Is Your Broken TV Worth Fixing? - TCL 55S401 Repair

[@TheJacksonTravels]

Thanks for helping fix our TV! We've been using it so much since! Also thanks for the shout-out!

I am all for repairing. If I can make less e-waste, that's a big benefit for me. Great video.

[@animalhouse8849]

I'm glad there's still a market for these budget TV parts. 100% worth doing for someone like me who doesn't connect to wifi and use smart features on the TV itself.

[@MadModLabs]

Agreed. I love tinkering with cheap TVs. Thanks for watching!

[@eli1214]

I went to goodwill when televisions were half off and got 2 functioning 720p flat screens for less than 40 dollars

[@raiden1656]

Fantastic video, just what I needed to decide that I’m going to try this out instead of just buying another one, which is probably better for the tv company

[@raiden1656]

I can't find an LED replacement that specifically names my TCL 50S45, I've seen 50S451, 50S425. I'll need to open the tv and see what the LED looks like. And literally just now I finally see a product listing that does name my model! This is a lucky channel.

[@juanmacias5922]

This was awesome, thanks for sharing the repair.

[@MadModLabs]

Thanks for watching and Subscribing! ❤

[@mosinnia]

The backlight just went out in my tlc TV and this video was just what I needed! Thank you so much for your time to help teach a new skill :)

[@KiraSlith]

It'd be cool if there were any alternative control/main boards for these TVs. I've got an extra one I'd love to de-roku or at least get some native Component inputs.

[@MadModLabs]

Now that would be awesome.

[@GurtTheHurt]

Always depends on the TV issue and the person's skill set, but largely I'd say yes. Helped 1 friend fix a TV that was just a bad capacitor that wasn't actually rated for what it was doing meaning samsung built it to fail. Another just had bad light tubes that needed to be replaced.

[@YodaWhat]

I had to take apart my TCL-made Roku TV because the backlight stopped working. Turns out they had cheaped out on the flyback diode in the switchmode power supply, so I replaced it with a MUCH better diode, rated for twice the voltage and twice the current, AND put the diode on a heatsink. The original diode lacked ANY heatsink, and had too low a voltage rating to withstand the voltage spikes it is constantly subjected to. Retail cost of the better diode was only about $1 (USA money), and would have cost TCL only a few cents extra at the factory prices. DOH!

[@financeranger]

Thx kinda worried about buying a PCB on eBay but it certainly is cheaper than a new TV

[@MadModLabs]

Most of the boards you will find on eBay were pulled from TVs that had damaged LCD screens. This happens all the time during shipping and packaging. Fortunately, all the other parts are usually ok. If you are skeptical, try to buy from a seller that accepts returns. Best of luck!

[@financeranger]

Yup just ordered from a highly rated seller that guarantees it, only $40

[@nimakomichael2133]

How do I get a motherboard for my TCL 55”. Any link or shop to buy from

[@quantization4449]

First off, thank you so much! My 55S405 was fixed by following the steps in your video! Unfortunately, I ended up getting a big drop of sweat on the diffusing plastic layers. I tried to dab it off with a microfiber cloth but it left a biggol smudge and of course it's showing up on the TV picture afterward. I did NOT try to use any cleaner or water for fear of making it worse. Is there any way to clear that up or do I just need to buy a new sheet?

[@MadModLabs]

I'm glad you got your TV working again! I would probably try a plastic safe cleaner to clean any of the layers that got wet. You may also want to clean the back side of the LCD. Just make sure all of the surfaces are dry and streak free before reassembling. I have had good results in the past by cleaning LCDs with a product called "invisible glass." I'm pretty sure it is plastic safe. Proceed at your own risk though. It is so easy to get debris or fingerprints on the screen while assembling.

[@capriati001]

Hello !! My son's Tv TCL 55S401 broke, please could you tell me where to order a new screen I would appreciate it, Thanks.

[@MadModLabs]

Usually, you can find replacement parts that have been pulled from working TVs on eBay. If your LCD is broken it may be hard to find a replacement for much cheaper than the price of a new TV.

[@YouDummy]

I have this issue, and i don't even see the faint picture with a flashlight. Is it worth my time?

[@topherc100]

i see a debug port on the pcb

[@Weston_Guidero]

repair and repurpose or take parts from a tv and recycle the rest if you find use for them. Ideally these manufactors should provide better parts, but sadly how the market works is selling more in mass quantity rather than building a solid product to begin with. It's sad how this has become the norm.