Television repair

[BogeyBoy]

I have a 65" Samsung television that unfortunately is just out of warranty. I now have a pencil thin vertical line, just enough to be annoying. Does anyone know of a reasonable technician? I hate to throw out my $1200 TV but don't want to spend $600 to fix it. Maybe one of you is familiar with this kind of problem and the solution. Thanks.

[Keefelane66]

Make sure that the HDMI cable is properly connected to both the TV and the source device. If the lines are still present, try turning off the TV and unplugging it from the power source for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. If this doesn't solve the issue, perform a factory reset on the TV. POSSIBLY or could be HDMI cable

[retiredguy123]

The solution is to replace the screen. It cannot be repaired, but it can be replaced. A few years ago, I had a Samsung screen replaced under warranty. A guy came to my house, and replaced the screen. I would recommend calling a Samsung authorized repair company and get a price for a new screen, but I suspect that you will not like the price. I will bet you a dollar that the problem has nothing to do with the HDMI cable. You have a defective screen that cannot be repaired.

[villagetinker]

While I agree it could be the screen, the driver electronics could also be the problem. In any case the repair is probably more than you want to spend unless you are going to DIY, Unfortunately it appears these have become throw away devices.
You could try calling Bob's TV, I think they are the closest TV repair shop, no idea if there is a charge to determine id bad component.

[gatorbill1]

Best buy has a 65" Samsung for $499 - and you can probably even find for less $$

[djlnc]

In the old days it might have been the 6JE6 horizontal sweep tube. Nowadays, there are a several circuit boards in there for the different functions. You'd probably have to pay $200 for a board and $150 for the service call.

[laryb]

I had a Samsung UN65JS8500 which at them time was pretty high end. Two diffusers for the backlights suddenly fell off, leaving 2-6" half moons on the screen. Looked online and found pages of people with the same problem. Even a close friend also had it happen to him shortly after. Called Samsung, and they claimed they had no knowledge of the problem, even though they had complaints on their own forum. They gave me the name of a certified repair company, and they quoted me $2100 to fix it. I suffered with it a couple of months, then bought a 77" LG C2 on a Black Friday deal from Costco for a few hundred bucks more. Don't expect any help from Samsung.

[coralway]

TV’s are really inexpensive, I found it cheaper to buy a new one rather than repair my Samsung. Went from a 58” to a 85”.

[arbajeda]

Try this: HDTV Repair Man – HDTV Repair Specialist (https://www.hdtvrepairman.com/)

He fixed my 65" Samsung for $300.00, while I waited. You need an appointment. They're about an hour south on I-75, past Aldi on the left.

[Nevinator]

It’s Prime Day! Various televisions on sale at bargain prices. Not Samsung, but decent quality for the money.

[mikeycereal]

I'm looking for where to drop off/dump a broken screen TV for free. Saw someone with a broken TV outside of their house for the g-men to take. I don't think that would work? Tried google, didn't see free dropoffs near me.

[LuvNH]

I'm looking for where to drop off/dump a broken screen TV for free. Saw someone with a broken TV outside of their house for the g-men to take. I don't think that would work? Tried google, didn't see free dropoffs near me.

Call the trash company and ask them what to do with it. They have taken several very big items for me, but you have to call and arrange for a pick up. I no longer have the number, but it is available online and probably someone on here has it.

I had a TV that no longer worked, put it at the end of the driveway and it was gone almost immediately, I even saw the guy struggling to get it on his golf cart. Go figure!

[CosmicTrucker]

Other than checking your hdmi cable, there is little you can reasonably expect. The next generation is a improvement with a lower cost. Start looking for a replacement.

I worked at a TV repair center right out of High School back in the 70’s. Repairing TV’s out of warranty is no longer viable with today’s technology. IMHO.

[lawgolfer]

I have a 65" Samsung television that unfortunately is just out of warranty. I now have a pencil thin vertical line, just enough to be annoying. Does anyone know of a reasonable technician? I hate to throw out my $1200 TV but don't want to spend $600 to fix it. Maybe one of you is familiar with this kind of problem and the solution. Thanks.

