How to Troubleshoot a Plasma TV
What should you do when your plasma television is on the fritz? First, don't get too excited. The solution to your plasma television issue could be as simple as turning your television on and off. Plasma television problems can range from picture malformation to buzzing noises and poor sound quality. Before shelling out big bucks on a new unit or paying an arm and a leg for repairs, there are a few steps that can be taken to troubleshoot the problem.
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Instructions
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Troubleshooting a Plasma Television
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Turn the plasma television off. Before worrying about display and menu settings, the first step in troubleshooting your plasma television is turn the device off and wait 5 to 10 minutes. Unplugging the power cable from the back of the television is also a smart move. Electronics can be quirky and simply turning the plasma television on and off can fix some problems that you are experiencing.
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Check the input cables running into the plasma television. With the plasma television off, it is now time to make sure that all of your A/V, composite and HDMI cables are firmly plugged in. If you are having sound and/or video issues with an input device such as your cable television box, DVD or Blu-Ray player, the best way to troubleshoot the problem is ensuring that all of the connections are firmly seated. Double check the input cables that run to the plasma television, as well as those that run to the component player.
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Check the length of your input cables. The longer the cable running from a component device to your plasma television, the longer the signal has to travel. If you are running HDMI, A/V or composite cables longer than 10 meters, the signal can become weak or degraded after traveling from the component device to the television. If you are able to, try using a shorter cable to connect component devices. This approach could possibly remedy problems such as distorted sound and picture.
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Consult the plasma television manual that came with unit. Depending on what brand of plasma television you purchase, there may be different ways to troubleshoot problems. Consulting the service manual that came with your plasma television is a good place to start troubleshooting. Some plasma televisions may have menu and reset options that are different from one another or that are not found on other plasma televisions. If you cannot locate the manual that came with your plasma television, there are many resources that can be used to obtain a copy. Most plasma television manufacturers put their manuals online. Try performing a web search for the model number of your plasma television. If you are unable to locate the manual online, contact the manufacturer. Some manufacturers will send out a copy of the manual free of charge.
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Use the plasma television's self-diagnostic tool. Many plasma televisions have self-diagnostic tools that can be used to troubleshoot, fix problems and calibrate settings. Self-diagnostic tools can be accessed by using the plasma television's menu screen or by holding a button down on the plasma television remote. Consult your plasma television manual to find out if your plasma television has a self-diagnostic tool and how to access the tool.
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Check to make sure your plasma television has adequate ventilation. Like most televisions and electronics, adequate ventilation is needed to ensure that the device does not overheat. Check and make sure that your plasma television's ventilation is not being obstructed. Prolonged blockage of ventilation can cause serious and permanent damage to your plasma television.
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Restore factory settings. Occasionally problems will arise with your plasma television that are a result of user error. Reseting your plasma television's settings back to the factory settings can often remedy any missteps you have taken in programming or setting up your television. Restoring the factory settings can usually be done by accessing the menu screen on the plasma television. If you are unsure of how to reset these settings, refer to your plasma television manual or contact the manufacturer.
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Tips & Warnings
Unless you are a trained television repair professional, avoid opening up and tinkering with the electronics inside of your plasma television. In most cases this will void your warranty and cause greater harm to your plasma television unit.
References
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