When Television And Electronics Repair is DIY—And When It Isn't

After a long, busy day, many people like to relax and zone out by flipping on the television. But the last thing you need to deal with after a tough day is technical problems! Electronic repairs can be frustrating and expensive. It makes sense that your first impulse might be to address the problem yourself. But is that the best choice? Read on for some advice on when television and electronics repair is DIY- and when it isn’t.  

When DIY is an option

Depending on the type of electronic, its age, what’s wrong, and your repair knowledge, some DIY may be possible. Read on for some examples of manageable fixes for your home television set. 

CRT TV

Do you still own an old cathode ray TV (CRT TV)? If you do, the first thing to look at is what could be wrong and whether you can fix it easily and without having to dismantle it. For example, if you turn on your set and there is no image on the screen, there are some obvious things you can check. Firstly, make sure that the connections to the power source are secure and working. If all that is in order, check the settings. The settings on a CRT TV are brightness, contrast, sharpness, and vertical/horizontal line settings. If these are all fine, you can try changing the plug’s fuse, which is a pretty simple fix. 

Sometimes poor picture quality is a problem that crops up with CRT TVs. This happens when the internal convergence circuit is faulty because of a bad connection or because resistors or fuses inside the TV are faulty. Unfortunately, while this fix is not expensive, it is internal and therefore best left to a professional. Several other minor issues can come up with an older CRT TV, such as faulty wiring and old coils. These repairs are fairly simple for an experienced repairman, but not great DIY projects. 

Flatscreen TV

It is much likelier that instead of an old CRT TV, you own a type of flatscreen. Flatscreen TVs have one of three types of screen. There are LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), LED (Light Emitting Diode), and PDP (Plasma Display Panel) screens. While these TVs have fewer issues than older CRT TVs, they are not without their own set of issues. Many common issues with flatscreen TVs can actually be addressed in the settings menu. However, if you’ve checked all the settings and are having issues, you may be in for a repair. A well-known DIY method for fixing any electronics issue is to try unplugging the television and then switching it back on to see if that fixes the problem! Surprisingly this is a great way to fix many issues with modern televisions. With newer flatscreens, issues may also be caused by auxiliary items, such as remotes, or anything that impacts TV reception or TV signals. 

When to play it safe

When it comes to any kind of electronic repair, always be careful. For both old CRT TVs and newer flatscreen TVs, we do not recommend that you attempt any internal repairs. Both cathode ray TVs and flatscreen TVs contain capacitors, which can cause electrical shocks even after they are unplugged. They may also contain dangerous chemicals. Always call a professional electrician or repairman if any internal repairs are required on your TV.

Additionally, while you may consider yourself quite handy, do not attempt DIY repairs on a TV unless you have received training. Like all electrical appliances, TVs can cause electric shocks.

Other considerations for DIY

You may be set on trying to make repairs on your own before calling in the professionals. Maybe you are trying to save money or effort, or you just enjoy a good challenge! Before you take on a project like this, there are some things to consider. 

There have been multiple changes in the television production industry, particularly in the last half-decade. Manufacturers of top brands took steps to adapt to the changes, but for DIY enthusiasts that has complicated things. It can be difficult to identify and find specific parts for DIY repairs. Even if you are sure you have found the correct part, it can be difficult to know if you accidentally select a poor quality part or even a defective one.

Chances are that due to the ever-changing nature of modern TV designs, you may do more harm to your entertainment system than good. An improper repair may completely damage the set or invalidate a manufacturer’s warranty.

TV Maintenance

Since DIY repairs to your TV set are tricky business and repairs can get expensive, let’s start with the basics of good maintenance. The better you maintain your current electronics, the less likely you are to need repairs. To minimize repairs and help your TV stay in working order for as long as possible, take care of it as well as you can. 

Do not leave the TV on if you are not actually watching it. TVs can run for tens of thousands of hours before having issues, but there is no need to waste those hours on no one watching. Therefore, try to avoid leaving your TV on in the background, and make sure to turn it off when you leave the room. This will also help cut down on your electricity use!

Try not to leave your TV on for too long at a time. Like other appliances, TVs can start to get very hot the longer they are left on. TVs need to be turned off now and then to get a chance to cool down and rest before being switched back on.

Keep your TV clean. Over time, dust, pet hair, and bits of dirt can build up on the screen and the back of your TV. These particles can get inside the TV via vents and ports. This dust accumulation can affect a TV’s operation and make it more likely to break down.

Another way to protect your TV from electrical issues is to plug it into a surge protector to keep your TV and associated devices and appliances safe. This can be especially important in areas that experience a lot of storms or frequent power cuts because sudden cuts and surges easily damage your TV’s internal electrical components.

When positioning your TV in your home, be sure to leave space around it to provide airflow. This helps prevent the TV from overheating and cools it down more quickly when you turn it off.

Benefits of hiring a professional repairman

It has become trendy recently to seek doorstep repair services for household problems. There are plenty of benefits to this method. For example, you can schedule the repair at your own convenient time, and you don’t have to try dragging your TV out to a store. Additionally, if you hire a professional recommended by TrustDALE, you can be sure the home services company has conducted background checks for their technicians. 

Go with a pro

Unless you are a skilled, trained electrician with access to lots of good quality TV arts, a DIY repair probably is not for you. Luckily, there are plenty of well-qualified technicians in your area. And when you use a TrustDALE certified professional, you're always protected by Dale's trademark $10,000 Make-It-Right™ Guarantee. Find a 

service technician

 today!