TV Turns Off By Itself After Few Seconds [Solved]

You planned your weekend to be devoid of any stressful activity with perhaps lots of TV shows or movies to catch up on. 

You take the remote, get into a relaxing position, and press the power button. 

Lights come up on the screen and everything looks fine for sometimes but suddenly the TV goes off by itself. 

You are left to hit the power button again, only to see the screen go dark again in a couple of seconds. 

It is not just an annoyance; it is downright bewildering. Whatever the case, your TV remains off after only a few seconds and the question remains.

What is the cause and how do you remedy it?

If this has been the case with you whereby your television set is giving you such trouble, calm down. 

This piece will highlight what may be making your television set turn off unexpectedly and provide solutions on how to troubleshoot this problem.

The Causes of the Problem

There are many reasons why a TV automatically turns itself off within some seconds. 

Some may be trivial, like a remote control malfunction, while some may go as deep as faulty components like capacitors or overheating issues. 

Next, we will focus on each case in more detail.

Power Supply Issues

This is one of the most common reasons to have a TV turn off by itself within a few minutes of its operation. 

The power supply is a vital unit that allows the TV to function. If supply is inconsistent or defective then the television may operate for a limited period and shut down automatically.

Symptoms of Power Supply Issues:

The television set turned off magically after a few seconds, when the users had trouble with the remote control, for example, switching the device on or off.

The set features a timer that switches the device off after a specified period of inactivity.

Overheating

Overheating of the device is yet another one responsible for frequent shutdowns. Quite a few LED and OLED TVs are in use today and constantly emit heat while being operated. 

If the TV’s internal systems aren’t sufficient to keep the temperature down, it might overheat in cases where the TV is placed in an enclosure without proper airflow.

Symptoms of Overheating:

The television sets off after a few seconds of normal working.

The back or sides of the television set are warm or hot to the touch.

There could be a plastic or burnt smell emanating from the set.

Faulty Capacitors

Capacitors are amongst internal circuitry in every television set and their faults always lead to certain complications that may be as severe as cutting off the device. 

Old-type models or over-usage of the device Tempts a lot of consumers to encounter such an inconvenient device fault.

Symptoms of Faulty Capacitors:

On several occasions, the device powers off automatically, and in that instant, you hear a tapping sound or slightly moved light before the device goes dark.

The devices may fail to come on if the capacitor’s damage is each severe than required.

Power Surges or Fluctuations

Due to Power surges, your appliance can cut off or cease to function at best sections of its internal electronics. 

This often occurs during storms or alternation of power supply when high electricity consumers are switched on.

Symptoms of Power Surge Damage:

It’s not unusual for a device to operate for a short period and soon after it will cease to function completely.

Similarly connected appliances in your home may be experiencing the same troubles with the power supplied to them.

Remote Control Issues

Although it may be hard to believe, the power button of the device or an unresponsive remote control can also cause a television to malfunction. 

If there is any grime or dirt on the remote, it can cause one of the buttons to stick which in turn sends false signals to the TV.

Symptoms of Remote Control Issues:

The TV turns off by itself a few moments after turning it on without you having the need to touch any keys on the remote control.

You will notice that the power button may be stuck in one position when you hear a clicking or buzzing sound from the remote.

Software Glitches or Firmware Problems

Bugs, system software failures, or weaknesses of out-of-date firmware can be the reason why the instrument, the TV set shuts down all of a sudden without notice. 

This is more often the situation with smart TVs where the intricate software management system is the weak point of the operational mode.

Symptoms of Software Issues:

When the TV’s picture appears but does not change over time and then it goes blank.

The item switches on or off at random times for no obvious reason.

You encounter slow response times and lags when using the TV interface.

Connected Devices or External Inputs

If you have added a device such as a gaming console, a Blu-ray player, or a sound bar to your TV, chances are it has created a problem. 

Some of the time devices sending wrong signals to Operational TV, affect its sustaining power.

Symptoms of External Device Issues:

The television automatically turns off when a particular device is inserted into it.

The television switches off the sound when this device is used in a container.

How to Fix the Problem: Step-by-Step Solutions

Having discussed the possibilities of why the TV turns off by itself, we now shift focus to the steps on how to resolve these issues in detail.

Fix #1: Check the Power Supply

In case the power supply seems likely to be the concern, first inspect the power cord and plug for any possible visible damage. 

