Hisense TVs have a well-documented history of turning on automatically without user input. This frustrating issue affects many Hisense TV owners and can occur at any time of day or night, disrupting your sleep or startling you when you’re not expecting it.
The problem stems from several different causes, ranging from simple settings configurations to more complex hardware issues. While this automatic power-on behavior might seem random, there are specific underlying reasons that trigger this unwanted activation.
Fortunately, most cases of Hisense TVs turning on by themselves can be resolved through systematic troubleshooting. The solutions vary in complexity, but following the right sequence of fixes will typically eliminate this annoying problem permanently.
Quick Fix and Why
The fastest fix: Turn off HDMI-CEC by going to Settings > Channels & Inputs > Inputs > HDMI Control > OFF. Also disable “TV Auto Power On” in the same menu section.
Why this works: HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) allows connected devices like cable boxes, gaming consoles, or streaming devices to automatically power on your TV when they activate. This feature is enabled by default on most Hisense TVs. When any connected HDMI device turns on or sends a signal, it triggers your TV to power on automatically.
This solution resolves approximately 70% of cases where Hisense TVs turn on by themselves because most households have at least one HDMI device that’s programmed to wake the TV. Even devices in standby mode can occasionally send wake signals, causing the seemingly random power-on behavior.
How To Fix Hisense TV Turns On By Itself
If your Hisense TV powers on without any input from you, the most common culprit is HDMI-CEC functionality. This feature enables connected devices to communicate with and control your TV, including the ability to turn it on automatically when they become active.
Start by accessing your TV’s settings menu using the gear icon on your Hisense remote. Navigate to Channels & Inputs, then select Inputs, followed by HDMI Control. Change this setting to OFF to prevent connected devices from automatically powering on your TV.
Additionally, locate the “TV Auto Power On” setting in the same menu area and ensure it’s also disabled. This prevents your TV from turning on based on various automatic triggers.
Keep in mind that disabling HDMI-CEC will eliminate your ability to control connected devices using your TV remote. However, this trade-off is usually acceptable to stop the unwanted automatic power-on behavior.
Disable HDMI-CEC
HDMI Consumer Electronics Control represents a communication protocol that allows connected devices to interact with your TV. While this feature offers convenience by enabling device control through a single remote, it can cause unwanted automatic power-on behavior.
HDMI-CEC gives connected devices limited control over your TV’s functions, including the ability to change inputs, adjust volume, and power the TV on or off. Similarly, your TV can send commands to control connected devices.
The automatic power-on issue occurs when connected devices are programmed to wake the TV when they activate. This might happen when a cable box updates its programming guide, a gaming console checks for updates, or a streaming device refreshes its connection.
To disable HDMI-CEC on your Hisense TV:
- Press the Settings button (gear icon) on your remote
- Navigate to Channels & Inputs
- Select Inputs
- Choose HDMI Control
- Set HDMI Control to OFF
For additional protection against automatic power-on, also disable “TV Auto Power On”:
- Follow the same path to Settings > Channels & Inputs > Inputs
- Locate “TV Auto Power On”
- Set this option to OFF
Monitor your TV’s behavior after making these changes. If the automatic power-on continues, proceed to the additional troubleshooting steps below.
Turn OFF All Timers
Hisense TVs include various timer functions that can automatically power on the TV at predetermined times. These timers might have been inadvertently activated during initial setup or through random button presses on the remote.
Power-on timers are designed to turn your TV on at specific times, which could explain why your TV seems to activate on its own. These timers can be set for daily, weekly, or one-time activation.
To disable all timers on your Hisense TV:
- Press Settings (gear icon) on your remote
- Select System
- Choose Power & Energy
- Navigate to Power
Review all timer settings in this menu and ensure they’re all set to OFF. Pay particular attention to the “Power On Timer” setting, as this is the most likely culprit for automatic TV activation.
After disabling all timers, monitor your TV for several days to confirm the automatic power-on behavior has stopped.
Unplug the Hisense TV from the Wall
Power cycling your Hisense TV can resolve temporary software glitches and memory issues that might cause automatic power-on behavior. This process requires patience and proper timing to be effective.
Unplug your TV from the wall outlet and wait exactly 60 seconds. This timing is crucial for allowing the TV’s internal capacitors to fully discharge and for the system to complete its reset cycle.
While the TV is unplugged, locate the physical power button on the TV unit itself and press and hold it for 30 seconds. Use the TV’s power button, not the remote control, as this ensures direct interaction with the TV’s hardware.
This process drains residual electrical charge from the TV’s circuits and forces a complete soft reset. This differs significantly from simply turning the TV off and on with the remote, which doesn’t achieve the same level of system reset.
After the 60-second waiting period, plug your TV back into the wall outlet. The automatic power-on issue should be resolved if it was caused by temporary software conflicts or memory problems.
