Kastoo
Some things your TV does look like faults but are not. Before you call a repair service or buy a new one, check these five: they almost always have a simple explanation.
1. It switches itself off after a few hours
It is not broken. In the EU (and the UK, which kept the same rule), Regulation 2019/2021 has required since March 2021 that TVs go into standby by themselves if 4 hours pass without you touching the remote. Before switching off, they show a warning on screen for at least 20 seconds: if you press any button, they stay on.
On many TVs you can change or turn this off in the energy-saving or auto power-off settings (on Samsung, under General › Eco Solution). If you tend to fall asleep with the TV on, it is best to leave it as it is.
2. It looks darker than usual
Check the energy-saving mode. Many TVs leave the factory with it switched on to meet the EU energy label requirements: it lowers the brightness and sometimes adjusts it automatically to the light in the room. If you cannot see well during the day, turn it off or lower it by one level (the TV will use a little more power). And check the picture mode: we explain it in the picture settings you should change.
3. The remote does not respond
Before you buy another one, try this: open your phone’s camera, point it at the remote and press a button. Infrared light is invisible to the naked eye, but many cameras pick it up as a small flashing light.
- It flashes: the remote works; the problem is with the TV (or with something blocking the receiver).
- You see nothing: change the batteries. If your phone does not pick up the light, try the front camera.
- Bluetooth remotes: they do not use infrared, so this trick will not work. Try pairing the remote again from the settings.
4. It shows you ads in the menu
Many smart TVs show adverts and recommendations on the home screen. Turning off ACR stops the TV from reporting what you watch (how to do it), but the banners in the menu usually depend on a different setting: look in the home screen settings for options such as “recommendations” or “promotions”. Another way round it is to connect a device over HDMI and have the TV start directly on that input, if your model allows it.
5. How to clean the screen without damaging it
No glass cleaner. Samsung, for example, advises against using glass cleaner, soap, alcohol, benzene or ammonia, and against spraying liquid directly onto the screen.
- Switch the TV off and unplug it.
- Wipe it with a dry microfibre cloth, gently and without pressing.
- For a stubborn mark, slightly dampen the cloth with distilled water (never the screen) and dry it straight away.
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad to turn off auto power-off?
It will not damage the TV, but it will use more power if it stays on with nobody watching.
Does my TV switch itself off even while I am watching something?
Yes, if you have not touched the remote in 4 hours. Just press a button when the warning appears.
Can I use wipes to clean the screen?
Better not: many contain alcohol or other products. Use a dry microfibre cloth or one slightly dampened with water.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2019/2021 on electronic displays · Text of the regulation
- Télé qui s’éteint toute seule: la règle des 4 heures · Selectra, in French
- Cómo limpiar la pantalla de mi TV · Samsung Support, in Spanish
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