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Philips TV Problems: 4 Most-Common Issues (Solved)

Philips is a reputable brand, but like other manufacturers, its TVs have their share of weaknesses. No brand is perfect, and Philips TVs can have issues.

So, what are these issues? Here are four of the most common problems with Philips TVs.

1. Philips TV Won’t Connect to Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi connectivity is a common issue among all smart TVs.

If you’re having problems connecting your TV to your Wi-Fi network, the first thing you need to do is identify where the problem lies. And usually, there are two possible culprits: the Wi-Fi router and/or the TV itself.

  • To check if the problem is with your Wi-Fi network or router, the first thing to check is if your other devices can connect and stream videos.
  • If your other devices can’t connect to the Wi-Fi network, the problem is likely with your router.

The next thing to test is if your Wi-Fi network is too congested. 

  • You can test this by disconnecting other devices from your Wi-Fi to decongest your Wi-Fi network.
  • If your TV can connect to Wi-Fi after disconnecting other devices, it means your Wi-Fi network was too congested.

However, if the TV is still unable to connect to the Wi-Fi, the problem is likely with your TV.

  • To restore the connection of your TV, consider rebooting your TV.
  • Rebooting means turning the TV off, unplugging it from the power source, then restarting it after two minutes.
  • After rebooting, check if your TV can connect to the Wi-Fi network.

If the rebooting does not fix the connectivity problem, you can try forgetting the Wi-Fi network from your TV’s recognized networks, then reconnect to it.

You should also check if there are firmware updates for your TV.

To check if the firmware version is updated:

  • On the Home screen, open the Settings Menu.
  • Select Firmware Update and open Firmware Information.
  • Take note of the Firmware version and compare it with the version listed on the TV’s website.
  • If the version on the website is more recent, download it on a USB flash drive for installation.
  • You’ll need a high-capacity flash drive that’s formatted as FAT32, as the firmware can go over a gigabyte.  

Once you’ve downloaded the Firmware, it’s time to install it via USB. The installation is relatively easy to do and automated. Here’s how to install:

  • Make sure the file you downloaded is unzipped before you plug it into the TV. The unzipped firmware must be on the USB flash drive.
  • Plug the USB flash drive into the TV, after which the TV screen will go black for a few seconds and close all apps open.
  • The TV will now install the update, wherein the TV will show Installing System Updates on the screen with a progress bar.
  • Firmware updates will take up to 15 minutes to install, depending on the size of the file.
  • Once the update is finished, the screen will blackout for a few seconds, and then the Philips logo will appear.
  • Once the TV is loaded, turn it off, then turn on the TV.

If this fix does not work, consider doing a Factory Reset.

A Factory Reset will restore your TV to the same system state when it came out of the factory. It’s the last resort in fixing issues that other fixes cannot handle because it will delete all your downloaded apps and settings.

If you want to do a factory reset, here’s what you need to do.

  • Press the Home button on the remote control and open Setup.
  • Go to TV Settings, then select Factory Settings.
  • You will be asked to input your PIN code (the default is 8888), then click on Reset.
  • Confirm the action by pressing on Ok.

At this point, your TV will begin flushing out the current system and replacing it to its original state. You get a clean slate without any problems.

Once the Factory Reset is complete, you will need to re-install all the channels. 

  • You can do this by pressing the home button and click on setup.
  • Go to TV Settings, then select reinstall TV and confirm the action.
  • The channels will then be reinstalled.

Note that Factory Resets may be used with other issues as a last resort.

You may also like to read our article about Are Philips TV Remotes Universal?

2. Philips TV Does Not Turn On.

Because smart TVs are basically computers designed for entertainment, you’ll likely encounter similar power issues as you would with a computer, such as the TV not turning on.

Troubleshooting power issues of the TV is rather straightforward to diagnose.

  • Unplug the TV and let it stay unplugged for 60 seconds.
  • Plug the TV into a different power outlet without a surge protector.
  • Turn on the TV again with the remote control.
  • If the remote control does not work, try turning on the TV using the power switch behind the TV panel.

Should the TV refuse to turn on after these tips, it’s likely that the power supply is broken and needs to be checked by a technician.

