Your smart TV’s power button doesn’t do what you think

Of all the many settings and controls that come with a smart TV, some seem much simpler and more intuitive than others. However, one button on your remote that appears to be pretty straightforward is actually quite misleading: the power button.

A smart TV is essentially a computer, and newer models require a lot of power to operate. Consider higher-end models populated with apps and services for streaming entertainment, playing games, controlling your home and even doing work; there are a lot of processes happening at any given time. Viewers want quick access to their TV, which is why they are designed not to fully turn off when you hit that power button. Here’s what happens.

Powering off sends your TV into standby mode

Your smart TV draws power and stays ready

When you press the power button on your remote, you’re not fully powering off your smart TV. Instead, you’re sending it into a standby mode where it will be ready to quickly come alive. That’s why when you turn on your TV after it’s been off for a short period of time, perhaps only a few hours, your home page pops up quite quickly. This is the case for most smart TVs, including those manufactured by Samsung, LG, and Sony. Turning off the power moves it to standby, like turning your computer to sleep.

Standby mode not only allows for quick reactions, but it also lets the TV power on when you turn on a connected device or use another remote with CEC-HDMI activated. This is why you can power on your gaming console and subsequently turn on your TV.

How and when to fully power down your TV

There is only one easy way to truly turn off the TV

There is one notable and reliable way to completely turn off your TV, and that’s by physically unplugging it. Removing the actual power from your TV means it will fully power down. It will not be standing by, and none of the features of the TV will be working; it will no longer be connected to the internet as well.

Depending on your TV, you may have other options as well. Holding the power button can bypass standby mode, although this may also function as a means to restart your TV. Some models have settings you can adjust that change the degree to which the TV is in standby mode, toggling whether more services and processes are operating or fewer. It’s worth exploring the settings of your TV so that your TV turns on and off to your liking.

Removing your TV from power is a good way to troubleshoot myriad issues, including apps crashing, lag, or syncing issues. Those with concerns about privacy will find unplugging your TV essentially makes it dumb, removed from the online world.

How screensavers and art mode work

Your smart TV may wait for you or appear as it’s off

It’s worth understanding a couple other ways your TV may seem like it’s off when it’s really not. Your TV may employ a screensaver, especially if you’re using an OLED model. A screensaver is a means to avoid burn-in, an unlikely but still potential problem in OLED screens that are left on the same image for extended periods of time.

Otherwise, most screensavers are purely employed for aesthetic reasons. The panel is on, and everything about the TV is still active. You will likely have access to settings that determine how long your TV idles before resorting to standby mode; settings may also dictate what appears on-screen.

Art TVs, meanwhile, are models offering galleries that can be displayed when the TV is turned “off.” Only, the TV is not really off, it’s just in a different mode that lowers brightness and cycles through a gallery of images. It sort of exists between being on and off; specific processes are rolled back, and the TV is optimized for aesthetic viewing. Like screensavers, you can adjust various settings, such as motion detection, when art mode is in use.

Smart TV power best practices

Consider usage, energy saving options, and surge protection

For most users, pressing the power button to put your TV in standby mode will be acceptable. The power consumption is typically quite small, and if you’re using your TV frequently during the day, it’s helpful that it’s ready for use. It’s particularly convenient if you’re playing games or using a connected device.

Because the TV is in standby mode, however, you’ll want to make sure it’s running safely. I’d recommend keeping it plugged into a surge protected power bar. This will protect the hardware within the TV, but it can also allow you to more easily disconnect the TV from drawing power.

That’s because you should still unplug your smart TV every month or so, or any time you’re going away for prolonged periods of time. There’s no reason for it to stay alert if no one will be watching it. A quality power bar may allow you to simply switch off the power instead of having to physically unplug the cord. Enjoy the conveniences of standby mode, but be mindul of the drawbacks that come with it.