If your TV is playing sound but the screen stays black, the TV is switching on and its sound is working. The problem is usually on the picture side: a setting, the input or cable, or a part such as the backlight. This guide explains the common causes and the checks you can safely do yourself.
Safety first: Never open a TV yourself. Parts inside a TV can hold a dangerous electrical charge even after it has been unplugged. Only try the checks from the outside of the TV described here.
The short answer
The most common causes are:
- The wrong input or a picture-off setting. The TV is fine, but it isn’t showing the device you’re using, or a setting has switched the screen off.
- A cable or device problem. The decoder, streaming box or HDMI cable isn’t sending a picture.
- A backlight fault. In LED and LCD TVs, the lights behind the screen can stop working. You still hear sound, but the screen looks black.
- A board fault. A problem with the main board, the T-con board (the board that controls the screen) or the power supply that feeds the backlight.
Safe checks to try first
Work through these in order. If you notice a burning smell, smoke or a buzzing sound, unplug the TV at the wall and stop.
1. Open the TV’s own menu
Press the Menu, Home or Settings button on the remote. If the TV’s menu appears, the screen and backlight are working. The problem is then most likely the input, the cable or the connected device.
2. Check the input or source
Press the Source or Input button and choose the input your device is connected to, for example HDMI 1 or HDMI 2. Make sure the device itself, such as your decoder, is switched on.
3. Look for a picture-off or energy-saving setting
Some TVs can switch the screen off while the sound keeps playing, for example in energy-saving or audio-only modes. The name and location of this setting differ between brands, so check your TV’s manual if you’re not sure.
4. Try a different cable, port or device
Swap the HDMI cable, or plug the device into a different HDMI port. If another device shows a picture on the same TV, the problem is with the original device or cable.
5. Restart the TV properly
Switch off at the wall, unplug the TV, wait 60 seconds, then plug it back in and switch it on. This clears temporary software problems that switching to standby doesn’t.
6. Do the torch test (LED and LCD TVs)
In a dark room, with the TV on and playing sound, shine a torch close to the screen. If you can faintly see the picture or the menu, the screen is working but the backlight isn’t lighting it up.
This test doesn’t apply to OLED TVs, because OLED screens don’t use a backlight.
What your results may mean
| What you notice | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| The TV’s menu appears, but there’s no picture from your device | Input, cable or device problem |
| No menu, but the torch test shows a faint picture | Backlight fault, or the power supply that feeds it |
| The picture flashes briefly, then goes black | Often a backlight or power supply fault |
| The picture comes and goes | Loose cable, overheating or an intermittent board fault |
| No menu and nothing visible in the torch test | Possible main board, T-con board or panel fault |
These are possible causes only. A technician needs to inspect the TV to confirm the fault.
Can a TV with sound but no picture be repaired?
In many cases, yes. Backlight and power supply faults are usually repaired by replacing the faulty parts, and the rest of the TV keeps working as before. Whether a repair is worth it depends on the fault, your TV model and the cost of parts. Ask for a quote so you can compare it with the price of a new TV.
While you wait, avoid switching the TV on and off over and over. With some faults, this can make the problem worse.
Read next: Should you repair or replace your TV?
Still no picture?
Use the Problem Finder for a quick check, or send a repair request with your TV details.