How Much Does TV Screen Repair Cost?

TVs are one of the most popular items in modern homes to date, and you can get far more advanced models from today’s market to help you entertain guests or upgrade your kid’s room for a sleepover. Televisions come with an impressive range of Smart features like ultra-high-resolution, WiFi connectivity, high-fidelity sound, and photorealistic images. However, no matter which type, shape, size, or brand TV you choose, breakdowns or damage can happen sooner or later. Before it happens, you should know the basics about TV screen repair so you know how much to set aside if it happens to you. 

Unfortunately, since there are so many TVs available today, it can be difficult to narrow down how much you’ll pay for TV screen repair. Additionally, there are other problems that could impact your TV screen, so it may not necessarily mean you need a TV screen repair. It could be something like a loose wire, speaker issues, panel failure, power board failure, or problems with the fuses or capacitors. This is why you should call in a professional repair service to ensure they diagnose the correct problem and advise you on the best repair route to help you save money. 

Your TV screen repair costs will vary, depending on which repairs you need and the TV type. Most people find themselves spending anywhere from $100 to $300 for their TV screen repairs. If you need an inverter repair on your LED TV, you’ll spend around $200. Getting a new fuse for your LCD TV may only cost around $50.00, but your TV screen repair costs can jump upwards of $1,000 to repair a damaged screen on a 4K TV. The most common repairs are bulb and screen replacements, backlight repairs, motherboard replacement, or HDMI port repair. 

If your television is too large to fit into an average-sized car, you may have to pay delivery and pickup fees. Also, be sure to factor labor in for the TV screen repair. Some shops will charge a flat fee based on the type of repair needed while others charge by hour. If you want to get a better understanding of the average TV screen repairs and their associated costs, you’re in the right place. We’re going to do a price breakdown of the most common TV screen repairs, highlight brands, go over the different TV types, and more. The goal is to give you all of the information you need to build a project cost for your TV screen repair. 

It can be very frustrating when something doesn’t work correctly on your TV, and there could be a lot of reasons for needing TV screen repair. Finding out the root cause will give you a more accurate estimate to fix it and get it working correctly again. Back to Normal by Caribb / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Prices for Different Types of Repairs

TVs feature different components and parts, and they all work together to produce colors, lights, sounds, and pictures for your entertainment. Accidents can cause damage to these parts over time, or they can wear down with repeated use. The most common TV repairs and their price points are: 

Backlight

The backlight is the part of the TV that illuminates the display, and it provides both color and brightness for your show. They can add to your TV screen repair cost by $100 to $150. The backlight can be fluorescent lights or LED light strips, depending on your TV type. If the lights have a problem, someone has to open your TV and make adjustments to get them working correctly again. 

HDMI Port

A TV is a fun patio idea, and your HDMI port is very important. This TV screen repair will cost between $50.00 and $250. These ports can fall out of position. If this is the case, the repair person will have to reposition them. It may also fail due to a more serious fault, and your contractor will need to perform more technical work to get it up and running again. 

Inverter

The inverter on your TV is the part that powers the backlights in your TV. If the capacitors start to break down, the inverter can stop working. Your contractor will have to fit new capacitors in place of the current ones, and this can increase your TV screen repairs by $100 to $200 each. 

Panel

Unfortunately, TV panels are one of the more expensive repairs at $200 to $400 each. In some cases, it’s not possible to repair them, and many companies won’t offer this type of repair. If the panel happens to crack in your TV, it could be a better choice to buy a whole new unit instead. 

Power Board

The power board functions to help switch your TV on and off. If it breaks down or quits working, you may not be able to turn your TV back on. A contractor can usually replace some capacitors or make a few other adjustments to fix this power board instead of having to replace it completely. They can increase your TV screen repair costs by $200 to $400. 

Screen

On average, TV screen repairs cost between $200 to $400. However, it’s not unusual for you not to be able to repair the screen. The screen is typically one of the most expensive parts of the TV, and it’s also one of the most sensitive to damage and impacts. Many contractors will advise you to buy a new TV instead. You want to get a diagnosis to see how severe your screen issue is because distorted colors or flashing pixels can be fixable. 

