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Top 5 Common TV Issues and How to Fix Them

Our technical support team take calls every week helping our customers with issues they are having with their devices, but did you know that many common TV issues are easy to fix by yourself with some basic troubleshooting.  

Here are the top five common problems we receive, with quick and simple fixes to try yourself to get things back up and running. 

1. No Sound 

Check Mute and Volume Settings: First, make sure the TV isn’t on mute. Try turning the volume up. 

Disconnect External Speakers or Headphones: Ensure there are no external speakers or headphones connected, as they can override the TV speakers. 

Power Cycle the TV: Turn the TV off, unplug it, then hold down the TV’s manual power button for 10 seconds. Release the button, plug the TV back in, and power it on. 

Factory Reset: If the sound still isn’t working, consider a factory reset. Follow the instructions in your TV’s manual, but keep in mind this will erase your settings. 

View our blog on Enhancing the sound quality on your TV 

2. Unable to Connect to Wi-Fi 

Check Your Source Setting: Ensure the TV is on the correct source (usually labelled DTV or TV). 

Connect to Wi-Fi: Follow your manual’s instructions for connecting to Wi-Fi. Normally found under settings>network>wireless device>scan wireless network. Avoid connecting to the 5ghz version. 

Double-check the password: Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive. If you see “Authorisation Failed,” the password might be incorrect. Try re-entering it.  

Test with a Mobile Hotspot: If the TV won’t connect to your router, try connecting it to a mobile hotspot to check if the issue lies with the TV or the router. 

Factory Reset (Last Resort): If it’s still not connecting, try a factory reset. Remember, this will erase all your settings. 

View our blog on Smart TVs: Improving Wi-Fi Connectivity 

3. No Signal 

Check the Aerial: Ensure the aerial is securely connected to the TV. If you’re using an external Freeview or cable box, check that the TV is set to the correct input source. 

Run a Channel Scan: Usually found in Settings > Network or Installation > Automatic Channel Scan to search for available channels. Refer to your user manual for specific instructions.  

Try a Tuner Flush: If no channels are found, you can try a tuner flush. Here’s how: 

  1. Power off the TV and unplug the aerial.
  2. Power the TV back on.
  3. Run an automatic channel scan with the aerial disconnected. It will fail but continue anyway.
  4. Power the TV off, reconnect the aerial, and run the channel scan one final time.

Check Local Transmitter Issues: If you still have no signal, see if there are transmitter issues in your area using Freeview’s Channel Checker  

4. Picture Quality Issues 

Adjust the Resolution: In your TV settings, ensure the display resolution matches the content you’re watching. 

Check Your HDMI Cable: A faulty or damaged HDMI cable can cause pixelation or poor picture quality. Swap it for a different cable if you have one. 

Turn Off Power-Saving Mode: Power-saving modes on some TVs can reduce picture quality. Disable any energy-saving settings for the best picture. 

Reset Picture Settings: Most TVs allow you to reset the picture settings, which can often resolve issues with colour, brightness, or contrast. 

5. Remote Control Not Working 

Replace the Batteries: Even if the current batteries seem fine, try replacing them with fresh ones. 

Clear Any Obstructions: Ensure nothing is blocking the signal between the remote and the TV. 

Carry out a camera test to check if the remote is producing a signal:

  1. With a smart phone, open the rear camera. If you have an iPhone, open the selfie camera instead.
  2. Point the remote at the camera. It should be orientated so that the end of the remote you would point towards the TV is facing the camera, and visible on your phone screen.
  3. Press the buttons that don't work on the remote while holding it in this position. Through the phone screen, you should see some flashes if it is working. 
  4. If you cannot see any flashing this would indicate the remote is not producing a signal.  

Use the TV’s Buttons: If your remote still doesn’t work, you can use the buttons on the TV itself as a temporary solution. 

We hope these tips are helpful for addressing some of the more common issue you may experience from time to time, however if you are ever stuck, please always refer to the argos-support page for your product. Here, you can also find the relevant support number for your TV's direct technical support team for further assistance.