Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Questions on how we spend our money and our time - consumer goods and services, home and vehicle, leisure and recreational activities

User avatar

SVariance1
Posts: 1302
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:27 am
Location: Philadelphia Area

Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by SVariance1 »

My Insignia 48 inch TV (out of warranty) has a black screen. Is there any way to fix this issue? This TV replaced a tube TV that I had for 20 years. Modern technology is not always that great.

Mike

bob60014
Posts: 2162
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:59 pm
Location: The Land Beyond ORD

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by bob60014 »

After turning it on, does anything appear when you press the menu button? I'm thinking perhaps the input button was pressed to a unused position. If nothing appears, it maybe the power supply board that failed (usually these do not have user replaceable fuses) , especially if there was a recent storm or power surge.

Last edited by bob60014 on Thu Oct 25, 2018 12:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

bob60014
Posts: 2162
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:59 pm
Location: The Land Beyond ORD

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by bob60014 »

SVariance1 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 12:00 pm I have sound and I can see a little picture but mostly black.

I assume it's a LCD type screen? Press the menu, can you clearly see the writing/menu prompts? If so, it's most likely a input problem and should be a easy fix. Check the antenna connection or cable box and the hdmi cables at all points for proper connections, a common issue. If you dont see the menu screen then it's likely a repair/replacement issue. Insignias seem to be prone to screen issues.

123
Posts: 7958
Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2012 3:55 pm

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by 123 »

When we had warranty service on a large HDTV I watched the service guy. He simply swapped out the main circuit board. There didn't seem to be too many options on alternative things to do. TVs are cheap because there aren't that many distinct parts inside. Service can be easy but the part expense can be high.

The closest helping hand is at the end of your own arm.

User avatar

Kenkat
Posts: 7730
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:18 am
Location: Cincinnati, OH

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by Kenkat »

I had a similar issue with a Vizio TV. I took it to a TV repair place to get an estimate. In my case, the solder joints between the video driver board and the main board had developed cracks, causing the display to go out. They were able to resolder the connections between the boards. Total cost was $125; it happened to be covered under an extended warranty via my Visa card but I thought the cost was very reasonable. I think they charged me a $35 diagnostic fee but that was refunded towards the repair cost.

User avatar

unclescrooge
Posts: 5794
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:00 pm

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by unclescrooge »

Kenkat wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 1:44 pm I had a similar issue with a Vizio TV. I took it to a TV repair place to get an estimate. In my case, the solder joints between the video driver board and the main board had developed cracks, causing the display to go out. They were able to resolder the connections between the boards. Total cost was $125; it happened to be covered under an extended warranty via my Visa card but I thought the cost was very reasonable. I think they charged me a $35 diagnostic fee but that was refunded towards the repair cost.

Was it wall mounted by any chance?

User avatar

Kenkat
Posts: 7730
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2007 11:18 am
Location: Cincinnati, OH

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by Kenkat »

^ It was not wall mounted but apparently this was a common problem with this particular line of Vizio TVs due to heating and cooling of the solder joints; I could see wall mounting making that worse.

barnaclebob
Posts: 4622
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 10:54 am

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by barnaclebob »

SVariance1 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:10 pm My tube TV had 20 years of use without a problem before I threw it out.

But it was functionally obsolete because picture quality had improved so much in those 20 years. It may have also been a good brand. 1080P LCD TV's are probably approaching 15 years of mainstream use and are not obsolete yet as the improvement by going to 4k isn't that great as far as i can tell. In any case its not a problem with modern technology its a problem of buying junk.

User avatar

Nicolas
Posts: 3251
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:41 am
Location: Ashtabula, 56th and Wabasha
Contact:

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by Nicolas »

SVariance1 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:10 pm My tube TV had 20 years of use without a problem before I threw it out.

I'm starting the ninth year on my Panasonic plasma TV, still as good as new.

Last edited by Nicolas on Thu Oct 25, 2018 4:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.

The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted. Ps. 12:8

User avatar

Topic Author

SVariance1
Posts: 1302
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:27 am
Location: Philadelphia Area

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by SVariance1 »

barnaclebob wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:55 pm

SVariance1 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:10 pm My tube TV had 20 years of use without a problem before I threw it out.

