It is incredibly alarming when you are relaxing on the couch, watching your usual shows, and suddenly, lines on Samsung TV appear. These lines can be vertical or horizontal and appear colored, black, or images with double or triple exposure. If you wonder what happened or how you ruined your expensive Samsung TV, it’s not your fault.
Many loyal Samsung TV users have complained that Samsung TV flickering lines appear suddenly while they’re watching their favorite shows. It is a recurring and prevalent problem. As a result, this problem has easy fixes available. Just like when I helped you guys when you were worried about your Samsung TV screen being so dark ,I have got you covered here as well.
If you face Samsung LED TV lines on screen problem, then the TV has a connection or processing problem. For vertical lines on Samsung TV, check if the panel is connected properly. It could also be that the scalar T-Con, PCB, or Cof -IC is faulty. For horizontal lines on Samsung TV, restart the device, update the firmware, and factory reset if necessary.
Before you freak out and think, “I don’t understand a single word you are saying, James,” don’t worry! I will take you on a step-by-step guide to fixing Samsung TV lines on screen without needing to call a technician. Let’s get started!
What Causes Vertical Lines on Samsung TV?
If you face the “Samsung TV vertical black lines on screen” issue, know that multiple factors contribute to this problem. As mentioned above, the processing or wiring can be faulty, affecting the pixel data sent to the TV. There are typically two major reasons for vertical lines on Samsung TV: a processing problem or a bad connection.
If vertical lines on Samsung TV are caused by processing problems, you have a faulty processing board, Cof-IC, T-Con, or scalar PCB, which disconnects the TV from the screen and requires a professional’s help. On the other hand, if the problem occurs due to a bad connection, there are easy fixes available, which I will discuss in detail.
Let’s look at the common causes of Samsung TV lines on screen.
Loose Cables
Loose or mismatched control board cables and connections can cause Samsung TV lines on screen. You need to get the loose wire fixed. Moreover, you could also have antennae problems, or there is a faulty component within the TV that cannot make a stable connection. A quick and easy Samsung TV vertical lines fix to tap the back. This will only work temporarily, but at least you can finish your episode in peace.
Damaged Screen
Vertical lines can also appear on Samsung TVs due to excess moisture or water that damages the TV screen.
Cof-IC Connection Issue
If you are facing a Cof-IC connection issue, the TV screen is not getting the right pixel information. As a result, vertical lines on Samsung TV appear. If the Cof-IC is damaged, replace it via a tab bonding machine and then connect the TV components to the TV screen.
I would however recommend not doing it yourself but calling a technician.
Nearby Devices
Nearby devices can interfere with the signals and cause vertical lines on Samsung TV models. For instance, if a speaker, mobile phone, or microwave is placed near a TV, you should move these devices and see if this resolves the problem.
Faulty T-Con Board
If you see a single vertical line on TV screen, it is due to a faulty T-Con board. The T-Con board receives pixel information from the scalar PCB. A processing or connection error causes a single vertical line on TV screen to appear. It can even cause images with blurred edges.
Moreover, when the TV frame rusts and this rust spreads to the cable connections, it can cause Samsung TV vertical color lines to appear. A damaged T-Con board module also causes this problem.
Types of Vertical Lines on Samsung TV Screen
When vertical lines appear on your Samsung TV, you need to note what types of lines appear. The anomaly or shape of the lines can help identify the cause and assist in getting rid of them. Below, I have listed some of the common vertical lines on Samsung TV.
Straight/Stationary Lines: Straight or fixed lines that do not move indicate that the issue is within the internal workings of the TV.
Wavy Lines: A bad connection leads to wavy lines that move or sway.
Ghosting: A TV screen is ghosting when multiple images are stacked on top of one another, and it appears like a double-exposure image. A bad connection also causes this issue.
5 Easy Samsung TV Vertical Lines Fix – What Can You Do?
Now that you know what causes Samsung QLED lines on screen and their types, focus on the solutions.
Remove and Reconnect All the Cables
One of the most common causes of vertical lines appearing on Samsung TV is bad connections. This is especially common if you live in areas with high humidity or harsh temperatures that lead to corrosion.
One way to fix this is to remove all connections from your TV and reconnect them. Another way is to check the HDMI cables. If lines appear on the TV, change the input and see if they disappear. If so, you need to replace the HDMI cable.
Reseat the Internal Connections
Sometimes, the vertical lines still appear on Samsung TV even after reconnecting all the cables. Don’t worry! Just tap the back of the TV and see if the lines disappear. If the lines disappear when tapping at a certain point, you have an internal connection issue.
Normally, I wouldn’t recommend opening the back of your TV and reseating all connections, as you can do more damage than good. But if you feel confident, go for it. Or you could avail your Samsung TV warranty and reach out to their team to get the vertical lines on Samsung TV issue fixed.
Do a Picture Test
If the lines are constant, perform a picture test. This can check the internal components and connections for you and determine what’s causing the issue. Select the “self-diagnosis” option and then run the test. It will take a couple of minutes, tops.
