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Power Cycling in Your TV: What It Is & How to Fix It

Power Cycling in Your TV: What It Is & How to Fix It

Mike Smith |

You’re all set for movie night - popcorn in hand, blanket ready - but instead of your show, your TV powers on… then off… then on again. Sound familiar? You might be dealing with TV power cycling, a frustrating but common symptom that can point to deeper issues inside your set. Let’s break it down. 🧰

Rather watch a video covering some of this information? Check out our helpful YouTube video below:


🔁 What Is TV Power Cycling?

Power cycling refers to when your TV restarts itself repeatedly. This can show up as:

  • TV turns on, shows the logo, then shuts off

  • TV turns off after a few seconds or minutes

  • A constant loop: on → logo → off → repeat

  • Inconsistent or random reboots

This behavior often feels like a glitch, but it usually signals a hardware failure or firmware problem.


🔧 Common Causes of TV Power Cycling

Let’s take a look under the hood at what might be going wrong:

⚡ Faulty Power Supply Board

The power supply board distributes voltage to the rest of the TV. If it has bad capacitors, weak voltage regulators, or burned-out components, the board may cut power unexpectedly, especially under load.

Symptoms:

  • TV turns on briefly, then shuts off

  • You may hear buzzing from inside the TV

🧠 Bad Main Board

The main board controls everything - it’s the brain of your TV. If it crashes or fails to communicate properly with the T-Con board or other components, the TV may restart constantly. While possible, the main board being the culprit behind power cycling is much less likely - we always recommend replacing the power supply first BEFORE looking at the main board.

Symptoms:

  • Logo flashes, then TV restarts

  • No signal on HDMI ports

  • Menus don’t load or crash instantly

💾 Firmware Corruption

If a software update fails or the memory chip on the main board becomes corrupted, the TV might get stuck in a boot loop or never fully power on.

✅ Try a factory reset if accessible - but in many cases, a main board replacement is the true fix.

🌡️ Overheating

Some TVs include small internal fans or rely on good airflow. If vents are blocked or thermal sensors detect overheating, the TV may shut down to prevent damage.

🧰 Clean out dust and allow room for ventilation - but if the issue persists, your power supply board may still be the culprit!



The "Odd Man" Out: T-con Boards on OLED TVs

While we would never suggest replacing the T-con board for other model TVs with power cycling issues, that changes with OLED TVs. On OLED models, the T-con has an outsized impact on the power within the set, due to the panel (screen) differences for OLED technology. If your OLED TV is power cycling and the power supply does not resolve the issue, our recommendation would be to replace the T-con!

TVpartsToday Tip: The same can be said for OLED TVs with no power at all! The T-con would be an important part to check/change in that case as well.


🧩 How to Fix It: Diagnosis & Part Replacement

If you've ruled out simple causes and your TV still keeps restarting, it’s likely a hardware issue with the power board.

🔎 Here’s What You Can Do:

  1. Unplug the TV from the wall for 60 seconds, then plug it back in (this is a soft reset).

  2. Open the back panel (if you’re comfortable) and look for:

    • Bulging or leaking capacitors

    • Burnt spots or discoloration

  3. Match the part number on your existing board exactly. Do not go by the board number alone!

🟩 TVpartsToday Tip:
TV model numbers are not enough! TVs with the same model number may use different internal components, so always match the part number printed on the barcode label of your board.


🛠️ We’ve Got the Parts to Stop the Loop

At TVpartsToday, we stock tested, ready-to-ship replacement boards for all major brands - Hisense, Samsung, Sony, LG, TCL, and more. Whether you need a power board, a main board, or both, we can help you find the exact match.

Need help identifying your part? 📸 Just send us a photo of your board’s sticker, and we’ll confirm the right part number for you - no guesswork required.


🎯 Final Thoughts: Don’t Toss It - Fix It!

Power cycling can feel like the death of your TV, but don’t panic - in most cases, it’s an affordable and repairable issue. Swapping out a power supply or T-con is a DIY-friendly fix with the right tools and the right part.

💬 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.

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