Is it worth repairing a TV?

Usually, yes, when the fix is a single failed board or a power supply on a TV you like and the written quote is well under the price of a comparable new set. Usually, no, when the screen is cracked or the panel is damaged, because a panel replacement is often the priciest repair. The call depends on the failure, the quote and the age of the TV, so get a diagnosis in writing before you decide.

Repair it when

The failure is a board. A TV that clicks, flashes or will not power on often has a failed power supply or main board. These are common repairs, parts for popular models are often easier to find, and a bench technician can usually confirm the fault. A modest quote on a good set is money well spent.

Warranty covers it. Check the receipt, model number and serial number first. A set in its warranty period may be fixed at no charge. If you are out of warranty and wondering whether an independent shop is allowed, federal law says no warrantor may condition its written or implied warranty on the consumer's using any article or service identified by brand, trade, or corporate name, other than an article or service provided without charge under the warranty.^[1] So an independent repair is not automatically a reason to lose cover, though damage a repair causes can still be excluded.

The set is high quality and the quote is modest. A large, well-made set with a good picture is worth repairing more readily than a budget set, because the same money buys a better replacement than a bargain model.

Replace it when

The panel is damaged. A cracked screen, black patches, pressure marks and lines that run across the picture usually point to the panel, and a panel replacement can cost close to what a new set does.

The quote is close to a new TV's price. There is no fixed rule, but when the repair approaches what a similar new set costs, a new one with a fresh warranty is the safer buy.

The set is old and unreliable. One fixed fault may be followed by another on a very old set, and parts for old models can be hard to find. A repair should come with its own written warranty on parts and labor, so ask what the shop gives.

You want a more efficient set. ENERGY STAR certified televisions are, on average, about 34% more energy efficient than conventional models, saving energy in all usage modes: sleep, idle, and on.^[5] It is a minor factor, but it can tip a marginal repair.

Getting the quote that answers the question

To decide, you need the failed part named, then the part, the labor and any diagnosis fee on separate lines, and the warranty on the repair. How much TV repair costs in Virginia lists what to ask for. Virginia's Consumer Protection Act lists, among its prohibited practices, misrepresenting that repairs, alterations, modifications, or services have been performed or parts installed,^[2] so keep the written quote and the final invoice.

If you replace it

Anchor the new set or put it on a stand that suits its size. In a CPSC study of 363 reported fatalities, 62 percent (226 deaths) involved televisions falling.^[6] The same report notes that televisions are required by UL 1492 to pass a stability test, but there is no requirement for restraint systems to be included with the television.^[6]

Do not put the old set in the trash. The EPA advises that you delete all personal information from your electronics and check for recycling facilities in your state or community.^[3] It also warns that lithium-ion batteries and devices containing these batteries should NOT go in household garbage or recycling bins,^[3] and that any batteries you remove from your electronics may need to be recycled separately.

When to call a licensed pro

Repairing a TV is bench work on the circuit boards inside, a job for a repair shop and not a home project. Leave the case closed. If the problem turns out to be the wall outlet, a dead circuit or wiring behind a mounted set, that is a job for a licensed electrician: Virginia law says no individual shall engage in, or offer to engage in, work as a tradesman as defined in § 54.1-1128 unless he has been licensed.^[4]

Read more electronics repair answers, including how much vacuum repair costs in Virginia.

Loclis lists local repair businesses. Browse electronics repair services, then describe the TV problem once and repair shops can quote it.