Safe yourself the frustration and expense. My Samsung failed 15 days after the factory warranty expired. Best Buy wouldn't even look at it as I hadn't purchased its extended warranty. I spent $500 with a local repairman who tried his best, changing both circuit boards, but to no avail.

Samsung TV's are very hard to take apart. There are no screws. Instead, the two halves fit together and are held together with "tabs" and "slots" which click in place. These are nearly impossible to, first, separate, and even more impossible to align and connect.

My mistake was buying at Best Buy. If you bought at Costco, you get a second year of its warranty as well as a third year of warranty from an insurer. Sam's Club and BJ's offer much the same. If you bought from either of these three, you may have a warranty of which you are not aware.

The repairman did me a great favor and asking if I had purchased the Samsung using a credit card. He pointed out that the credit card companies offer an additional warranty for appliances purchased on their cards. I submitted a claim to VISA. The warranty is handled by an outside company in Nashville. I had to jump through a lot of hoops. However, I was, eventually, paid 80% of the purchase price.

HINT: Do not through the TV out until the company which handles the credit card warranty has told you to do so. I did, and it caused me an additional headache as the company claims it may need to have the TV examined. I finally resolved this with a letter from the repairman laying out the problem, his efforts to fix the TV, and photos I took of the TV and the serial number as it was being hauled away by The Villages disposal service.

[CosmicTrucker]

I recently had to dispose of a flat screen tv and my normal trash pickup had no problem with taking it. He just tossed it into the truck then crushed it with a big smile on his face.

[ThirdOfFive]

Best buy has a 65" Samsung for $499 - and you can probably even find for less $$
Yep. That's how things go with electronics. Years back we bought a 40" Sony hi-definition TV, 1080p, which had just come out. Lots of 720s out there but we wanted THE BEST and forked over $1,200 to get it. I remember hooking it up at home and marvelling at the gorgeous colors and crystal-clear definition, thinking that this it the best that TV can get. But not too long after 4K UHD hit the market; we bought one (48") for the living room and relegated the 40" to the bedroom. Gave it to my granddaughter when we moved. It works as well as it ever did but you'd have a hard time selling it for any kind of money today.

Live with the annoying line for another year or two. Then dump the dinosaur and get the fanciest TV out there--which itself will be obsolete in three years.

[ThirdOfFive]

Safe yourself the frustration and expense. My Samsung failed 15 days after the factory warranty expired. Best Buy wouldn't even look at it as I hadn't purchased its extended warranty. I spent $500 with a local repairman who tried his best, changing both circuit boards, but to no avail.

Samsung TV's are very hard to take apart. There are no screws. Instead, the two halves fit together and are held together with "tabs" and "slots" which click in place. These are nearly impossible to, first, separate, and even more impossible to align and connect.

My mistake was buying at Best Buy. If you bought at Costco, you get a second year of its warranty as well as a third year of warranty from an insurer. Sam's Club and BJ's offer much the same. If you bought from either of these three, you may have a warranty of which you are not aware.

The repairman did me a great favor and asking if I had purchased the Samsung using a credit card. He pointed out that the credit card companies offer an additional warranty for appliances purchased on their cards. I submitted a claim to VISA. The warranty is handled by an outside company in Nashville. I had to jump through a lot of hoops. However, I was, eventually, paid 80% of the purchase price.

