[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text quote_border_color=”#126366″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” ul_font_size=”20px” ul_line_height=”1.7em” quote_font=”|300|||||||” quote_font_size=”22px” quote_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” header_5_line_height=”1.2em” header_6_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]The TV can easily be thought of as the heart of any good home. Whether watching alone or gathering up with family and friends, unwinding in front of the TV after a long day of work is one of life\u2019s simplest pleasures. It\u2019s likely that, if you\u2019re reading this article right now, you cherish your TV a great deal. It helps to provide you with countless hours of entertainment every single day. Because of this, however, there is perhaps nothing more frightening than the prospect of your TV\u2019s life being shortened.<\/p>\n
We wish TVs could last forever, but much like any other device, the average TV can only last so long. So how long exactly can a TV last? And how are you meant to monitor the health of your TV? <\/p>\n
If you want to make the absolute most of your trusty TV, then you\u2019ll definitely want to keep reading. We\u2019ve put together this definitive guide<\/a> that has everything you could ever need to know about TV health. So you can keep your television<\/a> by your side for a number of years!<\/p>\n The total lifespan of a TV is usually calculated in terms of total hours of use. On average, most TVs tend to last up to 100,000 hours of use. This can equate to around 7 to 10 years. Whether or not a TV can exceed the full 10-year mark depends on how it is used. If it is well cared for, then there\u2019s no reason why a TV should not be able to last longer than 10 years.<\/p>\n There are all kinds of different types of TVs. From smart TVs to non-smart TVs, and OLED TVs to QLED TVs. Luckily, there is not too much difference in terms of how long these TV types last. All TVs have the potential to last for 10 years and to even surpass this lifespan. <\/p>\n Most TVs, regardless of type, can last more than 10 years. However, improper care will lead to a TV\u2019s lifespan being cut incredibly short. Be sure to care for your TV if you want it to last!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Technically speaking, there is a higher risk of a smart TV having a shorter lifespan than a non-smart TV. This is because smart TVs use slightly more power. However, it is only a slight increase in power usage. If you take good care of a smart TV, it can still easily last more than 10 years.<\/p>\n A TV can easily reach 10 years of age. As such, a TV begins to be considered \u201cOld\u201d when it begins to reach closer to the decade milestone. After the age of 5, a TV may become faulty and start to be more vulnerable to errors. Most people would consider their TV to be \u201cOld\u201d after passing the 5-year mark, and especially around its seventh year. <\/p>\n However, if you have a TV that is closer to 10 than 5, don\u2019t give up on it just yet! If your older TV is still working perfectly, there\u2019s no need to source a replacement just yet. Just be sure to look out for potential threats that could shorten your TV\u2019s lifespan!<\/p>\n There are actually a number of things that can pose a threat to your TV\u2019s continued health. Luckily, we\u2019ve identified them down below so you can be sure to watch out for them! <\/p>\n With higher brightness<\/a> levels, it becomes much easier to make out individual shapes on-screen. However, many people across the UK actually have their TV brightness set way too high! It\u2019s generally best to set your TV to the default factory-setting brightness level. Even better, to lower it by a few increments below even that! <\/p>\n The higher the brightness of your TV, the more power it needs to consume. When your TV consumes more power, it puts a greater strain on a number of components. For one, the motherboard will heat up significantly, which will eat away at its health! Secondly, the screen itself will be put at risk. If your TV uses a backlight, then it\u2019s best to lower the brightness, otherwise, the backlight\u2019s life will be shortened. <\/p>\n If you have an OLED TV<\/a>, intense brightness levels can lead to individual pixels burning out on the display. This can create a \u201cGhost\u201d image that is very intrusive! <\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget that your TV is also susceptible to physical damage! In order to keep your TV safe, you\u2019ll want to make sure to store it just right. If you\u2019re planning on putting it atop a TV stand you should make sure that its full weight is supported. You don\u2019t want to put your TV at risk of falling simply because it\u2019s too heavy!<\/p>\n You should also make sure your TV is not bigger than the surface you have placed it on. If your TV juts out from the surface in any direction, it runs the risk of being accidentally nudged. In no time, the TV could be on a direct course for the ground! <\/p>\n Make sure to keep the many cables behind your TV tidy and organised. Unruly wires can put your TV at risk of falling, and even create a potential fire hazard!