Speakers

The speakers are one large part of your movie viewing experience. Speakers can add $75.00 to $250 to your TV screen repair costs, depending on how much damage the speaker has. A faulty speaker may need minor adjustments or rewiring, or they could have to be cleaned or replaced. The work and exact costs can vary. 

Water Damage

Any water damage will increase your TV screen repairs by $150 to $400. If too much water manages to get into your TV, it could be too much for the system to handle. Whoever you have repair the TV will take it apart, dry out every component, and put it back together. If there are damaged components, they’ll repair them at this time. 

Flat Screen TV Average Repair Costs

When you talk about a flat screen TV, you could talk about anything from the newest Smart or 4K models to LCDs. The type of TV you have will impact your TV screen repair costs because more expensive and advanced models usually include more costly components to fix or replace. The average costs by TV type are: 

4K

If you need TV screen repair on a 4K model, it’ll cost between $100 and $400. Currently, any 4K TV has some of the most detailed and clearest images you can get because the screen has a very high resolution. These models can be expensive to buy, and they can be even more expensive to fix if something goes wrong with them. 

LCD

An LCD TV carries an average TV screen repair cost of $50.00 to $400. This is currently one of the most popular options on the market, and it’s perfect for your new apartment decor. You can choose from a broad range of styles and sizes, and they use a liquid crystal display with backlights to form images. The screen, backlights, and other components many need repairing due to damage or normal wear and tear. 

LED

Depending on the scale of the problem, your TV screen repair for an LED model can range from $50.00 to $400. This is a specific type of LCD TV that incorporates LED backlights to light up the liquid crystal display. You’ll usually get more vibrant and colorful images, and they can be more energy-efficient. You will have to replace the backlights due to normal wear and tear. 

OLED

Your OLED TV screen repair costs between $100 and $400. They are a slight step up from LED TV models, and it stands for organic light-emitting diode. This TV allows you to get much deeper blacks with higher contrasts compared to most LED screens. They can be more expensive to buy and fix if anything goes wrong though. 

Plasma

Your TV screen repair costs will vary from $100 to $400 each time you need them. This type of TV has pixels that are filled with gas that light up when you apply an electrical current. These types of TV are slightly less popular than they once were, and a lot of companies don’t make them anymore. You can still find them in several homes, and they can have problems with distorted colors or screen burn. 

Smart

This is another type of TV that has TV screen repair costs that range from an average of $100 to $400. They have Smart technology built-in that connects with your home’s WiFi network to access the internet, apps, and download updates. These TVs are more advanced than other options, but they have more components that can easily break or wear out and need repairs. 

Depending on the type of TV you have, your repair or replacement costs for parts can have a large price range associated with them. Some brands are more high-end and this can lead to a bigger repair bill. TV by tiezu / CC BY-NC 2.0

Repair Prices by Problem

A lot of the time, you may have no idea which part of your TV gets damaged or broken. Symptoms of a broken TV can range from audio issues and vertical lines across the screen to power problems or situations where you turn the TV on but then it turns black. The most common issues that indication you need TV screen repair include: 

Cracked Screen

Repairing cracks in your TV screen start at $400 and easily go upwards of $1,000. One the screen cracks, you can’t repair it anymore. Instead, you have to replace it. They can be so expensive that they exceed the cost of buying a new TV. If you end up with a cracked screen, you’ll most likely want to replace your TV entirely. 

Damaged Cables

In most cases, your TV screen repair with damaged cables will cost between $75.00 and $200. Cables can slowly fray, break, or twist. A professional can come in and cut away the damaged parts of the cables before adding new connectors and repairing the rest of the damage. They may also choose to replace the old cables with new. 

Horizontal Lines

Horizontal lines are a common problem, and the TV screen repair cost ranges from $150 to $400. They could come from an issue with loose cables between the control board and panel or from an issue with the motherboard. The contractor will have to open the TV and analyze the components to fix it. 

