Causes of Glitchy TV Screen
Flicker and stutter are the most common TV screen issues. Flicker can be caused by issues with your TV, the device it’s connected to, if any, and the actual cable connecting your TV to whatever device. Stutter can be caused by internet connection issues, a variety of software problems, and all of the things that cause flicker.
How to Fix a Glitchy TV Screen
A glitchy TV screen is often caused by a problem with the video input cable or the content you’re viewing. Follow these steps in order to diagnose and fix the glitch. These steps should help you fix a glitchy TV. If the problem persists, the cause is likely a hardware problem in your TV. Contact your TV’s manufacturer for warranty service, if it’s still covered, or contact a local TV repair company. Turn off both your television and any connected input devices, then turn them back on. Check all video cables, including power cables, connected to your TV and your input devices. Give each cable a firm push inwards to ensure they have a good connection. Examine the length of the cable for any cuts or gaps in the plastic protecting the wire inside. Examine the connector for dents, bends, or odd discoloration. Replace the cable if shows any signs of damage. It’s not possible to connect a cable using the wrong standard, as the connectors are physically different and won’t fit. However, modern display standards (like HDMI and DisplayPort) have multiple revisions. A cable built to the standards of an older revision may not work with a new device. Look for a label printed along the length of the cable’s cord or on the connector at each end of the cable. If a label is present, use a search engine to look up the cable type and specifications. If no label is present, try using another cable that you know works or, if you don’t have one available, purchase a new cable. Connect your input device to another TV or monitor and attempt to view the same content. Alternatively, try another input device with your TV. If the problem persists, then either the input device or the content you are attempting to view is the cause of the glitch. Run an Internet speed test on a computer or mobile device connected to the same network as the device you have connected to your TV. Run the test three times and record the results. In general, streaming 1080p High-Definition content requires an Internet connection that reliably exceeds 5 megabits per second. Streaming 4K Ultra High-Definition content requires an Internet connection that reliably exceeds 25 megabits per second. Examine the cables connected to any hardware installed in your home by your TV service provider. Look for loose connections and secure them as necessary. If using an antenna, try moving the antenna to a different location or changing its orientation. Satellite service is sensitive to weather including storms, high winds, and heavy rainfall. Wait for the weather to pass to see if your TV glitch persists. You may run into issues with older content created for an analog TV standard that your TV does not support. Our guide to the NTSC and PAL standards has the details. You can purchase hardware to convert NTSC to PAL, and vice versa, if this is the source of your issue. Modern TVs can have problems with interlaced video. Interlaced video draws only half the lines of an image with each frame but alternates the lines displayed with each frame. Common interlaced video standards included 480i and 1080i. Modern televisions use progressive video input and use built-in deinterlacing to handle convert interlaced video to progressive. The results can vary, however, so you may see flicker or video quality issues. You can purchase deinterlacing hardware to fix the problem.
