Fetch TV Not Working Black Screen? (Fix it Now FAST!)
Fetch TV not working black screen and wondering why? Keep reading further into the guide!
The black screen on your Fetch TV box can either be caused by power loss or issues with the video output, including HDMI or software troubles.
So, this guide will help you identify the exact cause of your TV’s black screen and assist you in troubleshooting by providing the top solutions.
If the Fetch TV display goes black, switch the TV input source, disconnect all third-party devices, and unplug the TV from power. If that does not fix the problem, inspect the TV’s power supply and replace the power equipment.
There is much more so let’s get started!
Reasons For the Fetch TV Black Screen?
The black screen on your Fetch TV can be a result of video input issues, problems with the power, or a defective third-party device.
Let’s review an organized list containing all causes:
What Does “Black Screen of Death” Mean?
There’s a major difference between a standard black screen caused by a loss of video input and a black screen of death, which is typically a result of a hardware malfunction.
So, determining whether the Fetch TV box has sustained hardware defects plays a major role in fixing the issue.
Symptoms of Loss of Video Input:
- You can still hear your box’s audio output.
- The TV responds by pressing the buttons.
- You can smoothly adjust the box’s volume.
Symptoms of “Black Screen of Death”
- No audio or video output from the TV box.
- Buzzing noises from the TV’s power cable.
- No response when pressing remote buttons.
Black screen of death or not, continue with the solutions below!
Fetch TV Not Working Black Screen – Here’s How to Fix
Tip: Follow the solutions in consecutive order!
1. Exit All Sources On the Box
The display of your Fetch TV may temporarily go black if the program, channel, or application is undergoing temporal faults.
That’s why the first solution should be to exit all open applications and programs on your TV to determine whether the display of the TV box will return to normal.
Press the “Menu” button on the upper-right side of the navigational pad to bring up the quick access page on your Fetch TV.
If pressing “Menu” does not work, hold the “Exit” button on the lower-right side of the navigational pad for 3 seconds to close all opened programs and apps.
Note: Release the “Exit” or “Menu” button early will prevent the Fetch TV from closing the app.
2. Test on a Different TV Input
The black screen could be caused by a loss of signal on the currently selected input source of the Fetch TV.
That’s why you should attempt to switch the input source of the TV to a default viewing preference or test on a proven third-party device to check if the display remains black.
Here’s how to switch the selected input source on your Fetch TV:
- Unplug the Fetch box’s HDMI from the back of the TV.
- Connect the cable to an alternative HDMI TV input port.
- Press the “Source” or “TV Input” button on the TV remote.
- Highlight the new input source using the physical input.
- Press “OK” to lock in your selection and test the Fetch box.
Quick Reminder: Have you tried testing the TV on all available inputs?
3. Reseat the Box’s HDMI Cable
The black screen can be also caused by issues with the HDMI cable connecting the Fetch box with your TV, monitor, or other viewing device.
So, the next step is to unplug the HDMI cable from both ends to refresh the video signal forwarded from the Fetch box to your TV or monitor.
Here’s how to effectively re-seat the HDMI cable in easy steps:
- Locate the HDMI port on the rear panel of the Fetch box.
- Disconnect the HDMI cable from the back of your TV box.
- Next, unplug the other end of the HDMI cable from the TV.
- Wait for 60 seconds while the HDMI cable is disconnected.
- Re-attach the HDMI cable on both ends and test the signal.
Bonus Tip: Replace the HDMI Cable!
In case only reseating the HDMI did not help, install an alternative cable on the back of your TV or display and connect it to the Fetch TV box.
If the black screen has been caused by a loss of signal in one of the ports or inputs, installing a brand-new HDMI cable should resolve the issue.
Tip: Test the cable on all available TV HDMI inputs.
4. Unplug your Streaming Equipment
The black screen might be caused by an obstructed or insufficient power supply of either the TV or the Fetch box.
You can address power problems with any of your streaming equipment by conducting a power cycle of the device’s hardware, achieved by unplugging the electrical cord.
How to Power Cycle the Fetch TV Box?
- Unplug the A/C cord from the back of the Fetch box.
- Unplug your power adapter from the power socket.
- Wait ∼30 seconds while the Fetch box is unplugged.
- Connect the power cable of your Fetch box to power.
How to Power Cycle the TV Device?
- Hold the “Power” button on the TV’s remote control.
- Once the TV powers off, unplug the power adapter.
- Wait for 35-40 seconds and reconnect the adapter.
- Turn on the TV and check if the box’s output appears.
Tip: Inspect the condition of your device’s power equipment while unplugged!
5. Disconnect Any External Devices
Your Fetch TV box might have run into a failure due to a problem transferred from a defective third-party device.
Those external devices could be soundbars, consoles, computers, or other units connected to one of the HDMI, RCA, or USB ports on the TV or the box.
Unplug the following devices from your TV or Fetch box device:
- Unidentified third-party audio devices using HDMI ARC.
- Unidentified third-party audio devices using RCA cables.
- Other cable boxes, consoles, or DVD players use HDMI.
Verify that the only external device connected to your TV or viewing device is the Fetch box so you can test the broadcast of the cable box properly.
Note: The best practice is to test your Fetch TV box and TV alone.
6. Check if the Box is Overheating
Overheating could lead to issues with the Fetch box, such as reboots, inconsistent power supply, and black screen.
Hence, the next step is to uncover all possible causes leading to overheating and diagnose the internal hardware temperature of your Fetch box for elevation.
How to Identify Overheating in Fetch Boxes?
- Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
- Nearby heat conductors or fireplaces.
- Dusty box spot or dusty surroundings.
- Fault with the cooling vents of the box.
How to Prevent Overheating in Fetch Boxes?
- Unplug the TV box for 30-40 seconds.
- Move the box to a well-ventilated spot.
- Reduce the utilization of the Fetch box.
- Clean the ventilation openings of Fetch.
Note: If the Fetch box is feeling hot to the touch, it is possibly overheating!
7. Attempt a “Blind” Factory Reset
Restoring your Fetch TV to factory defaults is even possible if the display is not visible to the user, as long as you press the correct key combination on the remote control.
All you need for the purpose is a proven and functional Fetch remote control, programmed to the TV device.
Here’s how to factory reset the Fetch TV without seeing the display:
- Press the “Power” button on the Fetch remote control.
- Next, unplug the power cable and wait for 30 seconds.
- While holding the remote, reconnect the TV to power.
- Press Blue → Yellow → Green → Red on the remote.
- Keep pressing this sequence of buttons to factory reset.
If you’ve successfully initiated the factory reset, you should see the “R” or “Paw” indicator light up on the Fetch box.
If none of the indicators lights up, chances are that you have not started the factory reset procedure properly or the Fetch box has sustained critical hardware malfunctions.
Note: If the factory reset starts, wait for 60 seconds until completion!
Quick Recap:
To resolve the Fetch TV not working black screen, hard reset the TV box, check the HDMI connection, and check if the box is overheating.
If the problem persists, attempt a “blind” factory reset on the Fetch TV box to address the issue. Follow us for more!
Finn Wheatley, a Master’s graduate in Computer Science from UCL, London, honed his skills at small data science consultancies. There, he helped large corporations enhance their data capabilities by deploying cutting-edge machine learning analytics and resolving technical hurdles.