Flat Screen TV -- Black Screen of Death?

[Anonymous]

My flat screen picture just went black. It's less than 3 years old. After googling it a bit, it seems to be a common problem. The off-brands seem to just up and fail, and do so pretty quickly. Has anyone else had this happen? Can it be repaired? If so, do you have a TV repair place you like? (I have a Vizio).

[Anonymous]

This happened to my SIL and BIL. He also googled, and found the same thing you did.

He was pretty irate, and then just went out and bought a new TV.

It is probably cheaper to get a new one than repair it though I'm sure it's more environmentally responsible to try to repair it, I don't think it will be worth it (or possible).

[Anonymous]

We had this happen. We got it "fixed" for like $180 and it happened again! We bought a new TV.

[Anonymous]

I know someone that had the same black screen problem (also a Vizio). Unplugged it, lugged it to a repair shop, was given a $200+ estimate for the repairs, lugged it back home, plugged it in again, and it's been working ever since!

No repairs were actually done to the television, after being unplugged for about two weeks it just started working again and as far as I know is still working.

[Anonymous]

If you bought it at Costco they have a 2 year warranty on all electronics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know someone that had the same black screen problem (also a Vizio). Unplugged it, lugged it to a repair shop, was given a $200+ estimate for the repairs, lugged it back home, plugged it in again, and it's been working ever since!

No repairs were actually done to the television, after being unplugged for about two weeks it just started working again and as far as I know is still working.

Yes, sometimes electronics freak out. The best thing then is to power it all down, unplug it, let it discharge (in the case of a Vizio, hold down the power button for 15 seconds or so), then reboot.

Also, some people think the TV has failed when in fact a video cable has come loose.

[Anonymous]

How annoying. Are there any brands that are not prone to this issue?

[Anonymous]

Make sure it's getting enough air to keep cool. The LCD and plasma tvs in particular run hot, and the heat can cause them to fail. unplugging it can help it cool off, since when it is plugged in there is current running through it.

[Anonymous]

Have had it happen twice, one was 9 years old, the other only 5. The Sony Trinitron that my family got in 1971 still worked when my mom donated it just a couple of years ago.