HINT: Do not through the TV out until the company which handles the credit card warranty has told you to do so. I did, and it caused me an additional headache as the company claims it may need to have the TV examined. I finally resolved this with a letter from the repairman laying out the problem, his efforts to fix the TV, and photos I took of the TV and the serial number as it was being hauled away by The Villages disposal service.
Sam's is the way to go. When we moved here We bought a 65" Sony Bravia (mistake...). It had the standard 90-day no-questions-asked return policy as well as the 2-year Costco warranty which I thought was pretty good. Got it home and as my wife doesn't watch TV and with my hearing I need earphones, hooked them up. I had tried the TV speakers but they sounded pretty tinny, which I expected. Worked well--until we got notice that the grandkids were coming for a week. I bought a soundbar. Upon hooking it up I discovered that if the soundbar is hooked up you have to disconnect the headphone tower from the back of the TV (located smack in the middle of the back, naturally) for the soundbar to work, and the only way to do that would be to move the TV away from the wall and physically unplug the headphones. There is no way to toggle between the two with the remote: a call to Sony verified this fact. I was about six weeks beyond the "no questions asked" return date, but thought I had a legitimate issue so I talked to the folks in Electronics at the Costco in Altamonte Springs. No dice. I asked to speak to the manager, who was very nice. I politely said I had been a good Costco customer over the years buying a lot of electronics from them, and that I would be appreciative if Costco recognized that fact and took the TV back. She said she'd call back that afternoon, which she did...and said to bring it back for a full refund. I told her I didn't want a refund but wanted to exchange it for another TV which would most likely cost a lot more, which I did, giving Costco something like $500 difference.

Both of us happy.

[retiredguy123]

I always try to buy a television from Sam's Club or Costco instead of Best Buy. Sam's and Costco have a 90-day return policy, but Best Buy only has a 15-day policy. After 15 days, Best Buy not accept a return and will refer you to the manufacturer for a warranty repair. Also, you should carefully examine the TV screen for minor defects and dead pixels. During the return period, you can return the TV for a full refund for any reason. But, after the return period, some manufacturers will not repair or replace a screen unless it meets their "dead pixel policy" for a defective screen.

[retiredguy123]

Sam's is the way to go. When we moved here We bought a 65" Sony Bravia (mistake...). It had the standard 90-day no-questions-asked return policy as well as the 2-year Costco warranty which I thought was pretty good. Got it home and as my wife doesn't watch TV and with my hearing I need earphones, hooked them up. I had tried the TV speakers but they sounded pretty tinny, which I expected. Worked well--until we got notice that the grandkids were coming for a week. I bought a soundbar. Upon hooking it up I discovered that if the soundbar is hooked up you have to disconnect the headphone tower from the back of the TV (located smack in the middle of the back, naturally) for the soundbar to work, and the only way to do that would be to move the TV away from the wall and physically unplug the headphones. There is no way to toggle between the two with the remote: a call to Sony verified this fact. I was about six weeks beyond the "no questions asked" return date, but thought I had a legitimate issue so I talked to the folks in Electronics at the Costco in Altamonte Springs. No dice. I asked to speak to the manager, who was very nice. I politely said I had been a good Costco customer over the years buying a lot of electronics from them, and that I would be appreciative if Costco recognized that fact and took the TV back. She said she'd call back that afternoon, which she did...and said to bring it back for a full refund. I told her I didn't want a refund but wanted to exchange it for another TV which would most likely cost a lot more, which I did, giving Costco something like $500 difference.

Both of us happy.
Just a comment. If you don't mind spending some money, you can buy a Bose 600 or 900 soundbar and Bose wireless bluetooth headphones. The headphones will connect directly to the soundbar, and you can use the headphones and/or the soundbar for the TV sound. Expensive, but very convenient.

[PersonOfInterest]

Consider it an opportunity to Upgrade.

[Wondering]

I have a 65" Samsung television that unfortunately is just out of warranty. I now have a pencil thin vertical line, just enough to be annoying. Does anyone know of a reasonable technician? I hate to throw out my $1200 TV but don't want to spend $600 to fix it. Maybe one of you is familiar with this kind of problem and the solution. Thanks.
Call Samsung. There should be a reset feature in the menu. Try reseting back to the factory original settings. Samsung products have gone downhill in quality the past few years.

[Elixir34]

Many years ago we had a 46” Mitsubishi TV that developed the same problem. The tech replaced $3200 worth of electronic parts (under warranty) to repair the TV for which I paid $1800. Did not replace the screen though. The TV is still operating perfectly. It won’t die and give me an excuse to replace it with a larger one (darn it !). My point is that unfortunately it will cost you more than the TV is worth to have it repaired unless you can find the parts on Amazon and do it yourself.