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Don\u2019t forget to also consider your TV\u2019s cable<\/a> management. Inefficient cable management can easily present a physical hazard in a few ways. First, wires that jut out from the TV run the risk of being accidentally pulled. This could easily send your TV flying from its perch. Second, inefficient cable management can also pose a fire risk. When cables are bundled together in a tangled web behind the TV, they run the risk of generating a lot of heat. Bundled cables are also at risk of fraying. Frayed wires can easily start a fire under certain conditions!<\/p>\n Power surges are random and unpredictable, and unfortunately can damage your TV directly. A power surge runs the risk of overpowering any number of components in your TV. But don\u2019t fret. You can easily prepare for a power surge and keep your TV safe in the event that one might occur. <\/p>\n Surge protectors are affordable and easy to install, simply being placed between your TV\u2019s power cable and the power outlet in the wall. Upon noticing a power surge, a surge protector will absorb excess voltage to keep it from reaching your TV!<\/p>\n Luckily, a TV isn\u2019t like a car. You won\u2019t have to constantly be maintaining it just to keep it running. But it is still important to stay on top of its physical health. <\/p>\n Though it might appear harmless on the surface, dust can actually pose a significant threat to your TV. Dust can easily penetrate through your TV\u2019s air vents and gather up on specific components. When enough dust is gathered up it can lead to components warming up at a faster rate. This increases the risk of components burning out completely! <\/p>\n To keep your TV in good shape, we recommend lightly dusting it at least once a week. All you need is a simple feather duster! Simply give the TV a once-over, and it will be protected from harm! <\/p>\n Speaking of your TV\u2019s air vents. Your TV\u2019s air vents are there for a reason, to allow heat from internal components to escape. But in order to work at their best, these vents need a little help from you!<\/p>\n It\u2019s best to keep your TV in a space that is safe from the elements but with plenty of fresh air. A good air flow helps to keep your TV cool, and prevents dust from gathering inside the TV!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n You should be sure to place your TV in a space with plenty of air circulation. When air is in plentiful supply, it\u2019s much easier for your TV to keep itself cool. You should also try to find a space that is free from environmental hazards. Preferably, your space should be kept clear of dust, to help keep your TV\u2019s vents safe. You should also ensure your room is free from excess humidity and heat. <\/p>\n One of the biggest potential risks to a TV is leaving it on pause for too long! It\u2019s easy to end up leaving your TV on pause for hours at a time! You might put your TV on pause, with the intention of stepping away for just a few seconds. But if you end up forgetting about the TV, and find yourself side-tracked, your TV will simply be left idle, using up electricity to keep the image up! <\/p>\n While accidentally leaving your TV on one time may not pose a significant problem, doing it consistently would be risky. Leaving your TV on pause puts a significant strain on all of the components of your TV. Your TV\u2019s motherboard will be busy keeping the image up while also being prepared for you to return and press \u201cPlay\u201d. At the same time, your TV\u2019s screen will be using a lot of power to keep the image up. This can put a significant strain on the pixels, as well as the TV\u2019s light source.<\/p>\n If your TV is left on too long, especially on a static image, its life will be shortened significantly. Leaving your TV paused for a long period is very risky. As we mentioned just above, leaving your TV paused for long periods puts a significant strain on a number of important components. This will cause your TV\u2019s lifespan to be cut shorter. <\/p>\n Leaving your TV on pause is significantly risky for the health of the screen. OLED TVs, in particular, are put at significant risk when left on pause. The pixels that render images on OLED displays are actually responsible for providing their own light! It means that they have to work extra hard in order to keep an image up on screen. This puts each of the pixels at risk. Especially pixels responsible for creating a lot of light. These individual pixels will burn out at a different rate from other pixels. This could result in an unsatisfying image later down the line!