Vizio TV Power Light Stays On But No Picture? (Easy Fix!)

The Vizio TV power light stays on but no picture? Well, you’re in luck as we’ve found the fix!

A lit “Power” lamp but no TV picture on Vizio TV is a common indication of an input issue, bad video cables, or defective input.

It could also be a symptom of a defective backlight or a faulty main board, but we’re going to put HW-related possibilities aside and work with what we have.

Here’s how to solve your Vizio TV’s black screen in several different ways:

Keep reading to review the solutions from above in detail!

How to Fix Vizio TV Power Light Stays On But No Picture?

Note: Have you tried turning the Vizio TV on using the built-in buttons on the back?

1. Try to Switch the TV’s Source

If the Vizio TV is turned on, then it should respond by pressing the “Source” button on the TV remote control.

If you have accidentally set Vizio TV to a faulty input or one that doesn’t have a connected device, the television’s screen will remain blank or display the “No Signal” message.

To change inputs on your Vizio TV, press the “Input” or “Source” button with an icon of a small arrow going into a box.

Also, ensure the remote is pointed towards the TV’s receiver and check if the sources menu appears.

1.1 How to Check if TV Input is Functional?

If you’ve managed to navigate into the Vizio TV’s “Source” menu, check the following things:

• Ensure a cable is properly connected to one of your TV’s inputs.
• Switch the TV source to a different input with a connected device.
• Replace the cable connecting the third-party device to your Vizio.

Additionally, you should determine if the TV responds to any remote commands at all.

So, if your Vizio TV model has buttons, try to restart the unit by pressing the “Power” button on the lower or side panel of the device.

2. Conduct a Sound and “Flashlight” Test

If you’re certain that the TV is turned on, the first thing you should check is whether there’s an audio output when streaming regular cable TV.

There are two different methods for testing your Vizio TV’s functionality whenever the “Power” lamp is on, but there is no picture.

2.1 How to Conduct an Audio Test on Vizio TV?

Even if the TV is turned on, not being able to navigate the menus because of the black screen will make testing much harder.

So, use the “Netflix,” “YouTube,” “Vudu” or “Disney” buttons on the remote for quick access to an online application and press “OK” to play the first TV show. 

If you’re using a TV box or satellite, you can test the audio by just turning the TV on! 

Reminder: Ensure the TV’s volume isn’t silenced or muted.

2.2 How to Conduct the “Flashlight” Test?

Follow these instructions to conduct the “Flashlight” test on your Vizio TV:

1. Disconnect the TV’s power cable and wait for 10 seconds.
2. Stand approximately two inches away from the TV screen.
3. Shine your phone’s flashlight directly to the display surface.
4. Check if you can see the picture where the flashlight shines.

If you’re able to see an image with the help of a flashlight, it almost certainly means that either the backlight has failed or the inverter board requires a replacement.

3. Discharge the Vizio TV’s Power Supply

If none of the solutions brought back the picture on your Vizio TV, the problem could be with the power supply.

If you haven’t tried the power cycle already, temporarily refraining the access of electricity to the TV’s hardware could fix the black screen issue and restore the TV functionality.

Here’s how to properly conduct a power cycle on the Vizio TV:

1. Hold the “Power” button on the remote for 10–15 seconds.
2. Next, disconnect the power cable of the TV from both ends.
3. Wait for 30–45 seconds while the Vizio TV is disconnected.
4. Reconnect the power supply adapter on both ends and test.

So, the Vizio TV’s “Power” lamp should flash or blink immediately after the power adapter is reconnected.

If there’s no signal from the “Power” lamp at all, there could be an underlying electricity outage.

Reminder: Try connecting your Vizio TV to a different and proven-to-work electrical outlet!

4. Unplug Third-Party Streaming Devices

In case the Vizio TV turns on but no picture, a faulty external device might be influencing the black screen.

So, if before connecting a third-party device and changing the input your TV was working fine, disconnecting all streaming, audio, and entertainment devices should fix the issue.

Disconnect devices connected with the following cables to your TV:

• HDMI/HDMI ARC
• Coaxial cables
• Component cables
• RCA cables

Note: Verify that the only cable coming out of your Vizio TV is the power supply and determine if the device now responds to pressing buttons on the remote. 

5. Eliminate Power Issues with the Vizio TV

Perhaps, the Vizio TV has developed a certain power-related issue, causing the display to go blank without an indication.

Well, often, the “Power” lamp is the last thing to lose power or stop working in a faulty TV and there are a few things to inspect in the power supply to justify this.

• Check if the TV power cord is in appropriate condition.
• Connect the Vizio TV to an alternative electrical outlet.
• Disconnect third-party power connectors or A/C strips.

How to Detect Power Issues with My Vizio TV?

The common signs of underlying power fluctuations are a blinking screen, rebooting of the TV, buzzing/static noises from the power supply, or even an odor of burning plastic.

It’s important to check early if the TV is restarting or turning off by itself and undertake preventive measures.

6. Reconnect the Motherboard (Advanced)

If your Vizio TV’s warranty has expired, reconnecting the motherboard is another traditional method to address a consistent black screen of death. 

A potentially loose adapter connection or an unwelded capacitor could cause the TV to enter “Emergency” mode and suspend the display picture.

Warning: The steps below will immediately void your Vizio TV warranty!

You can disassemble your Vizio TV and check the motherboard like so:

1. Unplug the Vizio TV’s power and position it on a flat surface.
2. Ensure the TV’s stand is hanging down before proceeding.
3. Next, loosen the 4 screws around the stand of the Vizio TV.
4. Carefully remove the stand by gently pulling it towards you.
5. Keep unscrewing all screws on the side panel of the Vizio TV.
6. Once loose, carefully lift the TV’s back panel until it detaches.
7. Locate the green printed circuit board on the left or right side.
8. Next, disconnect all adapters from the motherboard’s interface.
9. Remove all screws on the motherboard’s side and each corner.
10. Lift the board and inspect for burnt spots or damaged capacitors.
11. Re-install the board and reconnect all of the jacks and adapters.
12. Attempt to turn on the TV and check if the black screen is there.

Note: If the TV refuses to show a picture with the current motherboard, it’s best to consult with a third-party technician.