TV Standby Light Blinking? Here’s What It Might Mean & How to Fix It

When your TV won’t turn on but the standby light is blinking, it’s actually doing you a favor — it's trying to tell you what’s wrong.

Different blink patterns can signal different hardware or software issues, especially depending on the brand and model of your TV. In this guide, we’ll show you how to decode the blinking light, troubleshoot the issue, and get your TV back up and running.

Would you rather watch a video? Check out our helpful YouTube video on Blinking Standby Light troubleshooting!

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🔍 What a Blinking Standby Light Really Means

A blinking standby light is your TV’s way of signaling that a fault has been detected. Depending on your TV brand and model, the light may:

• Blink continuously
  

• Blink in a pattern (e.g., 5 blinks, pause, repeat)
  

• Flash rapidly and then stop
  

These blinking codes can point to specific failed components like the power board, T-CON board, or LED backlights.

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🧪 How to Troubleshoot a Blinking Standby Light

1. Unplug and Power Cycle

• Unplug your TV from the wall and wait at least 60 seconds
  

• While unplugged, press and hold the power button on the TV (not the remote) for 15–30 seconds.
  

• Plug the TV back in and try turning it on.
  

This simple reset can sometimes clear a stuck protection mode.

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2. Count the Blinks

• Turn the TV on and observe the blinking.
  

• Count how many times the standby light blinks before it pauses and repeats.
  

• This number often corresponds to a specific issue — kind of like a diagnostic code.
  

🧠 Tip: Take note of the blink count. This can help you narrow down exactly which component needs replacing.

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3. Perform the Flashlight Test

If the screen stays black but the standby light blinks:

• Shine a flashlight at an angle across the screen while the TV is on.
  

• If you see dim images, your backlight has failed.
  

• If you see nothing, it may be a T-CON board or main board issue.
  

👉 See our full Flashlight Test Guide here

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4. Inspect the Internal Components (If You’re Handy)

If you’re comfortable opening the back of the TV:

• Check for blown capacitors, burn marks, or loose cables.
  

• Smell for burnt electronics.
  

• Use a multimeter to test power output from the power board (if you have experience).
  

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📊 Common Blink Patterns and What They Mean

⚠️ Important: Blink codes vary by manufacturer and model. Check your TV’s service manual or official website for brand-specific codes.

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📺 Brand-Specific Blink Code Examples

Sony

• 4 blinks = Bad main board
  

• 5 blinks = T-CON board or screen failure
  

• 6 blinks = LED backlight failure
  

LG

• Red blink with black screen = Main board or backlight issue
  

• Quick flashing = System crash or main board short
  

Samsung

• No formal blink codes, but rapid blinking is often tied to a power supply issue or bad capacitors
  

• 2 red blinks on a Samsung means the panel (screen) itself is defective
  

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🛠 Next Steps: Order the Right Part

Once you’ve identified the faulty component, head to TVpartsToday.com and search by your part number to find compatible:

• Power supply boards
  

• T-CON boards
  

• LED backlight strips
  

• Main boards
  

We stock thousands of parts for top brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense, TCL, and more — ready to ship fast. Struggling to find your part number? Give us a call!

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💬 Need Help?

If you’re still unsure about the issue or need to replace a part, reach out to TVpartsToday. We can help you identify the exact cause of the problem and provide the right replacement part!

Would you rather watch a video? Check out our helpful Troubleshooting 101 playlist over on YouTube!
Would you rather chat with a seasoned repair expert? Head on over to our TVRepairHelp subReddit!

📦 Need help finding the right board or part?
📞 Call us at 930-212-1975 or browse our inventory online.
🛠️ DIY-friendly parts, fast shipping, and expert support – only at TVpartsToday.