If your smart TV turns off and on by itself while you’re watching movies, streaming a show, or even browsing apps, it can be extremely frustrating. You might notice your TV suddenly rebooting during playback or while switching between apps — and it just keeps happening again and again.
Don’t worry — this isn’t necessarily a sign of a major hardware failure. Most of the time, it’s a simple software or storage issue that can be fixed right at home. In this article, we’ll go through all possible causes and working solutions for a TV that restarts automatically.
Let’s get started and troubleshoot this issue step by step.
⚙️ 1. Understand Why Your TV Restarts Automatically
Before we jump to solutions, let’s understand the reason behind this issue.
When your TV suddenly restarts or shuts down on its own, the cause usually falls into one of these categories:
- Low internal storage: Temporary cache files and app data fill up your internal memory, causing slow performance or random reboots.
- Outdated firmware: If your TV’s operating system isn’t up to date, it may conflict with newer apps or background services.
- Corrupted app data: Apps like Netflix, YouTube, or Hotstar can sometimes store excessive cache data that triggers crashes.
- Recently installed or incompatible apps: A faulty app update or an unoptimized APK may cause system instability.
- Power fluctuations: Unstable voltage or surge issues can cause automatic restarts or shutdowns.
- Hardware malfunction: In rare cases, internal components like the mainboard or power supply may be faulty.
So, to fix this, we’ll start from the simplest software-level checks and move toward more advanced fixes.
🧹 2. Clear Internal Storage and Cache Files
One of the most common reasons for TV auto-restart issues is insufficient storage space. When your internal memory is almost full, the system can’t load apps properly, leading to crashes or reboots.
Let’s begin with this simple but effective step.
Steps to Clear Cache Data:
- Using your TV remote, open the Settings menu.
- On most Android TVs, you can access it from the top-right gear icon or by pressing the “Settings” button on your remote.
- Scroll down and select Device Preferences or Storage (depending on your TV model).
- Choose Internal Shared Storage.
- Check how much space is available. If your TV storage is nearly full, it’s time to clear unnecessary data.
- Select Cached data → click OK to clear it.
After a few seconds, you should see the available storage increase.
💡 Example: If your cache was 35 MB before, it may reduce to 15 MB or less after clearing — freeing up space for smoother performance.
Why This Helps
TVs, especially Android-based ones, store temporary data for every app you open — Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, etc. When that cache fills up, background processes slow down, and your TV’s system may reboot unexpectedly. By clearing it, you give your device breathing space again.
Once you’ve done this, let’s move to the next important step.
🔄 3. Check for System Software Updates
Just like your phone, your smart TV also receives software updates from the manufacturer. These updates fix known bugs, improve stability, and sometimes address issues like random reboots.
Steps:
- Open the Settings menu again.
- Go to Device Preferences or About (depending on your model).
- Choose System Update or Software Update.
- Click Check for Updates.
- If an update is available, click Download and Install.
This process may take anywhere from 10–15 minutes depending on your internet speed. Once the update finishes, your TV will restart automatically.
After it turns back on, observe whether the restarting issue persists.
🧠 Pro Tip: Always keep your TV firmware up to date. Even if it’s working fine now, new updates often fix background bugs and improve app compatibility with services like Netflix or Prime Video.
🧰 4. Clear App Cache (for Each Application)
If your TV still restarts automatically even after clearing the main system cache, individual apps might be the culprit. Large apps like YouTube, Disney+ Hotstar, or JioCinema can build up massive cache files over time, leading to system instability.
Here’s how to fix that.
Steps to Clear Cache for Each App:
- Go to Settings → Apps → See All Apps (or “Manage Apps” on some models).
- Select the app you want to clean — for example, YouTube, Netflix, or Prime Video.
- Choose Clear Cache (do not select “Clear Data” unless you want to remove app logins).
- Repeat this process for all major apps you frequently use.
You’ll notice that your available space increases, and performance improves significantly.
📌 Note: Avoid using “Clear Data” unless absolutely necessary — it resets the app completely and signs you out of your account.
🧭 5. Uninstall Recently Installed or Problematic Apps
Sometimes, the issue starts right after installing a new app — perhaps a new media player, local channel app, or unverified APK. In such cases, uninstalling that app often solves the problem.
Steps:
- Go to Settings → Apps → See All Apps.
- Scroll through the list and find recently installed apps.
(You can usually identify them by the installation date or memory usage.) - Select the suspicious app (for example, “JioCinema” or any new media player).
- Click Uninstall.
- Confirm the action and restart your TV.
If the restart issue disappears afterward, it confirms that app was the cause.