[ffresh]

Live with the annoying line for another year or two. Then dump the dinosaur and get the fanciest TV out there--which itself will be obsolete in three years.

My SIL has had a 46" vizio for about 12 years now. It worked fine until a thin red vertical line appeared one day about six years ago. She refused to allow it to affect her pocketbook :crap2: and kept right on a watchin'. This distraction lasted about two years then suddenly disappeared one day for about three years. Then, lo and behold, it reappeared about a year ago. She's still awaiting its disappearance :Screen_of_Death:

Fred

[JRcorvette]

I have a 65" Samsung television that unfortunately is just out of warranty. I now have a pencil thin vertical line, just enough to be annoying. Does anyone know of a reasonable technician? I hate to throw out my $1200 TV but don't want to spend $600 to fix it. Maybe one of you is familiar with this kind of problem and the solution. Thanks.

I had a Vizio that did that. Only a month out of warranty. Called Vizio and they tole me to replace the screen was not worth the money. Bought a new TV (not a Vizio). Everything these days is Disposable!

[mbene]

For those that use hearing aids, hearing aids that have Bluetooth can hook up with tvs that have Bluetooth eliminating the need for headphones. Check your hearing aids and your tv to see if they are compatible.

[retiredguy123]

For those that use hearing aids, hearing aids that have Bluetooth can hook up with tvs that have Bluetooth eliminating the need for headphones. Check your hearing aids and your tv to see if they are compatible.
If your television doesn't have Bluetooth, you can buy a small Bluetooth transmitter/receiver for less than $20 on Amazon. You just plug it into the audio output on your TV, and you can connect to any Bluetooth device.

[retiredguy123]

Many years ago we had a 46” Mitsubishi TV that developed the same problem. The tech replaced $3200 worth of electronic parts (under warranty) to repair the TV for which I paid $1800. Did not replace the screen though. The TV is still operating perfectly. It won’t die and give me an excuse to replace it with a larger one (darn it !). My point is that unfortunately it will cost you more than the TV is worth to have it repaired unless you can find the parts on Amazon and do it yourself.
By the "same problem", do you mean that the screen had a single vertical line on the screen that would not go away? This usually indicates that the screen is defective.

[jedalton]

sometimes you can slap it a few times and it will go away. no kidding

[dougawhite]

Many years ago while in an electrical engineering class about to watch a VHS video on some high-tech topic, the professor, a brilliant man with several advanced degrees and author of several technical books, could not get the TV to work. He tried a number of things to solve the problem to no avail. He called in the lab tech in, a grizzled middle-aged brute, who scratched his beard, looked over the situation, and confidently whacked the TV on its side. It immediately started working and the class erupted in applause and cheers and a standing ovation. I learned more from that incident than from any of my engineering classes!

[BogeyBoy]

Consider it an opportunity to Upgrade.
Unfortunately this one was an upgrade, one of Samsung's higher end models.

[BogeyBoy]

Call Samsung. There should be a reset feature in the menu. Try reseting back to the factory original settings. Samsung products have gone downhill in quality the past few years.

Thanks. Did the reset. Called Samsung. They walked me through the diagnostic menus. Sent them photos. They estimated $600 to repair!

[BogeyBoy]

sometimes you can slap it a few times and it will go away. no kidding

I've "slapped" it. No luck.

[BogeyBoy]

I have called Samsung. They walked me through diagnostics and estimated $600 to repair. Went online with Samsung and looked into local repair, $200 to come and check it out, no promise of satisfaction, plus parts and hourly rate after the first hour. Went to Best Buy and as someone else mentioned, they would do nothing because it is out of warranty. I have ventured into the self repair experience, watched some YouTube videos, and opened up the tricky "no screws" case. Checked and cleaned the ribbon cables, looked for any obvious defects, check other connections where I could, and had no luck. I have now opened it up three times (as I find more suggestions on YouTube). I've done as much as I think is prudent and at least it still has an extremely sharp picture, except for that one line.

