TCL TV Horizontal Lines on Screen (Causes+FIX)

TCL TVs are some of the most popular TV brands in the market today. They are known for offering good value for money in the market.

One of the more common flaws that can occur in an LCD TV is the appearance of horizontal lines on the screen.

If you are finding ways to fix your TCL TV Horizontal Lines on Screen, then this is the right post.

This blog will look at different causes of the issue and why it happens and the best ways to fix it.

Some horizontal lines on the television screen do not match the other display pixels but appear as green lines or black lines on the TCL TV.

Why Should you Trust Me? Hi, I am Anirban Saha, an Engineer with a Specialization in Electronics and Communication Engineering. I have experience with electronics circuits and computer peripherals.

Let’s get started!

What causes horizontal lines in TCL Smart TV?

TCL’s Smart TVs are renowned for their budget-friendly pricing. However, some users have been complaining about horizontal lines appearing on their screens.

So what could be causing this issue?

There are several possible reasons for the appearance of horizontal lines on a TCL Smart TV:

1. Input Cable Connectivity Problem

One possibility is that the issue is caused by a loose or damaged HDMI cable.

The input cable connection issue is a common problem that can be easily resolved by checking the input HDMI cable connection.

To check the input cable connection, check that the input cable is connected to the correct input port. 

If the issue still happens, try to reconnect the input cable to the correct input HDMI port. If the issue still happens, try another input port. 

If the issue is still happening, try to connect another device to the input port to rule out the input port as the cause of the issue. If the issue is still happening, service may be required.

2. Outdated Software Version

Another possibility is that there is an issue with the TV’s software. If there is an issue with the software, it can cause horizontal lines to appear on the screen.

Updating your TV’s firmware version should be done when there is a software update available.

A software update can include several fixes and improvements, which will improve your TV’s performance. 

If you’re experiencing horizontal lines or other image problems, a software update may help you solve the problem. 

3. TV Panel Defect

Another common cause is a problem with the TV panel. If there is a problem with the hardware, it can also cause horizontal lines to appear on the screen.

A panel issue is related to the screen of your TV. If your screen has suffered physical damage, you should take it to a technician for repair. 

If you have a new TV, the screen maybe is just dirty or dusty. Still, you need the help of a technician as you won’t be able to peek into the panel yourself and it is also not recommended to do it on your own.

Types of Horizontal Lines that can occur on TCL Smart TV

Lines that can appear on your TV can be horizontal lines running horizontally across your TV’s width or they can be colored vertical lines running vertically on your TCL TVs display screen.

Horizontal lines in TCL Smart TVs can be of several types which are commonly seen in their TVs. These are one of the most commonly seen other tv screen problems.

These can occur in any TCL Tv whether it is an LCD TV, LED TV, OLED TV, or QLED TV.

1. Horizontal green lines on the TCL TV screen

The green lines on TCL smart Tv screen are a common issue where the screen displays a green line on the sides of the screen. 

These lines usually appear on the top and bottom of the display and are caused by a faulty or damaged panel of your screen.

However, to conclude whether it is a panel issue you need to first check with the troubleshooting steps to fix it. 

If it is a panel issue, then the problem with remain until you replace the panel of your TCL LED TV.

2. Horizontal black lines on the TCL TV screen

Horizontal Black lines occur in thin strips mostly on the bottom or top of the screen of LED TVs.  It can be in the form of a block of lines or a single line.

Most of the time these are dead pixels or any other defect. 

When a horizontal line appears on the screen of your TCL TV, it can be either a problem with your TV, or it can be a problem with your cable or satellite box.

If the horizontal lines are not caused by the cable or satellite box, then the problem is with your TCL TV.

A black horizontal line is not always a panel issue. Typically, this can be caused by a bad pixel or a bad connection on the screen.

Fix TCL TV Horizontal Lines on Screen 

#1. Verify the Lines are Permanent or Moving on TCL TV

The first thing to do is to determine if the lines are a permanent part of the LED or LCD screen or if they are moving. 

If they are permanent, then it’s a hardware (LCD) problem, so you’ll need to contact TCL or take your set to a TV repair center. 

If the lines are moving, then it’s a software (Firmware) problem, and you can use the following steps to fix these lines.

#2. Perform Picture Test Switching Input Source

Before you start to fix TCL TV Horizontal Lines on Screen, you will want to run a picture test.

Your input source to your Tv might be having issues. You can switch your input source to another. 

You can connect your Laptop by connecting the HDMI cable to it for a while and check the picture quality and whether it is showing the same horizontal lines on your TCL Smart TV Screen.

#3. Update TCL TV Firmware

If you are facing the issue of the horizontal lines on your TCL TV screen and you want to fix this issue, then you need to update the firmware via their OTA updates to the latest version. 

This is a good solution for the issue and it will work most of the time in these issues.

The first thing you want to do is to check if your TCL TV has the latest software updates. If the TV is still new, you might want to check for updates more often. 

If you haven’t yet, you can easily do this by using your remote control going to the Home screen and then to the Settings menu screen. You will find the option to check for updates in the Support area. If there are updates available, download them. 

After updates are installed properly check whether it is showing updated to the latest version.

Now, it is recommended to perform a restart of your TCL LCD TV or LED tv.

You can find the instructions on how to do this in the user manual that comes with your TV.

#4. Performing Power Cycle

The Power cycle is an effective way of solving common tv problems.

It is also a basic step to troubleshoot while you are trying to fix the horizontal lines either black or colored lines on TCL TV’s display.

To perform the power cycle, you need to unplug the power cord from the power source and keep it disconnect for 15 mins and then restart again.

#5: Factory Reset your TCL Smart TV

If the TV screen problem persists even after updating to the latest firmware, it may be a hardware issue with the TV itself.

This will remove any settings that might have been updated on your TV, so you’ll have to do it before you make any changes to your TV. 

This can be done quickly in the settings, and it will usually run a season scan to make sure that your TV is back in working order. 

How much does it cost to repair horizontal lines on TCL Smart TV?

TCL Smart TV panels are not cheap and replacing them would need a good amount of cost.

However, it will depend on the panel type, and panel size. Though the horizontal line on your TCL Smart Tv may look minor, it can’t be repaired.

Either you need to compromise on your viewing experience by viewing the horizontal line on your screen or you need to replace your Display panel to eliminate any horizontal line.

If the panel is an LCD panel, it will be cheaper and it would cost more to replace if it is an LED panel. 

Conclusion

Let’s conclude the post on the troubleshooting guide for TCL TV Horizontal Lines on Screen!

This is a very common problem, and I hope that I was able to help you to fix horizontal lines.

This is also seen in other TVs like Philips Tv, Sony TV, Samsung LED TV, LG TV, Vizio TV, and almost every brand of TV.

I hope you enjoyed reading the post.