TV grey screen
A TV showing a grey screen — evenly grey, with or without sound — is usually no picture signal reaching the panel: the source or the HDMI cable, the TV's main board, or the T-con board that drives the panel.
Test it now
Press Menu on the remote: if the menu appears clearly, the TV is fine and the source is the problem — try another input and another cable. No menu: the main board or T-con. Washed-out picture: switch the picture mode to Standard and turn energy saving off.
What it is
A TV showing a grey screen — evenly grey, with or without sound — is usually no picture signal reaching the panel: the source or the HDMI cable, the TV's main board, or the T-con board that drives the panel. A grey screen that still shows the TV's own menu is the source; a grey screen even on the menu is the TV. A greyish, washed-out picture with detail visible is a picture setting (Game mode, energy saving, a wrong picture mode) or a failing backlight.
Can it be fixed?
Source and cable: yes. Picture settings: yes. Main board and T-con: replaceable boards, and on a large TV worth a quote. Panel: rarely worth it.
What to do
- Menu test.
- Another input, another cable, another source.
- Picture mode Standard, energy saving off.
- No menu: board repair quote.
What a repair costs
| United States | $150–400 for a T-con or main board repair; a panel is usually more than a new TV under 50" |
|---|---|
| India | ₹2,500–8,000 for a board repair at a local TV technician; panels ₹8,000–30,000, usually not worth it under 43" |
Typical ranges from repair-shop and manufacturer price lists, 2026-09-06. Get two quotes; prices vary by model and city.
Warranty
Most makers replace a panel under warranty for physical panel faults that are not accidental damage; pressure marks, cracks and liquid damage are treated as accidental and are not covered. For dead pixels, each brand has a threshold (typically 3–5 bright or 5–8 dark pixels on a laptop; Dell's premium-panel guarantee replaces at one bright pixel).