How to Fix LG TV Keeps Changing Inputs By Itself

Having your LG TV constantly switch between different inputs can be frustrating and disrupt your viewing experience. This issue is often caused by either a faulty remote control, HDMI cable problems, or incorrect settings on the TV. Fortunately, you can take several troubleshooting steps to resolve this problem on your LG TV.

What to Do When LG TV Keeps Switching Inputs By Itself?

Check the Remote Control

The first thing to check is whether the remote control is working properly. A faulty remote can send random input signals to the TV, causing it to change sources.

Examine the remote for any physical damage like cracks or moisture. Damage to the remote can cause button presses to register incorrectly.
Make sure the batteries have enough charge. Weak batteries can cause remote issues. Replace the batteries with a fresh pair.
Press buttons on the remote to ensure they are responsive. Try changing volume and channels as well as input selection. If any buttons are slow or non-responsive, the remote may need to be fixed or replaced.
Verify the remote is paired correctly with the TV. Try unpairing the remote and then pairing it again by pressing the pairing button on the back of the remote while pointing at the IR sensor on the TV.
As a test, you can use the buttons on the TV itself or a universal remote to see if the input switching still happens. If it doesn’t, your LG remote is likely the problem.

If you determine the LG remote is faulty, you can look into getting it repaired or replaced through LG customer support. A local electronics repair shop may also be able to fix certain issues with the remote.

Check HDMI Connections

Problems with loose HDMI cables and ports can manifest as random input changes. Give all your HDMI connections a thorough inspection.

Ensure each HDMI cable is inserted completely straight into the port on the back of the TV. Cables that are crooked or loosely inserted can cause signal issues.
Check the ports themselves for any damage or bent pins. Use a flashlight to inspect the port and ensure the pins are straight. If any look damaged or corroded, you may need to replace the mainboard.
Try using different HDMI cables to connect your devices. Faulty or low-quality cables are prone to interference affecting the input signal.
Plug devices directly into the TV if possible, eliminating splitters, switches, and extenders, which can degrade the signal. The fewer connections, the better.
Turn off and unplug the devices connected to the TV before unplugging and re-seating cables to avoid any power surges or electrical damage.
Consider upgrading cables to higher-quality shielded HDMI cables to prevent interference. Look for cables labeled “Premium Certified” that have undergone standardized testing.

If a bad HDMI port or cable is causing the input change, replacing the faulty component should resolve the problem.

Adjust Input and CEC Settings

The input and CEC settings on your LG TV could also contribute to unintentional input switching. CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) allows HDMI devices to control one another, which can be useful but also lead to problems.

Here are some settings worth reviewing:

Under Input settings, set “Auto Tuning” to “Off” so that the TV does not automatically switch inputs when a new device is detected.
Also, under Input, choose “Manual Tuning” instead of automatic so that only your selected input is visible. This prevents the TV from cycling through every input.
Turn HDMI ULTRA HD Deep Color settings to “Off” for the ports where random input switching occurs. This setting can cause instability with certain devices.
Disable SIMPLINK (LG’s HDMI-CEC feature) in the General settings menu. This prevents connected devices from controlling the TV’s input.
If they have the option, you can also try disabling CEC completely on your source devices like Blu-ray player, streaming stick, etc..
As a temporary fix, unplug devices you are not using to isolate the problem and eliminate possible interference.

Double-check that the random input switching behavior has stopped after adjusting these settings. If it continues, the problem may require professional TV repair or replacement.

Clear App Cache

From the Home screen, select the apps icon and open the list of installed apps.
Locate the problematic apps such as Netflix, YouTube, etc. Press and hold the select button on the app icon.
In the app info menu, select “Clear cache” to delete temporary data stored by the app.
For webOS 3.0 or later, you can clear all app caches at once from the Settings menu under Apps.
For earlier webOS versions, you must clear each app’s cache individually.
Also, clear data for any apps related to the devices that are connected to the problematic inputs.
After clearing the cache, close and restart the apps to refresh them completely.
If the issue continues, uninstall and reinstall the app. This does a more complete data reset.
Check for app updates and keep apps current if possible.

