Having an issue with a black screen on your Element TV? Don’t worry, there are several potential fixes you can try before giving up or calling for expensive repairs. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the top 11 solutions to try when your Element TV has the dreaded black screen of death.
Common Causes of a Black Screen on Element TVs
Before jumping into the fixes, it helps to understand what may be causing the black screen in the first place. Here are some of the most common culprits:
- Loose or faulty HDMI cable connection like those covered for LG TVs and Vizio TVs.
- Incorrect input source selected
- External device like a Roku or cable box not working properly
- Power saver/sleep setting enabled
- Outdated TV firmware
- Voltage fluctuations
- Failure of internal component like the backlight or power supply
Pay attention to any other symptoms beyond just the black screen. For example, if you still hear audio, that indicates the TV is on but there is likely a backlight or video output failure.
1. Check External Device Connections
If you connect a device like a Roku, gaming console, or cable box to your Element TV, first make sure that external device is powered on and functioning properly. Then check that all the cables connecting the devices are securely attached and not loose or damaged. Try connecting the external device to another TV input or use alternate cables if available.
2. Confirm Input Source
Press the Input or Source button on your Element TV remote and cycle through the options like HDMI 1, HDMI 2, AV, etc. Stop when you see video output on one of the input sources. If only one works, it likely indicates an issue with that particular port the others are connected to.
3. Reset Cables, TV Box and Remote
Unplug cables from both the Element TV and your external devices, then plug them firmly back in. Unplug and reconnect the TV’s power cord directly from the wall and turn it back on. Finally, remove batteries from the Element remote for 30 seconds and reinsert them. This often resolves any temporary glitches.
4. Perform Factory Reset
Factory reset will clear any software errors by restoring default settings. On your remote press Home -> Settings -> Option -> Reset. Enter 0000 as the PIN to reset. You will lose any custom settings so you may need to recalibrate the display afterward.
5. Update Firmware
Outdated firmware can sometimes cause problems like black screens which have also impacted TCL, Sharp Roku, and Hisense Roku models. Find your current firmware under Home -> Settings -> Support -> Software Update. Select Update Now if a newer version is available and let the TV reboot.
6. Disable Power Saving Features
Energy saver modes can sometimes interfere with video output. Under Home -> TV Settings -> Time, turn off features like Sleep Timer, No Signal Power Off and Eco Solutions. See if disabling those allows the picture to show up.
7. Inspect Back Panel Connections
Examine all input ports, cables, and connectors at the back of your Element TV for any damage, wear or loose connections. Tighten any loose cables and swap out damaged cables if possible. Also dust off the inputs and outputs.
8. Test with a Second TV
To confirm whether the issue stems from the Element TV or connected devices, disconnect your external device like a Roku box and connect it to another working TV if available. If the device works fine on the second TV, it indicates your Element likely needs servicing.
9. Replace Backlight LED Strips
When images can’t be seen but audio plays, it often means the LED backlight strips have stopped working properly like those covered for Philips TVs. Element TVs use LED strips to provide the backlighting that makes the screen visible. These can burn out over time but are inexpensive to replace as a possible fix.
10. Replace Power Supply Board
No power at all is a sign that the internal power supply board has failed in some way. This provides power across the TV even when the screen is dark. You can find a replacement board online for under $100 for most Element TVs and install it yourself by opening up the chassis.
11. Call for Professional TV Repair
If you have diligently tried all other troubleshooting, it may be time to seek professional TV repair or Element TV remote assistance. A technician can identify and swap faulty internal components causing the Element black screen failure. Element’s customer support can direct you to authorized repair services.
I hope this guide gives you a thorough walkthrough on troubleshooting and fixing the frustrating black screen of death for your Element TV. Using the process of elimination starting from easiest solutions first, you should be able to resolve the issue and get back to streaming movies or live sports. Let me know in the comments if you found these TV repair tips helpful!
