You may be here because you suspect that your Vizio TV shows the black screen of death. Basically, there’s a backlight, but there’s no Vizio TV display. Of course, it’s very inconvenient, especially if it happens on your new TV.
Luckily, our technical team has all the troubleshooting steps to fix the Vizio TV black screen of death. Without further ado, let’s see how to go about it.
Causes of the Black Screen of Death on Vizio TVs + Initial Troubleshooting
There are a few reasons why a television screen blacks out randomly. But the most common is a failure in power supply boards. Aside from the T-Con board and some other internal components, a television may have another power supply board.
These parts may sound complex, but they’re not. Before buying parts, determine the problem. Also, before attempting any repairs, you need to narrow down the problem. You can do the following:
Step #1: Do a Flashlight Test
Try to do a flashlight test. You may have a faulty inverter board if you see images on the screen after shining the light. The backlight inverter board controls the lighting component of the TV, which is responsible for displaying images on your screen.
Step #2: Do a Sound Test
You can do a sound test by tuning in to a channel that will certainly have sound, with the volume turned up. If you can hear the sound, there is power, though it is insufficient.
Step #3: Press the Menu Button
If your Smart TV displays a menu, it is operational. If one of the connected devices has a problem, disconnect everything you don’t need. If not, you must contact Vizio Support.
Step #4: Unplug Unnecessary Devices
Try disconnecting any devices connected to the Vizio TV to see if they are the source of the issue. Also, plug the TV directly into your wall socket rather than using a power strip. Your TV may not get enough power to turn on due to multiple power strip connections.
Step #5: Check if Sleep Timer is Activated
The sleep timer is another possible cause of the black screen of death. If you’ve enabled the sleep timer features before, turn it off now. This can solve the problem.
If the Vizio black screen still appears after following the steps above, proceed with the fixes below.
How to Solve the Black Screen on Your Vizio TV
Fix #1: Power Cycle Your TV
Power cycling is one of the easiest methods to resolve the black screen error. To do this on your Vizio television, follow these steps below:
- Unplug your power cord from the socket.
- Hold down your TV’s power button for about 5 to 10 seconds.
- Plug the power cord again into the socket and power on your TV.
- Now, check if your TV still gets the black screen of death.
If power cycling the television does not resolve the black screen of death, try performing a hard reset.
Fix #2: Unmute the Screen
Vizio Smart TV has this “Mute Screen” option, allowing you to power off your TV’s screen if you’re using an audio app (such as Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) and don’t want the screen to disrupt you.
To do the screen mute, press the mute button on your remote and hold it for 3-5 seconds to activate or deactivate this “Mute Screen” feature.
Fix #3: Inspect the HDMI Connections and Other Cables
Loose connections could result in a TV black screen. We suggest double-checking all the cables and ports like that of the cable box, HDMI cable, HDMI port, etc. that are connected to your Vizio television.
Also, if you find any loose power cables, firmly connect them. If you’re still getting the black screen of death, try replacing your cables and seeing if that will fix the Vizio TV problem.
Fix #4: Use Another Power Source or Plug it Directly into the Wall Outlet
In some cases, a specific outlet is faulty and does not provide sufficient power for the device, so try this step to resolve the problem.
Fix #5: Replace the Remote Batteries
This fix appears simple, but it has proven to be extremely effective for many people we know. Furthermore, unplug Vizio TV and press each button on your Vizio remote to ensure that none of them becomes stuck by accident.
Fix #6: Change Picture Mode
Do you have a black screen on your Vizio TV but can access the menu settings? Check to see any problems with your Vizio TV’s picture settings.
- Tap the “Menu” button on your Vizio remote and select “Picture.”
- Now choose the “Picture Mode” option.
- Then, change the picture mode and see if this fixes the black screen.
Fix #7: Update Your TV Software + Check for Software Bugs
A bug or error in your Vizio Tv may be causing the black screen issue. If it is a software bug or error, it can be resolved by updating your TV software to the latest version.
Here’s how to check if there’s any update available:
- On your Vizio TV remote, tap the “Menu” button.
- Navigate to the “System” option.
- See for the “Check for Updates” option and verify if there’s any update available.
- If there is, we highly recommend updating your TV software right away.
Fix #8: Factory Reset
One of the best solutions is performing a factory reset. But you should be aware that doing this will erase all downloaded content and your TV’s settings. To factory reset the television, follow the steps outlined below:
- For at least 10-15 seconds, press and hold the Volume Down and Input buttons (on the back of the Vizio TV).
- After that, release the buttons. Now, for another 10 seconds, tap and hold the Input button (on the back of the TV).
- Wait for the TV to restart, and you’re good to go.
Fix #9: Replace Your TV's Backlight Strips
If your Vizio TV is turned on, with the power light green without audio, but there’s no picture on the screen, it is most likely due to a faulty LED power strip on the backlight.
For this matter, you may need to replace your TV’s backlight strips.
While some TV components are easy and inexpensive to replace on your own, repairing a TV will almost certainly void its warranty. We recommend contacting Vizio for assistance if your television is still under warranty.
Fix #10: Replace Your TV's T-CON Board
While this may appear difficult initially, replacing the T-CON board on your Vizio TV is a relatively simple DIY project.
Remove the TV’s rear screws and panel, disconnect the ribbon cables on the T-CON board, remove all the screws, pop it out, and replace it in the same location.
Should your TV’s inverter or other crucial parts fail to work, you can replace them as simply as a power board replacing.
How to Fix a Vizio TV With a Black Screen That Has No Sound
Do a soft reset to fix a Vizio TV black screen with no sound. Unplug your Vizio TV from the wall and, if possible, remove the power cord [1] from the back of your Vizio TV screen. Plug it back again after about 30 seconds into a working outlet to retest it.
When to Contact Vizio's Support Team or a Professional Technician
If nothing else works, you’ll need to contact a professional technician or directly convey your concern to Vizio customer support.
Contact Vizio technical support or their help desk and request troubleshooting steps through the Vizio website. Alternatively, you can reach them at 1-844-254-8087.
Checking Your Vizio TV's Warranty Coverage
If you simply cannot fix the Vizio TV black screen of death, you should check to verify if your TV is still under warranty.
After you describe the problem and Vizio determines whether or not it is covered under warranty, Vizio will either repair or replace your TV.
They even provide in-home services if your warranty covers this. It’s worth a try!
FAQ
How long do Vizio TVs usually last?
The average lifespan of a Vizio TV screen is seven years. However, it is entirely dependent on how you use it. If you abuse your television, its lifespan may be cut short.
Conclusion
As you can see, this is how manageable it is to fix the Vizio TV black screen of death. Now, you won’t have any problems watching from your favorite streaming service. If any of the mentioned resolutions work for you, you can share this guide with your family and friends who own a Vizio Smart TV.
