Imagine this:
It’s the weekend.
And you want to spend your whole Saturday catching up on your favorite show.
But as soon as you turn on your TV…
It displays a solid white screen.
Uh-oh! How would you fix that on the spot?
Continue reading to learn:
- 5 most common reasons why your TV screen is white.
- 5 easy and effective ways to fix the white screen on your TV.
- How to reseat the ribbon cable on the TV to resolve a half-white screen.
- And a lot more…
Why is my TV screen white?
Your TV screen is white because your cable box is disconnected from your unit. Or because the ribbon cable is misaligned or has a weak connection with the T-con board. It’ll also turn white if the set input is incorrect. Enabled “Ambient Mode” and “Screen Saver (Daydream)” settings are also likely.
5 reasons your TV screen is white + how to fix it
#1: Disconnected cable box
Are you using a cable box with your TV to watch network shows?
If yes, check whether your cable box has been disconnected from your unit.
The reason:
If your TV input is set to “TV,” and your cable box has been disconnected…
Your TV screen will display a noisy white background. And also a “Weak or No Signal” message, depending on the model.
“But I don’t remember disconnecting my cable box….”
If that’s the case, perhaps it has been pulled out accidentally.
Or maybe its connection cable is loose.
How to fix it:
To fix the white screen, re-insert the cable to the TV port.
Make sure that it’s:
- Fully inserted into the port.
- Plug to the right type of port.
- Working and has no visible damages.
“But my cable box is connected to my TV….”
Well then, reseat its cable into the TV port.
To do that:
- Unplug the cable box from the TV.
- Wait for a few seconds.
- Then, replug the cable box into the TV.
Note: If it feels loose, replace the connection cable.
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#2: Incorrect input source setting
Or perhaps you have set the wrong input source in your TV settings.
This can especially happen if you’ve selected an option with no device connected to it.
Note: On some models, unused ports are grayed out. And you can’t select them from the settings.
How?
When you select an input, perhaps HDMI 1…
Your TV will output the signals coming from the HDMI 1 port.
And suppose that that specific port on your TV has no connected device. Your TV screen will display either a white screen or a “No Signal” message.
How to fix it:
Resolving it is easy: Just adjust the input source on your TV settings.
Note: Depending on your TV model, the steps for changing the TV input vary.
So, make sure to review your product manual for accurate instructions.
But here’s how it’s usually done:
- Locate and press the SOURCE/INPUT button on your TV remote.
- Then, select the input where you’ve connected your external devices.
If your TV has physical control buttons…
You can also press its MENU or SOURCE button to access the input source settings.
#3: Enabled “Ambient Mode” feature
Note: This specific section only applies to Samsung TVs. If your unit isn’t from Samsung, jump to reason #4 or #5.
“I was customizing my newly-bought Samsung TV. And then suddenly, its screen turned white!”
Given the situation, you may have (accidentally) enabled the “Ambient Mode.”
Additional note: It’s a feature available on Terrace, QLED, and Frame Samsung TV models.
Its purpose is to make your TV a “decor piece” in your home.
How?
By displaying certain images and features on the TV screen when not in use. Which includes:
- Artworks.
- Weather information.
- Photos from your gallery.
- Stories and clips based on your “interests.”
The Ambient Mode feature in itself doesn’t turn your TV screen white.
It only happens once you enable this feature right after setting up your new TV unit.
Since the Ambient Mode needs several minutes to download its content. And enabling it as soon as you open your TV will mess up its system.
How to fix it:
To fix this problem, turn off the Ambient Mode feature.
And you can do that in 2 ways:
Way 1: By pressing the Ambient Mode button
- Locate the Ambient button on your Samsung remote.
- Then, press it once to turn off the feature.
Note: Look for a button with a flower-like icon. It’s usually right next to the mic button.
Way 2: By pressing the return/back button
- Press the return/back button on your Samsung remote.
- Then, select “TV” as the source.
Note: Look for a button with a left-pointing icon. It’s usually right next to the home button.
