How to fix problems between your DVD player and TV

If either the DVD player or the TV isn't switching on, there could be more than one reason:  

• Try switching it on using the power button on the device, rather than the remote. If it turns on, it probably means your remote is either faulty or the batteries need changing.  
• If your TV or DVD player still doesn't switch on, it could be a fuse in the plug.  
• If you've changed the plug fuse and it still won't switch on, it means there's a more serious fault, and it'll need to be looked at my an engineer.  

If your TV is faulty, click here to find out more about our repair service.

Whether you're using an HDMI, SCART, or composite video cables, the first thing to check is that it's securely connected at both ends. If the picture flickers as you move the cable in its socket, it likely means that the socket is faulty. Most TV's have a few HDMI sockets, so try plugging the cable into a spare one. 

Sometimes the cable itself can develop a fault and stop working, so just switching cables can be a cheap and easy fix. 

You can pick up a new HDMI cable here. 

Marks and scratches on DVDs or Blu-ray discs can seriously affect how well they work. Check the reflective side of the disc for any marks - if the disc is badly damaged, it's probably time to replace it. But if it's just dirt or greasy marks, you could try giving it a gentle clean with a soft, non-abrasive cloth.

If you've had the DVD or Blu-ray player for a while, it might have accumulated some dust on the lens. Don't worry though, you don't need to start taking it apart to clean it. Laser lens cleaning discs make this a really easy fix, you just pop the disc into the player and it'll clean the lens within a few seconds. 

If you think this might be the problem, you can pick up a laser lens cleaning disc here. 

Make sure you've chosen the correct 'source' on the TV. The source button on your remote usually looks like a square with an arrow pointing at it – press this to switch between sources. If your DVD player is connected by an HDMI cable, you might need to switch between them to find the right one. Just make sure the DVD player is switched on first. Otherwise, the TV won't find it.