Image Shows but Fades to Black

This TV screen repair is slightly more cost-effective at $100 to $200. If the picture appears on the screen for a few seconds before blacking out, the inverter is usually the problem. Again, a contractor will have to open the TV, diagnose the exact problem, and decide on the best fix. 

No Sound

To fix a TV with no sound, you’ll pay anywhere from $75.00 to $400. There are several potential reasons for no sound on your TV. The speaker is usually the main culprit, and you can choose to replace or repair it. It could also be a much deeper problem associated with the TV’s motherboard. The contractor can also repair or replace this part. 

TV Won’t Turn On

The TV screen repair cost for a model that won’t turn on varies from $50.00 to $400 because the root cause could be a large range of things. It could be something simple and cheap like a blown fuse, or it could be a power supply or motherboard issue that is more expensive to fix. 

Vertical Lines

On average, your TV screen repair with vertical lines costs between $150 and $400. The TV’s motherboard or control board are usually the problem, and it could sustain damage that requires you to replace or repair it. A loose cable could also cause these lines, but the contractor will have to open the TV to properly diagnose the issue and provide a fix. 

Part Replacement Costs

In some instances, you may not be able to have a TV screen repair, and you’ll need to replace parts to get your TV working again. This price includes the cost for any new parts and the labor needed to remove broken components and fit the new ones in. The average repair costs by part are: 

Backlight

To replace your backlight, you’ll spend between $100 and $200. The cost will depend on the TV scale, size, and the number of lights you need. If you have LED-style lights, the parts can be more expensive. In turn, your TV screen repair costs rise. When a backlight issue occurs, the diodes or bulbs die and need replacement. 

Bulbs

Your TV screen repair for bulb replacement ranges from $75.00 to $200. You’ll typically find bulbs in older models of projection or LCD TVs. They work to illuminate the display so that you can see the picture. Bulbs are easy to replace, so the material costs will run slightly higher than other components. This can lead to different replacement prices by model. 

Capacitor 

It’s not expensive to replace a capacitor on your TV, and your TV screen repair costs will fluctuate from $60.00 to $200. If you have to replace more than one capacitor, you can save money most of the time by replacing the entire board. You can’t repair this part, so replacing them is the only choice you have. 

Fuse 

Your TV screen repair costs for fuse replacement will run between $50.00 and $150. This is one of the easier jobs for a contractor to do. Ceramic or glass fuses on the power supply on the TV can blow in specific situations and need to be replaced. The contractor will have to open up your TV to access the power panel before swapping out the blown fuses. 

HDMI Port

To replace your HDMI port, you’ll pay between $200 and $300 on average. Broken or damaged ports can stop working, or they can become incompatible with certain types of HDMI cables. If this happens, the contractor has to fit the new port with a new cord before connecting it to the circuit board. This will require a few hours of labor to complete. 

Motherboard 

A replacement for your motherboard will come with a TV screen repair cost of $200 to $400. Usually, where there is a problem with this component, you’ll have to replace it completely instead of repairing it. This part controls your TV’s features and functions, and breaking this part will make your TV 100% unusable. 

Panel 

The minimum TV screen repair cost for a panel is $400, and this price can quickly go up. It’ll be a lot more on high-end Smart and 4K screen displays. Because this part has such a high cost associated with it, most people end up buying a whole new TV instead of fixing this issue. 

Picture Tube

On average, your TV screen repair costs for a picture tube will start at $200 and go up to $300. Better known as cathode ray tubes (CRTs), picture tubes are only in older TVs. This isn’t a replacement project you’ll have to worry about with LCD or LED TVs. 

Screen Replacement

To replace your screen, your TV screen repair costs will start at $400 and go up. The screen is typically the most expensive part of your TV setup. So, it’s usually cheaper to buy a new unit than fix the screen. A lot of professional-grade repair companies won’t even offer screen repair for this reason. 

