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Fix a TV that has Android TV box that will not work

We'll check input, power, HDMI, remote, and Wi-Fi—or factory reset when needed.

Troubleshooting · Home electronics
5–15 min
What you'll need
  • Android TV box remote (or Android TV remote app on phone)
  • TV remote
Step 1 of 11

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Steps

Goal: Confirm the symptom, check input and power, then rule out HDMI, remote, and Wi-Fi issues.

  • Confirm the Android TV box does not show a picture, does not respond to the remote, or will not stream.
  • Good: You have confirmed the symptom. Proceed to Check input and power.
  • Bad: Box works sometimes—may be remote or Wi-Fi.

Check input and power

Goal: Confirm the correct input is selected and the Android TV box has power.

  • Use the TV remote to select the HDMI input for the Android TV box.
  • Confirm the box is plugged in with the included power adapter—USB from the TV may not be enough.
  • Good: Correct input selected and box has power. The home screen appears. Done.
  • Bad: Still no picture—proceed to Check HDMI and remote.

Check HDMI and remote

Goal: Rule out loose HDMI cable and remote issues.

  • Reseat the HDMI cable at both ends. Try a different HDMI port and cable.
  • Replace the remote batteries. Re-pair the remote or use the Android TV remote app on your phone.
  • Good: HDMI snug and remote works. The box responds. Done.
  • Bad: Still does not work—proceed to Power-cycle.

Power-cycle

Goal: Reset the Android TV box and TV.

  • Unplug the Android TV box from power. Unplug the TV. Wait 30 seconds. Plug back in.
  • Good: Power-cycle fixes it. The box responds. Done.
  • Bad: Still does not work—factory reset or replace the box.

When to get help

Replace the Android TV box if:

  • Factory reset and all checks do not fix it. The device may be faulty.

Call a pro if:

  • The TV has no picture on any input—the TV may need repair.

Verification

  • The Android TV box home screen appears on the correct input.
  • The remote controls the box.
  • The box is connected to Wi-Fi in Settings > Network.
  • Streaming apps load and play content.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Input and power Select correct input; confirm box has power.
  2. HDMI Reseat cable; try different port and cable.
  3. Remote and Wi-Fi Replace batteries or pair remote; check Wi-Fi in Settings.
  4. Power-cycle and factory reset Power-cycle box and TV; factory reset from Settings.
  5. Call a pro or replace TV has no picture on any input—call a technician. Box faulty—replace device.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Android TV box model
  • TV model
  • Whether box connects to Wi-Fi
  • Steps already tried

Is the correct input selected?

Wrong input shows no picture.

Use the TV remote. Select the HDMI input for the Android TV box. Correct input: check power. Wrong input: select correct one, then test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Select correct input

Select the input where the Android TV box is connected. Confirm the box has power. If home screen appears, done. If not, check power and HDMI.

Done

Does the Android TV box have power?

Box needs power adapter; USB from TV may not be enough.

Check power cable and adapter. Powered: check HDMI and remote. No power: connect power adapter, then test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Connect power and test

Connect power adapter. Confirm the box boots. If it works, done. If not, check HDMI and remote.

Done

After reseating HDMI, does the picture appear?

Loose or faulty HDMI can cause no picture.

Reseat HDMI at both ends. Try a different port and cable. Power-cycle box and TV. Picture appears: done. No picture: check remote and Wi-Fi.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Done

The picture appears. The Android TV box is working.

Done

Does the remote control the box?

Dead batteries or lost pairing can prevent control.

Replace batteries. Re-pair remote per box manual. Use Android TV remote app if needed. Works: check Wi-Fi. No: power-cycle, then factory reset.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Replace batteries and power-cycle

Replace batteries. Re-pair remote. Power-cycle box and TV. If remote works, done. If not, factory reset.

Done

Is the box connected to Wi-Fi?

Check Settings > Network.

Go to Settings > Network. Confirm connected. Power-cycle if disconnected. Connected: restart or factory reset. Not connected: connect to Wi-Fi, then test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Connect Wi-Fi and test

Select your Wi-Fi in Settings > Network. Enter password. If it works, done. If not, factory reset.

Done

Factory reset or replace

Settings > Device Preferences > Reset. If still broken, replace the Android TV box.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would an Android TV box stop working?
Wrong input selected, power loss, loose HDMI cable, remote batteries dead or unpaired, Wi-Fi disconnected, or a firmware glitch. Check input, power, and connections first.
Can I fix an Android TV box that will not work myself?
Yes. Check input, power, HDMI, remote, and Wi-Fi. Power-cycle the box and TV. Factory reset from Settings if needed.
When should I replace an Android TV box?
If factory reset and all checks do not fix it, the box may be faulty. Replace the device or use a different streaming device.

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