Why do TV's and set top boxes sometimes go unresponsive until you unplug them from the wall?

[futurefields]

I've had several TV's that sometimes, seems like every few weeks or so, like the remote control will stop responding, or it will just become really laggy. It happens with my blu ray player sometimes as well. Only fix seems to be to unplug the unit from the wall and replug it.

What phenomenon causes this to happen with consumer electronics?

 

[tynopik]

computerization

 

[SKORPI0]

You'll have to spit on it to make it more responsive.
Devices are on "sleep mode".

 

[manly]

sounds like they run Android

 

[Thebobo]

If you waited until the time it took for you to get up and unplug your device plug it back in and then try it again it would've worked if you just waited.

 

[disappoint]

I've had several TV's that sometimes, seems like every few weeks or so, like the remote control will stop responding, or it will just become really laggy. It happens with my blu ray player sometimes as well. Only fix seems to be to unplug the unit from the wall and replug it.

What phenomenon causes this to happen with consumer electronics?

I've only had that happen to a Vizio TV I have. Most likely the program crashed and the system needs to be reset. They should come with a reset button. You can rig your own reset button if it bothers you often enough, you're handy with electronics and it's out of warranty. Just run the main power supply through a normally closed push button. Make sure the button can handle the current and voltage that the power supply draws.

 

[Red Squirrel]

computerization

It's actually funny, since computers are suppose to make things better, but some things should simply not be computerized. TVs are one of them. Why is it that a TV now actually has a boot up time. Back in the old days of tube TVs you turn it on, and it turns on. Yeah it took a few seconds for the tube itself to warm up, but you got sound and responsiveness to any input right away. But now, my TV has to do this little jingle at the beginning and takes a good 10sec just to boot up. In some ways it seems we went backwards. lol.

 

[disappoint]

It's actually funny, since computers are suppose to make things better, but some things should simply not be computerized. TVs are one of them. Why is it that a TV now actually has a boot up time. Back in the old days of tube TVs you turn it on, and it turns on. Yeah it took a few seconds for the tube itself to warm up, but you got sound and responsiveness to any input right away. But now, my TV has to do this little jingle at the beginning and takes a good 10sec just to boot up. In some ways it seems we went backwards. lol.

I have an LG 55" 4K set that turns on instantly. The smaller Vizio takes a few seconds, then the remote is unresponsive for a few more seconds, then it's usable. That's if it turns on at all without being reset. Some manufacturers just suck.

 

[AdamK47]

The phenomenon that causes this to happen is called being cheap.

 

[Staples]

The software is buggy and crashes.

 

[Kaido]

Only fix seems to be to unplug the unit from the wall and replug it.

I put Tech Restarters on everything. $22 each, big easy-to-set timer, and two 3-prong outlets per unit:

https://www.amazon.com/Tech-Restarter-Digital-Outlet-Timer/dp/B01C66X6GU/

I have them reset the following items every night:

1. Cable modem
2. Wireless router
3. Wireless repeater
4. Arlo camera hub
5. Wink smart home hub
6. Roku television(s)

Everything is set to restart at 3am, when I'm asleep. Keeps things working smoothly. Wish I knew about these years ago!

 

[Red Squirrel]

Haha my hospital could have used that for their IVR. Every freaking night that thing would crap out. It consisted of a phone wired into a desktop sound card and some super custom software supported by some 3rd party outsourcer. I died laughing when I saw that setup, it looked like a 1st grade science fair project. We could have done something better, but organizations always insist on outsourcing this kind of stuff, and that's what they get.

 

[Thebobo]

I put Tech Restarters on everything. $22 each, big easy-to-set timer, and two 3-prong outlets per unit:

https://www.amazon.com/Tech-Restarter-Digital-Outlet-Timer/dp/B01C66X6GU/

I have them reset the following items every night:

1. Cable modem
2. Wireless router
3. Wireless repeater
4. Arlo camera hub
5. Wink smart home hub
6. Roku television(s)

Everything is set to restart at 3am, when I'm asleep. Keeps things working smoothly. Wish I knew about these years ago!

Interesting, not sure these days but long ago a lot of electronics most stressful times is when they power on. So you could be shortening the life of your device if you believe that sort of thing.

 

[Kaido]

Interesting, not sure these days but long ago a lot of electronics most stressful times is when they power on. So you could be shortening the life of your device if you believe that sort of thing.

I'm okay with that...I would rather have them work smoothly for a shorter time than be glitchy over a longer period of time. Also, haven't had any issues so far, but time will tell!

 

[WHAMPOM]

I've had several TV's that sometimes, seems like every few weeks or so, like the remote control will stop responding, or it will just become really laggy. It happens with my blu ray player sometimes as well. Only fix seems to be to unplug the unit from the wall and replug it.

What phenomenon causes this to happen with consumer electronics?

The manufacturers were too cheap to wire in a reset button.

 

[feralkid]

If you waited until the time it took for you to get up and unplug your device plug it back in and then try it again it would've worked if you just waited.

Tell that to my Dish Network box.

 

[PottedMeat]

The software is buggy and crashes.

as soon as they build the firmware to the point where it looks like it works, it ships. then they never touch it again.

 

[Charmonium]

I've only had that happen to a Vizio TV I have. Most likely the program crashed and the system needs to be reset. They should come with a reset button. You can rig your own reset button if it bothers you often enough, you're handy with electronics and it's out of warranty. Just run the main power supply through a normally closed push button. Make sure the button can handle the current and voltage that the power supply draws.

It's easier than that. Just get a switchable outlet. Basically it's something that plugs into your wall socket or UPS and has a built in switch. Some are lighted so you can tell if they're on or off.

Use one of those with your device. when it starts acting up, just flip the switch, wait about 10-15 seconds, and switch it back on.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Hmm...never had this issue. OP needs to read a manual or learn to work a remote

 

[Red Squirrel]

as soon as they build the firmware to the point where it looks like it works, it ships. then they never touch it again.

Pretty much. I find that goes for a lot of things that have software, the software is always a quick after thought that has to be rushed (and probably is outsourced). Even drivers. You buy this super high end video card, and keep getting system crashes or other issues and a good part of the time it's driver related. The hardware will be fine but the drivers will be buggy.

 

[bigboxes]

My Fire TV has to be power cycled now and then. The supplied remote (WiFi) needs to have the batteries pulled on occasion when it becomes unresponsive.

 

[tynopik]

I put Tech Restarters on everything. $22 each, big easy-to-set timer, and two 3-prong outlets per unit:

but what do you do when you need to restart the Tech Restarter?

 

[Red Squirrel]

My Fire TV has to be power cycled now and then. The supplied remote (WiFi) needs to have the batteries pulled on occasion when it becomes unresponsive.

Haha wow, we've come a long way tech wise, when even remotes lock up and have to be rebooted. lol