Article ID : 00145210 / Last Modified : 20/06/2022

How to troubleshoot TV picture and screen issues

There are lines on the screen, the screen is blurred, has double images, is too bright or dark, or has odd colors.

Try a solution based on the issue you are experiencing:

Before you start

  • If the screen of your TV is black and nothing is displayed, refer to the No picture on the TV screen article.
  • When using a TV with the Self Diagnostics option, try the Self Diagnostics test. For details, refer to the How to use the Self Diagnostics option article.

Content overview:

Click or tap on a link to jump to the paragraph:

  1. Lines on the screen
  2. Blurred screen
  3. Double images
  4. Abnormal display
  5. Contrast issues (Too bright or dark)
  6. Grey screen
  7. Odd colours on the screen
  8. Basic checkpoints on screen issues (Lines/Blurred/Odd colours) from the Audio/Video device
  9. Other screen issues

1. Lines on the screen (vertical/horizontal lines, bands)

Image diagram of symptom

Press the HOME button on the remote to display the TV menu screen.

When the issue occurs in the Menu screen

Examples:
Lines issue on the Home Menu screen

There may be an issue with your TV. Follow these steps to troubleshoot:

  1. Restart the TV and check if the issue is resolved.
    1. Turn off the TV and unplug the AC power cord (main lead).
    2. Keep the TV unplugged for 30 seconds.
    3. Plug in the AC power cord (main lead) and turn on the TV to check its status.
  2. When using a TV with the Self Diagnostics option, try the Self Diagnostics test. For details, refer to the How to use the Self Diagnostics option article.
  3. If the above steps do not help to resolve the symptom, the product may require service.

When the issue occurs outside the Menu screen

There may be issues with the broadcast signal source, Cable/Satellite box, IPTV, or other devices such as a DVD player.
Follow these steps to troubleshoot:

  • If this issue only happens to one particular channel or broadcaster, this may be due to the broadcast signal source. Please contact your service provider for further information.
  • If you experience issues when connecting a TV and an Audio/Video device via an analogue cable (composite or component cable) or HDMI cable, check the following section of this article before proceeding with the steps below: Screen issues (Lines/Blurred/Odd colours) from the Audio/Video device
  1. When using a TV with the Self Diagnostics option, try the Self Diagnostics test. For details, refer to the How to use the Self Diagnostics option article.
  2. Turn off any electrical or battery-operated devices that may be creating radio frequency (RF) interference.
  3. If using an antenna, broadcast signals are reflected by nearby tall buildings and may cause ghosting in the picture.
    Try to adjust the antenna direction and location.
  4. Try plugging the power cord into a different electrical outlet and/or surge protector.
    These symptoms can occur if the electrical outlet is improperly wired or not producing the proper voltage.
    If using a surge protector or extension cord, it also could be faulty.

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2. Blurred screen (Blurry, Hazy, Dull)

Press the HOME button on the remote to display the TV menu screen.

When the issue occurs in the Menu screen

Example:
Blurred Home Menu screen

There may be an issue with your TV.
Note: Images may look like they are trailing or the screen may be dark during use in a cold place. This is not a malfunction and will recover when the temperature rises back to normal.

  1. Restart the TV and check if the issue is resolved.
    1. Turn off the TV and unplug the AC power cord (main lead).
    2. Keep the TV unplugged for 30 seconds.
    3. Plug in the AC power cord (main lead) and turn on the TV to check its status.
  2. When using a TV with the Self Diagnostics option, try the Self Diagnostics test. For details, refer to the How to use the Self Diagnostics option article.
  3. If the TV is connected to an active and stable Internet connection, install the latest TV software. Refer to the How to perform a software update article.
  4. Clean the TV screen. Refer to the How to care for an LCD screen article.
  5. If the above steps do not help to resolve the symptom, the product may require service.

When the issue occurs on other than the Menu screen

There may be issues with the TV settings, broadcast signal source, Cable/Satellite box, IPTV, or other devices such as a DVD player.

