It’s Friday night, the pizza delivery just arrived, and you're planning to watch a family movie with your kids. You turn on your TCL® Roku TV™, but no picture appears. What's causing the TCL Roku TV black screen?
Asurion Experts have the know-how to help troubleshoot and fix tech issues. Whether you need to set up your new Roku® or connect Roku via Wi-Fi, count on us for clear-cut answers. Here's what to do when your TCL Roku TV screen goes black.
Steps to fix a black screen on your TCL Roku TV
A black screen on your TCL Roku TV can indicate a faulty connection, a software issue, or a firmware problem. It's usually easy to fix if you know what to troubleshoot. Perform each of these steps until you find one that resolves your issue.
1. Check power and connections
It sounds simple, but it's happened to the best of us. Is the TCL TV plugged into a working power source? Sometimes, a power cord can slip out of a wall outlet, or someone else may remove it to plug something else in. Verify the power cord is inserted firmly into its outlet.
If the TV is plugged in but doesn't have power, you may have a defective wall outlet. Test the TV with another outlet to see if it works properly. The TV's LED light indicates whether it has power. A solid or blinking light means it has power, while no light indicates the TV isn't on.
Verify all other connections between your TV and other devices. Check that the HDMI cable and coaxial cable are connected securely and don't show any signs of damage.
2. Try pressing the Home button on the remote
A TCL TV screen automatically goes dark if you don't interact with it for several hours. If your TCL Roku TV has a black screen with sound, try pushing the Home button on the Roku remote to wake it back up.
If this is the problem, adjust your power settings to prevent the TCL Roku TV from entering standby mode while you're watching it.
- Open Settings.
- Select System > Power > Auto Power Savings.
- Select the setting to match your preference for standby mode.
3. Power cycle the TV
A soft reset (or power cycle) of the TCL Roku TV clears out temporary bugs or software conflicts that cause display issues. To perform a soft reset, take these steps:
- Unplug the TV from its power source.
- Wait at least 60 seconds to allow the device to release stored electricity.
- Plug the TV back into the outlet.
- Press the Power button on the remote control or TV to turn it back on.
4. Try a factory reset
Factory resetting restores the TV to its original settings. It deletes any personal details you've saved on the device, such as Wi-Fi passwords. You will need to reconnect the Wi-Fi with your password after the factory reset.
Factory reset through settings using the remote
- Open Settings.
- Select System > Advanced System Settings.
- Select Factory Reset.Factory Reset Help
Factory reset using the physical button
Most TCL Roku TVs include a small reset button located on the back of the device. It resembles a small pinhole, which you can access with the pointed end of a safety pin or paperclip. Press the reset button for up to 30 seconds. Release the button when the TV restarts.
5. Use the secret remote button combination
Fun fact: Roku TVs come with several hidden menus that are accessible by pressing specific buttons on your remote. These menus provide information about your device, such as the apps you use and system data.
You can use a special button combination on your remote to completely reboot the TV. The process gives your device a fresh start and clears out temporary glitches.
- Press the Home button five times.
- Press Up > Rewind > Rewind.
- Press Fast Forward > Fast Forward.
Your TCL Roku TV should restart after you press the button combination. If you've misplaced your Roku TV remote, use the Roku mobile app to reboot your TV with the secret button combination.
- Open the Roku mobile app.
- Tap Remote.
- Tap the Home button five times.
- Tap Up > Rewind > Rewind.
- Tap Fast Forward > Fast Forward.
6. Check for firmware updates
If the display returns, use the opportunity to download any updates you may be missing. TCL occasionally releases firmware updates to fix known bugs and introduce new features. To see if there are available firmware updates for your device, try the following.
- Open Settings.
- Select System > System Update > Check.
- Follow the prompts to download and install available firmware updates.
