If your TCL TV is powered on but you do not see a picture, do not hear sound, or both, the TV may be on the wrong input, the connected device may be off, a cable may be loose, or the TV may need a restart.

Use the steps below to quickly narrow down the issue.

Note: Menu names and directions may vary by TCL TV model, remote type, and software version.

Start Here

Before going through all troubleshooting steps, try these quick checks first:

• Press Home, Settings, or Menu on your remote.
  • If the menu or Home screen appears, the TV screen is working.
  • The issue is likely related to the input, app, channel, cable, or connected device.
• Press Input or Source on the remote and select the correct input.
• Make sure your cable box, game console, streaming device, Blu-ray player, or other connected device is turned on.
• Unplug the TV and connected device from power for 60 seconds, then plug them back in.
• Check that all HDMI, coaxial, antenna, optical, and audio cables are firmly connected.

Choose the Section That Matches Your Issue

Use the section below that best matches what you are experiencing:

• No picture and no sound
• No picture, but sound works
• Picture works, but there is no sound
• Issue only happens with one HDMI device
• Issue only happens with Live TV or antenna
• Issue only happens in one app
• Platform-specific steps for Roku TV, Google TV, or Fire TV

No Picture and No Sound

If your TV appears to be on but there is no picture or sound, start with these steps.

1. Confirm the TV Is Powered On

Make sure the TV is actually on and not in standby mode.

• Check whether the power light is on, if your model has one.
• Press the Power button on the remote.
• Try pressing the physical Power button on the TV.
• Look closely at the screen to see if it lights up at all.

If the TV does not appear to power on, troubleshoot the power connection first.

2. Check the Input or Source

The TV may be set to an input that does not have a device connected.

• Press the Input or Source button on the remote.
• Select the input where your device is connected, such as:
  • HDMI 1
  • HDMI 2
  • HDMI 3
  • Live TV
  • Antenna
• Wait a few seconds after selecting the input.
• If there is still no picture or sound, try another input.

If you are using a cable box, gaming console, streaming device, Blu-ray player, or soundbar, make sure that device is powered on.

3. Power Cycle the TV and Connected Device

A power cycle can help reset the connection between the TV and external devices.

• Turn off the TV and connected device.
• Unplug both from power.
• Wait 60 seconds.
• Plug the TV back in.
• Plug the connected device back in.
• Turn both devices on.
• Select the correct input again.

No Picture, but Sound Works

If you can hear sound but the screen is black, the issue may be related to the input, cable, connected device, or display.

1. Check Whether the Menu Appears

Press Home, Settings, or Menu on the remote.

• If the menu appears, the TV display is working.
• The issue is likely with the app, channel, input, cable, or connected device.
• If the menu does not appear, continue troubleshooting.

2. Try a Different App, Channel, or Input

This helps determine whether the issue is with the TV or with one source.

• Open a different app.
• Change to a different channel.
• Switch to another HDMI input.
• Try the TV’s Home screen or settings menu.

If the picture works in one place but not another, the issue is likely related to that specific app, channel, device, or input.

3. Check the HDMI Cable and Connected Device

If the issue happens with an external device:

• Make sure the device is powered on.
• Restart the connected device.
• Disconnect and reconnect the HDMI cable.
• Try a different HDMI cable.
• Try a different HDMI port on the TV.
• Connect the device directly to the TV instead of using a splitter, adapter, or extension cable.

Picture Works, but There Is No Sound

If you can see the picture but cannot hear audio, try these steps.

1. Check Mute and Volume

• Press Volume Up on the remote.
• Make sure the TV is not muted.
• Try changing the channel, app, or input.
• Restart the TV.

2. Check External Audio Devices

If you use a soundbar, audio receiver, headphones, or other audio device:

• Make sure the audio device is powered on.
• Make sure it is set to the correct input.
• Disconnect the audio device and test the TV speakers.
• Check the TV’s audio output settings.

3. Test Another Source

Try a different app, channel, or HDMI device.

If sound works in one app or input but not another, the issue is likely with that specific source instead of the TV.

Issue Only Happens with One HDMI Device

If the TV works normally except when using one connected device, the TV may be working properly.

Examples of connected devices include:

• Cable boxes
• Satellite boxes
• Gaming consoles
• Streaming devices
• Blu-ray players
• HDMI switches
• Soundbars
• Audio receivers

Try these steps:

• Make sure the connected device is powered on.
• Confirm the device is not in sleep or standby mode.
• Use the device’s original remote to wake it up.
• Restart the connected device.
• Disconnect and reconnect the HDMI cable.
• Try a different HDMI cable.
• Try a different HDMI port on the TV.
• Connect the device directly to the TV instead of using an HDMI splitter, adapter, or extension cable.

Issue Only Happens with Live TV or Antenna

If the issue only happens when watching Live TV, antenna, or coaxial cable, the TV may need to scan for channels again.

Try these steps:

• Make sure the antenna or coaxial cable is firmly connected.
• Try a different channel.
• Run a channel scan from the TV settings.
• If using a cable box, make sure the cable box is powered on and connected to the correct input.

Platform-specific channel scan steps are listed below.

Issue Only Happens in One App

If the picture or sound issue only happens in one streaming app, the issue may be with the app instead of the TV.

Try these steps:

• Close and reopen the app.
• Try a different app.
• Restart the TV.
• Check for TV software updates.
• Check for app updates, if available.
• Uninstall and reinstall the app, if your TV platform allows it.

If other apps work normally, the issue is likely related to that specific app or service.

Roku TV, Google TV, and Fire TV Menu Paths

Use the steps below based on your TCL TV platform.

Restart the TV

You can also unplug the TV from power for 60 seconds, then plug it back in.

Select the Correct Input

For Roku TV, if you do not see the input listed on the Home screen:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select TV inputs.
3. Select the input you want to use.
4. Set it up or rename it if needed.

Check for Software Updates

Install any available update, then check the TV again.

Run a Live TV or Antenna Channel Scan

Fire TV: Check HDMI-CEC Device Control

If your TCL Fire TV has no picture or sound when using an HDMI device, HDMI-CEC may be affecting the connection.

• Go to Settings.
• Select Display & Sounds.
• Select HDMI CEC Device Control.
• Turn the setting Off.
• Check the device again.

Check the Cables

A loose or damaged cable can cause no picture, no sound, or both.

• Turn off the TV and connected device.
• Disconnect and reconnect the HDMI, coaxial, antenna, optical, or audio cable.
• Make sure each cable is firmly connected.
• Try a different cable, if available.
• Avoid HDMI splitters, adapters, or extension cables while troubleshooting.

For HDMI devices, connect the HDMI cable directly from the device to the TV.

Try a Factory Reset

Only try a factory reset after completing the other troubleshooting steps. A factory reset may help resolve a software-related issue, but it will erase TV settings and require setup again.

Before resetting, please note:

• Downloaded apps may be removed.
• You may need to sign back into your accounts.
• Wi-Fi settings will need to be set up again.
• Customized picture, sound, and system settings may be reset.

Use the reset option for your TV type:

Helpful Tips

• Press Home, Settings, or Menu to check whether the TV screen is working.
• Make sure the TV is on the correct input.
• Confirm connected devices are powered on.
• Check all HDMI, coaxial, antenna, optical, and audio cables.
• Try a different input, channel, or app.
• Restart the TV and connected device.
• Keep the TV software updated.
• Use factory reset only as a last resort.

Reminder: Directions and menu options may vary depending on your TCL TV model, remote, and software version.