If you really want to continue using it, reinstall it later from a trusted source like the Google Play Store, ensuring you have the latest version.
👉 You can access the Play Store directly on Android TVs via:
https://play.google.com/store
🔁 6. Restart Your TV After Every Major Change
It’s always good practice to reboot your TV after clearing cache, uninstalling apps, or updating the system. This helps the device reload services and apply all recent settings properly.
To restart:
- Long-press the Power button on your remote → choose Restart,
or simply turn off the TV, unplug the power cord, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
This simple refresh can often stop automatic restarts if background services were stuck.
⚠️ 7. Perform a Factory Reset (Last Resort)
If you’ve tried everything — cleared cache, uninstalled apps, updated firmware — and your TV still restarts automatically, it’s time for a factory reset. This restores the TV to its original, out-of-the-box condition.
Before you proceed, read this section carefully.
Important Notes Before Resetting:
- A factory reset deletes all installed apps, settings, and saved data.
- Your Google account and logins will be removed.
- The TV will reboot as if it’s brand new.
- You’ll have to reinstall your apps afterward.
If you’re okay with that, here’s how to reset your TV safely.
Steps for Factory Reset:
- Go to Settings → Device Preferences → Reset (or “Storage & Reset” on some models).
- Choose Factory Data Reset.
- Confirm when prompted.
- Wait patiently — the process may take 10–15 minutes.
⚠️ Do not manually turn off or restart the TV during this time.
Once done, your TV will boot up just like when you first purchased it.
Set up Wi-Fi, Google account, and reinstall your apps — then check if the restarting issue is resolved.
In most cases, this step completely eliminates the problem.
🧠 8. Check for Hardware or Power Issues
If your TV still restarts automatically even after a factory reset, the cause might be hardware-related.
Possible reasons include:
- A faulty power supply board or mainboard.
- Loose internal connectors.
- Unstable power source (voltage fluctuations at home).
What You Can Do:
- Ensure your electricity supply is stable.
Try connecting the TV through a voltage stabilizer or surge protector if your area faces frequent voltage changes. - Test your TV on a different socket or room.
- If the problem continues, contact a certified technician or your brand’s official support center.
Manufacturers like Sony, LG, Samsung, and Mi all offer online repair scheduling:
Explain that your TV keeps restarting even after factory reset — they’ll inspect the hardware components.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Why does my TV restart every few minutes?
This usually happens due to insufficient storage, corrupted cache, or firmware bugs. Start by clearing cache and checking for updates.
Q2: Can too many apps cause my TV to restart?
Yes. When storage fills up or background processes overlap, the system may crash. Uninstall unused apps regularly.
Q3: Is it safe to perform a factory reset?
Absolutely. A factory reset restores your TV’s default software state. Just remember it erases all apps and personal data, so back up if possible.
Q4: How often should I clear cache on my TV?
Every 2–3 months is ideal for Android TVs. It prevents app lag, playback issues, and random restarts.
Q5: What if my TV restarts only when using a specific app (like YouTube)?
Then the issue is likely with that app’s cache or version. Clear its cache first, or uninstall and reinstall it from the Play Store.
Q6: My TV restarts after a power cut. Is that normal?
Yes. After power restoration, some TVs automatically reboot to reload services. But if it loops repeatedly, check your power supply or use a stabilizer.
🧩 Extra Tips to Keep Your TV Stable
You’ve come a long way — great job! Let’s ensure this problem doesn’t return again.
- Avoid filling internal storage to 100%. Always leave at least 1–2 GB free space.
- Keep apps updated only from the official Google Play Store.
- Restart your TV once a week to clear temporary memory.
- Disable “Auto Power On” or “Quick Start” features if your TV has them — they can sometimes cause reboots.
- Plug your TV into a UPS or surge protector if you experience voltage fluctuations.
By following these preventive tips, your TV will stay smooth and stable for years.
⚠️ Disclaimer
Performing software resets or clearing app data should be done carefully. Avoid interrupting system updates or factory resets midway, as it may cause firmware corruption.
If your TV is still under warranty, always contact the official customer support before performing advanced troubleshooting or opening the hardware case yourself.
✅ Final Thoughts
A TV that restarts automatically can seem like a big issue, but in most cases, it’s just a matter of low storage, software bugs, or outdated firmware.
By following these steps — clearing cache, uninstalling problem apps, updating firmware, and performing a factory reset — you can fix this issue at home without needing professional repair.
And if nothing works, at least you’ll know you’ve covered all software possibilities before handing it to a technician.
So far, we’ve done a great job learning how to bring your TV back to normal operation. Enjoy your uninterrupted movie nights again!
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