Note: If you experience issues when connecting a TV and an Audio/Video device via an analogue cable (composite or component cable) or HDMI cable, check the following section of this article before proceeding the steps below: Screen issues (Lines/Blurred/Odd colours) from the Audio/Video device

  1. When using a TV with the Self Diagnostics option, try the Self Diagnostics test. For details, refer to the How to use the Self Diagnostics option article.
  2. For TVs with the Motionflow function, select Standard or Off.
  3. If using an antenna, broadcast signals are reflected by nearby or surrounding tall buildings and may cause ghosting in the picture.
    It is recommended to adjust the antenna direction and location.
  4. The quality obtained from DVD discs recorded on home DVD recorders often varies due to different quality settings being used on the recorders.
    Picture quality from VHS tapes often appears to be significantly worse than from other sources, symptoms often include a grainy and watery picture.
  5. Reset your TV to the factory defaults. Refer to the instruction manual supplied with the product.

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3. Double images (Ghost image, Double image)

  1. When using a TV with the Self Diagnostics option, try the Self Diagnostics test. For details, refer to the How to use the Self Diagnostics option article.
  2. Refer to the Picture and video on the TV is displayed doubly. article.

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4. Abnormal display

  1. Refer to the The screen appears to have a cloudy, white shadow or bright spots when there is no input or when viewing very dark scenes. article.
  2. When using a TV with the Self Diagnostics option, try the Self Diagnostics test. For details, refer to the How to use the Self Diagnostics option article.

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5. Contrast issues (Too bright or dark)

If the screen has an issue with Brightness or Contrast, try the following.

  1. Adjust the TV settings using the following articles:
    • For Google TV™ models: Adjusting the Picture settings on a Google TV
    • For Android TV™ models: Adjusting the Picture setting on my Android TV
    • For other TVs: Adjusting the Picture setting on my LCD TV
  2. Reset the TV.
    • For Android TVs and Google TVs: How to reset an Android TV / Google TV?
    • For other TVs: How to perform a power reset on a Sony television.
  3. Perform a software update.
  4. Reset your TV to the factory defaults:
    • For Google TVs: How to perform a Power Reset or a Factory data reset on a Google TV
    • For Android TVs: How to reset the Android TV to factory settings
    • For other TVs: How to reset the television to the original factory settings

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6. Grey screen

If the display turns to grey when watching a TV program, try to perform the following.

  1. When using a TV with the Self Diagnostics option, try the Self Diagnostics test. For details, refer to the How to use the Self Diagnostics option article.
  2. Reset the TV. For details on how to reset, see the FAQ below.
    For Android TVs and Google TVs: How to reset an Android TV / Google TV?
    For other TVs: How to perform a power reset on a Sony television.
  3. Update the software of your TV to the latest version. For details, refer to the How to perform a software update article.

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7. Odd colours on the screen (Solarization, No colour, faded, Intermixing/Spreading of colour)


Press the HOME button on the remote to display the TV menu screen.

When the issue occurs in the Menu screen

Example:
Odd colored Home Menu screen

There may be an issue with your TV. Follow these steps to troubleshoot:

  1. Adjust the picture color settings using following articles:
    • For Google TVs: Adjusting the Picture settings on a Google TV
    • For Android TVs: Adjusting the Picture setting on my Android TV
    • For other TVs: Adjusting the Picture setting on my LCD TV
  2. If your TV has a reset function for its picture settings, follow the instructions below to reset the settings.
    1. Press the HOME or MENU button on the remote control.
    2. The next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
      • SelectSettings — Display & Sound, Picture & Display or Display — Picture or Picture adjustments — Advanced settings — Reset.
      • Select Settings — Display — Picture — Reset.
      • Select Settings—System Settings — Picture — Reset.
        Note: If your remote control has the Option button, you can reset the settings by pressing the Option button on the remote control — Picture or Picture Mode — Reset.
  3. When using a TV with the Self Diagnostics option, try the Self Diagnostics test. For details, refer to the How to use the Self Diagnostics option article.
  4. Restart the TV and check if the issue is resolved.
    1. Turn off the TV and unplug the AC power cord (main lead).
    2. Keep the TV unplugged for 30 seconds.
    3. Plug in the AC power cord (main lead) and turn on the TV to check its status.
  5. If the TV is connected to an active and stable Internet connection, install the latest TV software. Refer to the How to perform a software update article.
  6. If the above steps do not help to resolve the symptom, the product may require service.

