Ever been relaxing at home when your TV suddenly turns on by itself? It’s a common issue with modern TVs, and there are a few reasons why this happens.
Your TV may turn on by itself due to simple setting mishaps, a problem with your remote control or more complex issues like outdated TV software and faulty hardware components.
Fortunately, simply adjusting some settings in your TV and some other easy fixes can resolve this issue. Let’s walk you through the most common causes of this problem and how to easily troubleshoot this issue.
Why does my TV turn on by itself
If your TV is turning on by itself, we’ve identified several potential culprits. Here are some of the most common reasons this is happening:
HDMI-CEC Settings: HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) allows devices connected to your TV via HDMI to communicate and control each other. This can sometimes cause your TV to turn on by itself. For instance, if you turn on your game console or Blu-ray player, the HDMI-CEC feature might automatically switch on your TV as well.
Sleep Timers and Scheduled Power On: Many modern TVs come equipped with built-in sleep timers or scheduled power-on features. If these are accidentally activated, your TV might turn on at specific times without your input. It’s worth checking your TV’s settings to ensure these features are disabled if you don’t intend to use them.
Faulty Remote Control: A remote control with a stuck power button or low batteries can send unintended signals to your TV, causing it to turn on randomly. Additionally, interference from other devices emitting infrared signals (like another remote) could potentially trigger your TV.
Network and Smart Home Device Interference: Smart TVs connected to your home network can sometimes be activated by other devices on the network. This can include smartphones, smart speakers, or streaming devices. Certain apps or casting features might inadvertently send a signal that powers on your TV.
Software Issues and Firmware Bugs: Like any electronic device, TVs can experience software glitches or bugs that cause unexpected behavior. Outdated firmware can also contribute to these problems. Manufacturers regularly release firmware updates to address these issues, so it’s essential to keep your TV’s software up to date.
Power Supply Problems: In some cases, the issue might stem from the power source itself. A loose power cord or an unstable power outlet could cause the TV to turn on intermittently.
What Should I Do If My TV Turns On By Itself?
If your TV is turning on by itself, there are a couple of fixes . Here’s a step-by-step guide to resolve the issue;
1: Inspect Hardware components
1. Check the power cable to ensure it is securely plugged into both the TV and the wall outlet as loose connection can cause intermittent power issues.
2. Examine the remote control by removing the batteries and checking for any stuck buttons, especially the power button.
3. Clean the remote thoroughly and replace old batteries with new ones to rule out low battery issues.
2. Adjust TV Settings
Modern TVs come with a range of customizable settings that can cause issues like the TV turning on by itself. Adjusting these settings is often the key to resolving the problem. Here are some settings and how to tweak them to resolve this issue:
To disable HDMI-CEC on LG TV
1. Press the Home button on your remote
2. Go to Settings > All Settings
3. Select Devices from the list of options
4. Scroll down and click on HDMI Settings
6. Go to SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC) and turn it off. This is often labeled as “Bravia Sync” on Sony TV or “Anynet+” on Samsung TV
To turn off any active Sleep Timers or scheduled Power-on settings in your LG TV, do this;
1. Tap the Home button on your remote
2. Go to Settings > All Settings
3. Select the General>System option from the list
4. Select Time & Timer > Timers
5. Tap on the Power On Timer option and disable it. Also, disable the Auto Power Off option
To turn off this feature on your Samsung TV;
1. Go to Settings > General
2. Scroll down the options and select Eco Solution
4. Tap on the Power Saving Mode and Auto Power Off options to turn them off
3. Troubleshoot Network
If your TV starts turning on by itself, the issue might be related to network interference or a connected device. Here’s what to do:
1. Temporarily disconnect your TV from your Wi-Fi network.
2. If disconnecting from Wi-Fi resolves the problem, reconnect and then disconnect devices one by one to identify if it’s a specific device that is causing the issue.
4. Update your Software
It is important that your TV has the latest software as outdated software can cause several issues including the TV turning on by itself. Here’s how to update your Software on your Samsung Smart TV;
1. Tap on your Home button and go to Settings
2. Choose Support > Software Update from the options
3. Select Update Now
4. The system will check for available updates
5. You will be notified of new updates, select Yes to update your TV
5. Reset the TV
If all the other options above fail, try a factory reset. This will restore your TV to its original settings and you’ll need to reconfigure your settings and log back into your apps after the process. You can consult your TV’s manual for specific instructions on how to perform a factory reset on the TV. Here’s how to reset on Samsung TV
1. Tap on the Home button on your remote to open your Samsung Smart Hub
2. Select Settings>All Settings
3. Select General & Privacy
4. Scroll down the options and select Reset then input your pin in the next interface. If you did not set up any pin, use the default pin (0000)
5. Tap on Reset when you receive the prompt
6. This will reset your TV and turn it on automatically when completed
Conclusion
Your TV turning on and off by itself can be a bit challenging and most times, it’s usually caused by manageable issues like HDMI-CEC settings, timers, or software glitches.
With the basic troubleshooting steps we’ve provided like; inspecting hardware, adjusting settings, updating firmware, and resetting the TV, you can bypass this problem and regain control of your device.
If the issue persists, don’t hesitate to consult your TV’s user manual or contact customer support for further assistance.