Today’s TVs have gorgeous picture quality. They also occasionally experience glitches — those pesky, persistent video imperfections known as “vertical lines.” This is a common problem across many models, from budget to premium, but thankfully, there are a few easy fixes.
Vertical lines on a TCL TV can be caused by outdated software, a faulty T-Con board, input cable connectivity issues, or a TV panel defect. Easy fixes include a power cycle, a system update, a factory reset, and a new T-Con board.
Continue reading to discover some common causes of vertical lines on your TCL TV and what you can do to fix them.
Causes of Vertical Lines on TCL TV Screen
Vertical lines on your TV screen can be caused by several different things. Thankfully, just because you have a problem with vertical lines, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace your TCL TV altogether.
Some problems are more common than others, but many different things can cause vertical lines on your TV screen, so let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons:
Outdated Software Version
If the TV runs on outdated software, it might run slowly and cause unnecessary strain on the central processing unit (CPU).
This can lead to performance issues when you use your TV. In addition, older software may not offer newer features or technologies. If this is the case, you should consider updating your software to get the most out of your TV.
Faulty T-Con Board
A T-Con board is an electronic circuit board used in television, radio, and communication equipment. The resistive element is the most common T-Con part, a thin slice of semiconductor material with a large amount of resistance. It can be either a chip or an array of discrete resistors.
The T-Con board has other functions, such as amplifying signals. It may also have built-in tuners for receiving video or audio signals from a digital source such as cable TV or satellite TV.
They are usually mounted on the back of the display to reduce noise and improve picture quality.
The cables can sometimes become loose, damaged or corroded. Since this component is responsible for displaying horizontal and vertical images, you should replace the T-Con board if it is faulty.
To check if the T-Con board is causing lines on your TV to appear, hit the TV gently behind the screen. If this resolves the issue, you likely have loose wires that need to be tightened.
Input Cable Connectivity Problem
Your TV has a connector (the input cable plug) that is located behind the screen. You should use this to plug your television into the power source.
It can be a USB, HDMI, or Component video cable. The cable plugs into the “Input” port on the rear of the TV.
This is one of the most common causes of vertical lines on a TV and can be easily fixed.
Check first if the cable is damaged or loose. If it is damaged, replace it; if it is loose, wiggle it back into place.
Try to connect another device to the input port if the issue persists so that you can rule out a problem with the input port.
TV Panel Defect
A TV panel defect is a visible problem with your TV screen. It can be caused by physical damage, such as a broken cable, or it could simply result from aging and wear.
There are a few different things that can cause a TV panel defect:
- Physical Damage: Physical damage to your TV can cause cracks and damage the screen’s surface. It could also mean a cable is broken or loose, causing connection issues with your TV.
- Aging: A TV panel defect can also be caused by aging. This can happen if the TV is exposed to direct sunlight, excessive dirt and dust buildup, or exposure to extreme temperatures.
- Wear: Another possible cause of a TV panel defect is wear and tear, which happens when you use your TV for extended periods without taking it off standby mode first. Wear and tear can cause cables to get stuck on the back side of the TV panel, which will cause image retention and poor contrast levels.
How To Fix Vertical Lines TCL TV Screen
The average lifespan of a TV is around 10 years. During that time, many things can break or go wrong. If you want to keep your TV working for as long as possible, it’ll be handy if you know some ways to fix it yourself.
1. Perform a Power Cycle
Power cycle from time to time to extend the lifespan of their set. Follow the instructions below to power cycle your TCL TV:
Gizmo Geek Guide posted this on May 18, 2023 as the original owner of this article.
- Turn off the TV.
- Unplug the power cord from the wall socket.
- Wait for around 15 minutes before plugging it back in. This will reset the internal components, which will help prevent any permanent damage and keep your TV functioning at optimal levels.
2. Update Software
When a device is updated, it brings new features and functionality. Software updates are essential to keep a device running efficiently. Here are the most common things that regular updates provide:
- Level 1 updates: These are bug fixes that resolve minor issues.
- Level 2 updates: These are updates that add new features or functionality.
- Level 3 updates: These are system-wide improvements that improve speed, usability, and overall performance.
Here’s how to update your TCL TV:
- Go to the settings options and select system.
- Click on about, then system update.
- A message box will appear on the TV if an update is available. Install the latest updates by following the onscreen instructions.
3. Factory Reset
If neither of the above fixes have worked, things will begin to get a bit more technical.
This option is best if you think there is a problem with the hardware. You likely have a hardware issue if the system is lagging, and you can see vertical lines on the screen.
Here’s how to do a factory reset on your TV:
- Press the Settings button on the remote control.
- Navigate to More Settings, and then select Device Preference.
- Choose the Reset option.
- You will now see the option for a factory reset. Select it and follow the prompts on the screen.
- Select Erase Everything.
- Enter the specified PIN in the pop-up message, then click OK.
After this, the TV will automatically restart. You’ll have to reset the TV after restarting, and the problem should be resolved.
4. Replace the T-Con Board
You can find the T-Con (or timer control) board at the back of your TV. Follow the steps below to replace it:
- Unscrew the small plastic tubes to remove the speakers.
- After removing the tubes holding the speaker wires in place, the mounting plate can be removed.
- Remove the bottom part of the TV to access the T-Con board.
- The mounting plate is attached to the back cover by screws. Remove those screws next.
- Locate the AV board, and then carefully disconnect the cables.
- Remove the four screws holding the T-Con board in place.
Now that the board is removed, follow these steps to reinstall a new one:
- The first thing you need to do is turn off the TV.
- Locate the S-Video cable port (you’ll find it behind the timer control board).
- Use a screwdriver to place the S-Video cable in the T-Con board’s appropriate port.
- You can now attach the T-Con board to its original position.
- Using the red test lead, connect the LED to the board.
- The S-Video cable should be connected to the TV’s S-Video input.
Adjust the picture on the TV until the vertical lines disappear.
Final Thoughts
The presence of vertical lines on a TV is an indication of a fault. There may be malfunctioning parts, or excessive humidity could rust the cable connector.
Gizmo Geek Guide uploaded this as an original article on May 18, 2023.
Like any other appliance or electronic device, TVs are prone to breaking from time to time. While most TV repairs are relatively simple, sometimes things require extra attention by a professional.
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Gizmo Geek Guide published this original article on May 18, 2023.