Short Answer? A LOT.
A power surge or lightning strike can inflict serious, often irreversible damage to your television. While it might seem like a rare occurrence, power-related incidents are one of the leading causes of electronic failures in homes. Your TV is especially vulnerable due to its complex internal electronics and reliance on a stable power source.
In this article, we’ll break down how a surge can damage your TV, what symptoms to look out for, and how to protect your television from future incidents.
Would you rather watch a video covering this information? Check out our YouTube video below:
⚡ Power Supply Damage: The TV’s Lifeline
Your TV’s internal power supply board converts incoming electricity to the voltages needed to run the screen, sound system, and smart features. A power surge – especially one caused by a lightning strike – can overwhelm this component instantly.
What happens:
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The power supply board can short out completely.
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The TV may not turn on at all.
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You might see flickering lights or hear a faint clicking sound, indicating power isn't being properly delivered.
Repair tip:
In many cases, replacing the power supply board can restore functionality – TVpartsToday stocks a wide range of replacement boards for most major brands.
💥 Blown Capacitors: Silent Circuit Killers
Capacitors regulate the voltage flow inside your TV. When hit with a sudden spike in power, they can swell, burst, or leak – sometimes visibly, sometimes not.
Signs of blown capacitors include:
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TV randomly shutting off
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Delayed startup
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Distorted sound or picture
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Strange humming or buzzing noises
Why it matters:
Even if your TV still turns on, blown capacitors can gradually damage other components over time if not replaced. If you open the back panel and see bulging or leaking components, that’s a sure sign of capacitor failure. In this case, we recommend replacing the entire circuit board, rather than trying component-level repair!
🧠 Damaged Circuit Boards: The Brain of Your TV
Modern TVs contain multiple circuit boards: main boards (motherboards), T-con boards (timing control), and input/output boards. These work together to power everything from video processing to Wi-Fi connectivity.
What’s at risk:
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Picture and sound may be lost completely.
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HDMI or USB ports may stop functioning.
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TV could get stuck on a boot screen or become unresponsive to remote commands.
Did you know?
Even a mild surge can fry delicate microchips on these boards. The damage may not be visible, but the impact can be severe. TVpartsToday can help identify which board needs replacing based on your symptoms.
📺 Screen or Panel Damage: Rare, But Devastating
While it’s less common, a strong enough surge – particularly from a direct lightning strike – can damage the screen itself.
Potential issues include:
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Permanent vertical or horizontal lines
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Total black screen
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Frozen display or ghosting images
Because screen panels are often the most expensive part of the TV, replacement is never cost-effective. In these instances, we always recommend that the customer simply replace their entire set.
🧠 Data Corruption: When Software Fails
Modern smart TVs are essentially computers. Power surges can disrupt the operating system or firmware, causing glitches that seem unrelated to hardware.
Symptoms may include:
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Apps not loading or crashing frequently
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Wi-Fi or Bluetooth suddenly stops working
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Settings resetting themselves
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TV stuck in a reboot loop
Good to know:
In some cases, a factory reset can solve the problem – but if the firmware is severely corrupted, the main board may need to be replaced.
📡 Loss of Functionality: Ports and Connectivity Failures
Your TV’s ports – like HDMI, USB, Ethernet – are direct gateways to external devices. A surge can travel through these connections and disable their functionality without affecting the rest of the TV.
Look for:
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"No signal" errors even when devices are plugged in
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Inability to connect to Wi-Fi or streaming services
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Remote control or voice assistant features not responding
🔥 Fire Hazard: A Worst-Case Scenario
This is rare but serious. A strong enough power surge can cause components to overheat, smoke, or even ignite. This risk increases in older TVs or those without surge protection.
Warning signs include:
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Burning smell coming from the back of the TV
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Visible smoke
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Cracking or popping noises
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Unusual heat radiating from the vents
If you suspect any of these issues, unplug the TV immediately and avoid turning it back on.
How to Protect Your TV from Power Surges
Protecting your TV from surge damage is simple and affordable, especially compared to the cost of a new TV or major repair.
✅ Surge Protectors
Always plug your TV into a high-quality surge protector. Look for models with:
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Joule rating of at least 1,000+
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UL 1449 certification
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Automatic shutdown features
🔌 Unplug During Storms
If thunderstorms are in the forecast, the safest option is to unplug your TV (and other electronics) entirely. Even the best surge protectors aren’t foolproof against a direct lightning strike.
🏠 Whole-Home Surge Protection
Consider having a licensed electrician install a whole-home surge protector at your breaker panel. This adds an extra layer of defense for all your devices.
Dealing with Surge Damage? We Can Help.
If your TV has been affected by a power surge or lightning strike, you’re not alone – and you’re not out of options. At TVpartsToday, we carry a massive inventory of replacement TV parts, including:
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Power supply boards
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Main boards
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T-con boards
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Input/output boards
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Cables, remotes, and more
Our experienced team can help you diagnose the issue, find the exact part you need, and get your TV back up and running fast.
Still unsure? Watch our informative YouTube video HERE!
💬 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.