You may also wonder: Why does my Samsung TV display error 102?
#4: Enabled “Screen Saver” feature
Note: This only applies to Sony TVs. If your unit isn’t from Sony, jump to reason #5.
If your Sony TV screen has turned white after a certain length of inactivity…
Then the “Screen Saver (Daydream)” feature on your unit must be enabled.
Additional note: Its purpose is to protect the TV panel from image retention.
“I thought it would turn off the TV. But why is my screen white?”
You’re correct.
This feature is supposed to turn off your TV. Meaning, the screen should be blank.
But it’ll turn white if the clocks of your TV and internet server don’t match.
Why?
The Screen Saver feature works using “time.”
So, when the WiFi network connected to your TV has a different clock, the Screen Saver system will mess up.
How to fix it:
You’d only need to turn off the Screen Saver feature to fix the white screen of your Sony TV.
And to do that, just press any keys from your Sony remote.
To prevent the issue from happening again, sync your TV clock with your WiFi network.
Here’s how to do it:
- Press HOME on the TV remote.
- Click “Settings.”
- Select Device Preferences > Date & Time > Automatic date & time.
- Then, tap “Enabled” or “Use Network Time.”
Or…
- Press HOME on the remote.
- Select “Settings.”
- Click Date & Time > Automatic date & time > ON.
- Tap “Time synchronization.”
- Then, select “Use network-provided time.”
#5: Ribbon cable misalignment
“Help! Half of my TV screen is white.”
Uh-oh! The ribbon cable on your TV’s T-con board must have been misaligned.
Note: The ribbon cable connects your TV T-con board to the panel. And the T-con board is a component important for running images on the display panel.
When this happens, one side of the display panel won’t receive video signals from the T-con board. Causing it to display a solid white background.
A few things can cause ribbon cable misalignment, including:
- Incorrect setup.
- Physical impact.
How to fix it:
To resolve, reseat one end of the ribbon cable into the T-con board.
Warning: Doing this requires accessing the TV back panel and reconnecting wires.
So, be very cautious, and follow the instructions strictly.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Unplug the TV from the power source.
Step 2: Move it to a flat surface.
Step 3: Unscrew the TV back panel cover. There may be two covers you have to unscrew, depending on your TV model.
Step 4: Access the T-con board. Either at the top or lower back of the TV.
Step 5: Locate the misaligned ribbon cable.
If the right side of your TV screen is white, the ribbon cable you have to re-align is the left one facing towards you.
And if the left side of the TV screen is white, re-align the right ribbon cable.
Step 6: Lift the tab that’s securing the ribbon cable.
Step 7: Remove the ribbon cable. And return it right after.
Ensure that the black-dots guide on the ribbon cable sits at the edge of the tab.
Step 8: Close the tab to secure the ribbon cable to the T-con board.
Need more help in reseating the ribbon cable? Then, watch this video:
BONUS: Weak connection on the T-con board
If that didn’t work…
Then perhaps there’s a weak connection between the ribbon cable and the T-con board.
And that can happen if there’s accumulated dust and dirt on the tab.
“How does it affect the TV screen?”
The dirt on the T-con board tab can act as a barrier between the T-con board connector and the ribbon cable.
And so, causing the video signals to not travel from the T-con board to the ribbon panel.
How to fix it:
Don’t worry! Troubleshooting it is easy as well.
You just have to clean the ribbon cable and the T-con board connectors.
Again, access the T-con board from the TV back panel.
Then, follow these instructions:
Step 1: Lift the T-con board tab.
Step 2: Remove the ribbon cable.
Step 3: Grab a piece of a cotton bud. Then, put a little amount of isopropyl alcohol on it.
Step 4: Wipe clean the ends of the ribbon cable and the connectors on the tab.
Step 5: Let them air dry.
Step 6: Reseat the ribbon cable into the T-con board.
Step 7: Close the tab.
After this, make sure to secure the TV back panel by screwing the cover back in.
Read also: 9 Easy Ways To Fix Samsung TV Black Screen of Death