LG TV Turns On By Itself? Here’s Why (And What To Check)
Your LG TV turns on by itself. Maybe it happens at the same time every day. Maybe it happens randomly. Maybe it turns on immediately after you turn it off. Maybe it turns on and off repeatedly.
The good news is that a TV that turns on by itself is receiving a power-on signal from somewhere. The TV isn’t deciding to turn on. Something is telling it to. And most of those signals come from settings, stuck buttons, or connected devices, all of which are free to fix.
For the full index of LG TV faults — sound, power, picture, remote, and connectivity — see LG TV Problems: Troubleshooting Guide to Every Common Fault.
This page covers the common causes, the symptoms to look for, and the checks you can perform yourself. If you need the complete diagnostic sequence for determining whether the fault is a button, a setting, or a hardware fault, the full guide is linked at the bottom.
Quick Diagnosis
TV turns on at the same time every day: a timer or scheduled setting is enabled. Check Settings, General, Timers.
TV turns on immediately after being turned off: a stuck power button or a remote with a stuck button.
TV turns on randomly: a remote signal issue, HDMI-CEC signal, or power supply fault.
TV turns on when other devices are used: HDMI-CEC. A connected device is sending a power-on signal.
TV turns on and off repeatedly: a power supply or protection circuit fault.
TV turns on when nothing has been touched: a stuck button, timer, or network wake signal.
Common Causes of an LG TV That Turns On By Itself
There are several possible reasons the TV is turning on.
Stuck Power Button
The most common physical cause. If the button on the TV is stuck in the pressed position, or its contacts have failed, the TV may receive a continuous power-on signal.
Stuck Remote Button
If a button on the remote is stuck, the remote may send a continuous signal. Remove the remote’s batteries and test.
Timer or Scheduled Setting
LG TVs have a timer function that can turn the TV on at a set time. If the timer is enabled accidentally, the TV turns on at the same time every day.
HDMI-CEC Signal
Connected devices can send power-on signals through the HDMI cable. Common with games consoles, set-top boxes, and soundbars that have CEC enabled.
Remote Interference
Other remotes or IR-emitting devices can trigger the TV’s IR receiver.
Network Wake Signal
Some LG TVs can be woken by casting requests or update notifications.
Power Supply Fault
A failing power supply can produce spurious signals that wake the TV from standby.
Failing Capacitors
Capacitors that produce unstable voltage can trigger the wake circuit.
Main Board Fault
If the board’s power management circuit fails, it can send spurious wake signals.
Firmware Fault
Occasionally a firmware update introduces a wake bug.
Symptoms To Look For
The pattern tells you where the signal is coming from.
Turns On at the Same Time Every Day
A timer or scheduled setting. Check the TV’s timer menu.
Turns On Immediately After Being Turned Off
A stuck power button or a remote with a stuck button.
Turns On Randomly
A remote signal issue, an HDMI-CEC signal, or a power supply fault.
Turns On When Other Devices Are Used
HDMI-CEC. The connected device is sending a power-on signal.
Turns On and Off Repeatedly
A power supply or protection circuit fault.
Turns On When the Remote Is Nearby
A stuck remote button or interference from another IR source.
Things You Can Check Yourself
Before considering a repair, work through these checks.
1. Check the Power Button on the TV
Look at the power button on the TV. Is it stuck in the pressed position? Does it feel different from the other buttons? A stuck button can send a continuous signal.
2. Remove the Remote’s Batteries
Take the batteries out of the remote and see if the TV still turns on by itself. If it stops, the remote has a stuck button.
3. Check the TV’s Timer Settings
Go to Settings, General, Timers. Look for any active timers. Disable them.
4. Check HDMI-CEC Settings
Go to the TV’s settings and look for HDMI-CEC (sometimes called SIMPLINK on LG TVs). Disable it and test.
5. Disconnect External Devices
Unplug everything from the HDMI ports. If the TV stops turning on by itself, a connected device is the cause.
6. Check for Interference
Turn off nearby fluorescent lights or LED strips and test again. Other IR sources can trigger the TV.
7. Check Network Wake Settings
Some LG TVs can be woken by network signals. Check the settings and disable network wake if it’s enabled.
8. Unplug and Reset
Unplug the TV for 10 minutes and try again. Some faults reset after a full power cycle.
9. Check for Firmware Updates
Occasionally a firmware bug causes wake faults. Check the LG menu for available updates.
What The Results Tell You
The checks above can help isolate the fault.
The TV stops turning on when the remote’s batteries are removed — a stuck remote button.
The TV still turns on with the remote’s batteries removed — a stuck power button, a timer setting, or a hardware fault.
The TV stops turning on when external devices are disconnected — an HDMI-CEC signal from a connected device.
The TV stops turning on when the timer is disabled — the timer was the cause.
The TV stops turning on when HDMI-CEC is disabled — CEC from a connected device was the cause.
The TV still turns on with everything disconnected and every setting disabled — a power supply or main board fault.
Possible Faults
If the basic checks haven’t solved the problem, the fault may be related to one of several areas.
Stuck Power Button
The button on the TV is stuck or its contacts have failed. Cleaning or replacing the button fixes it.
Stuck Remote Button
A button on the remote is stuck. Removing the batteries stops the signal. A replacement remote is $20 to $60.
Timer or CEC Setting
A setting is causing the TV to turn on. Free to fix.
Power Supply Failure
The power supply is producing spurious wake signals. Replacement is $40 to $90.
Main Board Failure
The board’s power management circuit has failed. Replacement is $60 to $150.
What To Do Next
At this point, you should have a better idea of whether the fault is a button, a setting, or a hardware fault.
The important thing is not to replace the TV simply because it’s turning on by itself. Most cases are free to fix, and only the power supply or main board faults require a repair.
That’s where the complete repair guide goes further.
Complete LG TV Turns On By Itself Diagnostic Guide
Need to determine exactly why the TV is turning on?
The complete diagnostic guide takes you beyond the basic checks and walks through the diagnostic process step by step.
The complete guide includes:
Power button testing and contact cleaning
Remote testing for stuck buttons
Timer and scheduled settings check
HDMI-CEC diagnosis and disabling
Remote interference identification
Network wake settings
Power supply standby circuit testing
Capacitor inspection
Main board wake circuit diagnosis
Firmware troubleshooting
Repair and replacement considerations
Repair-or-bin guidance
Free vs Complete Guide
The free page gives you: symptoms, likely causes, basic checks
The complete guide gives you: testing, diagnosis, fault identification, repair-or-bin decision
LG TV Turns On By Itself Repair Guide
Complete diagnostic guide for LG TVs that turn on unexpectedly.
What’s included:
Diagnosis for all wake faults
Step-by-step testing procedures
Power button and remote testing
Timer and CEC settings
Power supply and main board diagnosis
Required checks and tools
Repair information
Replacement considerations
Repair-or-bin guidance
Download instantly
$3.95
[GET THE COMPLETE REPAIR GUIDE]
Have More Than One LG TV Problem?
If you’re dealing with several problems rather than just a wake fault, the LG TV Multiple Problem Repair Guide provides diagnostic information for multiple common LG TV faults.
$7.95
Want the Complete LG TV Diagnostic Library?
For technicians, repairers, or anyone working on multiple LG TV faults, the Full LG TV Repair Guide brings the brand’s common diagnostic information together in one downloadable resource.
$12.95
Repair or Bin?
Before spending money on a repair, find out what is actually wrong with your appliance.
Repair or Bin gives you the information to diagnose the problem and make an informed repair-or-bin decision.