<\/p>\n When individual pixels on an OLED display burn out as a result of a static image, it results in an impression of the image being \u201cstuck\u201d to the display. This is because the pixels are not able to provide as much light or colour as they once were. No matter what footage you play, the image will still appear overlaid above it! This is often referred to as \u201cBurn-In\u201d![\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.reliant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ms1.jpg” alt=”TV” title_text=”TV” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text quote_border_color=”#126366″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” ul_font_size=”20px” ul_line_height=”1.7em” quote_font=”|300|||||||” quote_font_size=”22px” quote_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” header_5_line_height=”1.2em” header_6_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Burn-in<\/a> is the term used to describe a situation in which a static image seems to be stuck to the screen of a TV. This image is highly visible and persistent. No matter what content<\/a> plays beneath it, a burned-in image will still be visible. This can be very frustrating.<\/p>\n Burn-in occurs as a result of leaving a static image on your TV screen for a number of hours. This will cause your TV\u2019s pixels to burn out, leaving the impression of the static image!<\/p>\n Unfortunately, once burn-in has occurred, there is nothing you can do to reverse it. Your only option is to have the screen replaced or to buy a brand-new TV. If you have a 98-inch TV<\/a>, this can be a very expensive repair! <\/p>\n Burn-in occurs as a result of static images being left on your TV screen for a number of hours. Once it occurs, it cannot be repaired or remedied. As such, you should take care to avoid it occurring!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Burn-in can vary in severity from case to case. In some cases, the burned-in image can be so apparent that you can\u2019t see anything behind it. In less severe cases, the image may be less visible. If this is the case, it may be possible to continue enjoying your TV, by adjusting a few settings to make the image less invisible. <\/p>\n At times, it can be tough to tell if your TV is damaged. Problems can present themselves in a number of ways, and sometimes it can be totally impossible to tell when something is wrong! <\/p>\n If you suspect your TV might be damaged, but you\u2019re not totally sure, it would be worth contacting an electrician. They will be able to take a look at your TV and monitor its health. <\/p>\n However, there are a number of potential symptoms of damage that your TV might display. Let\u2019s find out what these symptoms are, so you can find out if your TV is damaged, or prepare yourself for any future issues.<\/p>\n Televisions are all about visuals. As such, if your TV\u2019s image ever appears blurry or unsatisfying, then it can be a direct sign of damage.<\/p>\n Your TV\u2019s image may also appear faded. A faded image can be a result of a number of potential problems. One of the most common reasons for a faded image is a faulty backlight. When your TV\u2019s backlight burns out, it has more trouble projecting light outward. When this happens, your image will appear faded, even when cranking the brightness up to the maximum.<\/p>\n If you have an OLED TV, then a faded image will more likely be a result of damage to the pixels. As we mentioned, OLED pixels not only render images but also produce their own light. When these pixels burn out, it becomes harder for them to project light. This can make patches of the screen appear faded and dull. <\/p>\n Issues with pixels can also occur in other non-OLED displays. When pixels are burnt out, it\u2019s harder for them to recreate imagery! <\/p>\n Sometimes, the picture on your TV screen can appear totally fine, though interrupted by specific anomalies happening within the screen.<\/p>\n One of the most common problems that happens on TV screens is vertical lines. Vertical lines are most often a sign of physical damage that has been rendered to the screen. These vertical lines are often highly colourful, creating an annoying contrast with anything you\u2019re watching. <\/p>\n If your TV has vertical lines interrupting your content, you will unfortunately need to either seek out repairs, or a total replacement. Repairing an entire TV screen can be a very costly endeavour, especially if your TV is significantly large. <\/p>\n Before giving up hope on a TV with vertical lines, be sure to check that the TV is correctly connected to your input source. A faulty HDMI connection can result in visual glitches. This also applies to errors with wireless connections. If you\u2019re casting content from your phone to your TV screen, be sure to check that the connection is stable! <\/p>\n Your TV screen may also have dead pixels. Dead pixels will either refuse to display any image at all or may light up with one colour no matter the content you play. If you have a large cluster of these found across your screen, then it\u2019s a clear sign of damage. It\u2019s incredibly annoying to have to deal with dead pixels, especially when they are all gathered together. <\/p>\n Unfortunately, dead pixels cannot be fixed without a complete screen replacement. It\u2019s also difficult to ascertain the root cause behind dead pixels. Sometimes it can occur as a result of physical damage or as a result of a manufacturer error! <\/p>\n If you only have one or two dead pixels, and they are non-obtrusive, then they don\u2019t need to be a source of concern!