A flickering, flashing, or blinking TV screen is one of the most common issues experienced by Toshiba TV owners. This visual disturbance can be incredibly distracting and make it difficult to watch your favorite shows.
Fortunately, a flickering Toshiba TV can often be fixed with some simple troubleshooting and DIY repairs. This comprehensive guide will teach you to diagnose the underlying cause and walk you through solutions to stop the flickering for good.
What Causes a Flickering TV Screen?
Before jumping into fixes, it’s important to understand what causes a flickering television in the first place.
Here are the most common culprits:
- Faulty or loose cables: Degraded HDMI or coaxial cables can interrupt the video signal, causing flickering. This also occurs if cables are not fully plugged in.
- Incorrect TV settings: Wrong picture, backlight or contrast configurations often make screens flicker.
- Software issues: Outdated firmware or glitches can trigger screen flickering issues.
- Overheating: Heat buildup causes TV components to malfunction, disrupting the video signal.
- Power board failures: If the power supply is providing inconsistent energy to components, flickering occurs.
- Backlight issues: Individual failed LEDs or wiring problems with the TV backlight system can cause flickering.
Now let’s explore solutions, from easy fixes like cable checks to backlight repairs.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fix a Flickering Toshiba TV
Follow these 11 troubleshooting tips to stop your Toshiba television screen from blinking:
1. Power Cycle the TV
Resetting your TV can clear up temporary memory errors causing the flickering screen. Here’s how:
- Unplug TV power cable and wait 60 seconds to discharge components.
- Press and hold the power button on the TV for 10 seconds to erase latent energy.
- Reconnect the power cable and turn your TV back on.
This basic reboot solves many intermittent hardware and software issues.
2. Verify External Connections
Loose HDMI, coaxial or RCA cables can cause signal disruption, leading to a blinking red light and flickering issues. Check that all cables are fully inserted into ports on the back of TV. If cables are damaged, replace them right away.
- Fully inserted into ports on the back of TV
- Not kinked, cracked or frayed
- Not subjected to pinch damage behind the TV
- Using the correct inputs and outputs between devices
Secure any loose connections by firmly plugging cables in. If damaged, replace faulty cables right away. Use high speed cables for 4K content.
3. Adjust TV Picture and Backlight Settings
Television screen flickering is often caused by incompatible picture settings. Adjusting these can help optimize stability and avoid horizontal line artifacts.
Navigate to Settings > Picture and:
- Reduce Backlight Brightness
- Disable Dynamic Backlight
- Turn off Dynamic Contrast
- Switch Action Smoothing to Off
This calibrates picture quality and contrast to optimize stability.
4. Check for Overheating Problems
Buildup of dust and debris can cause overheating, resulting in a flickering screen. Carefully clean vent holes and fans on the back and sides of television.
Also ensure the TV has 6 inches of clearance on all sides and the back for sufficient airflow. Use a cooling pad if enclosed in a tight TV stand.
5. Update Toshiba TV Firmware
Outdated firmware frequently triggers technical glitches like screen flickering. Updating provides bug fixes and performance improvements.
- From TV home screen, select Settings
- Choose System > About > System Update
- Download and install newest firmware version
Updating firmware also provides bug fixes for common problems like no sound and HDMI issues. Follow all on-screen instructions carefully during the update process to avoid software corruption.
6. Perform Factory Reset as Last Resort
If screen flickering persists after above steps, a factory reset can clean underlying software gremlins.
Note that this erase all custom settings and downloaded apps.
- Go to Settings > System > Advanced System Settings > Factory Data Reset
- Enter PIN to reset (default is 0000)
Let TV fully reset, reload firmware and reboot. Repair continues if issue remains.
7. Inspect Power Board Voltages
A failing power supply board provides inconsistent energy to TV components, causing them to malfunction. Use a voltmeter to check key power rail voltages:
- 12V Standby should measure 11.5 to 13.5V
- 5V Main should measure 4.75 to 5.20V
- 3.3V Main should read 3.14 to 3.47V
Any readings outside these ranges indicates power board failure. If so, replacement is required and fairly inexpensive from third party suppliers.
8. Assess T-Con Board Signal Quality
The T-Con board (timing controller) governs the TV’s panel signal. Degradation here can disrupt output causing blinking.
Carefully disconnect its ribbon cables from the main board and power on TV. If flickering stops, T-Con or main board likely needs replacing.
Attempt cleaning ribbon cable connections before replacement. Also reflow any cracked solder joints on the thin flexible T-Con board.
9. Replace Faulty LED Backlights
When screen flickering only occurs in certain sections, this points to failing LED backlights. The TV backlight consists of edge-mounted LED strips spanning the length of the display.
Gain access to backlights by carefully disassembling bezel and display layers. Then use a voltmeter to diagnose problematic areas. Replace any faulty LED strip sections to resolve localized flickering issues.
10. Review Inverter Voltages
The inverter transforms low voltage DC current into high voltage AC needed for LED backlights. Faulty inverters exhibit similar flickering symptoms.
Test points differ between models but input and outputs should show:
- 180-220V AC input from power supply
- 1000-1500V AC output to backlights
Any missing or unstable voltages indicates inverter failure. Swap in replacement unit if voltage readings are outside tolerances.
11. Call Toshiba Support About Replacement
If you are uncomfortable performing repairs yourself, Toshiba’s VIP support can diagnose issues over the phone and facilitate mail-in repairs options. Compare Toshiba’s offerings to other brands like Samsung and Hisense when deciding on your next TV purchase.
- USA support: 1-800-631-3811
- Support hours: Mon – Sun 7 AM – 10 PM CST
DIY Toshiba TV Repair – Conclusion
Flickering screens are never normal despite how commonplace they’ve become. But armed with this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, you can skillfully track down the responsible hardware defect or software bug.
Methodically work through cable checks, settings changes and voltage measurements until finding the culprit. Then leverage DIY repair techniques or Toshiba support to stop annoying TV flickering for good.
With persistence and care, you’ll soon be enjoying crystal clear 4K entertainment again!
Key Takeaways: Resolving a Flickering Toshiba TV Screen
- Reset and update TV software to clear any bugs
- Ensure cabling is undamaged, well-seated and supports 4K
- Adjust backlight and picture modes to stabilize signal
- Carefully inspect power delivery and LED backlight circuits
- Seek repairs for failed internal components like T-Con board
- Use a voltmeter to test component voltages against specs
- Replace defective LED strips or solder interconnects
- Call Toshiba service for additional troubleshooting help
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did my Toshiba TV start flickering suddenly?
A: Sudden onset of flickering is usually caused by a recently loosened cable connection or a newly failed electronic component like an LED, power transistor or timing controller chip.
Q: Does a flickering TV mean it’s broken?
A: Not necessarily. Many cases of flickering can be fixed with simple cable checks or software updates. But it may indicate hardware failure in some cases that will require repair or replacement.
Q: Is screen flickering covered by Toshiba’s warranty?
A: Only if the TV is still under the 1 year manufacturer’s warranty. Toshiba provides a standard 1 year parts and labor warranty from original purchase date that should cover repair costs for screen flickering issues.
Q: Should I just buy a new TV if flickering starts?
A: Not so fast! It’s worth troubleshooting first, following this guide. Replacing cables, components or repairing solder connections often resolves flickering for a fraction of replacement cost.
Q: What is the most common cause of a blinking Toshiba TV screen?
A: By far, loose or degraded HDMI cables are the leading culprit. Signal disruption from a damaged cable can make the TV picture blink, flash or flicker until replaced.
