So you’re seeing white circles on your Samsung TV.
And no matter how many times you rub your eyes…
They just won’t go away.
Well, the good news is…
Your vision’s fine.
The bad news?
There’s an issue with your TV screen.
But here’s another good news: It’s easily fixable.
Continue reading to learn:
- 7 effective fixes to remove those circles from your Samsung TV screen.
- How to perform a diagnostic test on your Samsung TV to get rid of those circles.
- What exactly are those circles on your screen (and what causes them to appear).
- And much, much more…
Why are there circles on my Samsung TV screen?
There are circles on your Samsung TV screen due to some of the backlights’ lenses falling off. These lenses cover your TV’s LED backlights. And they help spread the light throughout your TV. When some of them get detached, you’ll see white spots on your screen. So you’ll have to reattach them.
Samsung TV circles on screen: 7 fixes
Now, before we go to the fixes…
You should know what’s actually causing those circles to appear on your TV screen.
Those white spots are actually due to some of the diffuser lenses falling off.
“What exactly are diffuser lenses?”
Well, let’s start with your TV’s backlights.
You see, your Samsung TV has several rows of backlight strips.
And each strip has multiple LED lights attached to it. With several inches of space in between them.
Now, all of those LED lights have what’s called diffuser lenses attached to them.
And these lenses help diffuse or spread the LED lights. So that the entire surface of your TV screen is illuminated.
But if one of those falls off from the LED light…
You’ll see a white circle on your TV.
And multiple circles mean several lenses getting detached.
“What causes diffuser lenses to fall off?”
Many factors can cause that to happen. Including:
- Wear and tear.
- Backlight overheating.
- The use of sub-par adhesive.
But the key to removing those circles is reattaching the lenses that fell off.
And yes, it requires removing your TV’s back panel.
However, before you or a technician does that…
You should at least try out these several fixes below. In case the circles are actually caused by some software glitch. Which is rare, but also possible.
#1: Check if it’s happening on every app and channel
The first thing to do when circles appear on your screen is to check the other channels.
Because you never know if it’s just a visual effect from the show you’re watching.
So grab your remote. And change the channel.
Now, if you’re streaming from an app like Prime Video…
Try to close the movie or series you’re watching. And play another one.
Or better yet, close the app entirely. And launch another streaming service.
In addition, you may also try to switch inputs if you have multiple external devices.
So, let’s say you’re watching from a streaming stick.
If you have another device connected, such as a gaming console or cable box…
Switch to that instead.
So at least, before going to any other troubleshooting steps…
Ensure that the circles aren’t a channel or app issue.
And if they are, then it’s a problem on the broadcaster or streaming service’s end.
So you’ll just need to wait for them to resolve the problem.
#2: Power cycle your Samsung TV
Now, if the circles aren’t an app or channel issue…
It might be a problem with your Samsung TV’s software. It’s possibly glitching.
So you should also perform a power cycle or a restart. Just follow these steps to do it:
Step #1: Disconnect your Samsung TV from its power source.
Step #2: Locate its built-in power button. And then press and hold it for 15 seconds. This eliminates whatever electrical charge that remains on your TV.
Step #3: Wait for around 1 to 2 minutes before powering your TV back on.
Step #4: Plug the TV back into the outlet.
#3: Check if your external devices are causing the issue
Now, in some cases, a malfunctioning external device can also cause problems to your TV.
And that includes display issues. Such as the circles that you see on your screen.
So to verify if that’s the case…
Disconnect all external devices from your TV. And then perform a power cycle.
If the white spots somehow disappeared…
Then you’d know that one of those external devices is causing them.
So to figure out which one, reconnect them. One at a time.
For example, you have a gaming console, a streaming stick, and a DVR.
So start with the console. Plug it in first. And observe if the circles reappear on the screen.
If they did, then it’s confirmation that the problem’s with that.
But if they didn’t, plug another device.
And keep doing it until you see the circles reappear. This way, you’d know which gadget needs fixing.
#4: Perform a Picture Test
Samsung TV models since 2014 have what’s called a Picture Test.
Essentially, it’s a test that can help you troubleshoot various display issues. Whether it’s a white circle or a horizontal line problem.
And it would also help you confirm whether the issue’s with the TV’s software or hardware.
How to start a Picture Test on 2014 Samsung TVs
- Press the Menu button on your remote.
- Scroll down and select Support.
- Select Self-Diagnosis.
- Select Picture Test.
How to start a Picture Test on 2015 to 2022 Samsung TVs
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Click Settings.
- Navigate to Support and click it.
- Select Device Care.
- Select Self-Diagnosis.
- Click the Picture Test tile.
Once the Picture Test starts, you’ll see a series of images. And you’ll have to answer Yes or No on whether the display issue’s happening on each.
Your Samsung TV’s OS will then offer troubleshooting suggestions. Based on your answers.
And if by the end of the test, the issue persists…
Then you’d know that it’s really a hardware problem.
Now, if you’d also like to see what actually happens during a picture test…
Watch this short video below:
#5: Reset your Samsung TV’s picture settings
It’s also possible that the white spots are due to incorrect calibration of the picture settings.
You or someone might have tweaked several backlight and brightness-related options.
And it resulted in the circles on your screen.
But rather than try to fix those settings individually…
You may simply opt to reset your TV’s entire picture settings. So basically, you’ll be reverting them to their factory default value.
And don’t worry. Unlike a factory reset, this won’t affect all other settings and apps on your TV.
Just follow these steps to reset your Samsung TV’s picture settings:
- Click the Home button on your TV remote.
- Scroll to the left and click Settings.
- Select Picture.
- Click the Expert Settings option.
- Select Reset Picture.
- Click Yes to confirm.
#6: Install updates for your Samsung TV’s OS
Are you still seeing those pesky white circles on your TV?
Well, there’s one more software fix that you can try.
And that’s by updating your Samsung TV’s OS.
As you may know, outdated firmware can cause all sorts of problems. So your TV’s display issue may very well be due to that.
That’s why you should always ensure that your TV has the latest updates.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on updating your Samsung TV’s OS:
- Go to the Smart Hub’s main page by clicking Home on your remote.
- Scroll to the side and choose Settings.
- Navigate to Support and click it.
- Select Software Update.
- Select Update Now.
#7: Take your TV to an authorized service center for repair
If you got to this point and your Samsung TV still has circles on the screen…
Then it really is confirmation that it’s a diffuser lens issue.
Now, I wouldn’t recommend you to fix it yourself. Unless you’re an expert technician.
But to give you an idea of how to resolve it…
You’d first need to pry open the back of your Samsung TV.
Then you’d have to remove the entire circuit board and side bezels. As well as the sheet that’s covering the backlight strips.
And from there, you can start reattaching the diffuser lenses with an adhesive.
The process is certainly difficult. That’s why you should leave it to the hands of an expert.
And to find out where your nearest authorized service center is…
You may call Samsung’s hotline at 1-800-726-7864. They’re open daily. From 8 AM to 12 AM Eastern Standard Time.
An agent there should be able to let you know where you can get your TV repaired.
In addition, you may visit Samsung’s support page. From there, just sign in to your Samsung account.
And you’ll be able to check your TV’s warranty status. As well as the estimated cost for a repair.