How to fix your Sony TV so it won’t turn itself on or off

Picture this: You’re sleeping in your bed and suddenly you hear your Sony TV turn on by itself.

At first, you thought it was just your imagination, but when you watch TV, it’s Really in. She tries to turn it off, but somehow it turns back on. What’s going on?

No, your Sony TV is not haunted. The problem is caused by a simple malfunction or interference that can be easily fixed. The issue is not unique to Sony TVs as any other brand of TV can experience this as well.

If this happens to your TV, don’t worry, we’ve got a couple of tips and tricks that should help you fix this problem. For this reason, we wrote this guide to show you how to fix a Sony TV that turns itself on/off.

Before we dive in, here are some of the topics and solutions we’ll cover in this guide:

Why does your Sony TV turn on by itself?

If your Sony TV turns on or off by itself, there are a few possible causes. For starters, a stuck power button on the remote or low batteries may be to blame.

Alternatively, an internal timer or power saving mode could be accidentally set to turn on the TV.

NOTE: In most cases, a connected device such as a router, network device, or USB wireless LAN adapter can cause the TV to turn on.

Most TVs have a setting that allows them to turn on when the TV detects a signal from a connected device.

If your Sony TV has relinquished some of the controls to an external device, such as a cable box or game console, that device could inadvertently turn on the TV.

Fortunately, you can usually disable this feature in your internal HDMI or CEC settings.

Ultimately, this can be caused by a software glitch that you can fix by powering off and on, doing a factory reset, or updating the TV’s software.

We know this may sound like a lot, but we’ll guide you every step of the way. We are ready when you are. Let’s dive in, okay?

Here’s how to fix a Sony TV that turns itself on/off

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Troubleshoot remote control

First, check the remote and make sure no button is accidentally pressed.

Press each button on the remote to check if it responds correctly. Also, thoroughly clean the remote. If it’s dirty, the dirt can cause things to get stuck.

A low battery remote can also send random signals that can turn on your TV. Try replacing the batteries in your Sony TV remote.

Disable HDMI-CEC settings

Consumer Electronic Control, or ‘CEC’, allows devices to communicate with each other through the HDMI port. Add convenience by allowing users to control devices with a single remote.

However, sometimes red signals from CEC-compliant devices can cause your TV to turn on or off unexpectedly. The easiest way to fix this problem is to simply disable CEC.

Sony TV has called its CEC technology ‘Bravia Sync’. On most TVs, you can disable this feature by following these steps:

• To go Settings
• Select Bravia Settings
• Go to external inputs
• After HDMI-CEC Settings
• To choose CCA
• Select To disable

If your Sony TV doesn’t have an option in the settings menu, just do a simple Google search with your TV model to find the correct way to disable CEC or Bravia Sync.

But, read on to see if anything else on this list helps you fix your Sony TV so it won’t turn on and off.

Deactivate ECO mode

Eco mode saves energy by dimming the screen and reducing power consumption. The TV does not turn off when it is activated, but instead goes into low power standby mode.

Consequently, the problem is that it can sometimes turn on unexpectedly.

To fix this issue, disable Eco mode on your Sony TV or any connected device to find out if this is why your Sony TV keeps turning on and off.

Disconnect external devices

An external device connected to your TV could be the reason why your Sony TV turns on and off by itself.

If you have a cable box, game console, or other external device connected to your TV, unplug it and see if the problem persists.

Also, check the power cord of the external device and the Sony TV to see if it is loose, malfunctioning, or damaged.

Plug in one device at a time to isolate the culprit causing the problem. Be sure to securely fasten the cables to prevent loose connections.

Update your Sony TV

Software bugs can be the reason why your Sony TV turns on or off. Interestingly, this is a bug reported on Sony’s website for a couple of Android and Google TV models.

By updating the software, you can fix these technical issues. Depending on your model, you can update the software over the air (OTA) or via a USB drive.

For the latter, you will need to check the Sony support website to download the latest software for your TV model and follow the instructions provided.

Here are some general steps to update your Sony Google TV

From here, your Sony TV will download its new update (if available) and proceed to update. The process can take anywhere from one to five minutes, but times may vary depending on your internet speed.

Disconnect Wi-Fi connectivity

Wi-Fi can be a useful feature on your Sony TV, allowing you to connect to the Internet and stream content from various apps or connect to home automation devices like Amazon Echo, Google Home, and smart lights.

Some third-party apps (usually streaming apps) on your TV or wirelessly connected devices may randomly turn the TV on or off.

To fix this problem, you need to first disconnect your TV from any Wi-Fi networks you’re connected to.

If this fixes the problem, you can start isolating a particular device or smart app that is causing the problem by connecting them to the network one at a time.

Power Cycle Sony TV

To reset your Sony TV, simply unplug it from the wall outlet and wait at least 1-2 minutes.

Press the TV’s power button for at least 20 seconds to remove any residual charge. After that, plug it back in and turn on your TV to check if the problem is fixed.

Factory reset your Sony TV

You can factory reset your Sony TV using the remote control or the buttons on the TV. Depending on the operating system and TV model, the steps may differ.

Here, for simplicity, we will show you how to factory reset a Sony Android Smart TV (W8 series model).

press the Start button on the remote and select the gear icon at the top right to enter Settings. Then follow the steps below:

• Storage and reset
• Factory data reset
• Restart
• Erase everything
• Yes

You can find the exact reset process for your respective Sony TV model in the provided user manual or on the Sony website.

Ending

If none of the above steps worked for you, a hardware issue with your TV may require professional assistance. In such a case, we recommend that you take it to a Sony service center.

We strongly recommend that you do not open the TV and play with the internal parts as this may void the warranty.

Speaking of which, you can also claim a warranty if your TV is covered, as these kinds of issues are usually covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.

Hopefully we’ve answered all of your questions or resolved your issue, but if there’s anything we missed, please let us know at Twitter or Facebook.

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I write about technology and gadgets, and in particular about smartwatches.