Do Smart TVs Overheat? (Explained for Beginners)

Your smart TV can be under harsh conditions inside your house that you may not be aware of, which can lead to overheating.

Do Smart TVs Overheat?

Like most electronics that are used for long periods of time, Smart TVs do overheat. This comes from many different factors, such as their coolant system built-in, the surrounding environment, and other sources of heat such as direct sunlight, heaters, fireplaces, or other electronics.

Here are some things you need to know about your smart TV environment.

Do Smart TVs Overheat?

Smart TVs, like any other electronic device, can overheat.

While manufacturers explicitly state what users should do to avoid any issues, instances of overheating still happen, despite all precautionary measures taken.

Awareness of overheating is crucial as misuse leads to permanent damage to your TV.

Why Does my Flat-Screen TV Get so Hot?

Several factors affect the operating temperature of your smart TV.

1. It has Clogged Vents:

Your smart TV has ventilation holes that ensure a smooth flow of air inside the TV.

The clogging occurs when dust accumulates inside, or there is not enough room for air to blow inside these vents.

2. Inefficient Airflow:

Even if your smart TV is regularly dusted or cleaned, if your smart TV is in a place with little to no room for air to flow, then it will overheat.

3. Heat Sources are Surrounding the TV:

Is your smart TV near the heater or your stove? Is it beside the refrigerator?

Or is it by your window, along the way of direct sunlight?

These heat sources contribute to the overheating of smart TV.

Even if you have adequate cooling, if it is near heat sources, it will be prone to overheating.

How Do I Know if my Smart TV is Overheating?

The most common symptom of overheating is the TV being too hot to touch.

Another symptom of overheating is a sudden shut down of your TV.

Should you encounter this, give your TV a break of 30 minutes before operating once again.

If it persists, then bring it to a qualified repair center.

Do Smart TVs Have Heatsinks?

Just like your computer, smart TVs have heatsinks to help it maintain a particular temperature range.

A heatsink is a device that transfers heat from your electronics to air or liquid coolants in order to keep your device cool and to prevent overheating.

A heatsink is common in most devices.

How Do I Stop my TV From Overheating?

You can try these solutions to help your smart TV perform at lower temperatures:

1. Keep Vents Clear:

You should always dust-off your TV.

Make sure accumulated particles do not obstruct the vent.

If you have a small vacuum cleaner with low power, you can use it to suck out other particles through the vents.

You must use minimal power to avoid damaging components inside the TV.

2. Remove Airflow Obstructions around the TV

There should be nothing blocking the flow of air to the ventilation slots of your TV.

That means you must position your TV in a manner that allows it to breathe freely, and away from tight spots that enclose and restrict airflow from entering your smart TV.

Look at the position of your smart TV now. Is it in an entertainment console with enough room for air to flow?

If you think there is not enough room or air to flow in your smart TV, consider using a more open console or use a wall mount system.

If you can, have a small fan blowing air in the direction of your smart TV or around a very hot room.

3. Stay away from sources of heat

Make sure your smart TV is far from sources of heat.

Have a TV near your heater or near your induction stove or microwave oven?

The heat from these devices has the potential to damage your smart TV.

If you placed your TV by the window, where sunlight shines directly on it, you should move it somewhere else so the heat of the sun can’t touch it.

4. Seek After-sales Support

If you have done the tips above and your TV is still overheating, you should consider seeking after-sales support from the manufacturer of your smart TV.

They are in the best position to help you resolve any issues, and verify if there are overheating issues associated with your smart TV.

They can check if there is a recall for your smart TV due to overheating or other reliability issues, and will let you know if there is a potential hazard to your or your TV’s health.

Make sure that you have the model number and the serial number of your smart TV for reference of support agent who will handle your concerns.

How Long Does it Take for a TV to Cool Down?

You should set your TV to rest and go to its usual temperature for at least 30 minutes.

You should not use it during this rest period, so the temperature can stabilize.

Do the same also, if your smart TV gets exposed to extremely cold temperatures.

Can TVs Catch Fire from Overheating?

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commissions keeps track of all fire incidents involving TVs since 1992.

While it is possible for a TV to catch fire from overheating, it is not very likely and is a rare occurrence.

If you place your TV next to hot objects, such as a fireplace, or dump water on it while it is plugged in, you could catch it on fire.

Do not do this!

If you are careful and the TV hasn’t been recalled for fire reasons, you should be fine.

Should a TV Screen Get Hot?

It is normal for a TV screen to get hot during prolonged use, but it should not reach excessively high temperatures that are enough to cause a fire or melt the components or chassis of your TV.

It’s just like your computer when you use it for prolonged hours.

You will notice that a computer gets warm when you touch the body and its sides when you use it for more than 30 minutes. You will see the same results with your smart TV.

Treat it well like a computer or any other sensitive electronic device, and it will survive daily use.

Will Heat Damage a TV?

A little heat will not damage your smart TV.

That is what heatsinks are for: to help you manage temperatures higher than usual. But there comes the point where temperatures become too harsh for your TV, even with heatsinks, to handle.

Your smart TV will be damaged, in that case.

Extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, will cause your TV not to change pixels properly.

That is why you need to keep your smart TV within the ideal temperature range for it to work correctly.

Why Does My TV Smell like it is Burning?

If your TV is working and emits a burning smell, there’s a chance that the dust collected is being burned by the heat emitted by the circuit boards inside.

This goes away easily but should this persist, you should seek professional help from your manufacturer or an authorized repairman.

If your TV is not functioning when you smell the burning scent, chances are a component in your TV got burned inside.

The first thing you should check is the fuse.

The fuse protects your TV from sudden electricity surges or fluctuations. It protects all other components from being damaged should there be any unusual electrical activity.

1. If the fuse looks burned, then a replacement fuse is in order. Replacement fuses must match what the manufacturer used.
2. If the fuse is intact, chances are a component overheated, causing it to burn.

In this case, you should bring your TV to an authorized service center for repair.

Also, look up for any recall orders that involve your smart TV. Have your model and serial number ready, so technical support can easily check any past issues from other users.

WARNING: Do not attempt to make any repairs to your TV yourself, as you could injure yourself or destroy your device.

Can a Smart TV Get Overheating in the Sun?

You should not use your smart TV under the direct heat of the sun.

For one, sunlight on your smart TV causes a high amount of glare, which makes images hard to see.

Second, the sun can exert an excessive amount of heat that can damage your TV. As listed above, excess heat causes pixels not to transition correctly.

Lastly, direct light exposure of a smart TV also causes humidity, which can damage the components of your TV.

TVs are indoor appliances by design, and you should not expose them to outdoor conditions.

What is the Best Smart TV When it Comes to Temperature Management?

If you want a smart TV that can withstand harsh temperatures better than others, you should consider LG or Vizio.

These two brands have no known history of defective units that overheated on a large-scale.

Another good one would be Sony, who has long resolved the overheating issues with their Bravia.

You can also try Samsung, who has good after-sales support should there be any unusual activity from your TV.

At the end of the day, you may be able to choose a smart TV that tolerates beyond usual temperatures, but if you still do not give it proper care, it will be prone to damage.

Sources:

Troubleshooting an overheating LCD TV

Can a TV Give Off Toxic Fumes?

What Causes Damage to a Flat Screen TV?