So you turned on your TV.
And you saw something even scarier than a horror movie.
There’s an actual crack on your screen.
You’re 100% sure your TV never even fell.
So how exactly’s that possible?
Well, the explanation’s much simpler than you think.
Continue reading to discover:
- 5 of the most common causes of cracks on a TV screen.
- Indications that’ll let you know if your TV screen has cracked.
- 3 interesting facts about whether TVs can crack by themselves.
- And a lot more…
Can a TV crack by itself?
A TV can crack by itself, although it’s highly unusual. It can only happen when you expose it to extreme temperatures for an extended period. When you leave the TV in a location that’s too hot or too cold, it may lead to thermal shock. And this will cause the glass LCD screen to start cracking.
TVs that crack by themselves – 3 facts
#1: Extreme temperature can cause a TV to crack on its own
Let’s get one thing straight.
TVs don’t crack on their own without some external forces causing it.
However, the cause doesn’t necessarily have to be human error. And it doesn’t have to be due to some object smashing into it.
One factor that may make it seem like the TV cracked on its own is extreme temperature.
You see, your LED or OLED TV screen’s made of glass.
And when you subject such material to an environment that’s too hot or too cold…
Eventually, it’ll start to break. This is what’s called thermal shock in science.
So with your TV, you might have left it in a place such as your car that got too hot. And the cracks that you see are the result of that.
But let me emphasize that such occurrences are very rare. That’s because most modern TV displays are built to withstand temperature changes.
In fact, according to Samsung…
TVs can operate just fine in a place with anywhere from 10 to 40 degrees Celsius (50 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit).
Aside from that, you can also store a TV in a room that has -20 to 45 degrees Celsius (-4 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit).
So if your TV seemingly cracked on its own…
It might be due to some combination of the following:
- Factory defect.
- Thermal shock.
- General wear and tear.
Now, if you’d like to see a demo of how glass can break under extreme temperatures…
You may watch this video below:
#2: A TV crack doesn’t always manifest itself immediately
Sometimes a TV crack won’t appear right away.
And it only looks like it came out of nowhere because you weren’t aware that it’s been there for a while.
Let me provide a scenario to explain that.
In some cases, the mishandling of a TV during delivery might cause what’s called a hairline crack on the screen.
This type of crack’s too small for the naked eye.
So you won’t see it the first few months that you use your TV.
However, in time, that hairline crack may start expanding as your device ages.
And soon enough, it’ll be very noticeable.
So you might think that the crack just appeared randomly. But in reality, there was already small damage from external forces that grew due to wear and tear.
#3: LCD TVs are more likely to crack on their own than OLED TVs
LCD vs OLED. It’s a debate that’s been going on for a while. And it doesn’t seem like it’s going to end anytime soon.
The majority of smart LED TVs these days use an LCD panel. And models with an OLED display have been steadily gaining popularity, too.
But since we’re on the subject of screen cracks, let’s talk about durability.
Now, let me say upfront that both are sturdy.
Both display types can actually last anywhere from 4 years to over a decade.
However, when it comes to who can better avoid cracks…
OLED’s the winner.
“What made you say so?”
Well, an OLED display’s made of organic plastics. And while it’s thin, it’s also really flexible and less prone to breakage.
On the other hand, an LCD panel’s made of glass. It’s not the type that’ll shatter easily.
But it’s certainly more fragile compared to OLED’s plastic materials.
And that’s why, between the 2…
An LCD display’s more likely to crack under pressure or extreme temperature.
How do you know if your TV screen is cracked?
You’d know if your TV screen’s cracked if you see lines that won’t go away whether it’s on or off. In addition, you’ll also see distorted colors or black spots where the crack is. And since it’s impossible to get rid of the cracks, the only way to fix your TV is to replace the screen entirely.
Your TV display panel’s actually its most expensive part.
Why?
It’s because it takes complex engineering to build LCD and OLED screens. Moreover, it’s quite expensive to ship such fragile products from overseas.