If the lines disappear and reappear during the test, they can be fixed. If the vertical lines remain on the screen throughout the test, you need to invest in a new Samsung TV.
Update the Firmware
If the Samsung TV’s firmware is out of date, it can cause vertical lines on TV screen. Update the firmware, re-examine the image, and see if the issue is resolved.
Reset Your Samsung TV
You can try resetting your Samsung TV to its factory default settings if nothing else works. The problem could be in the software; by resetting, you can resolve that issue and restore it to its original setting. Remember that you lose all data and apps downloaded by resetting your Samsung TV. You will also need to sign in again to your services.
How To Reset Your Samsung TV
- Open settings and select the “general” option.
- Select “reset.” A pop-up will open, asking for your PIN (the default is 0000). Then, select reset again.
- Click on “ok,” and your TV will restart.
I hope these Samsung TV vertical line fixes could get the job done. If not, you will need to call in a technician.
However, there is another problem we need to discuss. Remember at the start of this article, I mentioned both vertical and horizontal lines appearing on Samsung TV?
If you thought both had the same solutions, you were wrong. Let’s move to the horizontal lines on Samsung TV fixes.
What Causes Samsung TV Horizontal Lines on Screen?
There are several reasons for a thick black line on Samsung TV screen. A primary reason for this is a graphic card failure. The graphic card is an essential part of the TV and ensures that the signals are converted into pixels so you can watch your favorite TV shows without disturbance. Below I have listed some common reasons for horizontal lines on Samsung TV.
Incompatible Image Resolution: If you notice Samsung TV black line on screen, the image resolution could be a major reason. Small or big images, different from the TV’s resolution settings, can lead to lines appearing on the screen or blurred images.
Cable Issues: If you have not connected the cables between the smart TV and the hub, it can cause black lines to appear on the TV. The simple solution involves removing the cables, waiting a few minutes, and plugging them back in. Broken Panel: A gated driver is part of the TV’s motherboard and is responsible for powering the display screen. Any fault in the gated driver leads to thick black lines on the screen and requires a professional technician to replace it.
Outdated Firmware: When your software is out-of-date, it won’t be compatible with the latest high-resolution pictures. This can also lead to thick black lines on the screen. However, simply updating the software fixes the problem.
Now that you know what causes Samsung TV black line on screen, it’s best to move on to the solutions.
4 Simple Fixes for Samsung TV Horizontal Lines on Screen
Remember, some of these solutions are similar to what I recommended for vertical lines on Samsung TV. Thus, cover all your bases and be prepared for any problem.
Power Cycle the TV
The most common and easiest way to fix Samsung TV horizontal lines on screen is to power cycle the TV. Power cycling involves unplugging the TV from the wall socket, waiting for 60 seconds, and then replugging it.
When the TV is unplugged, hold the power button on the Samsung TV for 30 seconds; this will help soft reset the TV and refresh its operating system to clear out any bugs hindering its performance.
Check the Lines
Another way to fix horizontal lines on Samsung TV is to determine the anomaly of the lines. For instance, if the lines are fixed and stationary, there is a problem with the panel, and it needs to be replaced. The problem can arise due to water damage, gated driver failure, or broken panel. Whatever the reason, you need to call Samsung customer support.
However, if the lines are moving, the HDMI and DVD cables are not properly connected. Unplug the cables and reconnect them and see if the issue resolves itself. If not, try the methods below.
Update the Firmware
As mentioned above, outdated firmware is another reason black horizontal lines appear on your Samsung TV. Follow the steps below to update the firmware.
- Press the home button on the remote, which will cause the smart hub to launch.
- Go to settings and select the “support” option.
- Select “software update.” Then, click “update now.”
- The update file will be downloaded. Follow the instructions to complete the update.
Reseat the T-Con Board Ribbons
This is where it gets technical. Another way to resolve the lines on the TV screen is by reseating the T-Con board. For this:
Remove the back panel of your Samsung TV and locate the T-Con board with one or more ribbon cables.
Remove the ribbon cables gently, wipe them down, and reconnect them.
Dust on the ribbons can affect the signals sent to the TV panel and lead to screen obstructions.
You can also do a factory reset on your Samsung TV to see if it resolves the issue.
FAQs
Q1. How do I fix vertical lines on my Samsung TV?
Answer – There are multiple fixes available, such as reconnecting all the cables, updating the firmware, performing a picture test, etc. However, you first need to diagnose the problem to use an effective solution.
Q2. How long should a TV last?
Answer – The average smart TV’s lifespan is around 60,000 to 100,000 hours. Smart TVs require regular updates and maintenance to ensure they last that long.
Conclusion
Overall, there are two main causes of vertical and horizontal lines on your Samsung TV are hardware and software malfunctions. The lines are permanent in a hardware issue and require changing components like T-Con board, scalar PCB , etc.
On the other hand, if the lines are moving, it’s a software issue, and you can try any of the methods I mentioned above to see if the issue gets resolved. Best of luck! Until next time!
As an engineering graduate (and a full-time layabout), I am always looking for smart technological innovations to make my life simpler and more automated so that I can be even lazier than usual.