A wiring break or sever can lead to a power surge. If all seems fine but the problem remains, follow the instructions below:

Firstly, disconnect the television set from the wall outlet.

For 10-15 minutes wait time any residual power within the television’s circuitry can be cleared.

And finally reconnect the power and turn on the TV once again.

In case the problem persists, you may have to look for an alternate replacement or seek professional services for a repair.

Fix #2: Prevent Overheating

In case overheating seems to be the present concern, there are some options to help the television unit cool down.

Move the TV to a well-ventilated area: 

Move your television so that there is sufficient clearance around it. It ought not to be placed in a cabinet where lack of ventilation is an issue.

Clean the vents and fans: 

Use a soft bristle brush or compressed air to clean the vents and fans from the back of the TV that are caked in dust.

Turn off the TV if you’re not using it: 

Use the Sleep Timer function or switch off the TV when you leave the room for a while as it is best to leave it off when it’s not in use.

Fix #3: Inspect and Replace Faulty Capacitors

In case the capacitors get damaged they might need to be changed. 

This is rather a profound service, however, here is a way to do it:

First, plug out the TV from the electricity.

Then unscrew and remove its back panel as shown in the picture. (It is advisable to handle this step very carefully, as the warranty can be voided due to this step)

After that, locate the capacitors that have become bloated or have changed colors completely.

Then, use the heat welding kit to unbolt and take out derelict capacitors and mount new capacitors that are of the same specifications in.

As a rule of thumb, if you don’t have = any experience with electronics, do not try this and consult with a professional technician.

Fix #4: Address Power Surges

Surge Protection Devices/Surge Protection: 

Call Electricians to Diagnose Wiring Issues in the Home When the TV Turns Off During a Storm or When High Power Appliances are Switch on.

It is possible to reduce power surges by:

Always Use Surge Protectors: This ensures that you can connect your TV in a surge protection or uninterrupted power supply for times that the surge will increase past the level.

If you have a TV that turns off completely when storm is approaching or when a high surge of electrical power is experienced. 

You could reach out to a qualified electrician as there seem to be problems with the internal house wiring and electrical components.

Fix #5: Resolve Remote Control Issues

To check whether it is the remote control that is malfunctioning the TV and making it shut down.

If the TV was powered on by the remote and the TV was not powered on, the likelihood is that the cause is an issue with the remote control.

The operation of the buttons on the remote must be checked as sticky buttons could hinder proper use.

If the cleaning of the buttons does not assist, it may be advisable to look for a new remote control.

Fix #6: Update or Reinstall Firmware

If the TV turns off on its own because of a software glitch, it is worth the effort to update the firmware of the TV:

Access the settings menu of the TV.

There must be a System Update option there.

If you find one such update then do install it and check if the problem gets sorted.

There are also circumstances when some people may run into issues where even though the TV is using its latest available software, the troubles still remain. 

In that case, one can try resetting the TV to Factory Settings (though the correct procedure should be looked up in the manual of the particular brand of the TVs).

Fix #7: Disconnect External Devices

There are circumstances when one would want to know if the problem stems from the use of an external device. 

In such cases, one can perform the following:

Remove extended devices (such as HDMI cables, soundbars, game consoles, or streaming devices).

Activate the TV and see if the problem still exists.

In situations where the TV stays switched on in the absence of the devices, reattach the various devices one at a time to find out which one is to blame.

FAQ Section: Common Questions about TV Turning Off by Itself

My television turns off by itself after a few seconds of usage. I do not think it has overheated, what might the problem be?

In the absence of probable overheating issues, it could be power supply related or possibly internal capacitor issues. 

Other than looking at power cord you may wish to peep into the capacitors if you are comfortable in doing so.

My TV goes off when there is power fluctuation. Will a surge protector help me?

A quality surge protector serves as a buffer for the TV from power fluctuations. 

It is always better to use surge protectors for sensitive devices such as TVs if the region is exceedingly prone to voltage fluctuations.

Should I look for ways to repair my television if it goes off on its own without any interruption from me?

It is all about the reasons. If it is a miserable glitch like the remote not functioning or the TV set overheating, it will be reasonably practical to repair. 

On the other hand, if the reason is more regarding circuitry and capacitors being damaged, in this case, it would be advised to buy a new TV.