When a TV refuses to start, the standby light is the most useful clue you have. It tells you whether power is reaching the set, whether the TV thinks it is on, and — on many models — which board has failed, through a blink pattern. Before anyone opens the TV, a few minutes spent reading that light and ruling out the simple causes can save a visit.
What does the standby light mean?
| Standby light | Likely cause | First check |
|---|---|---|
| Off completely | No power reaching the set, or power board failed | Try another wall socket and cable |
| Steady, but TV will not wake | Remote, IR receiver, or mainboard | Use the button on the TV itself |
| Blinking in a repeating pattern | TV reporting an internal error code | Count the blinks and note the colour |
| Comes on, then goes off | Power board protection or mainboard fault | Unplug 60 seconds and retry once |
| Clicks repeatedly | Power supply protection mode | Stop retrying; unplug and wait for diagnosis |
Checks to do before calling
- Plug the TV directly into a wall socket you know works, bypassing any extension board or stabiliser.
- Unplug it for a full 60 seconds to let the power supply discharge, then try again.
- Press the power button on the TV itself, not the remote — it rules out a dead remote in seconds.
- Replace the remote batteries anyway; weak batteries are a surprisingly common cause.
- If the set has a physical power switch on the side or underneath, make sure it is on.
Why TVs fail to start after a power cut
Power supply boards are the part of a TV most exposed to voltage events. A spike when power returns after a cut, a surge during a storm, or unstable output from an ageing inverter can damage components on the board. That is why "it stopped working when the light came back" is one of the most common descriptions we hear, and why it usually points to an affordable board repair rather than anything more serious.
What does the repair cost?
Delhi NCR market ranges for the faults that stop a TV from starting:
| Fault | 32" - 43" | 44" - 55" | 56" and above |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power supply board repair or replacementNo power, or a blinking standby light | ₹1,000 - 3,500 | ₹1,800 - 5,000 | ₹2,500 - 6,500 |
| Mainboard / motherboard repairBoot loops, no input detection, random shutdowns | ₹2,000 - 5,500 | ₹3,000 - 8,000 | ₹4,500 - 12,500 |
Preventing it happening again
Once a TV has lost a power board to a voltage event, it is worth protecting it. A surge protector is inexpensive; a voltage stabiliser suits areas with frequent fluctuation. If your home runs on an inverter, have its output checked — a weak inverter can stress a TV every time it takes over.