Have issues turning on your Hisense TV? Seeing a flashing red standby light when you try to power it on? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This is a common problem that many Hisense TV owners have experienced. The flashing red light usually indicates an issue with the TV powering on correctly. But don’t give up hope yet – this problem can often be fixed with some simple troubleshooting steps. I’ll walk you through several methods to turn your Hisense TV on again in this guide.
What Does the Flashing Red Light Mean?
When you press the power button on your Hisense TV remote and see a flashing red standby light instead of the TV turning on, this is an indication that the TV is receiving power but not actually powering on. The number of flashes indicates a specific error code that can help diagnose what’s wrong.
In particular, six flashing red lights on a Hisense TV correspond to an error code for a backlight failure. This means that while power gets to the TV, the backlight system that illuminates the screen is not working correctly. This prevents a picture from being displayed.
Why Won’t a Hisense TV Turn On?
A few common issues can cause a Hisense TV to have problems powering on and cause the red light to flash. Here are some of the most likely culprits:
- Faulty Power Board: The power supply inside the TV has failed and needs to be repaired or replaced. This is one of the most common reasons for the flashing red light problem.
- Loose Cable Connections: Sometimes, during moving or cleaning, the internal cables can become slightly loose from the main boards. Reseating all cable connections may fix it.
- Power Surge Damage: A surge from the outlet could have damaged components. Try a different outlet, just in case.
- Bad Backlights: If the backlights have burnt out or malfunctioned, the TV cannot turn on fully. The flashing light points to this.
- Software Glitch: A software glitch or bug sometimes prevents the TV from booting up correctly. A factory reset may resolve this type of issue.
- Standby Mode: If the TV was accidentally put into standby mode, it may not respond properly until taken out of this mode.
While there are a few possibilities, the faulty power supply or backlight system is the most common reason for this red light flashing problem. Let’s go through the steps to troubleshoot and fix this issue.
Steps to Fix Hisense TV Red Light Blinking 6 Times
Here are the best methods to try to get your Hisense TV working again if it won’t turn on and the red standby light flashes 6 times.
1. Hard Reset the TV
The first step is to perform a hard reset of the TV. This will clear any software errors and restart the system from scratch.
- Unplug the TV power cord from the wall outlet.
- Leave the TV unplugged for 2 full minutes. This clears any residual energy from the circuits.
- Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet and turn the TV on.
The problem may be a minor software glitch that a hard reset takes care of. If the TV turns back on normally, you’re all set!
However, if the red light flashes 6 times, move on to the next steps.
2. Check All Connections
Make sure that all cables and connectors are properly seated. With the TV unplugged, press cables firmly into their ports on the back of the TV. Use a flashlight to inspect the ports and cables visually. Ensure no pins are damaged or bent.
Secure all screws and connectors finger-tight. Loose connections from moving or cleaning are a common cause of TV startup issues. Tighten everything securely, then reconnect power and test if the TV starts.
3. Try a Different Power Outlet
There may be something wrong with your AC outlet to power the TV. Issues like bad ground, voltage problems, or a loose fitting outlet can prevent proper power from reaching the TV.
Safely plug the TV into a different wall outlet, preferably on a different circuit, and see if it will turn on normally. If it powers up when using a different outlet, you know the original outlet is faulty. An electrician may need to repair it if the issue continues.
4. Attempt a Factory Reset
Resetting the TV to factory default settings can solve software freezing issues and glitches that cause startup problems. Just be aware – this will erase all of your custom settings!
Steps to factory reset:
- From the remote, enter the Factory Reset menu (typically found in Support/Settings/General menu).
- Choose Factory Reset and confirm.
- Unplug the TV for 2 minutes after it resets, then plug it back in and power it on.
This software wipe may allow the TV to boot up correctly again. If the reset is successful, you must redo your channel scans, WiFi connections, and picture settings.
5. Replace the Power Supply Board
If you’ve tried all other troubleshooting, the flashing red light is likely due to a faulty power supply board inside the TV. This is one of the most common causes of the 6-blink error code.
Replacing the faulty power supply board with a new one of the same make and model will solve the power-on problem in cases of power board failure.
- Unplug the TV and open the back panel to access the internal boards.
- Locate the power supply board and unscrew it. Unplug all connectors attached to it.
- Install the new power supply board, screw it in, and reconnect all cables securely.
- Close up the TV, plug it in, and power it on.
If replacing the power supply fixes the issue, you’re all set! This is a repair you can do yourself if you’re technically inclined. Power boards cost $50-$150 for most models.
6. Replace Backlights
As mentioned earlier, the 6-blink flashing light code implies a backlight system failure. If replacing the power board did not resolve the issue, then the problem is likely faulty backlights.
The backlights are LED strips along the TV screen’s edges that provide brightness and illumination. If too many LEDs have burnt out, the TV will not turn on.
You’ll need to open up the TV panel and check the backlight strips for burnt-out or damaged LEDs. Replace any bad sections or strips. In some cases, an entire backlight strip replacement may be needed if most LEDs are blown. Replacing backlights yourself requires technical skill but will save on repair costs.
Getting Professional Repair Service
If you still have problems getting the TV to turn on and stay on after trying these troubleshooting tips, your best bet is to take it to a TV repair shop. Professional technicians have the skills, experience, and equipment to accurately diagnose the specific issue with your power supply, backlights, or other failed components. They can then give you a quote for the cost of any repairs or replacements needed.
In some cases of older TVs, repair costs may be close to the price of buying a new replacement TV. But for newer or higher-end models, repairing the existing unit is likely well worth it and much less expensive than buying again. Professional TV repair offers the best chance for accurately fixing any internal issues causing the flashing red light so your Hisense TV powers on reliably again.
Preventing Future TV Turn-On Problems
Once you’ve resolved the current issue of your Hisense TV not turning on and flashing a red light, take some steps to prevent this problem from happening again:
- Ensure good airflow around the TV to prevent overheating. Don’t block vents.
- Use a surge protector plug to avoid electrical spikes from damaging components.
- Keep the TV updated with the latest firmware versions.
- Don’t wiggle ports or cables when moving the TV.
- Avoid static discharge when cleaning by using anti-static wipes.
- Handle the TV carefully when moving to prevent internal loosening.
Taking good preventive care measures will help your Hisense TV avoid future startup failures. Be sure to dust regularly and check that cables have not come loose every few months. Your Hisense TV will provide many years of reliable performance with proper maintenance and care.
Get Your Hisense TV Working Again
It can be very frustrating when your TV will not turn on and simply flashes a standby red light instead. But this problem can be resolved in many cases with basic troubleshooting and fixes. If your Hisense TV is experiencing the 6-blink red light issue, walk through these steps to identify the cause and get the TV powered up again.
First, try unplugging and resetting the TV, checking all connections, and using a different outlet. If that doesn’t work, perform a factory reset and then attempt to replace the power supply board and backlights as needed. A professional TV repair service is also available if you can’t self-diagnose the problem. With the right solution, you’ll be back to watching your favorite shows again in no time.