<\/p>\n Perhaps the most obvious sign of a faulty TV is one that refuses to turn on! Obviously, you should first check to make sure that your TV is plugged in, and that your remote control has batteries! If you\u2019ve made sure of both of these, and your TV still refuses to turn on, then it\u2019s likely your TV has gone beyond its best!<\/p>\n So far, all of this talk about TV health probably has you fretting. Luckily, there are actually a number of effective things you can do to safeguard your TV\u2019s health and extend its total lifespan. Let\u2019s take a look at these.<\/p>\n It\u2019s one of the easiest ways to reduce your TV\u2019s energy usage. Much of the electricity used by your TV is dedicated to providing enough light to push an image out. By lowering the brightness of your TV by a few increments, you can lower the amount of energy that is needed. This puts less of a strain on your TV\u2019s motherboard and its backlights. <\/p>\n Lowering the brightness is a surefire way to reduce your TV\u2019s energy consumption. This allows your TV\u2019s lifespan to extend massively. It\u2019s also beneficial for your eyes, by reducing glare.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n We also recommend lowering the brightness of your TV for the sake of your eyes. The contrast between a bright screen and the dark wall behind it can quickly result in eye strain that tires you out! <\/p>\n Don\u2019t worry. We\u2019re not asking that you break out your toolkit every few months. Rather, we simply recommend that you dust your TV at least once a week. Dust is one of the most pervasive threats to TV health and it can very quickly gather up on your TV. You want to prevent the risk of dust entering your TV\u2019s vents. One of the best ways to do this is to grab your feather duster and just go over the surface of the TV a few times. <\/p>\n While you do this, be sure to check that your TV is still in good condition. Check for cracks or imperfections on its surface. Make sure to also check that your TV\u2019s base is still sturdy. <\/p>\n TVs run the risk of overheating if not cared for properly. After all, that\u2019s why the vents are built into the rear of the unit! These vents allow heat generated by components to escape safely. To help make it easier for the vents to do their job, you should ensure your TV is placed in the right environment.<\/p>\n You should make sure that the vents aren\u2019t covered or obstructed in any way. This helps to ensure that plenty of air can reach the TV!<\/p>\n We know that this might sound ironic. Don\u2019t worry. We\u2019re not suggesting you completely avoid using your TV! God forbid! Instead, we\u2019re recommending that you turn your TV off whenever it\u2019s not in use. <\/p>\n It\u2019s recommended to get into the habit of turning your TV off every time you need to step up from the sofa. If you know you\u2019ll be away from the TV for more than a few minutes, be sure to turn it off. You can come back to your content when you\u2019re ready! <\/p>\n If you\u2019re prone to leaving your TV idle, then you\u2019ll want to make good use of sleep timers. With a sleep timer, you can be sure that your TV will turn itself off after a set period of inactivity. This way you won\u2019t find yourself suddenly remembering that you left your TV on![\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.reliant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/whatsize-copy.jpg” alt=”TV” title_text=”TV” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text quote_border_color=”#126366″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” ul_font_size=”20px” ul_line_height=”1.7em” quote_font=”|300|||||||” quote_font_size=”22px” quote_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” header_5_line_height=”1.2em” header_6_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We\u2019ve mentioned quite a few times across the course of this guide how susceptible TV pixels can be to damage. Your TV\u2019s pixels are crucial for generating satisfying imagery, and in the case of OLED TVs, for providing light! To help protect your TV\u2019s pixels, we recommend using pixel shift<\/a> technology.