If your insanely expensive plasma TV is giving you trouble, do not worry. The tips mentioned in this article will help you repair your plasma TV and put your mind at ease…
Plasma TVs are flat panel TVs that work using a concept of phosphorescence to display pictures on the screen. These TVs typically come in larger screen sizes and make viewing television or watching movies at home a pleasure. However, in spite of the top-notch quality used to manufacture these types of screens, problems do occur with these screens, and such problems can range from the simple to the maddeningly frustrating. Thankfully, repairs can be carried out at home, depending on the type of the problem you are facing.
How to Repair Plasma TVs
The most obvious thing that needs to be done when you think of repairing a plasma TV is to first check all the connections and wires. You would be surprised at how many times this seemingly stupid suggestion works. Many people assume that they cannot be wrong in the wiring and get to know this only after the repair guys find it and present you with a hefty bill. Check the connection from the mains to the TV and all other wires that are connected to the TV to see if they are snugly fitted.
Once you have checked the wires, switch on the TV and check the problem, if it has gone you can congratulate yourself with a pat on the back and get ready to watch your favorite programs once more. However, most things are never so easy and simple, and chances are that you still have some problem with the TV. The next step you have to do is check with the cable company to see if there are any signal glitches. Many times there are signal problems and most owners think that this is a problem with the TV and end up spending money on repairing a plasma TV that has no problem at all.
These above tips were just general things that need to be, and should be, checked and done, as in many cases loose connections and signal problems solve most plasma repair queries. In case you have other problems, like dead pixels, burn-in issues, or bent screens, you can try out the following at your own risk.
Repairing a Plasma TV
Plasma TVs are expensive and proper care should be taken when these are installed or removed for repair. The most common problems that plasma TVs suffer from is screen burn-in or dead pixels. At times, the screen might even get bent or slightly damaged while moving the set, and these are some problems that can be tackled at home, even if you have little or no experience in repairing plasma TVs.
Repairing Dead Pixels
In case of dead pixels, most plasma TVs come with a Pixel Corrector DVD that performs a few tests to evaluate, and then repair, the affected pixels. If you do not have this DVD, you can contact the manufacturer or get one from any local store, if available. Insert the DVD and let the tests run. In most case, unless the damage is too severe, these pixel correctors will solve your problems. An important thing to keep in mind here is that you should follow all the instructions on the DVD exactly if you want to be assured of proper plasma TV repair.
At times, if you do not have the pixel corrector DVD, a firm but gentle tap on the dead pixel can also solve the problem. But ensure that you do not tap too hard, else you might risk damaging the screen itself. It should be noted that dead pixels on a plasma TV are quite rare.
Repairing Burn-In Issues
For burn in problems, there is nothing much you can do, but you can rest assured in the fact that most plasma TVs have a built-in software that does not allow burn-ins to take place. Also, manufacturers know about this issue and most of them provide extended warranty for burn-in issues. If you are suffering from plasma TV burn-in issues, then you should check your warranty for the same and see if you can get service from the manufacturer for your problem.
Repairing a Bent Frame
At times, while moving the TV from the living to a bedroom, the frame of the plasma TV might bend, or distort out of shape. This can also be easily fixed without calling for specialized personnel. However, it is best advised that you take the TV to a suitable repair shop for this, as not many people are equipped to do this at home. Repairing the TV on your own might also void the warranty in some cases, and this is something that you should check before carrying out any repairs at home.
If you have tried all these options and are still not done repairing your plasma TV, then the best option would be to have it dropped off for repair. If you have warranty or extended warranty, then dropping it off to the manufacturer is a good idea, while if you are out of warranty, then you will have to find a suitable TV repair shop in your locality.
Repairing Other Problems
Besides these problems, other plasma TV problems include:
- Broken screen
- Horizontal or vertical bars on screen
- Heat issues
Unfortunately these are not covered by warranty and in most of these cases the only option available is replacement of the screen and/or expensive parts, making it a poor repair option. Thankfully, these are not so common as the other problems described above, and for most part repairing a plasma TV is indeed a viable option.
Plasma TV Repair Cost
Unfortunately, estimating the cost of repairing a plasma TV is a very difficult affair, as there are many factors that this might depend on. Repairing TVs in warranty might be cheaper than repairing TVs without warranty. Also, depending on the parts that might need to be replaced, the cost of repairing a TV will differ. Research shows that average repair costs are as high as USD 1500. This is mostly because plasma TVs are bigger in size and hence parts are also expensive. Most repair centers charge on an hourly basis, so as to figure out the problem and then solve it. These charges can be in the bracket of USD 150 – USD 250 per hour. Note that these figures are just estimates, but on the whole plasma TV repair costs are typically high.
Now that you know how to repair a plasma TV, don’t fret when you see something wrong with your expensive TV, just try out these tips, and before you know it, your TV might be working just fine.