Reasons Your Smart TV Freezes And How To Fix It
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Everyone’s been at that point where you’re once well-functioning smart TV is exhibiting the freezing bug. At first, it doesn’t feel like much, but it gets annoying as you continue to notice it. So here’s what you need to know on why your smart TV freezes and what you can do to fix it right up.
Your smart TV functions similarly to a phone; it’s just a tad bit larger. Here are some of the reasons why you’re smart TV is freezing:
- Signal loss
- WiFi Instability
- Overheating
- Dust
Here are some solutions to the problems above:
- Restarting your TV
- Cleaning your TV
Your TV won’t stop freezing until you solve the problem with the right solution. So you will need to conduct some proper troubleshooting to ensure that you have mitigated the problem. If you’re interested in how you can do basic troubleshooting on your TV, then be sure to keep reading.
Reasons Why Your Smart TV Freezes
As shared earlier, your smart TV is like your smartphone. It could be an Android or an Apple, but fixing it or troubleshooting it remains the same. So, if you noticed that your phone is freezing a lot, you would wonder, what’s happening here?
You can use the same logic for your smart TV. So here are some of the common reasons behind why your smart TV freezes.
1. WiFi Instability
An unstable WiFi connection can have a negative impact on your TV. Your smart TV comes with a network driver; if the WiFi keeps connecting and disconnecting, it can cause issues with your network driver and thus causing freezing.
Your smart TV will start slowing down because of poor services from your ISP, aka Internet Service Provider. Ensure that you communicate with your ISP if you think that that’s the problem.
2. Signal loss
Generally, if your TV experiences a signal loss, there’s a high chance that you will notice freezing. But what if you don’t have a third-party setup like a decoder?
There are more reasons below that you can use to troubleshoot.
3. Overheating
Again, TVs are just bigger versions of smartphones. If they’re in use for extended periods (sorry, Netflix binge), there’s a high chance that your TV will overheat.
An overheated smart TV will cause freezing. But don’t worry, there are solutions to this problem below.
4. Dust
Dust is a massive harbinger of doom when it comes to smart TV problems. Not only does dust cause freezing, but it also causes screen issues that might require screen replacement, which is a pretty expensive venture for any homeowner.
5. Old software
If your TV hasn’t automatically conducted software updates, there’s a high chance you will experience freezing. Software updates are critical because they solve any arising issues that other users might report.
6. Sadly, Your TV Is Getting Older
Last on this list is that your smart TV might be on its last leg and running through the last bits of its life cycle. The best solution is to buy a new TV. However, this solution is a last resort.
Troubleshooting You Smart TV Freezing Issue
Now that you’ve understood some reasons behind the freezing. How do you know which problem is present on your TV? Here’s the troubleshooting process curtailed for you and your smart TV.
1. Identify The Problem
It might seem redundant, but the first step is to identify the problem you are experiencing. In this case, you noted down that the problem is freezing. Look at that; you had already started the troubleshooting process on your own. It’s a great place to start.
2. Gathering More Details From The Problem
This step might seem counterproductive, but the more you know about the problem, the better. You want to look for error messages or run malware tests. Better yet, you can monitor your TV and observe instances when the freezing starts.
3. Reproduce The Problem And Come With Hypotheses
You want to reproduce or recreate the problem to confirm what you already know, and just in case you get an error message on your TV, you can note that down.
Revisiting the problem is an excellent way to narrow down the problem and what you think could be a potential solution.
4. Attempt To Fix It Based On Your Conclusions
You always want to start fixing your smart TV from the most straightforward solutions to the more complex ones. Here are some helpful solutions, from the easiest to the hardest, not to worry, skill level doesn’t matter.
Here Are Some Helpful Solutions
1. Restart Your TV
The first thing you want to do when you notice that your smart TV freezes, you want to restart your TV. Switch it off, leave it off for three to five minutes and then switch it back on.
2. Cleaning Your TV
Dust is a harbinger of doom for smart TVs; with the right tools and equipment, clean your TV, restart it just for good measure, and check for freezing.
3. Conduct Software Updates
Check if you have any pending software updates; you want to ensure that you download and install the required software updates.
4. Check For Any Loose Cables
If you have a third-party tool like a decoder, check if loose cables are causing the freezing. Ensure that you fix the cables in place.
Smart TV FAQs
- How Do You Unfreeze A Smart TV?
Switch the TV off and unplug it from the power source. Leave it for a few minutes and turn it back on.
- Can Streaming Apps Freeze My TV?
If you have a bad WiFi connection, there are high chances that it will cause the app to freeze your TV.
- Why Is My TV Freezing After Using Youtube?
Check to see if your TV is overheating. You need to unplug it and leave it for a couple of hours to cool down.
Sources
- Spice Works, 4 steps to troubleshooting (almost) any IT issue, Spice Works, https://www.spiceworks.com/it-articles/troubleshooting-steps/ Accessed October 14th, 2021.
- Bell MTS, Why is my TV picture breaking up and freezing? Bell MTS, https://www3.bellmts.ca/mts/support/tv/fibe+tv/troubleshooting/why+is+my+tv+picture+breaking+up+and+freezing Accessed October 14th, 2021.
- Smart Home Chief, WHY SMART TVS FREEZE: 10 CAUSES AND FIXES, Smart Home Chief, https://smarthomechief.com/why-smart-tvs-freeze-causes-and-fixes/ Accessed October 14th, 2021.
- GCF Global, Troubleshooting, GCF Global, https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/computerbasics/basic-troubleshooting-techniques/1/ Accessed October 14th, 2021.
- Netflix, Netflix, and device both freeze, Netflix, https://help.netflix.com/en/node/12412 Accessed October 14th, 2021.
- Cisco, Preventive Maintenance and Troubleshooting, Cisco, https://www.ciscopress.com/articles/article.asp?p=2999386&seqNum=5 Accessed October 14th, 2021.
