Toshiba TV Black Screen: How to Fix

If you are experiencing a black screen on your Toshiba TV, you are definitely not alone. This can be a frustrating problem that happens to many Toshiba TV users, but fortunately it’s usually a simple fix.

In this article, we will guide you through a series of steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. By the end of this guide, you should have your Toshiba TV back up and running smoothly!

First, let us take a look at some of the most common causes of a black screen on a Toshiba TV (but hey, at least you’re not having the issues with your TV that they had in Poltergeist!).

  • The issue could be as simple as a loose or damaged cable
  • It could be a problem with the power outlet.
  • It’s also possible that there is a problem with the TV itself, such as a backlight issue or a software glitch.

No matter the cause, we will walk you through the steps to fix it.

So, if you are ready to get your Toshiba TV back in working order, let us get started. Follow along with the steps in this guide, and you will be back to watching your favorite shows in no time.


Restart the TV

One of the first steps you should try when troubleshooting a black screen on your Toshiba TV is to simply restart the TV. This can often resolve minor issues that may be causing the black screen, such as a glitch in the TV’s software.

Power cycling the TV can help with these glitches, especially after events like a failed software update or an improper shutdown.

To restart your Toshiba TV, follow these steps:

  1. Locate the physical power button on the TV.
  2. Press and hold the power button for a few seconds until the TV turns off.
  3. Wait a minute or two, then press the power button again to turn the TV back on.

You can also try unplugging the cord from the wall outlet and then plugging it back in after a few minutes. Then, use the power button to start the TV and see if the issue has been resolved.

This can help reset any minor internal problems that may be causing the black screen.


Check Power Cord and Power Outlet

The next step is to check the power cord and power outlet. A loose or damaged power cord, or a problem with the power outlet, could be causing the TV not to turn on or display a black screen. Obviously, the TV needs to receive adequate and consistent power from the wall outlet to correctly display a picture.

To check the power cord:

  1. Locate the power cord that connects the TV to the wall outlet.
  2. Inspect the cord for any visible damage, such as frays, cuts, or bends.
  3. Make sure the cord is securely plugged into the TV and the wall outlet.
  4. If the cord is damaged, unplug the cord from the TV and the wall outlet and replace it with a new one.

If the cord looks fine and is securely plugged in, the issue may be with the power outlet. To check the power outlet:

  1. Plug in another appliance or a lamp into the outlet to see if it works.
  2. If the power outlet itself is faulty, plug your Toshiba TV into a known working outlet.

Check HDMI and Other Cables

If the power cord and power outlet are both functioning properly, the next step is to check the HDMI and other cables that connect the TV to other devices, such as a cable box or streaming device. A loose or damaged cable could be causing the TV not to display a picture or display a black screen.

Check all the cables plugged into your Toshiba TV, taking special care to see if any cable seems frayed, stressed, or broken. Similarly, you also need to check all the ports to see if there is any damage or signs of corrosion.

Faulty cables can be quickly and cheaply replaced. Based on this, a defective port needs to be repaired, and this is best left to licensed Toshiba service technicians.


Detach Plugged Devices

In some instances, if your Toshiba TV is displaying a black screen, the culprit might be one or more of the devices that are plugged into your TV. At any time, you might have many devices plugged into your TV, including cable TV boxes, streaming boxes, gaming consoles, HTPCs, or other devices.

If the video source of your TV is set to a device that is faulty or not being able to output video data, this might cause a black screen on your TV. The trick here is to carry out a process of elimination to rule out this possibility.

To do this, detach every single device that is connected to your TV. Now, turn the TV back on and see if the problem has been resolved.

If it is, then you can start attaching your devices one by one and checking the TV. This way, you can figure out which device is causing the problem and send it in for repairs. In the meantime, you can still operate the TV using the rest of your devices.


Factory Reset Your TV

If none of the above steps have worked, it might be possible that there is a problem with the TV’s internal components or software. In this case, you may need to factory reset your TV.

Performing a factory reset reverts the firmware of your TV to its original state. This cancels out any glitches that might have occurred due to interrupted software updates, problematic software settings, or other software issues.

To factory reset your Toshiba TV, follow these steps:

  1. Locate the reset button on the TV. This is usually located on the side or back of the TV, or on the front panel behind a small flip-down door.
  2. Press and hold the reset button for a few seconds until the TV turns off.
  3. Consult your Toshiba TV manual to learn more about the reset process, especially if there are any indicator lights that signal that the TV has successfully initiated the reset.
  4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the factory reset process.

It’s critical to note that a factory reset will erase all of your personal settings, including any custom picture and audio settings, channel favorites, and any apps or games you have downloaded (though you if you downloaded The Force Awakens or Geostorm and it’s been erased you really haven’t lost much).

Be sure to make a note of any critical settings or information before resetting the TV.

After the factory reset, you will need to set up the TV again from scratch. This includes turning the TV on and going through the setup process, connecting to Wi-Fi, downloading all of your favorite apps, and fine-tuning the settings according to your requirements.


Check For a Backlight Issue

If you have tried all of the previous steps and you are still experiencing a black screen on your Toshiba TV, there may be an issue with the TV’s backlight.

The backlight is what illuminates the screen from behind and allows you to see the picture. If the backlight is not functioning properly, the TV may display a black screen or a very dim picture.

There are a few signs that you may be experiencing a backlight issue:

  • The TV screen is completely black, but you can see a faint image or shadow when you shine a flashlight on the screen.
  • The TV screen is very dim, even when you increase the brightness and contrast settings.
  • The TV screen flickers or displays random patterns.

As stated above, the best way to diagnose this issue is to take a powerful flashlight and shine it on the TV screen from a very close distance. If you see the faint outline of a picture or text on the screen when you do this, then we can be certain that this is a problem concerning the backlight.

The backlight of your Toshiba TV is not easily user replaceable and needs to be replaced by a knowledgeable technician for your TV to function properly again. Please go through the appropriate channels of Toshiba TV support and arrange for a repair.


Replace Batteries in Remote

While this sounds too simple, issues with remotes actually cause a large number of “TV” malfunctions.

If nothing has worked to this point, try replacing the batteries in your remote. You may be surprised to find that the TV works properly after completing this simple step.


Contact Toshiba Customer Support

If you have tried all of the previous steps and you are still experiencing a black screen on your Toshiba TV, it’s possible that you have a hardware issue that requires further assistance. In this case, the best path forward is to contact Toshiba customer support for further help.

When you contact Toshiba customer support, be sure to have your TV’s model number and serial number handy, along with any relevant warranty information.

It will also help if you communicate with the support executive about the troubleshooting steps that you have already taken, which will help them eliminate possible problems. This will help the representative troubleshoot the issue and provide the best solution.


Final Thoughts

We hope that this guide has helped you troubleshoot and resolve the black screen issue on your Toshiba TV.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to get your TV back up and running smoothly. While a black screen issue can definitely disrupt the viewing experience on your Toshiba TV, these steps will help you narrow down the root cause of the problem and arrive at a possible solution.