It’s not morse code.
Your TV’s not flickering to tell you anything.
It’s just…
Broken.
We can’t decrypt a hidden message…
But we can certainly help you figure out what’s wrong with your LG TV.
Keep reading to discover:
- 5 ways to fix a flickering LG TV.
- An in-depth guide on how you can replace your backlights.
- What settings you need to turn off to avoid screen flickering.
- Where you can find the factory reset function in case of display errors.
- And so much more…
Why is my LG TV screen flickering?
Your LG TV’s screen is flickering because of a defective backlight panel. Otherwise, it might be a problem with your power connection. A broken HDMI connection can also lead to a flickering TV. In some cases, your settings are the culprit of this issue.
LG TV screen flickering: 5 fixes
#1: Edit your settings
Do you ever mess around with your picture settings, trying to figure out which one’s best?
I do.
The problem here is that TVs have become so advanced nowadays.
There’s a setting for almost everything.
And, if you happen to change the wrong one, your display can become bad.
From ‘discoloration to flickering’ type of bad.
But, don’t worry.
Here are the 3 settings most responsible for a flickering TV:
‘Smart Picture’ Mode
LG’s ‘Smart Picture Mode’ allows the TV itself to pick the most optimal display settings.
If there’s a problem with the TV’s firmware, this mode can switch your TV’s picture settings without permission.
To turn this off, you can:
- Click the ‘Settings’ button on your remote.
- Go to ‘Advanced’.
- Select ‘Picture’.
- Toggle ‘Smart Picture’ off.
- Select another static picture mode.
‘Energy Saving’ Mode
Your LG TV has a light sensor that assesses the brightness of your room.
Using ‘Energy Saving’, your TV can then use the data about your room to adjust its own brightness.
If the light sensor breaks, your TV can change your brightness settings.
Sometimes, fast enough to emulate flickering.
You can disable ‘Energy Saving’ by:
- Click the ‘Settings’ button on your remote.
- Go to ‘Advanced’.
- Select ‘Picture’.
- Toggle ‘Energy Saving’ off.
‘AI Brightness’
The ‘AI Brightness’ mode is the name for ‘Energy Saving’ mode in newer LG models.
However, the name isn’t the only thing that changed.
The way you turn it on or off has also been altered.
In newer LG TVs, this is how you can turn it off:
- Click the ‘Settings’ button on your remote.
- Go to ‘General’.
- Select ‘AI Service’.
- Toggle ‘AI Brightness Settings’ off.
You might also want to check out: My TV Turns On Then Off Immediately: 7 Quick Fixes
#2: Factory reset
When your TV’s flickering, don’t throw it away just yet.
Maybe, all your TV needs is a fresh start.
A factory reset of your TV completely wipes your TV of all its acquired data and cache.
Effectively resetting your TV as brand new.
If your flickering issue happens to be because of software, this will solve the problem.
All you need to do is:
- Grab your remote and press the ‘Settings’ button.
- Scroll down to ‘All Settings’.
- Go to ‘General’.
- Select ‘Reset to Initial Settings’.
- Press ‘OK’.
If you’re having trouble figuring out how to reset your TV, this video can help you:
You might also want to know: (9 Methods) How To Reset LG TV
#3: Fix HDMI connection
Sometimes the problem isn’t the TV, but what you plug into it.
I’m referring to your HDMI cable…
As it’s a valuable tool.
Without it, you can’t play with your PS5. Or use your Apple TV. What a shame, right?
However, HDMI cables or ports aren’t susceptible to damage.
The first thing you need to do is to troubleshoot your HDMI issue.
You can do this using these steps:
- Switch to other inputs.
- Try a different HDMI cord.
- Connect the HDMI to a different port.
- Connect a different device to your HDMI port.
But you may ask:
“What if I can’t figure out what’s the problem?”
And the answer to that is it’s okay.
You can follow these 6 simple steps to ensure that your HDMI is clean and functional:
- Use tweezers to straighten skewed pins.
- Wrap a microfiber cloth around a toothpick.
- Wet them lightly using isopropyl alcohol.
- Clean the crevices of your port and cord.
- Let it rest for a couple of minutes.
- Properly plug it back into your TV.
If it still doesn’t work, you can always buy a replacement instead.
#4: Replace backlights
What if I told you…
That there are about 50 tiny flashlights illuminating your display?
It’s true.
These lines of diodes or bulbs behind your screen are called the backlight panel.
When one of these diodes dies, 2 things might happen:
- The entire backlight panel will shut off or flicker.
- Light from other panels will seep through the broken bulb, resulting in discoloration.
In order to remedy this, you must replace your backlight panel.
And this is how:
Step 1: Open the back of your TV
The backlight panel is housed at the front of your TV.
However, it’s important to remove the back first so that all binds and cables are loosened up.
- Lay your TV on soft material.
- Unscrew and remove the back.
- Take a picture of the internals of your TV. This would help you when putting everything back together later.
- Unplug all the cables and wires.
- Remove the remaining screws bezels.
- Flip your TV over.
Step 2: Open the front of your TV
Compared to the back of your TV, there’s significantly less hardware at the front of your TV.
But, it’s also much more fragile.
This is how you can safely open the front of your TV:
- Tape the boards at the lower part of your TV to the screen.
- Lift the screen off gently.
Step 3: Accessing the backlight
- Release the tabs on the filter frame.
- Remove the light filters.
- Unclip and remove the last sheet.
Step 4: Replacing the backlight
- Disconnect the cables at the side of the panel.
- Remove the strips using a 5-in-1 tool or any thin blade.
- Replace the old stickers with new lines of double-sided tape.
- Place the replacement backlight along with the tape.
- Put everything back together.
#5: Contact LG support
Too afraid of opening your own TV for repair?
Worry not, for you can contact professional technicians to fix it for you.
Or, better yet, LG themselves.