How To Easily Fix Samsung TV With Half Black Screen?

Samsung TVs are great for a relaxing Saturday afternoon, but when they go on the fritz, it can put a real dent in your weekend plans.

Here’s what’s up with your Samsung TV and why it’s showing just half a dark screen.

A faulty HDMI cable can cause the screen to malfunction, as can corrupted hardware, outdated firmware, or burned-out backlights. To remedy this issue, check your cables to see if they work on other devices and power cycle your TV.

There are a number of problems that can cause the annoying half-black screen, but usually, fixing it is just a matter of running a few tests to determine what part of your hardware is faulty.

The rest of this article will cover what to do to fix a half-black screen on Samsung TV.

What Causes the Problem?

Oftentimes, the problem of a half-black TV screen on a Samsung TV is down to a hardware malfunction.

The screen itself could be having issues with the display, the backlights could be malfunctioning, or there may be other issues elsewhere in the hardware.

Sometimes, the problem is as simple as a faulty HDMI cable.

In any event, the problem of a half-black screen is usually down to hardware and will require some experimentation (and likely a replacement part) to get your Samsung TV back in working order again.

While you’re at it, check all of your external connections such as your power cord to inspect for damages.

A faulty power supply might well be your issue if there’s damage to any of your connections.

Plug in another device to the wall socket you’re using to check that there’s no problem with the electricity in your home.

How to Fix It

Now that you are informed about the causes of the problem, it’s time to get to the troubleshooting stage.

Check Your HDMI Cable

The first thing you should check if you have a faulty screen is whether your HDMI cable is plugged in properly such that the connection is not loose.

Another helpful step is to try your HDMI cable in another device and see if it works properly.

If the device does not work as intended, then the HDMI cable is likely your culprit, prompting the need for a replacement to get your TV working properly again.

Backlight Issues

Another common issue that occurs with Samsung TVs is faulty backlighting.

Backlights are used to illuminate the image on screen, giving you clear visibility.

When the backlight burns out, part of the screen can go dark, leaving you with only half of an image on screen.

If all of your external connections seem to be in good working order, then the backlight is your next most likely suspect.

To check if the backlight is working, turn off the lights in the room with your television and aim a flashlight at the dark half of the screen.

You should be able to see whether there’s an image being displayed.

If you can make out the other half of the image on the television, then it’s a certainty that your backlight has burned out.

To remedy this situation, you’ll want to check whether your TV is still under warranty, largely because backlight replacements are expensive and such an issue can massively impair your ability to watch television.

Either have the backlight replaced by a certified technician or get a new television.

Software Issues

In some situations, a software issue can cause half of the screen to go completely black, and if your flashlight test reveals no image on the dark side of the screen, then your TV’s software or video controller board is likely to blame.

Start by trying a soft reset to power cycle your television.

1. Turn it off completely using your remote and disconnect it from the wall.
2. Wait 3 to 5 minutes before reconnecting it, turning it back on, and checking for any issues.

Sometimes, a corrupted cache of memory can cause software malfunctions, and a soft reset can clear out corruption, flush the system, and restore proper function.

Firmware Updates

The half-dark screen issue can occur with Samsung TVs when the firmware is outdated.

The firmware of a TV is updated regularly to squash bugs and improve overall performance from the TV.

To update, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to your Settings menu.
2. Select the Support option.
3. Find Software Update and choose Auto Update from the drop-down.

Using these steps allows you to stay up to date with the latest firmware on your Samsung TV and hopeful to dodge any future issues with your display.

 

Final Thoughts

The issue of the half-black screen on a Samsung TV is annoying, and unfortunately, may spell the need for a replacement if the issue lies with the backlighting.

Here is a quick recap of the article.

Start with examining your TV’s backlights with a flashlight in the dark room. Make sure your wall socket is in working order, check all the HDMI cables connected to the TV by unplugging and replugging them. Power cycle your TV and check for any pending updates.

In your TV still has a half black screen, chances are there is something wrong with the internal parts of the TV and you will need to consult a professional to fix the issue.