Your TV’s standby light is glowing – so you know it’s getting power – but it still refuses to turn on? 😫 It’s a frustrating situation, but don’t worry – we’ve seen this one a lot, and the fix is often easier than you’d think!
Let’s walk through what might be going wrong and how to fix it – whether you're a DIY warrior or just looking to understand the issue before calling a pro.
Is it easier for you to process information in video format? That’s fine! We have a helpful YouTube video covering this topic HERE!
💡 What Does the Standby Light Actually Mean?
That little red light tells you your TV is getting power from the wall and that the power supply board is at least partially functioning. The fact that the light is on is good news – it means you’re not dealing with a total power failure.
But if the TV won’t turn on past that point, you might have one of these common issues:
🔁 Step 1: Try a Power Reset
Yep, the good ol’ hard reset can work wonders! You always want to at least try this before diving further into the repair process.
Here’s how:
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Unplug your TV from the wall.
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Hold the power button on the TV itself for 30 seconds.
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Plug it back in and try powering it on again.
TVpartsToday Tip:
🔌 This clears residual voltage from the capacitors and can sometimes reset stuck firmware or logic errors!
🧠 Step 2: Main Board Mayhem
If the power supply board is working well enough to power the standby light, your issue likely lies with the main board. In these instances, we almost always recommend starting your repair by replacing your main board!
Signs your main board may be bad:
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Standby light turns on, but the TV doesn't respond to the remote or power button.
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No picture or sound.
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TV clicks when trying to power on, but nothing happens.
TVpartsToday Tip:
📦 In most modern TVs, replacing the main board is a plug-and-play fix – and it’s easier than you think. Grab the part number off the board and find a replacement on our site!
🧪 Step 3: Test the Voltages (Advanced DIY)
Got a multimeter? Here’s a way to confirm the main board is the issue.
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Unplug your TV and carefully remove the back panel.
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Plug the TV back in, without touching anything metallic, and look at the labels near the connector between the power board and main board.
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Check for voltage on lines labeled “Power On” or “BL_ON”. These should go high (usually 3–5V) when the TV is “turned on.”
If those lines never activate, your main board may not be sending the signal to “wake up” the TV.
TVpartsToday Tip:
📏 Voltages, while helpful, can also be misleading! For example, the voltage readings on your power supply may be off, but is it because the power supply is defective? Or is it because the main board is drawing down the voltage on the power supply? Something to think about!
💡 Step 4: Check the Backlights
Sometimes, your TV is on… you just can’t see it.
Here’s a trick:
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Turn the TV on.
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Shine a flashlight at an angle on the screen.
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See a faint image or menu? That means your backlights are out, not the whole TV.
TVpartsToday Tip:
💡 Backlight issues are often caused by a failed LED strip or a bad LED driver board. We stock both – plus we can help you find the right part for your set!
🧯 Step 5: Other Possibilities
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HDMI/Wi-Fi board shorts can sometimes prevent startup.
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Firmware corruption can also hang up the power cycle.
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In rare cases, it’s a bad panel – but we always rule out the simple stuff first!
🔗 Watch and Learn
Want a visual guide to troubleshooting this exact issue?
Check out this helpful YouTube video we love:
🎥 TV Won’t Turn On But Has Standby Light? Here’s What to Do
💬 Final Thoughts
“No power, but have a standby light” usually means you're halfway to solving the problem. In most cases, it comes down to a bad main board or backlight issue, both of which are totally repairable.
💬 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.