TV turns on, but screen stays black (no menu, no picture, and possibly no sound)

If your TCL TV powers on but you only see a black/blank screen (and you cannot see the Home/menu screen), try the steps below in order. These steps help confirm whether the issue is power-related, input-related, or a display/software issue.

1) Confirm the TV is getting power and responding

Check the status light (LED) on the front of your TV.
LED behavior can vary by model, but the TV should normally show some sign of power (solid or blinking) when plugged in.

Test whether the TV responds to the remote.
Point the TCL remote toward the TV and press a few buttons (such as Power, Home, or Volume). If the TV is receiving the command, you’ll often see the LED blink or change behavior.

If the TV is not responding to the remote, follow the troubleshooting steps here:

If there is no sign the TV is receiving power:

• Make sure the power cord is firmly plugged into the back of the TV.
• Plug the other end into a known-good wall outlet.
• For troubleshooting, bypass power strips/surge protectors and plug directly into the wall outlet.

2) Rule out the wrong input or an external device issue

A black screen is often caused by the TV being on the wrong input, or an external device not sending a signal.

Press Input/Source (or use the TV’s on-TV button) and cycle through inputs (HDMI 1/2/3, AV, etc.).

If you use a cable box, game console, streaming device, or Blu-ray player:

• Confirm the device is powered on.
• Unplug and reconnect the HDMI cable on both ends.
• Try a different HDMI port on the TV.
• If available, try a different HDMI cable.
• Quick isolation test (recommended):
  Disconnect all external devices from the TV, then power the TV on and press Home/Menu again. If the menu appears after removing devices, reconnect devices one at a time to identify which one is causing the issue.

3) Restart (power cycle) the TV

A full power cycle clears temporary glitches that can cause a blank display.

• Turn the TV off.
• Unplug the TV from the power outlet.
• Wait 60 seconds.
• While unplugged, press and hold the TV’s Power button (on the TV itself) for 10–15 seconds if your model has one.
• Plug the TV back in and power it on.

Tip: The physical power button is commonly under the TCL logo on the bottom edge, or on the back/right side, but exact placement varies by model.

4) Check for a “dim picture” (flashlight test)

Sometimes the TV has picture, but the backlight is not working (so the screen looks black).

• Turn the TV on.
• In a dark room, shine a flashlight at the screen from a few inches away.
• Look closely for a faint image (menus, shapes, or movement).
• If you see a faint image: this may indicate a backlight-related issue.
• If you see nothing at all: continue to the next step.

5) Factory reset the TV

If the TV is powered on but the screen remains blank, a factory reset may help resolve software issues.

Follow the factory reset instructions here.

Note: This will place the TV back to it's original state before you set it up. 

6) Contact TCL Support

If the display is still blank after attempting the factory reset, contact TCL Support for additional troubleshooting and service options: