How to Solve Toshiba TV Lines On Screen Issue

Home electronics are hefty investments. People search high and low to get the best bang for their buck. I find it only reasonable to opt for a reputable brand like Toshiba to take with you on the long haul. After all, it’s not easy to wash down the bitterness of a bad purchase despite a sweet price. I do not mean to play favorites, but Toshiba does tickle my techno senses in an unusual way. 

I have mentioned the built-in feature of Chromecast offered in the latest Toshiba TV models in my how to connect Netflix to TV from a phone article. After all, their high-quality picture panels would be a waste if they didn’t add to consumers’ entertainment value. 

Watching TV is one of the simple pleasures in the mundane life of a modern-day human. Imagine you are ready to unplug and unwind after a long day at work only to find out that your Toshiba TV has lines on screen. In a heartbeat, your plans to cozy up and relax are up in the air and so are your spirits. The situation may look gloomy to an untrained eye, but trust me when I say having lines on your TV screen is a common issue and nothing alarming—at least at first.  

The classic case of Toshiba TV lines on screen is a compartmentalised issue; its solution lies in identifying the path of the lines. If they are running vertically, then we have a problem in “image data,” but if they are running horizontally, then that brings “the row signalling data” into focus. 

If you are seeing lines on your Toshiba TV screen then make sure your HDMI connections are secured. Power-cycle your system for a quick reset, clean the cable pins, and be wary of internal corrosion. If the problem persists, check for hardware and panel damage and try replacing ribbon strips and T-CON board. Checking individual contact points on ribbon strips might help you get to the bottom of the issue. 

Before I dive deep into the unique solutions to both problems, here are some common fixes you can try despite the kinds of lines marring your TV screen. 

Toshiba TV Lines On Screen—Quick Fixes:

I recommend checking your Toshiba TV for external damages before trying the following fixes. Sometimes some light taps on the back of the panel are all you need to do to get rid of these lines. If that works for you, then congratulations. You don’t need me to walk you through the daunting process of fixing your TV, but if it doesn’t, then we are in for a not-so-pleasant ride. 

1. Reset Your Toshiba TV

The quickest way to fix any issue in an electronic device is to reset it, but not many know how to go about it. Ideally, you should turn off your Toshiba TV, unplug it from the main power supply, and wait 2-3 minutes before turning it back on. The goal is to drain it of all the power so the system can reset. 

2. Secure HDMI Connections 

Sometimes, external connections interfere with your TV’s internal wiring. Considering how not many people check their HDMI for loose connections, faulty ports, and cables, a small problem can snowball into something life-threatening. 

You can change your HDMI cable and test external connections to isolate the problematic ones. I suggest switching sources between TV and HDMI as well to see if the lines appear on a specific channel. If so, then your service provider might help you do away with them. 

3. Blowdry Your Toshiba TV

Dust particles tend to mess with Toshiba TV’s external and internal connections. The slightest gap between the cable pins and power source can make your Toshiba TV screen look funny. I suggest using a blow dryer set at moderate temperature to blow them away. 

Pro Tip: Always use a microfiber cloth to clean your TV screen and keep it dry. 

If none of these fixes work, then you might have to consider the possibility of serious damage. Still, all is not lost if you have some time left on your warranty. You can just call the Toshiba service center and avail a hassle-free repair. 

How to Fix Toshiba TV Horizontal Lines On Screen

I believe in getting down to the crux of the problem before starting on my repairs. The concept of “trial and error” might scare an amateur, but the tech-savvy lot knows how to weed out a problem without causing serious damage to their system. 

1. Internal Corrosion

I take it everyone knows that water and electronic appliances don’t go together. Still, I make room for human error because there is always a chance for a routine cleaning session to snowball into something extensive. When you clean your screen with water, the leftover moisture trickles down to the bottom of your screen, corroding the internal system.

Here’s how you can clean corroded boards and wirings:

• Step 1: Unplug your Toshiba TV. Make sure there is no residual power left in its system. 
• Step 2: Remove the back panel.
• Step 3: Identify the corroded area.
• Step 4: Use a brush to apply isopropyl alcohol to the affected area. 
• Step 5: Clean the residual with a soft cloth. 

2. T-CON Board & Ribbon Strips 

Most screen-related problems are caused by a damaged T-CON board, but I do not recommend going online blindly to order a replacement immediately. While a replacement seems like an easy way out, it doesn’t always work. 

Follow the outlined process to know what needs fixing in your Toshiba TV:

• Step 1: Plug in and turn on your Toshiba TV to a white background. The white background makes it easy to see the lines on the screen. 
• Step 2: Remove the back panel. There goes your chance to claim a warranty if you had any. 
• Step 3: Each T-CON board is supplied with two ribbon connections controlling either half of your Toshiba TV screen. Remove each ribbon strip interchangeably to know which half of the contact points need fixing. 
• Step 4: Block specific contact points on the ribbon strip with a washi tap to narrow your area of focus. 

The last step of the process is strenuous work and time-consuming. I see many losing patience and calling in a repair service in frustration, but without it, you can’t plan your next move. 

Blocking the problematic contact points basically fixes your Toshiba TV lines across screen issues. I personally don’t go looking for trouble if a DIY solution is on hand, but you can always replace your ribbon strips or T-CON board. I recommend changing the ribbons first because if the problem persists, the dent in your pocket will be bearable. 

How to Fix Toshiba TV Vertical Lines On Screen

The usual fixes for the horizontal lines would work the same for the vertical ones, but the latter usually hints at bigger problems: damaged hardware or external damages. In either case, you’ll have to replace the faulty hardware. This is the most common solution to the Toshiba TV white lines on screen issue, mostly caused by a damaged screen panel. 

1. Replace Damage Hardware

In the grand scheme of TV repairs, the color of the lines on your screen hardly matters. It’s their direction that you need to concern yourselves with. This is why a Toshiba Fire TV green lines issue is no different from Toshiba TV black line on screen issue. 

Following is a step-by-step process for buying a hardware replacement:

• Step 1: Using the methods we’ve mentioned so far, try to identify the damaged hardware. T-CON board is usually responsible for making your screen act up, so start from there. 
• Step 2: Once identified, check the hardware’s model number and specifications mentioned in the company manual. You’ll need this information to place your order. 
• Step 3: Use credible sites to make your purchase. Checking reviews and ratings before placing your order might help. 
• Step 4: Remove the damaged hardware and replace it with a new one. Some tape and screwdrivers might come in handy at this stage. 

The fixes I mentioned work for both Toshiba Fire TV vertical lines issue and the Toshiba Fire TV green lines issue. 

FAQs

Q1. What causes white lines on TV screens?

Answer – Damaged T-CON board, motherboard, and power panel along with faulty ribbon strips, loose HDMI connections, corrosion, and condensation are the most common causes behind white lines on TV screens. 

Q2. How do you know if your TV screen is damaged? 

Answer – The most obvious signs of a damaged screen are the appearance of dead pixels, lines, and bars. A fading, flickering and blurry picture quality is also hard to miss. If you are color sensitive, distorted colors will be the first thing you’ll notice. 

Conclusion

If you’ve been panicking about losing your Toshiba TV to repair shops and ultimately to scraps, I hope this article provided you some peace of mind. I have exhausted all my resources and knowledge reservoirs on your behalf to facilitate some after-work cozying up. Follow my instructions down to the T, and rest assured you’ll have a clear TV screen by the end of the process. Cheers!