<\/p>\n If your TV offers pixel shift as an option, we highly recommend using it. Put simply, pixel shift is a technology that shifts pixels around your TV screen after an amount of time has passed. This means that the burden placed on your TV\u2019s pixels is reduced. It means that your TV\u2019s pixels won\u2019t have to maintain an image or a certain amount of light for extended periods. <\/p>\n It\u2019s totally worth making use of pixel shift. It\u2019s non-intrusive and yet helps to protect your TV screen\u2019s health. You won\u2019t even notice it\u2019s operating, but it will be helping to save your TV\u2019s life! <\/p>\n It\u2019s best to avoid touching your TV\u2019s screen whenever possible. No matter how lightly you touch it. If you were to apply enough force to your TV screen, you would run the risk of puncturing one of the screen\u2019s many layers. With enough force, you could also do direct damage to your TV\u2019s pixels, burning them out on the spot. <\/p>\n It\u2019s recommended to never touch your TV\u2019s screen. With enough force, it\u2019s easy to pierce through the screen\u2019s many layers. This can result in the screen being irreparably damaged. Even lightly touching the screen will leave behind annoying fingerprints!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n While lightly touching your TV\u2019s screen won\u2019t have a direct impact, it\u2019s still not recommended. Even if you lightly brush your finger against your TV\u2019s screen, you will leave behind fingerprints and small pockets of dirt. Over time, this will result in your TV looking dull and unsatisfying. After a while, you\u2019ll also need to clean your TV screen. If not done carefully, this can be very risky. Certain cleaning chemicals can eat away at your TV\u2019s protective film.<\/p>\n Technically speaking, OLED TVs do tend to last a little longer than other TV types. This is because they do not need to make use of a backlight to project images out. However, other TV types can easily last just as long as OLED TVs, under the right conditions.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a TV that will really last you, then you should look for recognisable brands. Though brands like Samsung<\/a> and LG<\/a> might charge a little more for their TVs, you can count on them to always deliver a high-quality service. These TVs are made with the highest quality materials and with plenty of expert precision![\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.reliant.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/thinq1.jpg” alt=”TV” title_text=”TV” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”FAQs” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” ul_font_size=”20px” ul_line_height=”1.7em” quote_font_size=”20px” quote_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” header_5_line_height=”1.2em” header_6_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A TV can easily last more than 10 years. But you\u2019ll need to put in some effort to help it get there. TVs need a lot of care and maintenance to be able to live a full life. Don\u2019t worry, you don\u2019t need to do too much. However, we would recommend that you turn down your screen brightness and that you regularly dust your TV. These quick steps can help to keep your TV cool!<\/p>\n There is no hard and fast rule dictating that your TV must be replaced regularly. If you have an older TV, such as one over 10 years old, that still works perfectly, then there\u2019s no need to replace it. On average, most people tend to replace their TVs every 7 to 10 years. This aligns with the average lifespan of most TVs. If your TV is older and faulty, then it might be worth replacing it!<\/p>\n Really, you should try to keep your TV watching to around 2 hours each day. Not only does this allow plenty of time for your TV to rest, but it also ensures your eyes have plenty of time to rest. It\u2019s also recommended to keep your TV watching to 2 hours in the interest of your health. With less time spent in front of the TV, there\u2019s a lower likelihood of binge eating![\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Obviously, you want your TV to work perfectly for a number of years. But how long can your TV actually last? Let’s find out!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":103609,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[44,43],"class_list":["post-103507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-televisions","tag-lg-electronics","tag-samsung"],"yoast_head":"\nHow Long Can Your TV Last?<\/h2>\n
Which Type Of TV Lasts The Longest?<\/h3>\n
When Is A TV Considered \u201cOld\u201d?<\/h3>\n
What Can Shorten The Life Of Your TV?<\/h2>\n
High Brightness<\/h3>\n
Poor Storage And Cable Management<\/h3>\n
Power Surges<\/h3>\n
Lack Of Maintenance<\/h3>\n
Poor Environmental Conditions<\/h3>\n
Is It Dangerous To Leave Your TV On Pause?<\/h2>\n
What Happens If Your TV Is Left On Too Long?<\/h3>\n
What Is TV Burn-In?<\/h2>\n
Can You Get Rid Of TV Burn-In?<\/h3>\n
How Can You Tell If Your TV Is Damaged?<\/h2>\n
The Image Looks Wrong<\/h3>\n
The Screen Looks Wrong<\/h3>\n
The TV Won\u2019t Turn On!<\/h3>\n
How Can You Help Your TV To Last Longer?<\/h2>\n
Lower The Brightness<\/h3>\n
Regular Maintenance<\/h3>\n
Create The Right Environment<\/h3>\n
Turn Your TV Off<\/h3>\n
Use Pixel Shift<\/h3>\n
Why Should You Avoid Touching Your TV Screen?<\/h2>\n
What Are The Most Reliable TVs To Buy?<\/h2>\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n
How Long Can Your TV Last?<\/h4>\n
How Often Should I Replace My TV?<\/h4>\n
How Long Should A TV Be On A Day?<\/h4>\n