also happen due to any other external devices connected to the TV, so check all the external devices connected before proceeding to dismantle the TV screen.

 

Why is my TV screen dark on the left side?

If your TV screen is dark on the left side, there may be a fault with the signal or the backlight.

  • First of all, check the HDMI cable connected to the TV and the cable signal of your network providers. Some fault in the cable or the network may be the cause.
  • If there is no problem with the external devices and cables, then the screen’s backlights may have burned out or stopped working on the left side. This causes the left side of your TV to appear dark.
  • If the problem is true with the backlights, the only feasible solution is to get the TV replaced. This is because the cost of getting new backlights is the same as that of a new TV, and not to mention that if the screen gets damaged in the process, you would need to replace it as well.

 

Why is my TV screen dark on the right side?

You may have faced the problem where the TV screen is dark on the right side. This can happen because:

  • There might be a problem with the power outlet or the external devices connected to the TV.
  • First of all, you need to rule out that there might be something wrong with the TV. To do this, try running the TV through other power sources and connecting other external devices. If the problem disappears, then there is nothing wrong with your TV, and the problem is with the devices or the power source connected to the television.
  • In some of the newer models, there are options for diagnosing any problem with the HDMI cable or other connected devices. Make use of that system to pinpoint the issue.
  • If the problem does not go away, then the cause is the backlights burning out on the right side. In this case, you wouldn’t have any choice but to get the TV replaced as the cost will be too high, not to mention the potential damage that can happen to your screen.

 

Why is my TV screen dark at the bottom?

This problem is very common for people using smart TVs or PCs connected to their televisions. If you are one of them, then you are no stranger to this issue.

However, the reason is very simple for this problem:

  • Generally, when you are using your TV connected to a PC or some smart box, it just acts as a screen. The source’s device completely controls the signal and its nature.
  • In most cases, there are some discrepancies in the signal sent by the source to the TV, which causes a black bar or a dark patch to appear on the bottom of the screen.
  • The easiest and the most common solution is to restart your TV. If it does not work, try doing the same again after taking out all the wires and cables and devices connected to the TV. In the majority of cases, this solves the problem.
  • Use the diagnostic tool on your TV to pinpoint the problem. The most common cause of this problem is the HDMI cable. This should make the dark area disappear.
  • However, if you cannot find any problem with the devices or the cables connected to the TV, the problem is with the TV. If this is the case, then you are left with no choice but to get it replaced. You should consult the service center and experts before you dismantle it since the LED screens are very delicate and can be easily damaged. You do not want to incur extra costs for the screen.

 

Why is my TV screen dark at the top?

Like the problems mentioned above, you might also face the dilemma of a dark band at the top of your TV screen. The reasons behind this are:

  • In the majority of cases, it is due to the other internet devices connected to your TV. This is a common problem for smart TV’s. Either the devices are sending some wrong signals, or the HDMI cables used for the connections are faulty.
  • First of all, try using the diagnostic tool for determining if there is any kind of fault with the HDMI or the signal.
  • If the tool shows any fault, then you will know exactly what to fix, but if it does not, then you need to reboot the whole system. The best way to do this is to disconnect all the TV cables and devices and turn it off and reset it. Then turn it on without the connections, turn it off, and turn on with all the connections. Normally, this will fix the problem.
  • If none of the above methods work, then the problem is most likely with your TV set and will need to get replaced.

 

Why is my Samsung TV screen so dark?

If you are an owner of a Samsung TV, you might not be a stranger to the dark screen problem. This problem is different from the previously mentioned ones. In those situations, the darkness on the screen was like patches, but in this case, the whole screen is visible but darker. This problem is more common in the newer models than in the older ones.

The main reasons for this are:

  • Most of the modern Samsung TV models come with a feature known as the Eco-sensor. This is simply a sensor for ambient light settings. So when you are watching TV in a dimly lit room, the Eco-sensor turns down the brightness, and the exact opposite happens when you are in a brightly lit room. You can turn off this feature in the settings.
  • Sometimes the power-saving mode may be set high by default, which turns down the screen’s brightness. This might cause your TV to be too dark. Turn it off, and the problem is solved.
  • If none of the above-mentioned reasons are valid for your TV, then check your network provider’s signal strength. Also, check for any pending updates for your TV’s software.
  • If none of the solutions work, then contact consumer support before engaging in any kind of dismantling to repair hardware.

 

Why is my LG TV screen so dark?

LG TV’s are also no stranger to this problem. If you are an LG TV owner, you might have also faced the same problem. The diagnosing of the problem with LG products is easier.

Some recommended ways to solve the problem are listed as follows:

  • In most cases, the LG TV appears dark due to the power-saving mode being turned on. You just need to navigate to the settings and then turn off the power-saving mode.
  • Also, check for any faults in the HDMI using the diagnostic tool. There is a slight chance that the screen appears dark due to the ambient light settings. They can be turned off in the display settings.
  • If none of the above solutions work, then your best bet is to reset all TV settings. Use the mute button three times on the remote to run an AV reset, which should fix the dark screen problem.
  • If the problem persists even after running a reset, there is something problematic with the TV, and you will need to contact consumer support.

