Flat Screen TVs. Anybody Replace the LED Backlight Strips?

My maybe 5 year old Samsung UN70TU6985FXZA 70-Inch Class TU6985 4K Crystal UHD HDR Smart Tv screen has suddenly gotten darker over the top half of the screen. Searching indicates that the LED backlight strips need replacing. Anybody successfully accomplished such an endeavor? Searching for an hour on the net doesn't bring up that particular tv and I hate searching the internet and weeding through all of the #%$& out there.

There are videos on YouTube showing how to tear the tv down, replace the strips, and put it back together.

I payed $680 for this thing and always buy cheaper near obsolete electronics so I don't feel as raped when this stuff conks out. 

Haven't done it myself but had a complete backlight replacement done by a shop, cost about $200.

In reply to GameboyRMH :

Thanks, that might be the trick to finding the parts. Hard to say if there are any electronic repair shops out here in the sticks of ND anymore, they have all closed up shop because of old age death retirement.

GameboyRMH said:

Haven't done it myself but had a complete backlight replacement done by a shop, cost about $200.

Seems to me that would be the way to go. I'd be worried that replacing only some of the strips would make one part of the screen brighter or darker than the rest.

But can't you buy a new 70" or larger TV for not much more now?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/LG-70-Class-4K-UHD-2160P-webOS-Smart-TV-70UQ7070ZUD/642419413?athbdg=L1102&from=/search

I spent 70? On parts to replace mine that went out, and cracked it near instantly. 0/10. Would not attempt again. 

triumph7 said:

But can't you buy a new 70" or larger TV for not much more now?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/LG-70-Class-4K-UHD-2160P-webOS-Smart-TV-70UQ7070ZUD/642419413?athbdg=L1102&from=/search

Everything I have is Samsung, I would like to keep them all the same so I don't have to learn how to use a new remote.

I would definitely replace all of the strips after reading the LED bulb thread.

Inlogauge, Bummer.  Care to share more info?

In reply to VolvoHeretic :

I've replaced many cell phone screens without too much of an issue. Tv's are way more difficult. One of the first steps was separating the screen from the housing? As soon as I attempted that with the recommended tool, the screen cracked. It was a tlc 4 series so nothing fancy, but I imagine they are all pretty similar in the repair process. 

List it on marketplace for $200 and sell it to some other sucker and buy a new one.  

I will admit that the LG 70" is tempting for $500 since I've already had to switch brands of Blu-ray players because Samsung no longer makes them. And, I already bought a LG Fridge. Backlight kits off of ebay are $50 assuming that is really what is wrong with the contraption. ebay.com: LED Backlight For UN70TU6980FXZA UN70TU700DBXZA UN70TU7000BXZA UN70TU6985FXZA

I better list this experience on the "LEDs Suck" thread. 

Edit: Of course if I try and fix it myself, how much cat hair will wind up inside of it and will it be visible for ever more?

Absolutely! Most screens are illuminated by up to 160 3v 1.5w led bulbs on 4-10 horizontal strips depending on scrwen size. Others are side lit by one strip at the top.pr bottom. Replacement strips can be $20-150 per set to replace. Getting to them is the trick. Most screens are clipped or screwed together around the perimeter. I'm doing a 55 samsun UN55JS700 now and it's all clips once you get the back off. You will.have the very fragile glass screen followed by 4 diffuser sheets of plastic and then the light array. The glass screen is soldered at the lower edge on this one, just lift up from the top and prop up with a trash can or something to keep it vertical while you fix the array flat on a table. My strips were clipped to the power buss by 2 metal tabs under the blue clip. Push both tabs down and the strip will pull off the contacts. Others are simply plugged in by a little socket. The strips are held in my metal clips across the base of the reflector pan under the white reflector sheet. You'll need to remove this sheet also if replacing a strip or you can solder new 3228 led pieces onto the strip to fix individual burned out ones. Not that hard but it does take skill. The plastic lenses pop off but must be glued back on and you have to do this with the lights ON to align the center with the pinpoint led or else you'll get a a "hot spot" or a bright area of the screen. Put the lens on aligning the 3 pins with the old glue and move it around so the pinpoint of light is directly under the center bubnlemof the lens so it becomes a perfect halo. I used contact cement as super glue didn't dry on this plastic. Good luck! Lift the glass with care and it will not be damaged. 

In reply to pishta :

Thanks for the information. I still haven't gotten around to fixing my flat screen and it hasn't gotten any worse. Plus I've gotten use to it lol. I need to still join Paypal so I can buy the strips off of Ebay which is the only place I have found the replacements.

In reply to VolvoHeretic :

eBay has converted to cards now so no need to wait. 

In reply to Stampie :

Really? Ok then, I will collect the parts and wonder where I put them when I want to work on the TV much later. 

I got a 50" Samsung for free from work when dismantling one of our offices. It worked in the building, but when I got it home, it wasn't working. You could hear audio and if you got real close, you could see an incredibly dim image. After doing a little research, on this model, if one of the LEDs in a strip went out, the whole array would go out. I ordered new strips on Ebay for about $25, watched a tutorial, and replaced them. It's now my garage TV. 



If you're careful, and you have the skills, it's not the worst repair in the world, but you need a space to do it. It can easily go south if you aren't careful! I did end up cracking the bezel a little on reinstall, but it wasn't a big deal to me since it's the garage TV. 

I was all gung-ho on changing the lights on my 2018 65" Vizio until I realized I can buy a brand new 75" TV for less than $500. Now the plan is to upgrade the living room TV when to many LEDs go south. At that point I'll try swapping out the lights but ONLY after I've taken it apart without cracking the screen. If I destroy it while taking it apart then I'm not stuck with LEDs I can't use. At least that's my plan.

In reply to Tony Sestito :

I'm thinking of doing the work on our queen bed. Only problem is I only have about 16 hours to get it done in one day without any delays or screw ups.

In reply to VolvoHeretic :

It took me a couple hours to get it done. I would look on the You of Tubes for a tutorial on a similar TV and see if it's documented. A power screwdriver will also help with reducing the repair time.