Why does my Samsung smart TV turn on and off by itself repeatedly?

Your Samsung smart TV repeatedly turning on and off typically indicates issues with connected external devices, specific TV settings, or interference from the remote control. These are the most common culprits behind such erratic behavior.

Common Causes for Self-Cycling

Understanding the potential reasons can help in diagnosing and resolving the problem. Here are the primary causes:

External Device Interference: Devices connected to your TV, especially via HDMI, can send signals that inadvertently turn your TV on or off. Samsung's Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) feature, designed for convenience, allows connected devices to control the TV, but can sometimes cause unintended power cycling if there's a miscommunication or an issue with the connected device itself. Other devices like USB drives or gaming consoles might also play a role.
TV Settings: Certain settings within your TV's menu can trigger power events. This includes:
- Auto Power Off/Sleep Timer: These settings are designed to save energy or turn off the TV after a set period of inactivity.
- Eco Solution Settings: Features like Ambient Light Detection or Motion Sensors (if your model has them) can sometimes cause unexpected power adjustments or turn-offs if they misinterpret environmental cues.
- Software Glitches: Outdated firmware or temporary software bugs can lead to erratic behavior, including repeated power cycling.
Remote Control Issues: A malfunctioning remote control, such as one with stuck buttons, or interference from other remote controls or electronic devices in the vicinity, can send continuous "on" or "off" signals to the TV.
Power Supply Problems: While less common or directly tied to settings/devices, an unstable power supply, a loose power cord, a faulty power outlet, or internal power board issues can also cause a TV to cycle on and off.

Troubleshooting Steps and Solutions

To resolve your Samsung smart TV's power cycling issue, systematically work through the following troubleshooting steps:

Potential Cause	Quick Solution
External Device Signals	Disconnect all HDMI and USB devices, then test the TV.
Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) Enabled	Disable Anynet+ in TV settings.
Auto Power Off / Sleep Timer	Adjust or disable power-saving/timer settings.
Remote Control Malfunction	Remove remote batteries or try using a different remote.
Outdated Software	Update your TV's firmware to the latest version.
Power Supply Instability	Check power cable connections, try a different wall outlet, avoid power strips.

Here's a more detailed approach for each solution:

Isolate External Devices:
- Unplug Everything: Turn off your TV and unplug all HDMI cables, USB devices, soundbars, game consoles, and any other external devices connected to it.
- Test the TV: Plug in the TV's power cord and turn it on. See if it continues to cycle on and off by itself.
- Reconnect Gradually: If the TV operates normally, plug your external devices back in one by one. After each device is reconnected, monitor the TV for a period to identify which device might be causing the problem.
Adjust TV Settings:
- Disable Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC): This feature can cause devices to control your TV's power.
  - Navigate to Settings > General > External Device Manager > Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC).
  - Toggle this setting Off.
- Review Power & Energy Saving Settings:
  - Go to Settings > General > Power and Energy Saving.
  - Check for settings like Auto Power Off, Sleep Timer, or Idle TV Power Off. Ensure they are either disabled or set to intervals that don't align with your issue.
  - Look for Eco Solution features, such as Ambient Light Detection or Motion Sensor (if applicable to your model), and temporarily disable them to see if they are causing the problem.
- Update Firmware: Software bugs can often be resolved with an update.
  - Go to Settings > Support > Software Update.
  - Select Update Now to check for and install the latest firmware.
Examine the Remote Control:
- Remove Batteries: Take the batteries out of your TV remote control. This rules out a stuck button or constant signal transmission from the remote.
- Check for Interference: Ensure no other remotes (like a cable box remote) or electronic devices are inadvertently sending signals to your TV.
Power Cycle Your TV:
- Unplug the TV from the wall outlet.
- Wait for at least 60 seconds (this allows residual power to drain).
- Plug the TV back into the outlet.
- Turn on the TV and observe if the issue persists.
Check Power Supply and Outlet:
- Secure Connection: Ensure the power cable is securely plugged into both the TV and the wall outlet.
- Try Different Outlet: Plug your TV into a different wall outlet to rule out an issue with the original outlet.
- Avoid Power Strips/Surge Protectors: For testing purposes, plug the TV directly into a wall outlet to bypass any potential issues with surge protectors or power strips.
Factory Reset (Last Resort):
- If all other steps fail, performing a factory reset can often resolve persistent software-related issues. Be aware that this will erase all your personalized settings and downloaded apps.
- Navigate to Settings > General > Reset. You may need to enter your PIN (default is 0000).

By methodically following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve why your Samsung smart TV is repeatedly turning on and off.