Remember those good old days when you could pull out the tubes and test them yourself?

[Keefelane66]

At least you tried many would not have attempted your efforts.

[Debbraham]

I have a 65" Samsung television that unfortunately is just out of warranty. I now have a pencil thin vertical line, just enough to be annoying. Does anyone know of a reasonable technician? I hate to throw out my $1200 TV but don't want to spend $600 to fix it. Maybe one of you is familiar with this kind of problem and the solution. Thanks.

First try changing your hdmi cord…we had lines and tried changing the hdmi cord and it has worked so far!

[retiredguy123]

First try changing your hdmi cord…we had lines and tried changing the hdmi cord and it has worked so far!
Note that having multiple vertical lines and having a single line are two different problems. A single line usually indicates a defective screen.

[Sherkugawa]

I have a 65" Samsung television that unfortunately is just out of warranty. I now have a pencil thin vertical line, just enough to be annoying. Does anyone know of a reasonable technician? I hate to throw out my $1200 TV but don't want to spend $600 to fix it. Maybe one of you is familiar with this kind of problem and the solution. Thanks.

If you paid with a credit card the bank frequently will double the length of the warranty. Worked for me once with a TV that had a catastrophic failure just out of warranty!

[jrref]

If you paid with a credit card the bank frequently will double the length of the warranty. Worked for me once with a TV that had a catastrophic failure just out of warranty!

Consumers should stop buying Samsung TVs. They are just not reliable anymore. Sure you can get them cheap but you get what you pay for. Better options are Sony and LG. I'm sure people have stories about these brands too but they are better made.

[maistocars]

Do you have an extended warranty as a perk from the credit card you used? That would allow for a full refund.

[retiredguy123]

Consumers should stop buying Samsung TVs. They are just not reliable anymore. Sure you can get them cheap but you get what you pay for. Better options are Sony and LG. I'm sure people have stories about these brands too but they are better made.
Samsung controls about 30 percent of the television market and sells more TVs than Sony and LG combined. Consumer Reports rates Samsung and Sony about the same, and they are both at the top of their list. LG is rated lower, except for the OLED models. Obviously, the more TVs you sell, the more complaints you will get. It's just a numbers thing. But, I would be interested to know how Sony and LG TVs are made better.

[SusanStCatherine]

I'm in the market for a new 65" TV. I have an old Samsung I love and I'm using in another room. However, LG OLED is what I will probably get, but it will cost a lot.

I agree with the comments that the credit card company could possibly extend your warranty. Good luck!

[retiredguy123]

I'm in the market for a new 65" TV. I have an old Samsung I love and I'm using in another room. However, LG OLED is what I will probably get, but it will cost a lot.

I agree with the comments that the credit card company could possibly extend your warranty. Good luck!
You can get an 83-inch, LG OLED television at Sam's Club for only $4,799.

[cah177]

paid $3000 for my 1st big screen. Same problem after 4 years of use . Could not be repaired at a reasonable cost. I was told the average life for a big screen TV is 7 years. I had a Montgomery Ward tube TV from the late 60's , it lasted 35 years !

[nn0wheremann]

I have a 65" Samsung television that unfortunately is just out of warranty. I now have a pencil thin vertical line, just enough to be annoying. Does anyone know of a reasonable technician? I hate to throw out my $1200 TV but don't want to spend $600 to fix it. Maybe one of you is familiar with this kind of problem and the solution. Thanks.
I had the same issue with a 55” Sansui TV, which I think was a rebranded Samsung model. WalMart called a tech to fix it under warranty. He asked for a picture of the problem, which I sent to him. WalMart sent me a full refund of the purchase price. Three years later that is my spare bedroom TV. Everything else works.

[BogeyBoy]

If anyone is interested I am going to sell the Samsung and get a new TV. Look for my listing in classified. Photos will be attached to show the line, I am sure someone out there has the skills to fix it. Or because it's not that big of a line some viewers will not notice, especially with darker scenes.

Thanks for all of your suggestions.