Why Is My Sharp TV Not Turning On?
There are several reasons why your Sharp TV may fail to power on, including:
- Electrical problems like a faulty outlet, damaged power cord, or blown fuse
- Issues with the remote control or dead batteries
- Failures of internal TV components like the power board, main board or backlights
- Loose or damaged connections between internal boards or to the TV panel
In this guide, we’ll walk through a series of troubleshooting steps, from basic checks to more advanced fixes, to help get your Sharp TV turning on and working properly again. With some simple tools and a bit of know-how, you can often resolve the problem yourself without resorting to an expensive professional repair.
Basic Troubleshooting Steps
Before diving into more complex solutions, start with these fundamental checks:
1. Test Your Electrical Outlet & Power Cable
Confirm your wall outlet is supplying power and your TV’s power cord is undamaged:
- Unplug the TV and plug in another device like a lamp to verify the outlet works
- Check the full length of the power cable for any visible damage or kinks
- If you have a spare power cable that fits, try swapping it
2. Check Your Remote and Replace the Batteries
A non-responsive remote can make it seem like the TV won’t turn on. To test it:
- Replace the batteries with fresh ones
- For IR remotes, use a phone camera to check if it’s sending an infrared signal
- For RF remotes, confirm the remote is on the same network as the TV
- If you’re having trouble with your Sharp TV remote, see our guide on Sharp TV remote codes for help with programming.
3. Perform a Power Reset
Resetting the TV can clear temporary glitches that prevent powering on:
- Unplug the TV from the wall outlet
- Hold down the power button on the TV for 30 seconds
- Wait a few minutes, then plug the TV back in and attempt to power on
4. Remove Connected Devices
External devices can interfere with the power-on process if not fully seated:
- Unplug any HDMI cables, USB devices, or other connections to the TV
- Clean any visible corrosion or dust from the TV’s connector ports
- One by one, firmly reseat each cable and retry powering on the TV
- If you’re encountering no sound from your Sharp TV through HDMI, our troubleshooting guide can help diagnose HDMI audio issues.
If your Sharp TV is still not turning on after trying the basic troubleshooting steps above, continue on for more advanced fixes.
Advanced Troubleshooting
Sharp TV Won’t Turn On, No Red Light
If there are no lights at all on your TV, indicating it’s completely dead, the problem is likely either:
- A failed power supply board
- A non-functional outlet or severed power cable
Power Supply Board Failure
The power board supplies electricity to all components inside the TV. If it fails, nothing will power on. To check:
- Unplug the TV for at least 30 minutes to drain residual power
- Remove the back panel and locate the power supply board (has the socket for the power cord)
- Visually inspect the board for any damaged or burnt components
- Using a multimeter, test for proper voltages leaving the board
- If the power supply is damaged or not outputting correct voltage, it needs replacement
Power boards for Sharp TVs are relatively inexpensive ($30-100) and available from online part suppliers or electronics stores. Consult your TV’s service manual for the exact part number. Replacing it requires basic soldering skills.
No Power From Outlet
If you’ve determined the outlet is dead or power cord damaged in the basic troubleshooting section, contact an electrician to inspect and repair your home’s wiring and replace the outlet or cord if needed. Do not attempt electrical repairs yourself unless properly trained.
Sharp TV Won’t Turn On, Standby Light On
If you see a blinking red or blue standby light but can’t get the TV to fully power on, it often indicates one of these issues:
- Backlight failure
- T-Con board failure
- Main board failure
- For Sharp Roku TVs showing a black screen but with the standby light on, see our specific guide on troubleshooting this issue.
Diagnosing Backlight Problems
The backlight illuminates the LCD panel so an image is visible. To check for backlight issues:
- Power on the TV and turn off any lights in the room
- Shine a bright flashlight at the screen and look for a very dim picture
- If you can see an image with the flashlight, your backlights have likely failed
The backlight strips connect to the power supply board through the T-Con board. Use a multimeter to test if they are receiving power. If not, the power board likely needs replacement. If they are getting power but not lighting up, the backlight strips themselves need replacement.
Accessing the backlights requires disassembling the TV down to the panel:
- Unplug TV, press power for 30 sec to drain, lay screen down on padded surface
- Remove screws from TV’s rear cover, then remove cover
- Disconnect wiring harnesses and ribbons attaching boards to panel
- Remove screws around edges of front bezel and carefully lift off
- Backlight strips are now accessible for testing and replacement
Replacement LED backlight strips are available online for most Sharp TV models for around $30-80. Consult the service manual for your model number to get the right parts and instructions.
T-Con and Main Board Failures
The T-Con sends timing/control signals to the panel. The main board processes the audio/video. Failures of either can prevent the TV from fully powering on.
To check, disassemble the TV as described above to access the boards. Visually inspect for damaged components like swollen capacitors or burnt spots. Test any fuses with a multimeter.
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
To recap, if your Sharp TV won’t turn on, try these steps in order:
- Verify the outlet has power and power cable is undamaged
- Reset the TV by unplugging, holding power button and replugging
- Test the remote and change its batteries
- Remove connected external devices and cables
- Check for signs of power board, T-Con or mainboard failure
- Diagnose and replace failed backlights
While some issues like a dead outlet or remote are quick DIY fixes, failed internal components often require parts replacement and electronics repair skills to address. But with some basic troubleshooting, you can usually narrow down the root cause yourself before deciding to attempt a repair or contact a professional.
If you’re interested in getting the best performance from your Sharp TV for gaming, also check out our guide on enabling game mode on Sharp TVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there no red light on my Sharp TV?
If the standby light won’t come on at all, your TV is likely not getting any power, potentially due to a failed power supply board, dead electrical outlet or cut power cord.
How do I know if my Sharp TV power supply is bad?
Visual signs of power supply failure include swollen capacitors, burnt spots on the board or the TV shutting off randomly. You can also test if the power board is outputting the specified voltages with a multimeter.
Can you replace the backlight on a Sharp TV?
Yes, the backlight strips in a Sharp LCD TV are replaceable if they fail. However, it requires disassembling the TV down to the panel and having basic electronics skills to install the new LED strips.
Is it worth fixing a Sharp TV?
It depends on the issue and age of the TV. For minor problems on a TV under 4-5 years old, a DIY repair or professional service is often worthwhile. But for severe failures on an older set, it’s often more economical to buy a new TV.
How long should a Sharp TV last?
The average lifespan of an LCD TV is around 4 to 10 years, with higher-end models typically lasting longer. Sharp TVs should last at least 5-7 years with normal use before issues like failing capacitors or backlights develop.
