Are LG TVs Reliable? (Explained For Beginners)

LG is one of the most popular brands of TVs on the market. They’ve been in the industry for a while and offer products at a median price point that’s cheaper than the high-end brands, but still more expensive than budget brands. 

But can you trust LG when it comes to durability? 

Are LG TVs reliable? 

About the Reliability of LG TVs. 

LG makes reliable Smart TVs that will last between 7 and 9 years on average. LG TVs also have a longer warranty than most TV brands offer (2 years), which is the company’s way of assuring customers that their products are durable.

Do LG TVs Last As Long As Other Brands?

LG TVs last as long as other leading brands if proper care is given to these TVs. 

That means using the proper settings for brightness, providing regular cleaning, and putting it in the right area and away from harmful elements. 

Are LG TVs Worth Buying? 

Considering the quality of the TVs that LG offers and their prices, you can say LG TVs are worth buying. 

The price of LG TVs is lower than premium brands, such as Samsung and Sony. But they’re not too cheap either. LG TVs sit in the middle but are leaning towards the higher end of the price spectrum.

Do People Generally Have Problems With LG TVs?

In general, people don’t have problems with LG TVs.

There may be some users who encounter issues, but not enough to be called a production defect or design flaw on LG’s part. It’s just the nature of electronics. 

What Are the Most Common Issues with LG TVs?

We have a full article dedicated to the most common issues with LG TVs.

It’s a MUST-READ if you are considering a new TV.

While LG TVs may not have flaws as a whole that would merit a pull-out from the market, some users have noted issues that may affect usage.

Here are some of them and their solutions.

Screen Blanks Out 

Some users have noted that their LG TVs turn on and off on their own, followed by a pop-up notice. It’s then followed by blinking, changing colors for a few seconds. 

• This issue is caused by the internal power supply having a broken capacitor.
• You’ll know which capacitor is broken by the leaks or bulge it may have.
• Repairing this issue is easy if you have a background in electronics. But you are better of leaving it to an authorized service center or a trained repairman if you do not have experience.

No Audio Output

Sometimes, you may encounter no sound at all from your LG TV.

Even after raising the volume, trying other videos, channels, or streaming services, you can’t hear a thing. 

There are two possible issues here: the speakers or the Integrated Circuit (IC) for audio may have gone bad. 

• To diagnose, turn off the TV and unplug the AC power source.
• Then press and hold the power button on the TV for ten seconds.
• Wait for a minute, then reconnect the TV, then turn it on.
• Connect it to a set of external speakers, and check for sound.

Should there be sound with the external speakers, the internal speakers are the culprit. 

But if there is still no sound, it’s the IC that has an issue. 

These can be repaired by your local repairman, who will replace the IC or look for the issues that disconnect the internal speakers from the rest of the TV. 

No Wi-Fi connection 

Not being able to connect via Wi-Fi is a common issue, not just with LG but with all smart TVs. 

The first thing to check is the router.

• Is it within range of the TV?
• Try connecting another device and check for any issues. If it does not connect, then the router is the issue.
• You can reset your router by turning it off and unplugging it. Then turn it on again after a minute.
• If the issue persists, you can check for firmware updates for the router.

You can also install Wi-Fi repeaters if the TV is a bit out of range from the router. 

Horizontal Lines on the Screen 

Some users of LG TV have noticed horizontal lines that appear on the screen. 

• These lines are somewhat emphasized when the TV is turned on and off. Sometimes, these lines extend throughout the screen at particular intervals.
• This issue is often associated with weak signal strength, usually with set-top box cables connected to the TV.
• You can try changing the cables or upgrading your set-top box to resolve the issue.

Permanent Image Retention 

This issue is most notable for the OLED TVs, and it is an issue with all OLED TVs, not just those made by LG. 

Permanent Image Retention, popularly known as burn-in, happens when you leave a static image on the screen for an extended period. Unfortunately, the effects are irreversible. 

But you can avoid these issues, as all you need to do is avoid leaving the TV on the same screen or looping the same set of videos for an extended period. 

Look into our article which reads about 6 Most Common Problems With LG TVs

How Reliable Are the Cable Ports?

The cable ports of LG TVs are generally reliable and won’t break easily. 

That said, you still need to avoid putting stress on these ports for them to last longer.

You can use extension cables or switchers for devices that you regularly swap out so that the switchers or extenders will take the impact from any stress brought about by unplugging or tugging of cables. 

How Many Years Should I Expect It To Last?

On average, you can expect LG TVs to last as long as other TVs on the market. 

Lifespans can range anywhere from 40,000 to 100,000 hours, translating to roughly 4.5 to over ten years. 

But as long as you can provide proper care for your TV, you can expect it to reach at least the upper limit of this range before any degradation in the quality of the screen appears. 

Check out our article How Long Do LED TVs Last? for more information. 

How Long Is the Warranty On These? 

