Emerson TV Won’t Turn On (Easy Fixes)

By SmartHomeBit Staff •  Updated: 09/23/22 •  7 min read

 

1. Power Cycle Your Emerson TV

When you turn your Emerson TV “off,” it isn’t truly off.

Instead, it enters a low-powered “standby” mode that allows it to start up quickly.

If something goes wrong, your TV can get stuck in standby mode.

Power cycling is a fairly common troubleshooting method that can be used on most devices.

It can help fix your Emerson TV because after continuously using your TV the internal memory (cache) may be overloaded.

Power cycling will clear this memory and allow your TV to run like it’s brand new.

To wake it up, you’ll have to perform a hard reboot of the TV.

Unplug it from the wall outlet and wait for 30 seconds.

This will give time to clear the cache and allow any residual power to drain from the TV.

Then plug it back in and try to turn it on again.

 

2. Replace the Batteries in Your Remote

If power cycling is ineffective, your remote is the next potential culprit.

Open the battery compartment and ensure that the batteries are fully seated.

Then try pressing the power button again.

If nothing happens, replace the batteries, and try the power button once more.

Hopefully, your TV will turn on.

 

3. Turn Your Emerson TV on Using the Power Button

Emerson remotes are pretty durable.

But even the most reliable remotes can break, after prolonged usage.

Walk up to your TV and press and hold the power button on the back or side.

It should power on in a couple of seconds.

If it doesn’t, you’ll need to dig a bit deeper.

 
Why Won’t My Emerson TV Turn On & How to Fix
 

4. Check Your Emerson TV’s Cables

The next thing you need to do is check your cables.

Inspect both your HDMI cable and your power cable, and make sure they’re in good condition.

You’ll need a new one if there are any horrendous kinks or missing insulation.

Unplug the cables and plug them back in so you know they’re properly inserted.

Try swapping in a spare cable if that doesn’t fix your problem.

The damage to your cable could be invisible.

In that case, you’d only discover the damage by using a different cord.

Many Emerson TV models come with a non-polarized power cord, which can malfunction in standard polarized outlets.

Look at your plug prongs and see if they’re the same size.

If they’re identical, you have a non-polarized cord.

You can order a polarized cord for around 10 dollars, and it should solve your problem.

 

5. Double Check Your Input Source

Another common mistake is using the wrong input source.

First, double-check where you’ve plugged in your device.

Note which HDMI port it’s connected to (HDMI1, HDMI2, etc.).

Next press your remote’s Input button.

If the TV is on, it will switch input sources.

Set it to the correct source, and you should see a picture.

 

6. Test Your Outlet

So far, you’ve tested many features of your TV.

But what if there’s nothing wrong with your television? Your power outlet may have failed.

Unplug your TV from the outlet, and plug in a device that you know is working.

A cell phone charger is good for this.

Connect your phone to the charger, and see if it draws any current.

If it doesn’t, your outlet isn’t delivering any power.

In most cases, outlets stop working because you’ve tripped a circuit breaker.

Check your breaker box, and see if any breakers have tripped.

If one has, reset it.

But keep in mind that circuit breakers trip for a reason.

You’ve probably overloaded the circuit, so you may need to move some devices around.

If the breaker is intact, there’s a more serious problem with your home’s wiring.

At this point, you should call an electrician and have them diagnose the problem.

In the meantime, you can use an extension cord to plug your TV into a working power outlet.

 

7. Check Your Emerson TV’s Power Indicator Light

Your TV’s power light isn’t just there for show.

By changing color or blinking, it lets you know if there are any errors with your TV.

It also tells you something when it doesn’t work – your power supply is broken.

 

Red Standby Light is on

The red standby light can mean several things.

But if you’ve come this far, it means you have a hardware failure.

You’ll need to replace either your infrared sensor or the main board.

 

Red Standby Light is Blinking

A flashing red light can mean different things, depending on its blinking pattern.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Seven blinks can indicate either an overheated main board or a short circuit in the power board.

 

Green Standby Light is Blinking

To fix a blinking green standby light, unplug your TV for 60 seconds and plug it back in.

If that doesn’t work, either your power supply or the internal cell battery needs a replacement.

 

8. Factory Reset Your Emerson TV

Look on the back of your TV for a small pinhole opening.

This is the reset button, and you’ll have to operate it with a paperclip, bobby pin, or something similar.

Hold the button for 30 seconds, and your TV will reset.

Keep in mind that this will erase all of your data and settings.

You should only do it if every other method has failed.

 

9. Visit a TV Repair Shop

TVs are vulnerable to damage from power surges, storms, and other irregularities.

These events can cause crippling damage to your TV’s electronics.

Unfortunately, Emerson stopped making TVs a few years ago.

If you still own one, you’re definitely out of warranty.

On the plus side, you can always visit a repair shop and see if they can help.

 

10. Purchase a Replacement TV

Since Emerson isn’t making TVs, it can be hard to find replacement parts.

As a result, a repair shop might not be able to fix your problem.

Instead, you might have to buy a new TV.

Fortunately, TVs are very affordable these days.

Shop around for a good deal, and you’ll find a quality TV at a price you can afford.

 

In Summary

Emerson might be out of the TV business, but you probably don’t have to get rid of your TV.

Follow our guide, and you’ll probably be able to repair it.

Begin with the simplest options, and work your way forward from there.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Do Emerson TVs have a reset button?

Yes.

It’s a tiny pinhole button, hidden on the back of the housing.

 

Do Emerson TVs have a reset button?

Yes.

It’s a tiny pinhole button, hidden on the back of the housing.

SmartHomeBit Staff