 

Why is my Vizio TV screen so dark?

Vizio TV screens also face the same issue sometimes. Listed below are the possible reasons and the solutions you can apply:

  • There can be some issues with the TV’s power supply. In that case, the issue can be solved by fixing the TV’s power cycle. Just unplug it and hold down the power button before turning it on.
  • Check the power and cable cords and make sure that they are not loose. Ensure that the problem is with the display of the TV itself or the external devices connected with it.
  • Check for the TV’s lighting settings. If none of these solutions work, unfortunately, the issue is with your TV set, and you will need to contact consumer support immediately.

 

How do you fix a Samsung TV that is too dark?

Samsung TV’s also face the issue of becoming too dark for viewers from time-to-time. In most cases, the screen becomes dark due to ambient light settings.

The easiest way to detect if this is the main cause of the issue is to try changing the room’s lighting conditions. You can turn the settings off or adjust them manually, which will fix your Samsung TV if it is too dark.

 

How do you fix an LG TV that is too dark?

LG TV’s do not face this issue as much as their counterparts. But if you are an LG owner, then there is no telling when this problem might strike, so it’s better to be prepared in advance.

In most cases, it has been found that a TV screen is too dark because of the power saving mode being turned on.

By default, the power saving mode may be on, which causes the brightness of the screen to decrease. You can fix the issue simply by turning off the power saving mode.

 

How do you fix a Vizio TV that is too dark?

Vizio TV’s do not normally face the issue of becoming too dark, so there is no particular feature for identifying the fault in your TV. If there is this issue, then the best way is to reboot the power cycle and reset the TV’s settings.

 

How do you fix a TCL TV that is too dark?

The approach to this particular problem when it comes to TCL TV’s is very simple. If you are an owner of a TCL and facing the issue where your screen is too dark, then all you need to do is as follows:

  • TCL TV’s generally do not have this kind of problem with normal cable broadcasts. But if you use it for streaming HDR or any console, then this issue crops up sometimes. In that case, all you need to do is to check the TV’s display settings, and the problem is solved.
  • If the above solution does not work, then there is something wrong with the TV, and you need to contact consumer support immediately.

 

How do you fix an Apple TV that is too dark?

You might have faced this problem if you are using an Apple TV on your television. There is no official method of correcting this problem from Apple as of now. So, you will need to adjust the TV’s settings. The probable solutions are:

  • Adjust the display settings of your TV and make sure that the power saving mode is not active.
  • Check the HDMI and the ATV cables connected to the TV for some fault that may disturb the signal.

 

How do you fix a Sony TV that is too dark?

If you own a Sony TV and are facing the problem of a dark screen, then follow the listed steps:

  • There are different picture modes in the TV settings meant for different viewing experiences, so try changing them according to the content you are watching.
  • Try turning off the power saving mode. The light sensor may be on which adjusts the brightness according to the ambient lighting.
  • If none of these work, then try resetting the TV. This should solve the problem, and if it does not, you need to contact consumer support.

 

How do you fix a Sharp TV that is too dark?

In case you are facing a dark screen on a Sharp TV, you can try out the following solutions:

  • Most of the time, the light sensor feature is on, which changes your screen’s brightness depending on the room’s lighting.
  • Also, using a cable isolator can help because sometimes the signal gets distorted due to faulty cables.
  • If these solutions do not work, then you will have to contact the manufacturers for expert advice.

 

How do you fix a Hisense TV that is too dark?

People owning Hisense TVs have also faced the same predicament. If you are one of them, then here are some solutions:

  • Different picture mode settings are built-in. If the pictures appear too dark, you can manually try adjusting the brightness by changing the picture mode.
  • If the above solution does not work, you have to contact the company before attempting any hardware repair.

 

How do you fix a Phillips TV that is too dark?

If you are an owner of a Philips TV, then this problem might have cropped up at some point. Here are the things you can try:

  • If the picture appears too dark, try adjusting the screen’s brightness manually and see if the problem persists.
  • Try checking the power saving modes and the performance modes as the TV might be taking in less power than needed. This also causes the picture to appear darker.
  • If none of the above solutions work, then you will need to contact consumer service as soon as possible.

 

How do you fix a JVC TV that is too dark?

The problem of a dark screen is not new for a JVC TV. If you are also among the countless others who have faced the same problem, follow the given solutions:

  • Try adjusting the brightness and the picture modes of the TV and check if the problem remains.
  • Check the power cords and other connections that can be faulty, causing the display to be dark.
  • If these don’t work, then there is no option but to get a new TV because the screen replacement cost is going to be very high.

Ernie Lo

Ernie Lo is a qualified web designer and web developer. He works as an IT support technician and website manager at Benleigh Vending, and he also fixes vending machines.

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