When the issue occurs outside the Menu screen

There may be issues with the TV settings, broadcast signal source, Cable/Satellite box, IPTV, or other devices such as a DVD player.

Note: If you experience issues when connecting a TV and an Audio/Video device via an analogue cable (composite or component cable) or HDMI cable, check the following section of this article before proceeding the steps below: Screen issues (Lines/Blurred/Odd colours) from the Audio/Video device

  1. If your TV has a reset function for its picture settings, follow the instructions below to reset the settings.
    1. Press the HOME or MENU button on the remote control.
    2. The next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
      • SelectSettings — Display & Sound, Picture & Display or Display — Picture or Picture adjustments — Advanced settings—Reset.
      • Select Settings —Display — Picture — Reset.
      • Select Settings— System Settings —Picture — Reset.
        Note: If your remote control has the Option button, you can reset the settings by pressing the Option button on the remote control — Picture or Picture Mode — Reset.
  2. Check if the cable is firmly connected to the TV and the connected device and make sure it is not loose.
  3. Use a spare cable to replace the currently used one and see if the situation will improve.
  4. Use another input terminal of the TV.
    1. Connect your device to other input terminals of your TV.
    2. On the TV's supplied remote control, press the input button to switch to the input method that corresponds to the connected device and check if the situation improves.
  5. Connect another A/V device to your TV using the same input terminal to check whether the connected A/V device causes the issue.
  6. If using an antenna, broadcast signals are reflected by nearby or surrounding tall buildings and may cause ghosting in the picture.
    It is recommended to adjust the antenna direction and location.
  7. Turn off any electrical or battery-operated devices that may be creating radio frequency (RF) interference.
  8. When using a TV with the Self Diagnostics option, try the Self Diagnostics test. For details, refer to the How to use the Self Diagnostics option article.
  9. Reset your TV to the factory defaults:
    • For Google TVs: How to perform a Power Reset or a Factory data reset on a Google TV
    • For Android TVs: How to reset the Android TV to factory settings
    • For other TVs: How to reset the television to the original factory settings

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8. Basic checkpoints on-screen issues (Lines/Blurred/Odd colours) from the Audio/Video device

The following shows you solutions if you experience issues when connecting a TV and an Audio/Video device via an analogue cable (composite or component cable) or HDMI cable.

  1. Check if the input method of the TV corresponds with the connected device
    Check if the TV and the connected device (an Audio/Video device such as a Blu-ray player) are turned on. Press the Input button on the TV's remote control then switch the input method to the one that corresponds with the connected device, and check whether the picture appears on the TV screen.
  2. Check if the cable is firmly connected to the TV and the connected device
    There may be a case that audio/video does not output from the TV correctly if the cable connected to the TV and the A/V device gets loose from the terminals.
  3. When you have a spare cable, check whether the connecting cable causes this issue
    Replace the currently used cable then check if the situation will improve.
  4. Connect another input terminal of the TV and check whether the input terminal on the TV causes this issue
    Connect the cable to another input terminal of the TV. Example: The cable is currently connected to the component 1 input terminal. → Connect the cable to the component 2 input terminal instead. Press the Input button on the TV's remote control then switch the input method to the one that corresponds with the input terminal that you connected in step 1, and check whether the picture appears on the TV screen.
  5. Connect another A/V device to the TV and check whether the connected A/V device causes this issue
    If you have another A/V device, connect it to the same input terminal of the TV as the original A/V device then check whether the picture appears on the TV screen

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9. Other screen issues

  1. When using a TV with the Self Diagnostics option, try the Self Diagnostics test. For details, refer to the How to use the Self Diagnostics option article.
  2. If the TV is connected to an active and stable Internet connection, install the latest TV software. Refer to the How to perform a software update article.
  3. Clean the TV screen. Refer to the How to care an LCD screen article.
  4. If the above steps do not help to resolve the symptom, the product may require service.

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