3. Philips TV Does Not Stream in High Definition.

Some users of Philips 4k TVs have reported apps not streaming in high definition.

  • Some content is streamed in HD or UHD without any issues, but films only stream in standard definition. 
  • Philips acknowledged the problem and announced that TVs that run Android 8 and were released in 2017 and 2018 are affected by this issue.
  • It’s been speculated that the problem stems from the DRM Certificates.
  • Unfortunately, Philips has yet to release a solution to this problem.
  • The only way to fix this is to use a streaming device, such as Chromecast, as these are not connected to the Android 8 system.

However, if your Philips TV is not listed among those affected by this problem, you’re likely experiencing a weak Internet signal.

  • You can check with your other devices if they have any streaming issues.
  • You may also check the Speed Test by Ookla to verify your current Internet speed, which is linked in the Sources at the end of this article.  
  • Remember that streaming apps are best used with an Internet speed of at least five Mbps for HD quality and 25 Mbps for 4k quality.

4. Philips TV Has No Sound.

According to the Philips support website, there are two reasons for your TV not to have sound, not including instances when the hardware is damaged.

The first reason is the Secondary Audio Program (SAP) is active.

  • SAP usually works when content comes with secondary audio (e.g., videos on Netflix with other languages).
  • If SAP is active and the content does not have any secondary audio, you won’t hear anything.

To turn off SAP, you need to:

  • Open the Menu with the remote control
  • Click on Setup and select Audio
  • If SAP is available, you should see Digital Audio Language or Alternate Audio.
  • You should select English or Off.
  • In some cases, the option would be Audio Setting, then open Stereo or SAP

If you don’t have SAP, or it’s not active, your TV speakers are likely disabled.

Speakers are often disabled when another device, such as Bluetooth soundbars or headphones, is in use.

To turn on the TV speakers:

  • Open Menu and go to Setup
  • Click on Audio and select TV Speakers
  • Click On to activate the speakers.

If these fixes still don’t work, your TV has likely damaged components.

You can try plugging in headphones to check where the problem lies.

  • If sound comes out through the headphones, the issue is with the speaker connection.
  • Otherwise, there’s a damaged Audio Chip or component that needs checking.
  • In these two scenarios, it’s best to have a technician look into the problem and resolve it.

General Pros and Cons of Philips TVs

Philips TVs have options for the operating system

Philips makes TVs that have either Android or Roku operating systems.

  • That gives consumers an option when it comes to choosing a system.
  • If you’re more acquainted with the Android system, then go for Android TV. If you prefer Roku, there are options for you.
  • Regardless of which operating system you choose, you gain access to a wide selection of apps.

Philips TVs have the Ambilight system.

Ambilight is one of the most interesting features of Philips TVs.

Despite the brand not getting as much attention as the big-name brand in the market, Ambilight is what makes the TV stand out. So, what is Ambilight?

  • Ambilight helps reduce eyestrain as it functions as bias lighting. By illuminating the back of your TV, the Ambilight helps diffuse lighting on the screen.
  • The color of the Ambilight is based on the content you are watching. It adapts and provides soft bursts of color based on what is on the screen.
  • The number of Ambilight panels available depends on the TV. There are TVs with as low as two Ambilights for the left and right sides and can go as high as four for each corner.

Combined with the thin bezels, Ambilights make your TV look floating in the air, making it a strong centerpiece for your living room.

General Cons of Philips TVs

  • Does not have many TVs with 120 Hz Refresh Rates.
  • Sound quality leans towards average levels.

Final Thoughts

Philips TVs pretty much have the same problems as any other smart TV on the market.

That said, if you are looking for a good TV that won’t disappoint, Philips is a recommended option.

The brand’s reputation is stellar, and the quality of the TVs they put out reflects the brand’s reputation.

For more information on Philips TVs, check out our article How Long Do Philips TVs Last?.

 

Sources:

The Speed Test by Ookla

Philips smart TV won’t connect to wifi – How to fix

How to update the software of Philips TV via USB?

Philips wants to fix problems with streaming apps on its TVs soon

 

 

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