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Is your TV screen cracked, and you’re wondering what your options are?
That sucks! TVs are a central part of any home’s entertainment center, so when the screen is affected in any way, it can put a screeching halt to your fun.
I know how annoying it can be to have a cracked TV screen – especially when you just bought the TV or have a tight repair budget. But don’t worry; you’ve come to the right place for answers. Below, you’ll find a list including 2 options at your disposal when your TV screen has cracked.
In the event of a cracked TV screen, you can opt for either replacing the screen or buying a new TV. The route you choose will depend greatly on several factors, including the condition of other components inside your TV.
Keep reading to address the cracked screen issue!
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.
What to Do When Your TV Screen Is Cracked
Repairing a cracked TV screen can be more complex than it seems. Most people think that all they have to do is buy a new screen, and they’ll be done with it. However, in my experience, it’s not so simple.
There are many scenarios where replacing the TV screen will fix the issue and get everything back to normal; however, there are other instances where the damage is wider, and a screen replacement alone won’t be enough. Looking at the problem as a whole is essential to make the right decisions.
Here’s what I recommend you do to save money, time, and effort.
#1 Analyze the Damage Carefully
When your TV screen is cracked, the first thing I recommend you do is to analyze the situation and the damage carefully.
Determining whether the damage is limited to the screen only or if it goes deeper can be the difference between saving money or wasting it. When a cracked TV screen is only that, you can likely get away with solving the issue by installing a new screen.
Typically, the cost of a new TV screen panel ranges between 30%-70% of the entire TV’s price – so 50% on average.
Having to pay half the price of a TV for a new screen isn’t great, but it sure beats shelling out the remaining 50% for a full TV replacement. The problem is that sometimes, it’s not just the cracked TV screen but also other internal components.
For example, let’s say that along with your TV screen, part of the mainboard (essentially the TV’s brain) also sustained damage or shorted out. If you pay for a new TV screen, but another component is also affected, your TV still won’t work.
In such a scenario, you’ll have to pay additional money to fix the faulty component, which can quickly turn 50% of the price of a new TV into 100% or more.
Solution: My usual advice in such cases is to contact a certified TV technician to take a look at your TV. The pros have specialized tools and skill sets that can help determine whether the screen is the only affected component.
I understand how paying for a technician’s visit might not be your cup of tea, but it can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars by keeping you from making the wrong call.
#2 Replace the TV
Provided you or the technician have determined that the damage to the TV goes beyond the screen, I tend to find that a replacement is the better choice money-wise.
It used to be that you could take your TV to Mom-and-Pop shops around the corner to have the unit repaired for lower prices while supporting local businesses – all while keeping your warranty valid.
However, these days, large retail companies have increased the required certifications businesses must have in order to do repairs that do not void the warranty they offer. Naturally, the main reason why larger retail companies are so strict with their repair policies is that they want you to opt for purchasing a brand-new TV from them rather than repairing the one you own.
At the end of the day, it’s just business.
Solution: Sadly, TV manufacturer warranties rarely cover cracked screens, so your best bet will be to replace your TV to get things back to normal.
If there’s an upcoming sale, such as Black Friday, my usual advice is to wait until it starts and pull the trigger on a new TV then. Who knows? Maybe you get a great deal and pay about the same as you would have to repair the screen!
Safety Precautions
Although I’m all for helping people learn how to address their appliance issues, I strongly advise against repairing your TV yourself.
Unlike other appliances, such as blenders or dehumidifiers, TVs have capacitors that can hold deadly amounts of electricity for 10+ years! You must never open your TV up and tamper with its components unless you know exactly what you’re doing and are taking the necessary safety precautions.
Please get in touch with a certified TV technician to handle the task if you want to diagnose your TV and/or replace an internal component.
Repairing a Cracked TV Screen
That about covers it!
When your TV screen has cracked, you’re left with no source of entertainment at home other than using your phone or playing a board game.
Luckily, as I hope this piece has helped you better understand, you’re not out of options when your TV screen is damaged. My usual advice in such a situation is to observe the issue carefully and hire a certified TV technician to help you determine whether repairing the TV is actually worth it.
Thanks for reading. If this article was useful and answered your questions, please check out our other incredible resources below and consider subscribing to our newsletter.
Have a great week!
-Craig.
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