Short answer: most smart TV problems — no Wi-Fi, apps not loading, no sound, a black screen — are fixed by a power cycle, a software update or checking one setting. Here are the most common issues and what to try, in order.
Smart TV not connecting to Wi-Fi
- Unplug the TV for 60 seconds and restart the router.
- Forget the network and reconnect, checking the password.
- Check the date and time are correct.
- Try the 2.4 GHz band if the TV is far from the router.
- Update the TV software using Ethernet or a phone hotspot.
On a Samsung TV? Follow our step-by-step guide for a Samsung TV not connecting to Wi-Fi.
Apps not loading or crashing
- Update the app and the TV software.
- Clear the app cache or reinstall the app.
- Sign out and back in.
- Check the service is not down.
No sound
- Check the TV is not muted and the right audio output is selected (TV speaker, HDMI ARC/eARC, optical).
- If using a soundbar, turn on HDMI-CEC / Anynet+ / SIMPLINK.
- Try a different app to see if the problem is the source.
On a Samsung TV? See how to fix a Samsung TV with no sound.
Black screen or no picture
- Check the correct input/source is selected.
- Try a different HDMI cable or port.
- Press the power button on the TV itself.
- If there is sound but no picture, contact the manufacturer — it may be a backlight fault.
Picture looks wrong
- Choose Standard, Movie or Filmmaker mode instead of Vivid.
- Turn off heavy motion smoothing for films – see how to turn off motion smoothing.
- If HDR content looks too dark, follow our HDR too dark checklist.
- Enable HDR/Enhanced format on the HDMI port for 4K devices.
When to factory reset
If nothing else works, a factory reset can clear software faults. It removes your apps and settings, so note your logins first.