When your TV starts acting up, trying to explain what's wrong – or even understanding what a technician or guide is telling you – can feel like speaking a foreign language. That's why we created TV Terminology 101: a go-to guide to help you understand what’s going on “behind the screen”, so to speak!
Whether you're diving into a DIY repair or just want to understand what your technician is talking about, here’s a breakdown of some of the most common terms in the world of TV repairs.
Rather watch a video? You can check out our YouTube video covering this information, appropriately titled Terminology 101:
🧩 The Parts: What’s Inside Your TV?
Behind your TV’s sleek design are a few essential parts that do all the heavy lifting. Here’s a beginner-friendly breakdown of the most common components inside modern flat-screen TVs:
⚡ Power Supply (PSU)
What it does:
Converts electricity from your wall outlet into lower voltages that power the rest of the TV. Think of it as the heart of the system.
Symptoms of failure:
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TV won’t power on
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No standby light
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Clicking sound when trying to start
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Random shutdowns
TVpartsToday Tip:
If your TV shows no signs of life, the power supply is a top suspect. It’s one of the easiest and most common parts to replace – especially for boot-looping or power-up failures.
🧠 Main Board (Motherboard/System Board)
What it does:
Acts as the “brain” of the TV. It handles input switching (HDMI, USB, etc.), audio and video processing, firmware operations, and smart TV functions.
Symptoms of failure:
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No picture but has sound (or vice versa)
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HDMI ports not working
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Boot looping or freezing
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Loss of smart functions or Wi-Fi
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Blue screen with no signal from all inputs
TVpartsToday Tip:
If your TV powers on but behaves erratically or won’t respond to commands, a main board swap is often the fix. Always match your part number exactly to avoid compatibility issues.
🔍 T-Con Board (Timing Control Board)
What it does:
Controls how and when pixels display by sending timing signals from the main board to the panel. Essential for managing image clarity and screen refresh.
Symptoms of failure:
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Lines on screen
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Solarization (weird color distortions)
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Half the screen not working
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Flickering or slow refresh
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Black screen with sound
TVpartsToday Tip:
Many display issues point to a bad T-Con board. It’s small, affordable, and simple to replace – an ideal entry-level DIY fix.
💡 LED Driver Board
What it does:
Powers and regulates the TV’s LED backlights. Sometimes built into the power supply, sometimes it’s a separate board.
Symptoms of failure:
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TV has sound but no image (black screen)
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Flashing image that disappears
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Uneven lighting or flickering brightness
TVpartsToday Tip:
If you shine a flashlight at the screen and can faintly see a picture, the LED driver or backlights are failing. For more information on the “Flashlight Test”, see our Youtube video HERE!
📶 Wi-Fi Board
What it does:
Allows your smart TV to connect to wireless internet. It’s a small board with an antenna, usually plugged into the main board or side panel.
Symptoms of failure:
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Can’t connect to Wi-Fi
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Frequent disconnections
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Smart features not loading
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Error messages like “Wi-Fi module not found”
TVpartsToday Tip:
Try restarting your network and updating firmware first. If Wi-Fi issues persist, replacing the Wi-Fi board can restore smart functions without needing a whole new main board.
🔆 Backlight Strips
What it does:
These are rows of LEDs mounted behind the panel that light up the screen. Without them, you’d have sound but no visible image.
Symptoms of failure:
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Very dim screen
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Flashing image
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Entire screen dark but has sound
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Bright/dark spots on screen
TVpartsToday Tip:
Backlight repair is one of the most advanced DIY jobs, since it requires disassembling the screen layers. If you’re not comfortable doing it, call a pro! If you are going to do the repair yourself, we recommend watching several tutorials on the process beforehand!
🖼️ Panel / Screen
What it does:
This is the actual display – the glass surface and other components that show images and video. It includes layers like the LCD matrix, polarizer, and glass layers. “Panel” and “screen” are interchangeable here, as they mean the same thing.
Symptoms of failure:
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Cracks or visible damage
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Discoloration or ink-like blotches
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Unrepairable ghosting or dead pixels
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Display not responding even with new boards
TVpartsToday Tip:
Panels are the most expensive and fragile part of your TV. If yours is physically damaged, it’s usually more cost-effective to replace the entire TV rather than the panel alone.
🧩 The Terms: What’s Going On, Exactly?
🔁 Boot Looping
What it is:
This occurs when your TV turns on, begins to load (you might see the logo or startup screen), then suddenly stops and restarts – over and over again. It never fully initializes, but also never shuts off. Thus, “boot looping”!
Common causes:
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Corrupted firmware
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Failed software update
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Faulty main board
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Incompatible apps or external devices
TVpartsToday Tip:
Try a hard reset. If not, a main board replacement is often the fix – and we can help you find the exact match for your model.
🔄 Power Cycling
What it is:
The TV randomly turns itself off and then back on, even without input from the remote. Sometimes it stays on for a few minutes, sometimes just seconds. This is different from Boot Looping because the set actually turns off and on, rather than just going back to the start up screen over and over. Thus, “power cycling”!
Common causes:
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Overheating
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Faulty power supply board
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Malfunctioning remote or control board
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Software glitches
TVpartsToday Tip:
Unplug all external devices and try the TV alone first. If the issue continues, the power board may need a replacement.
🔥 Screen Burn / Burn-In
What it is:
Permanent “ghost” images left on your screen – like news tickers, game HUDs, or logos – that never fully disappear.
Most common in:
OLED and plasma TVs (rare in newer LED models)
TVpartsToday Tip:
Avoid leaving static images on screen for long periods, such as news channels like FOX or CNN. If burn-in has occurred, the only two culprits are the T-con board or the panel itself. Unfortunately, panel replacement is usually not cost-effective. Prevention is key, here!