Remove Batteries from the Hisense Remote
A malfunctioning remote control can send unintended signals to your TV, causing it to turn on automatically. This can happen due to stuck buttons, internal circuit problems, or battery-related issues.
Remove both batteries completely from your Hisense remote control. Ensure the batteries are fully removed from their compartments.
With the batteries removed, press and hold the power button on the remote for exactly 30 seconds. This step drains any residual charge from the remote’s internal circuits and helps reset its functionality.
After completing the 30-second power button hold, reinstall the batteries in the remote. Consider using fresh batteries during this process to eliminate battery-related issues as a potential cause.
Test your TV’s behavior over the next few days. If the automatic power-on stops, the problem is related to remote control issues.
If either the TV power cycling or remote battery removal temporarily fixes the problem but it returns after several days or weeks, proceed to factory reset your TV for a more permanent solution.
Factory Reset Hisense TV
A factory reset restores your Hisense TV to its original settings, eliminating any configuration issues or software problems that might cause automatic power-on behavior.
With your TV powered on, press the Settings button (gear icon) on your remote. Navigate to Settings > System > About > Reset > Factory Reset.
Your TV will power off and restart automatically, then display the initial setup screen. This process erases all personal data, account logins, downloaded apps, and custom settings, returning the TV to its original out-of-box state.
If you cannot locate your remote control, you can perform a factory reset using the TV’s hardware reset button. Look for a small reset pinhole on your TV unit, typically located on the back panel.
Use a paperclip or a similar thin object to press and hold the reset button for 20 seconds. This will initiate a complete factory reset without requiring the remote control.
After the factory reset completes, set up your TV again but be careful to disable HDMI-CEC and timer functions during the initial configuration to prevent the automatic power-on issue from recurring.
Tighten the Power Supply Cable
Some older Hisense TV models have removable back panels that provide access to internal power supply connections. Loose power supply cables can cause intermittent power issues, including automatic power-on behavior.
If your TV model has a removable back panel, carefully remove it to expose the internal power supply cable. Disconnect this cable completely, then reconnect it ensuring a tight, secure connection.
This fix has been particularly effective for owners of older Hisense TV models where internal connections may have loosened over time due to thermal expansion and contraction.
Even if your TV doesn’t have a removable back panel, inspect all external cables and connections. Ensure the power cord is firmly connected to both the TV and the wall outlet, and verify that all other cables are in good condition and properly seated.
Loose or damaged cables can create intermittent electrical connections that trigger unexpected TV behavior, including automatic power-on events.
Update Hisense TV OS
Outdated firmware can cause various TV malfunctions, including automatic power-on issues. Hisense regularly releases software updates that fix known bugs and improve TV performance.
To check for available updates:
- Press Settings (gear icon) on your remote
- Select System
- Choose About
- Navigate to System Update
Ensure your TV is configured to receive automatic firmware updates. Most Hisense TVs update automatically when connected to the internet, but manual checking ensures you have the latest version.
You can verify your current software version by following this path:
- Settings > System > Advanced System > Help > System Message
If an update is available, allow your TV to download and install it. The update process may take several minutes and will require a restart.
Updated firmware often includes fixes for automatic power-on issues and other stability improvements that can resolve your problem permanently.
Hisense TV Support
If none of the previous solutions resolve your automatic power-on issue, contact Hisense customer support for professional assistance. Their technical support team can provide specialized troubleshooting and arrange repair services if needed.
Hisense support can be reached at 1-888-935-8880 during these hours:
- Monday through Friday: 9 AM to 9 PM EST
- Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM to 6 PM EST
They offer various service options, including in-home repairs and mail-in service programs. Service costs depend on the final diagnosis and whether your TV remains under warranty coverage.
Professional technicians have access to specialized diagnostic tools and can identify hardware issues that aren’t resolvable through standard troubleshooting methods.
Hisense TV Warranty
Check your TV’s warranty status before pursuing paid repair options. Most Hisense TV warranties provide coverage for one year from the purchase date, though some models may have extended coverage.
Even if your standard warranty has expired, Hisense may offer discounted repair services for known defects or provide cost-effective solutions.
Keep your purchase receipt and warranty documentation available when contacting support, as this information helps determine your coverage eligibility.
Conclusion
Hisense TVs turning on automatically is a common issue with several proven solutions:
Primary fixes:
- Disable HDMI-CEC and TV Auto Power On settings
- Turn off all timer functions in power settings
- Power cycle the TV with proper 60-second timing
- Remove and reset the remote control batteries
Advanced solutions:
- Perform a complete factory reset to eliminate software issues
- Check and tighten internal power supply connections
- Update TV firmware to the latest version
Professional options:
- Contact Hisense support for certified technician assistance
- Verify warranty coverage for potential free repairs
Most automatic power-on issues can be resolved by disabling HDMI-CEC, as this addresses the most common cause of unwanted TV activation. If the problem persists after trying these solutions, professional diagnosis may be necessary to identify hardware-related issues.