LG offers warranties that can span up to two years for parts and labor.

The warranty duration depends on the location of the user.

Are LG TVs Good for Gaming? 

Most LG TVs are good for gaming, but their OLED TVs are the best, as they are known for their fast response times and sharp images.

Non-OLED TVs will work, but your mileage may vary, depending on the game and TV. 

For more information, check out our article Are LG TVs Good For Gaming?.

What’s the First Thing that Breaks in a TV? 

The first thing that breaks in a TV is often the backlight of the TV. 

Backlights break because of excessive use. They heat up and break up over time when not set correctly. For this reason, you should set your backlight to match the brightness of the room, lowering it whenever possible.

Dim rooms can have lower backlight settings, while brighter rooms need higher brightness settings. 

What Are the Best LG TVs? 

If you are considering LG, here are some suggestions for good TVs in their product line.

LG CX 

The LG CX is one of the best value-for-money TVs you can get from the company. 

• It comes with an OLED display which allows the CX to provide wider viewing angles, sharp blacks, and vivid colors.
• When it comes to gaming, the CX has a low input lag and supports a Variable Refresh Rate with FreeSync and G-Sync support. The response time is also fast on the CX.
• Making the video game experience better is the Auto Low Latency Mode, meaning you don’t have to keep switching settings whenever you play consoles.
• For HDR gaming, the CX still performs excellently with its low input lag.

The CX’s weakness is burn-in, which is true of all OLED TVs. 

LG Nano90 

The LG Nano90 is the best LED TV you can get from the brand. 

• It’s the flagship 4k LED TV for 2020 and has a lot of the good features from the CX in an LED package.
• Unlike the CX, the Nano90 does not suffer from burn-in risk, so you can pause all you want or leave it looping a particular set of videos with no worries.
• The Nano 90 comes with a Variable Refresh Rate and low input lag.
• It also features HDMI 2.1 support, an exceptional response time, and Black Frame Insertion to improve clarity in fast-paced movements on screen.
• This TV also uses an IPS panel, which unfortunately equates to a low contrast ratio and average black uniformity.
• The Nano 90 has a full-array local dimming, but it can be mediocre at times.
• HDR content on the Nano90 is decent but could be improved by making the highlights stand out more.
• The Nano90 can handle reflections well but could use an improvement with its peak brightness.

LG UN7300 

If you are on a budget and want an LG TV, then consider the UN7300. 

• The UN7300 is available in a wide range of sizes and comes with the option for an IPS or VA panel. The IPS panel has wider viewing angles but a low contrast ratio, while the VA panel has a better contrast ratio at the expense of narrow viewing angles.
• For those into gaming, the UN7300 has a low input lag and average response time.
• You might notice a little image duplication in fast-paced scenes.
• Upscaling content is not an issue for the UN7300.
• It can also handle reflections quite well.
• The weaknesses of this TV include the lack of Variable Refresh Rates, and HDR settings are on the average side, due to the limited color gamut.

Four Ways to Care for Your TV 

Regardless of which TV brand you choose, you need to know how to properly care for your TV.  You want to get the most mileage, whether you spend a few hundred or a thousand for your TV. 

Here are four ways to care for your TV. 

1. Turn off the TV when not in use 

This tip holds true, especially for OLED TVs, since paused scenes can leave their permanent mark on your TV. 

Also, the first thing that breaks in a TV is the backlight.

• These burn out as time passes, which results in breakage.
• Keeping your TV on for prolonged periods speeds up the degradation process.
• Turning off the TV when not in use helps delay the degradation and lets you save on electricity.

2. Dust off the TV 

Did you know that dust can damage your TV? 

• When dust accumulates on your screen, it may penetrate and cover the backlights. That, in turn, can cause the backlight to heat up faster. 
• At the same time, dust can also block the vents of your TV, which then curtails air circulation. 

Thus, you should regularly clean your TV by wiping it with a dry microfiber cloth. Don’t use any cleaning agents, as these can damage the TV. 

3. Lower the Brightness 

Higher brightness does not always mean better image quality!

• Higher brightness forces you to use more electricity.
• The backlights will emit more heat, which can damage the whole TV.

You should match the lighting condition of the room with the backlight or brightness levels. You can reduce it further when watching in a dim room, and increase it when it gets too bright inside.

4. Keep the TV well-ventilated 

As TVs emit heat during use, you also risk damaging other electronic components, like capacitors and integrated circuits, if you keep your TV in close quarters. 

Your TV should have enough space for air to circulate. 

Allot at least two inches of space behind the TV and the wall, and four inches on each side. 

For those using cabinet-type consoles, there should more space for the TV to circulate air. Consider adding cooling fans inside for better circulation. 

Final Thoughts

For the most part, LG makes a reliable product. 

They offer TVs at different price points, which gives you more options based on your budget. And the two-year warranty is not something to sneer at. 

 

Sources:

LG LED TV Common Problems

Rtings.com