Sony TV Blink Codes – Complete Diagnostic Guide
Sony Bravia TVs use a built-in self-diagnostic system: when the TV detects an internal fault, the red standby LED blinks a repeating pattern. The number of blinks before the pause is your error code. Sony’s system is one of the most detailed among TV manufacturers — codes range from 2 to 14 blinks, each pointing to a specific board or component.
Before you start: Unplug the TV, press and hold the power button on the TV for 30 seconds, wait 2 minutes, then plug back in. This power cycle resolves approximately 40% of blink code issues without any further action needed.
Sony Bravia Blink Code Table
| Blinks | Fault Indicated | Part to Check / Replace |
|---|---|---|
| 2 blinks | Power supply board failure | Power supply board |
| 3 blinks | Main logic board or power board fault; DC alert | Power supply board, mainboard |
| 4 blinks | Backlight inverter board or LD board fault | Inverter board, LD board, mainboard |
| 5 blinks | LCD panel connection fault or T-Con issue | T-Con board, LCD panel ribbon cables |
| 6 blinks | Backlight failure; power board or inverter fault | LED backlight strips, power board, inverter board |
| 7 blinks | Main board overheating or short on power board | Power supply board, mainboard |
| 8 blinks | Main board fault (audio/system protection) | Mainboard |
| 9 blinks | Fan error (models with internal cooling fans) | Cooling fan, mainboard |
| 10 blinks | Digital/tuner board fault | Tuner board, mainboard |
| 11 blinks | Main board fault (IC failure) | Mainboard |
| 12 blinks | T-Con board fault or LCD panel failure | T-Con board, LCD panel |
| 13 blinks | Backlight balance error; inverter board fault | Inverter board, mainboard |
| 14 blinks | T-Con or LCD panel fault (HFR error) | T-Con board, LCD panel |
Note: Blink codes apply primarily to Sony Bravia KDL (LCD/LED) series. Some codes may vary between model generations. Always cross-reference with your exact model number.
First Step – Power Reset and Factory Reset
Before opening the TV or ordering parts, always try these steps first:
Power reset:
- Unplug the TV from the wall socket
- Press and hold the power button on the TV itself for 30 seconds
- Wait 2 minutes
- Plug back in and try to power on
Factory reset (without picture):
For non-Android Sony Bravia models:
- Unplug the TV and wait 60 seconds
- Plug back in
- Point the remote at the TV and hold the Up arrow button
- While holding Up arrow, press and release the Power button on the TV
- Continue holding until the reset screen appears
For Android/Google TV Sony models, hold the Power and Volume Down buttons on the TV simultaneously while plugging in the power cable.
2 Blinks – Power Supply Board
Two blinks on a Sony Bravia indicates a fault on the power supply board. This is a straightforward diagnosis — check the power board for bulging or leaking capacitors. If capacitors look healthy, the board may have a failed MOSFET or rectifier.
Replacement power supply boards are plug-and-play — no soldering required. Order by your exact model number.
3 Blinks – Power Board or Mainboard
Three blinks indicates a DC alert — the TV is not receiving correct voltages on one or more rails. Check the power supply board first. If standby voltage is present but the fault persists after power board replacement, the mainboard is the next suspect.
Also check:
- All HDMI cables — disconnect all external devices and retry
- Speaker connections on the mainboard — a loose audio connection can sometimes trigger this code
4 Blinks – Backlight Inverter or LD Board
Four blinks points to the backlight inverter board or LD board. On older Sony CCFL models, the inverter board drives the fluorescent backlight tubes. On LED models, the LD board (LED Driver) controls the backlight strips.
Flashlight test:
In a dark room, shine a torch at the screen while the TV attempts to power on. If you can see a faint image, the backlight system has failed but the panel is working. This confirms the inverter or LD board needs replacement.
If the flashlight test shows no image, the mainboard may also be involved.
5 Blinks – LCD Panel Connection or T-Con
Five blinks indicates a fault with the LCD panel connection or T-Con board. Before replacing any parts:
- Open the back panel and firmly reseat all ribbon cables connecting the mainboard to the T-Con, and the T-Con to the panel
- Gently squeeze the bezel edges — a loose panel connection can sometimes be temporarily restored this way
If reseating cables does not resolve the issue, replace the T-Con board. If the T-Con replacement does not help, the LCD panel itself may have a fault — this is generally not cost-effective to repair.
6 Blinks – Backlight Failure
Six blinks is the most common Sony blink code and almost always indicates LED backlight failure. The power board detects that one or more LED strips are not drawing current correctly and shuts down to protect other components.
Confirm with the flashlight test:
Shine a torch at the screen in a dark room while the TV attempts to power on. A faint visible image confirms backlight failure with the panel intact.
What to replace:
- LED backlight strips — most common fix. Strips are specific to your screen size and model.
- Power supply board — if strips appear physically undamaged, the backlight driver circuit on the power board may have failed
7 Blinks – Overheating or Short Circuit
Seven blinks indicates the main board is overheating, or there is a short on the power board or mainboard. Check:
- TV ventilation — ensure vents are clear and the TV has space around it
- Internal dust buildup — compressed air can clear blocked vents
- Visually inspect the power board and mainboard for burnt components or short circuits
8 Blinks – Mainboard Fault
Eight blinks indicates a mainboard fault — typically the audio protection circuit or a system error. Try a USB firmware update first:
- Download the latest firmware for your exact Sony model from Sony’s support website
- Copy to a FAT32-formatted USB drive (root folder)
- With the TV off, insert the USB drive
- Power on — the TV will detect and install the firmware automatically
If the firmware update does not resolve the issue, the mainboard requires replacement.
12 and 14 Blinks – T-Con Board
Both 12 and 14 blinks point specifically to the T-Con board or LCD panel. Key indicators of T-Con failure:
- Horizontal or vertical lines across the screen
- Top half of screen correct, bottom half distorted (or vice versa)
- Screen flickers but sound is normal
- Washed-out or inverted colours
Always reseat the ribbon cables connecting the T-Con to the panel before replacing the board. T-Con replacement is plug-and-play on most Sony models.
13 Blinks – Backlight Balance Error
Thirteen blinks indicates a backlight balance error — one group of LED strips is drawing significantly more or less current than the others. This is most commonly caused by a failed inverter board. Replace the inverter board first; if the fault persists, the mainboard may also need replacement.
No Blink Code – TV Completely Dead
If the standby LED does not light up at all:
- Check the power cable and wall socket
- Check the fuse in the plug (Ireland/UK models use a 13A fuse)
- Check standby voltage on the power supply board — if 0V, the power board has failed completely
Which Board Do You Need?
To order the correct replacement board for your Sony TV, you need the model number from the sticker on the back of the TV. Sony model numbers follow formats such as: KDL-55W805C or KD-55X85J.
ElPartsBay stocks a wide range of Sony TV boards including:
- Sony power supply boards
- Sony mainboards
- Sony T-Con boards
- Sony LED backlight strips
→ Search Sony parts on ElPartsBay
Need Help Identifying the Fault?
If you are unsure which part is causing your blink code, contact us with your model number and symptom description. We can help identify the correct replacement part.