But it was functionally obsolete because picture quality had improved so much in those 20 years. It may have also been a good brand. 1080P LCD TV's are probably approaching 15 years of mainstream use and are not obsolete yet as the improvement by going to 4k isn't that great as far as i can tell. In any case its not a problem with modern technology its a problem of buying junk.

The same issue could happen with a Samsung.

Mike

User avatar

HueyLD
Posts: 8517
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:30 am

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by HueyLD »

You can call Best Buy and they will come to your house to repair the unit.

Of course if the cost of repairs exceeds the cost of a new comparable unit, you should just buy a new one.

mouses
Posts: 4217
Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2015 12:24 am

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by mouses »

DanMahowny wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 3:15 pm Today's tv's are fairly reliable and cheap.

Send this one to the landfill and go buy a bigger, better model.

I'm pretty sure electronics require special disposal.

User avatar

munemaker
Posts: 4209
Joined: Sat Jan 18, 2014 6:14 pm

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by munemaker »

SVariance1 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:59 pm

barnaclebob wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:55 pm

SVariance1 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:10 pm My tube TV had 20 years of use without a problem before I threw it out.

But it was functionally obsolete because picture quality had improved so much in those 20 years. It may have also been a good brand. 1080P LCD TV's are probably approaching 15 years of mainstream use and are not obsolete yet as the improvement by going to 4k isn't that great as far as i can tell. In any case its not a problem with modern technology its a problem of buying junk.

The same issue could happen with a Samsung.

It certainly could, but less likely with the better brands - Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.

inbox788
Posts: 8267
Joined: Thu Mar 15, 2012 5:24 pm

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by inbox788 »

mouses wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 3:19 pm

DanMahowny wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 3:15 pm Today's tv's are fairly reliable and cheap.

Send this one to the landfill and go buy a bigger, better model.

I'm pretty sure electronics require special disposal.

If you're in California (and may other states), you've already paid the disposal fee. And you'll be paying another fee on the new set you buy. Hopefully there won't be another disposal fee as you try to dispose of your broken set.

I haven't had to dispose of a larger tv lately. I passed one that was still working and is now hosting a game system. Smaller, computer monitor sized displays have gone to electronic recycling drives at schools and churches. They might even accept larger TVs, though I haven't tried.

https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/electronics/retailer

https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Land/Wa ... ation.aspx

User avatar

Nicolas
Posts: 3251
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:41 am
Location: Ashtabula, 56th and Wabasha
Contact:

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by Nicolas »

inbox788 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 5:34 pm

mouses wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 3:19 pm

DanMahowny wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 3:15 pm Today's tv's are fairly reliable and cheap.

Send this one to the landfill and go buy a bigger, better model.

I'm pretty sure electronics require special disposal.

If you're in California (and may other states), you've already paid the disposal fee. And you'll be paying another fee on the new set you buy. Hopefully there won't be another disposal fee as you try to dispose of your broken set.

I haven't had to dispose of a larger tv lately. I passed one that was still working and is now hosting a game system. Smaller, computer monitor sized displays have gone to electronic recycling drives at schools and churches. They might even accept larger TVs, though I haven't tried.

https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/electronics/retailer

https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Land/Wa ... ation.aspx

In my area you can't give away CRTs anymore, you have to pay $25 each to get rid of them. You used to be able to donate them to Goodwill and then they'd try to sell them for a couple of bucks on their sales floor. No more, nobody wants them.

The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted. Ps. 12:8

Jack FFR1846
Posts: 14081
Joined: Tue Dec 31, 2013 7:05 am
Location: 26 miles, 385 yards west of Copley Square

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by Jack FFR1846 »

Check craigslist for wanted electronics for scrap. I scrap electronics as a hobby (no CRTs) and am often amazed about things that nobody wants. I've had flat screen monitors for sale for months on craigslist at $5 each and no takers whatsoever. So I pull them apart to sell the separate commodities. There are others out there like me. Finding a specialty scrap yard that takes electronic scrap is not as easy as those who take steel and basic materials, but I'm lucky to have one nearby. Some people also use Boardsort.com and sell to them, but you'd need a bunch of higher value stuff to even cover shipping.

