TV Repair Tips
From Adviceopedia
If you are having problems with your television, review these TV repair tips to decide if it is worth fixing.
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TV Repair Tips
Having your TV not working is frustrating. Whether your want to watch the cooking channel for tips for quick cooking or need the baseball score, your TV is part of your daily routine.
The good news is often the problem is easily fixable. Before spending money to repair your television, see if you can troubleshoot the problem. Some things are easy to repair, while others may cost as much as the TV is worth.
Service Manuals
To help you repair the TV yourself, it helps to have the service manual and schematics for your TV brand and style. If you misplaced them, don’t worry. Eservice Info offers a database of all the documents you need. Once you have the manual, use it as a guide to troubleshoot what is wrong with your television.
Finding Parts
Some TV repair issues may require new parts. You can find the parts you need online or by calling a TV repair store. Part Store offers you the factory parts at wholesale prices.
Won’t Turn On
If your TV won’t turn on, first check to make sure it’s plugged in. If not, you will want to do some troubleshooting.
- Check the power to make sure it is on.
- If so, is your power to that outlet controlled by another switch that may be off?
- Are all corresponding units on that control your TV?
No Cable Reception
If you turn on the TV only to see snow, your cable reception may be out. Before calling the company:
- Make sure the TV on the right channel to receive cable.
- Check the connections and make sure they are plugged in properly.
- Check TV/Video input to make sure it is set right.
- If you have a complex home entertainment system, make sure the switch on the audio/video receiver is set correctly.
- Look at other equipment that may control the TV, such as your VCR or DVD player.
- Check your cable TV box, satellite TV receivers to ensure there is a signal coming to the TV. If not, you need to call the cable or satellite company since it is most likely on their end. You can also check with neighbors to see if they are having issues.
Broken Buttons on the TV
After time, the buttons on your television set can get worn if you or children use them often. If they break, it can be fixed.
Some TV’s are easier to fix than others. Older TV’s buttons are easy to access and fix, while newer TV’s are more complex.
Luckily, with the availability of master remotes, you can still use your TV if the buttons no longer work.
Remote Doesn’t Work
Remote controls are getting more and more complicated. If you are having trouble getting your remote to change channels, make sure you first pressed the “TV” control button so it will control the TV instead of the stereo or DVD.
If that doesn’t work, try changing the batteries. Keep in mind changing the batteries may require you to reset the codes. So you don’t have to look them up every time you change the batteries, write down the codes on a piece of paper and tape them to the back of the remote.
Calling a TV Repair Technician
If you have done the troubleshooting and reviewed all the TV repair tips from your owner’s manual and online, it is time to consider calling the TV repair man. Smaller TV’s can be taken to a shop to look at. Keep in mind:
- A technician will charge you just to look at your TV, even if you take it to them.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Before calling him, ask yourself:
- How much is the TV worth? Is it worth repairing?
- Is it compatible with today’s technology advancements by offering enough channels and inputs?
- Is it high definition ready?
Calling a Technician
When you call him, ask:
- How much will this visit cost even if the TV is unfixable?
- If it is fixable, can I use the initial fee towards the repair?
Once you agree to have a technician look at it and get your quote back, compare the costs to repair the TV to the cost of a new comparable TV before giving the OK. In some cases, it is more expensive to fix a TV then to buy a new one.
