How to Repair an HDMI TV

High-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) TV produces high-quality audio and video so you can enjoy your favorite sporting events, movies, television shows and gaming. However, like every electronic device, you will occasionally encounter problems. Learning how to repair an HDMI TV will allow you to fix minor problems on your own instead of calling in a pricey service technician to fix it for you.

Things You'll Need

• Television remote

Instructions

Low Audio Levels

1. Ensure the television isn't in "Mute" mode by pressing "Mute" on your television remote. When the television is in "Mute" mode, it doesn't allow audio to pass through the speakers.

2. Look to see if headphones are in the headphone jack. When you plug headphones in, all of the sound from the television comes through the headphones instead of through the main speakers. If you do have headphones plugged into the headphone jack, simply unplug them to fix the problem.

3. Test your television audio from a different source. For example, if your television has low or no audio levels while watching cable TV, try watching a DVD to see if the problem is still there. If it is, the problem is with your television. However, if the problem resolves itself when you switch, then you know the problem isn't your television.

4. Check features in your television's menu by pushing the "Menu" button on your television remote. Use the options as directed on your screen to navigate the menu. Make sure the "Simulated" effect, if you have it, is turned "Off" because this can affect audio levels on your television. Also in the menu, make sure your speakers are "On" and that your MTS is set to "Main" or "Stereo."

5. Call a service technician if the problem persists.

"Standby" Light Flashes

1. Push the "Power" button on your television remote to turn your television off.

2. Wait five minutes so the internal projection lamp in the television can cool down.

3. Unplug your television from the surge protector or from the electrical outlet in the wall. Wait one minute.

4. Plug the television back into the same electrical outlet. Turn the television on to see if the television will power up.

5. Try plugging your television into a different outlet or into a different surge protector if the problem persists. If that fixes the problem, there are problems with your surge protector or wall outlet, not your television.

Bad Picture Quality

1. Check for an external light source that could cause a glare on your television screen. Watching a television with a glare on it could cause the picture quality to look poor.

2. Turn off other electrical devices near the television because they can cause radio frequency (RF) interference. For example, running a vacuum cleaner, halogen light bulbs or battery-operated electronics can cause a decrease in the quality of your television picture.

3. Browse through your television's Menu options to try to improve the picture. Try to adjust the "Sharpness" of the screen to see if you can obtain the crisp images you desire on your television screen. You can turn "Digital Noise Reduction (DNR)" to "On" to reduce interference. "Digital Reality Creation (DRC)" can also affect your picture quality. Try turning it "On" or "Off" to see if it changes the picture at all.

4. Plug your television into a different surge protector or into a different wall outlet. If your current surge protector or outlet doesn't produce the proper amount of voltage, it could decrease the quality of your picture.

5. Call a service technician if the problem persists.

References

• Ken Hart; Lead Technician for Allstar AVN; Nixa, Missouri