Bogle: Smart Beta is stupid

User avatar

bottlecap
Posts: 6737
Joined: Tue Mar 06, 2007 11:21 pm
Location: Tennessee

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by bottlecap »

SVariance1 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:59 pm

barnaclebob wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:55 pm

SVariance1 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:10 pm My tube TV had 20 years of use without a problem before I threw it out.

But it was functionally obsolete because picture quality had improved so much in those 20 years. It may have also been a good brand. 1080P LCD TV's are probably approaching 15 years of mainstream use and are not obsolete yet as the improvement by going to 4k isn't that great as far as i can tell. In any case its not a problem with modern technology its a problem of buying junk.

The same issue could happen with a Samsung.

Probably not the same issue. This appears to be common for Insignias.

However, I bought a Samsung that had undersized capacitors and had to solder new ones on twice after they blew.

The Samsung is a great tv, but yeah, the good brands can have problems, too.

JT

User avatar

cheese_breath
Posts: 10644
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 7:08 pm

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by cheese_breath »

mouses wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 3:19 pm

DanMahowny wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 3:15 pm Today's tv's are fairly reliable and cheap.

Send this one to the landfill and go buy a bigger, better model.

I'm pretty sure electronics require special disposal.

What a coincidence. Best Buy recycles old electronics. But I think they charge a fee for TVs. So they get you coming and going on your Insignia.

The surest way to know the future is when it becomes the past.

JBTX
Posts: 8756
Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2017 12:46 pm

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by JBTX »

Nicolas wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:58 pm

SVariance1 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:10 pm My tube TV had 20 years of use without a problem before I threw it out.

I'm starting the ninth year on my Panasonic plasma TV, still as good as new.

Same here. It has been about 10 years and still working fine.

Momus
Posts: 1023
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 9:23 pm

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by Momus »

6 yrs for my led vizio tv. Just waiting until it dies so I can get oled, and better response rate for gaming. Time for an upgrade.

rgs92
Posts: 2991
Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:00 pm

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by rgs92 »

All of my Sony LCD TVs (going back to 2007) have performed flawlessly all this time. Personally I would not buy an off-brand LCD TV unless it was a small one for casual use (basically disposable).

But since I'm cheap, regular old LCD HDTV is all I need even if new technologies look even better. Sony looks best to me in the store, so I stick with Sony. I sense that Sony has the most natural colors in A/B side-by-side staring contests with Samsung and all the others at Best Buy, etc.

User avatar

OAG
Posts: 1202
Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:54 am
Location: Currently Central Ohio, USA

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by OAG »

We have a projection system which puts a 110 inch picture on the wall screen. Entire system was about 1/2 the cost of a 70 inch "regular" TV about 2 years ago.

OAG=Old Army Guy. Retired CW4 USA (US Army) in 1979 21 years of service @ 38.

Jb526
Posts: 62
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 6:07 pm

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by Jb526 »

Nicolas wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:58 pm

SVariance1 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:10 pm My tube TV had 20 years of use without a problem before I threw it out.

I'm starting the ninth year on my Panasonic plasma TV, still as good as new.

I really wish Panasonic hadn't stopped making consumer televisions. I'm on year 8 with my two Panasonic TVs (one LCD, one plasma). A total of four Panasonic TVs in my family, and all have worked flawlessly.

goodlifer
Posts: 518
Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2015 9:50 pm

Re: Insignia TV Has Black Screen

Post by goodlifer »

Jb526 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 27, 2018 1:27 pm

Nicolas wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:58 pm

SVariance1 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 25, 2018 2:10 pm My tube TV had 20 years of use without a problem before I threw it out.

I'm starting the ninth year on my Panasonic plasma TV, still as good as new.

I really wish Panasonic hadn't stopped making consumer televisions. I'm on year 8 with my two Panasonic TVs (one LCD, one plasma). A total of four Panasonic TVs in my family, and all have worked flawlessly.

Me too. We bought the Panasonic plasma about 14 years ago and it still works flawlessly. My husband decided that we "needed" the LG 4k, and that developed a pixel problem within 3 days of purchase. The Samsung we bought our daughter had problems right out of the box and won't connect to the internet. We should have just packed it up and sent it back, but my husband prefers to spend 3 hours working on it while calling Samsung and our internet provider every time they refresh our signal.