🎨 Washed-Out Picture
What it is:
The screen appears faded, with low contrast, weak colors, and poor black levels. Whites may look gray, and the picture lacks depth.
Common causes:
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Incorrect picture settings
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Faulty backlights
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A failing T-Con board
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Aging panel
TVpartsToday Tip:
Adjust your TV’s picture settings first, then if that fails, try a factory reset. If there's no improvement, the issue may lie in the main board or T-Con board – both of which are easily replaceable.
🌈 Solarization
What it is:
The screen displays distorted colors or high-contrast, “psychedelic” tones. You might see unnatural shading or a posterized look.
Common causes:
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Failing T-Con board
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Damaged ribbon cables
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Panel interface issues
TVpartsToday Tip:
This issue is often fixed by replacing the T-Con board. Before ordering, double-check your ribbon cable connections – they can loosen over time. It would also be wise to double-check those cables for damage, just in case!
🖥️ Split Screen / Dual Image
What it is:
Your TV shows two duplicate images, either side-by-side or stacked vertically. Sometimes, one side may be distorted or unresponsive.
Common causes:
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Failing main board
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Panel driver issues
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Software corruption
TVpartsToday Tip:
If the issue persists across all inputs, it’s likely the main board. Call us with your TV model and we’ll help confirm the exact replacement part. If you already replaced your main board due to other issues, and now your TV is displaying this problem, then it is likely you have the wrong part installed on your TV!
👻 Ghosting
What it is:
A faint trail or overlap that follows moving objects on the screen, especially in fast action scenes or when gaming.
Common causes:
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Slow response time
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Signal interference
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Aging panel or main board issues
TVpartsToday Tip:
Try a different HDMI cable or input first to ensure the problem is affecting the entire TV. If ghosting continues, the panel may be aging – but if it's an LED, a new T-Con board or main board could resolve the issue!
🧩 Artifacts
What it is:
Blocks, lines, sparkles, or static distortions that shouldn’t be there. They often appear in compressed or corrupted video content.
Common causes:
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Bad HDMI connection
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Failing main board or T-Con board
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Weak signal or digital processing error
TVpartsToday Tip:
Start by testing different input sources. If artifacts appear across all sources, it’s likely a hardware issue, and we can help you identify which board to replace. In most instances this will be either the T-con board or the Main board.
💡 Standby Light / Power Indicator Light
What it is:
A small LED on the front of your TV that indicates whether the unit is on, off, or in standby mode. Different colors or blinking patterns can signal problems, depending upon the brand and model of the TV.
TVpartsToday Tip:
If your standby light is blinking in a pattern, count the blinks – they often correspond to error codes (check your TV manual). A flashing light is a major clue for diagnosing failures.
🔩 Back Plate
What it is:
The plastic or metal cover on the rear of the TV that protects internal components. You must remove this to access boards or cables during a repair.
TVpartsToday Tip:
Lay your TV on a flat, padded surface when removing the back plate. Keep screws organized – they’re often different sizes for different areas.
📎 Ribbon Cables
What it is:
Flat, flexible cables that connect internal components like the T-Con, main board, and panel. They carry critical data and power.
TVpartsToday Tip:
When reconnecting a ribbon cable, make sure it clicks into place and sits straight. A misaligned ribbon is one of the most common causes of display errors like lines or half-images.
💻 Firmware Update
What it is:
Software that controls the TV’s hardware. Firmware updates are released by manufacturers to fix bugs, improve performance, or add features. Most of the time this process is automated and the TV will update on its own when necessary. Sometimes, however, a manual update is necessary to restore functionality to the unit.
TVpartsToday Tip:
Only update your firmware if the manufacturer recommends it. If an update fails or gets interrupted, it can brick your TV – which may require a main board replacement.
🔵 Blue Screen vs. Blue Tint
Blue Screen:
A completely blue background with nothing else on the screen. Sometimes accompanied by loss of sound, but not always. Blue screens are almost always caused by a defective main board or panel.
Blue Tint:
A display issue where all colors are overly blue, possibly caused by signal processing issues, incorrect settings, or the backlight strips themselves. Backlights have a coating on each LED that can flake off, altering the white light into a dim blue.
TVpartsToday Tip:
Check your source first. If your screen has a blue tint across all inputs, the problem is likely internal. A T-Con board or main board swap may fix the issue, but most likely it will be the backlight strips.
🧾 Part Number vs. Board Number
Part Number:
A unique identifier used to order the correct replacement. It often includes both the brand and specific model info. An EXACT MATCH on the part number is the only way to ensure the part you are ordering will function correctly in your set!
Board Number:
Generally printed on the board itself – used by technicians during manufacturing but less reliable for replacements, as multiple boards can share the same board number.
TVpartsToday Tip:
Always shop by part number, not board number. We’ll help you find a match using your model number and part label, but may need pictures of the part itself to get a proper ID.
🔄 Hard Reset vs. Factory Reset
Hard Reset:
Power-cycling your TV by unplugging it and holding the power button for 10–30 seconds. This clears memory glitches.
Factory Reset:
Restores your TV to its original settings, wiping apps, login data, and picture settings. Best for serious software issues.
TVpartsToday Tip:
Try a hard reset first – it’s simple and non-destructive. If that fails, a factory reset can help – but make sure to back up settings if possible.
🧠 Wrapping Up: Know Your Terms, Fix With Confidence
Understanding what these terms mean makes it easier to:
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Diagnose issues on your own
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Talk to techs with confidence
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Choose the right replacement parts
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Decide between DIY and professional repair
At TVpartsToday, we don’t just sell parts – we help people understand them.
💬 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.