Replacing parts of your TV can be expensive, depending on the part. Older TVs may have parts that are more difficult to find, and this can easily drive up your total costs to fix it. High-end parts also cost more to find and install. New TV by chelled / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Brand and TV Repair Costs

There are several brands available, and each one has different TV screen repair costs. Each brand also has common problems associated with them that vary, and they all have different styles, features, colors, brightness levels, and resolutions. The average TV repair costs per brand with the more popular TV brands are as follows: 

• Hisense – $100 to $200

• LG – $75.00 to $200

• Panasonic – $200 to $400

• Philips – $50.00 to $100

• Samsung – $75.00 to $200

• Sony – $50.00 to $400

• TCL – $50.00 to $400

• Vizio – $200 to $400

Maintenance for Your TV

To minimize the chances of needing TV screen repair and keeping your TV part of your design style, there are a few things you can do. You should take care of it by: 

• Don’t leave your TV on for extended periods. TVs can start to heat up if you leave them on longer, and they should get turned off now and again to allow them time to cool down and rest before you turn them back on. 
• Don’t leave the TV on if you’re not watching it. TVs can easily run for thousands of hours, and there is no need to shorten the lifespan. Try to avoid leaving it running in the background, and turn it off when you leave the house or room. 
• Clean your TV. Pet hair, dust, and bits of dirt can start to build up on the screen over time and get inside the TV through ports and vents. This dust can impact your TVs operation and make it more likely that you’ll need TV screen repair. 
• When you place your TV in the room, leave space to allow air to flow around it. This can help prevent overheating, and it’ll cool down faster when you turn it off. 
• Use a surge protector to keep the TV and any associated items safe. This is important in areas that frequently get a lot of power cuts or storms because these cuts or storms can easily cause damage to your TV. 

Labor Costs

When you first notice issues with your TV, your first instinct may be to fix it yourself. However, you don’t want to do this because it can void the warranty on the device. Also, most modern televisions are very technical. They can contain components that you won’t be familiar with, and this makes them very easy to damage. 

Hiring a television repair technician is just like hiring an electrician when you want to rewire your home. They earned a certificate in their career path or an Associate’s degree in electronics technology or another related field. Per hour, your TV screen repair costs will fluctuate between $40.00 and $60.00 to have a professional come in. 

The time it takes the person to fix your TV depending on the part availability and the root problem. Most times, you can expect it to take between one and three hours when they have the parts on hand. A lot of technicians will charge a diagnostic fee. The fee will help them determine the issue your TV has, and it can start at $50.00 and go up to $100. If you let the shop’s technicians make the repairs for you, they’ll typically waive this diagnostic fee. 

Where to Find TV Screen Repair Experts Near You

It’s always important that you decide on local TV screen repair experts. They can quickly come to your home or you to them and take a look at your setup. Then, they can source parts if they don’t have them on-hand and perform the repairs. You can start looking here: 

• TV & Speaker Repair Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Many people have questions about their TV screen repairs, so we’ve rounded up some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding this topic for you. This way, you can easily find the answers to your questions before contacting a repairman. TV by Brandon Morse / CC BY 2.0

1. Is it possible to fix a flat screen TV?

Yes, you can usually fix a flat screen TV. Common fixes include problems with lighting, sound, the screen, interior components, and the cables. If the screen is very cracked, it’s usually not possible to perform TV screen repair and you have to purchase a new unit. 

2. Do Smart TVs consume more electricity?

Generally speaking, no. Modern Smart TV setups come designed to be very energy-efficient. Some models will draw less energy when they’re on than conventional TVs. The amount of energy they use is based on the TV’s model and make. 

3. How many years does the average TV last?

The lifespan of your TV depends on the model, make, and your viewing habits. A lot of modern setups come ready to work for 60,000 viewing hours or more. For the typical person, this is 30 years or more. If you don’t care for and maintain it properly, this can shorten the lifespan. 

Bottom Line

Your TV screen repair time and cost will depend on a large range of factors. We’ve picked out the biggest things you should consider and outlined them for you above. You can look and see which ones apply to you, but you’ll most likely need professional diagnostics before you get an exact cost estimate.