Fixing Cloudy Dark Spots On Any LCD TV Screen: 6 Steps

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Have you got cloudy, dark spots on your LCD TV? Then you’ll find 6 ways to lift the smog around your screen in this article!

Here are some ways to remove cloudy dark spots from an LCD screen

  1. Clean the screen.
  2. Adjust the backlight settings.
  3. Turn the light sensor setting on.
  4. Change the power saving setting to low or high.
  5. Loosen the screws on the back of the TV.
  6. Support the back of the TV.

You don’t have to let pesky, cloudy, dark spots turn into the stars of each one of your TV shows. Coming up are more details on how you can remove the dark spots for good.

Why trust us? This article was written by Craig Anderson and Austin Sharman.

Craig has helped thousands of other homeowners repair their appliances since 2016.

6 Ways to Remove Cloudy Dark Spots From Your LCD TV

Dark spots on your TV can mean many things; sadly, in my experience, nothing good can come from them. Coming up, you’ll see 6 tricks that will help you fix the dark spots on your TV and get back to HD viewing.

#1 Clean the Screen

Cleaning tv with a microfiber cloth
Start by cleaning your TV screen with a microfiber cloth

Removing the cloudy dark spots on your TV doesn’t have to be complicated – especially when the cause is any of the following:

  • A build-up of dust.
  • Foreign matter stuck to the TV screen.

In such cases, cleaning the screen will restore it to its original condition and allow you to watch TV without any display issues.

Here’s how you can clean your TV screen without scratching it:

  1. Turn the TV off and unplug it.
  2. Use a screen-safe microfiber cloth to wipe over the screen. Wipe from the top of the screen to the bottom. Never apply pressure to the TV screen; just a light wipe.
  3. For hard-to-remove smears, wipe in circular motions, but avoid using any cleaning solutions or applying pressure.

Are you more comfortable with visual, easy-to-follow instructions? Then here’s a quick TV screen cleaning tutorial to help you with your LCD TV.

If you can still see dark spots after cleaning, please look at the other tricks in this article.

#2 Try Some Quickfire Fixes

From what I’ve seen, TVs can act funny over time. Luckily, a few simple tricks can often fix many of the issues that may arise.

To remove the dark spots on your TV:

  1. Restart the TV. Turn the TV off using the remote, then unplug it. Wait 2 minutes and turn the TV back on again.
  2. Change the channel. Check to see if your usual viewing platform is the source of the issue. Try watching something else and look out for dark spots.
  3. Change the input. Swap the source over to a completely different input – like a DVD player or internal app.
  4. Check the cables. Turn off the power, then unplug and firmly plug all the cables into the TV.

No luck? No problem! Let’s keep going.

#3 Adjust the Backlight Settings

The backlight on your LCD TV is set to make your screen as bright as possible, so any failure or incorrect settings could explain the dark spots on your TV. I’ve found that, even when adjusted, backlights usually work well in most TV viewing environments.

However, going too far can make TV viewing uncomfortable in dark rooms or poorly lit areas.

Going overboard with backlight adjustments can reveal screen clouding. To correct the situation, here’s how you can adjust your backlight back to normal:

  1. Press the “Menu” button on your TV.
  2. Navigate to your picture settings.
  3. Reduce the backlight setting in small increments. Do so until the screen clouding disappears or fades significantly.
  4. Test the screen when watching your normal programming. If it seems uncomfortably dark, turn the brightness up slightly.
Menu button on tv remote
Press “Menu” on your remote control, then navigate to the picture settings

#4 Turn the Light Sensor Setting On

If the light sensor is off, it could also explain the dark spots on your TV.

The light sensor in your TV turns your TV’s brightness up and down according to the amount of light in the room. If the room is dark, the brightness should automatically reduce itself – and the opposite should happen in a bright room.

The brightness sensor is supposed to provide that awesome cinematic experience no matter the time of the day. However, if your TV’s automatic light sensor settings are off, turn them back on to eliminate the dark spots.

Here is a way for you to fix the problem with your TV’s light sensor:

  1. Press the “Menu” button on your TV remote.
  2. Navigate to your picture settings or setup menu.
  3. Click on your “Light Sensor” setting.
  4. If the setting is off, turn it on.
  5. Test the screen while watching TV with the lights on and the lights off. The clouding should disappear. If your TV’s brightness doesn’t seem to change when the lighting changes, your sensor may have a problem.
Watching tv in the dark
The sensor should reduce your screen’s brightness in the dark

#5 Change the Power-Saving Setting to Low or High

Adjusting your power-saving settings will also help remove the dark spots on your TV.

Power-saving mode helps to save energy by reducing the brightness of your TV screen.

If your screen is showing dark cloudy spots, turning the power-saving mode on can be helpful – especially when you’re in a dark room.

To change your TV’s power-saving settings

  1. Press the “Menu” button on your TV remote.
  2. Navigate to your setup menu.
  3. Select power-saving mode. Change the mode from “Low” to “High” or “High” to “Low”.
  4. Test the screen while you’re watching TV. The clouding should have disappeared.

#6 Support the Back of the TV

In my experience, the clouding issue can increase if your LCD TV moves around a lot or is transported often. You must set your TV somewhere it will not be moved about.

You can stabilize your TV in the following ways. If you have small children at home, try combining the methods below:

  • Tighten the screws on the base of your TV.
  • Place your TV on top of a TV cabinet or stand.
  • Use a wall bracket to keep your TV in place.
TV wall support
Keep your TV in place using a wall bracket

#7 Try A Full Software Reset

Lastly, factory resetting your TV can help also help get rid of the dark spots in your TV. Factory resets are necessary when the following are present:

  • Leftover data from uninstalled apps.
  • Bugs from crashed applications.
  • Problems with memory.

Bear in mind that a factory reset will wipe any data off of your TV. So, before you perform a factory reset, save some of the data from your Google apps. You can save your data by syncing your apps with your Google account.

Once you’ve saved all your important information, you’ll be ready to perform the factory reset. Here’s how you can do the reset:

  1. Press “Home” on your remote control.
  2. Navigate to “Settings”.
  3. Select “Device Preferences” or “Storage and Reset”. (Options will vary depending on your TV.).
  4. Select “Factory Reset”.
  5. Your TV will then ask if you want to proceed with the factory reset. Press “OK” to continue.
  6. Once the reset is complete, try to power on the TV. If the TV stays in a restart loop, calling a technician would be a good idea.

Removing Dark Spots From Your TV

Are cloudy, dark spots getting in the way of your LCD TV screen? Then I am sure this article has shown you a few tricks you can use to clear it. The tips provided here can save you money on a call-out charge or even a new TV!

Has this article helped you? Then why not check out some of our other articles and free guides below? You could even sign up for our email list.

Have a great day!

-Craig.

I've been helping homeowners with appliance repair since 2016. Starting out as an enthusiastic amateur, I've since worked with many Appliance, HVAC, and DIY experts over the last 7+ years. My mission is to help fix your appliances and prevent future issues - saving you stress, time, and money. Visit my author page to learn more! Read more
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