Turn Off Quick Start+ Features

Using the remote, access the Settings menu. Navigate to “General” and then select “Power”.
Look for the Quick Start or Fast Boot setting and turn it from “On” to “Off.” This setting may also be called Instant On or Quick Start+.
With Quick Start disabled, the TV will do a full shutdown instead of staying in standby mode when powered off. This prevents the TV from randomly turning on.
Alternatively, you can press and hold the power button on the remote or back of the TV for about 5-10 seconds until the TV fully shuts down. This will override Quick Start.
If your specific LG TV model does not have a Quick Start option, look for related settings like auto power, auto turn off, or timers that may switch the TV on unexpectedly.
Make sure that CEC controls are also disabled in the General menu. This prevents connected devices from powering on the TV.
Check that the TV’s software/firmware is up to date. Older versions may have bugs that cause random power on behaviors.
Unplug devices when not in use to prevent electrical interference that can wake the TV from standby.
Connect the TV to a surge protector with an on/off switch. This gives you a convenient way to cut powerfully.

Check Software and Firmware Updates

From the TV settings menu, go to the General section and select About This TV.
Take note of the version number for both the software and firmware.
Go to LG’s support website and find the product page for your specific LG TV model.
Check if any newer firmware or software updates are available to download than what is currently installed on your TV.
Download any updates onto a USB flash drive. Follow LG’s instructions to install the updates on your TV.
Updates may fix bugs, improve performance, and enhance compatibility with input devices. This can resolve random input issues.
Consider enabling auto-update if your LG TV supports it so you always have the latest fixes.
For older LG TVs, updating may not be available. But trying a factory reset can wipe buggy software and potentially fix problems.
If issues persist after updating, contact LG support to see if a service or repair is recommended based on your model.

Turn off Auto Device Detection

Use your LG TV remote to access the Home menu, then select the Settings cog icon.
Under General, choose Devices.
Select Auto Device Detection.
Change the setting from On to Off.
Auto Device Detection is now disabled on your LG TV.

Disabling this setting prevents the TV from automatically switching inputs when new devices are connected. It’s a common recommendation for fixing random input changes.

Some additional tips for Auto Device Detection:

If you don’t see the setting, try updating the TV software. It may be under a different name on older versions.
Auto Device Detection needs to be disabled for each input. Make sure it’s off for HDMI1, HDMI2, etc.
After changing the setting, reboot the TV or disconnect/reconnect devices to apply the change.
If needed, you can manually initiate device detection by selecting “Detect Devices” in the menu.

Also Read:

LG TV Turns On By Itself: How to Fix?

LG TV Best Equalizer Settings for Perfect Sound

Isolate with TV Board Diagnostics

If you have tried the above fixes and determined the issue is internal to the TV itself, LG TVs have a built-in self-diagnosis mode that can help isolate board-level problems.

Under the Support menu, select TV Board Diagnostics. Here, you can view diagnostic information, perform system tests, and attempt to identify where the input switching fault originates within the TV’s circuits.

Key tests to run that could reveal input issues:

IR Signal Test: Failures here indicate a problem with the TV’s infrared sensor that receives the remote’s signals.
Input Connector Test: This will test for faults with each HDMI port or input connector.
Remote Control Receiver Test: Checks the IR remote receiver module.

The diagnostic report may point towards failures with a specific board or component, like the input selector or mainboard. Have a technician review the report to determine if replacement parts are needed.

Factory Reset the TV

From the TV settings menu, go to the General section and select Reset to Initial Settings.
Read the warning prompts carefully and select Yes to proceed with the reset.
The TV will restart and restore itself back to the original factory settings. This will erase all customized preferences.
Run through the initial setup process, like when you first got the TV.
As you reconnect devices, carefully reconfigure any settings related to inputs, HDMI, CEC, etc.
With settings reset, the TV may now function normally without random input switching.

Why a factory reset helps:

It clears any corrupted settings that could be causing conflicts.
Buggy firmware gets rolled back to a clean version.
Input and HDMI settings are restored to a known good default state.
Interference from other devices connecting is eliminated.

Preventative Measures

Once you have resolved the random input switching on your LG TV, here are some tips to help prevent it from happening again:

Use high-quality HDMI cables that are properly rated for the bandwidth of your video signal. This avoids interference and degradation.
Periodically check cables for damage and replace any that are worn or loose fitting.
Keep components properly ventilated to avoid overheating, which can cause system instability.
Use surge protectors to avoid electrical spikes that can disrupt signal transmission. Unplug the TV before electrical storms.
Update TV and input device firmware when updates are available to ensure maximum compatibility.
Only use trusted accessories and peripherals to avoid interference. Avoid cable extenders, splitters, etc, when possible.
Position components optimally to limit interference. For example, place cable boxes away from gaming consoles.

Following proper setup and maintenance best practices will help minimize technical issues with your LG TV’s inputs changing randomly. But should the problem recur, this guide has outlined the key troubleshooting steps to resolve the behavior for good. You can enjoy your LG TV without frustrating interruptions during viewing with the right fixes.