That’s why the bulk of a TV’s production cost actually goes to the screen.
So when you buy a $500 worth of TV…
A ballpark estimate is that around $300 of that’s due to the display. And the rest are for the other parts and the manufacturer’s marginal cost.
Furthermore, to give you an idea of how much it’d take to replace your cracked TV screen…
There’s a website called TV Service Parts that provides replacement TV screens.
The average selling price?
It’s around $200 to $400 each, depending on the screen size and type. And that doesn’t even include labor costs if you’re going to have a technician install it for you.
So you see, replacing a cracked screen’s almost as expensive as buying a new TV.
That’s why if you’re currently dealing with this unfortunate predicament…
You should at least strongly consider just purchasing a new unit.
Further reading: How To Fix A Broken / Cracked Screen
What can cause a crack in the TV screen?
A strong impact from an outside force can cause a crack in the TV screen. It can happen if you throw an object at it. Or if it falls from where it’s stationed. Mishandling during shipment’s another cause. And in rare instances, it can also be due to thermal shock from extreme temperature.
I already mentioned how costly it can get to replace a TV screen.
And since I wouldn’t want anyone to have to deal with that…
I’ll be discussing in greater detail the main causes of a crack in a TV screen. And what you can do to avoid those from happening.
#1: Impact from an object
The most common causes of TV cracks are the owners themselves.
You may have seen videos of those throwing their remote at the TV after their favorite sports team loses.
It’s also pretty common for gamers to hurl their controllers at the screen in frustration.
And of course, kids can also just randomly toss objects at the TV for no reason.
So how do you avoid this?
Well, aside from calming down frustrated household members…
You may also install a screen protector. It’s something that can absorb the impact if ever someone tries to throw something at the TV.
In addition, for those that have kids…
You should ensure that your little ones don’t get near the TV unsupervised. You may also create a separate play area at home that’s far from the TV.
#2: Accidental fall
Another common reason for a TV’s cracks is accidental fall.
And it might be because the TV’s too close to the edge of the stand.
TV these days are light enough that it doesn’t take much to tip them over, even by accident.
This is unlike those 200-pound CRT TVs that won’t budge easily.
So if your TV’s on a stand, ensure that you position it as far from the edge as possible.
Now, if you’re planning to mount your TV…
It can also fall if you use a subpar wall mount. Or if you install the TV in a wall that can’t handle its weight.
And to prevent an accidental fall…
It’s best to have an expert do the installation for you.
Moreover, you should invest in a high-quality wall mount. Some of the best brands include:
The prices will vary depending on the size. But they all cost under $100.
#3: Mishandling during shipment or delivery
The most popular smart TV brands in the world come from Asia.
For instance, Samsung and LG are from South Korea. Sony hails from Japan. And TCL and Hisense were founded in China.
Moreover, most of their factories are also located where those brands are headquartered.
So in other words, the TVs in the US and Europe are mostly imported.
Now, sometimes, mishandling can occur during shipment. And this can result in a damaged screen, among others.
But while it’s the responsibility of the manufacturers to prevent it from happening…
You should feel confident in knowing that your warranty covers factory defects.
The key’s to inspect your TV closely as soon as you receive it. And report any damages immediately.
#4: Thermal shock
I already discussed in detail what thermal shock is. And how it can cause a TV to crack.
To avoid it from happening to your device…
Ensure that you place it in a well-ventilated area.
Also, see to it that there’s enough space between your TV and other home furniture. With more room for your TV to receive air, it’s less likely to overheat.
Now, if your TV’s located outdoors…
Don’t expose it to extreme temperatures. Instead, invest in a weatherproof cover to protect it from the elements.
#5: Wear and tear
Smart TVs generally last around 4 to 7 years.
So if you’ve had your TV for a long time now…
It’s more prone to damages like a cracked screen.
The key to delaying the effects of wear and tear’s to maintain your TV properly.
That means you should turn it off and unplug it when not in use. And you should clean it regularly to avoid dirt buildup.