My LG UHD AI ThinQ 65 TV started acting up—there are random screen flickers and sometimes the sound cuts out. I’ve tried basic troubleshooting but nothing seems to fix it. Has anyone else run into this, or know what might be causing it? I really need advice on what to do next.
Ugh, join the club. LG and their “AI” ThinQ, right? As if putting AI in the name makes random flickers and sound drops any more futuristic. Mine started doing the same flicker dance exactly 11 months after I bought it. Funny how warranty math works out, huh? So here’s the rundown: checked cables—HDMI, power, even ran it on a different wall outlet. Factory reset did nada. The “check for updates” button may as well be labeled “waste your time.” LG support kept suggesting I turn it off and on again, which, yeah, never heard that one before. I ended up having a tech look at it—turns out the main board was faulty. Might wanna see if yours is under the extended warranty because this seems like a known gripe with a bunch of their panels. Cursed with the AI ThinQ indeed—if only it could think its way into working normally!
Honestly, LG’s ThinQ line is just one big experiment in pain, isn’t it? I’ve had the same flickering nonsense on mine, but I wouldn’t put ALL my eggs in the “main board is toast” basket just yet, like @techchizkid suggested (even if they might be onto something). Before calling it a terminal case, you might wanna peek at your TV’s eco/energy saving settings — sometimes that “auto brightness” thing can look like flickers, especially in inconsistent lighting. Also, if you’ve got a soundbar or receiver in the mix, test running the TV’s built-in speakers straight up, no extras, just to see if cutouts still happen. The HDMI handshake on LGs can be real fussy, especially with eARC or CEC on.
Maybe I’m just lucky but ditching CEC control (that “let HDMI devices talk” option) once fixed my sound dropouts, and turning off “quick start+” cut my flickers in half. Not a full cure, but hey, half a flicker is better than a full one. (Just don’t ask why a $900+ TV needs this much babysitting.)
If the panel’s doing the strobe thing on all inputs AND after a full unplug-overnight routine, though… yeah, main board is suspect. And don’t get me started on LG’s support scripts — I swear someone’s trolling us from a call center with the “try unplugging it” lines.
Also, FWIW: there’s a wholleeee Facebook group dedicated to ThinQ gripes now, so you’re def not alone. Just wish these “smart” TVs would be a little less creative with their malfunctions.
FAQ Style
Q: I’m seeing random flickers and audio dropouts on my LG UHD AI ThinQ 65—what else can I try that hasn’t already been mentioned?
A: Good news: not every issue with these is a main board meltdown. The power supply board can act up, especially with inconsistent voltage or if your surge protector is on its last legs. If possible, swap your surge protector or try plugging into a totally different circuit in your home—not just another outlet—and monitor for improvements.
Q: Are there quirks besides HDMI, CEC, and auto-brightness settings that can cause this?
A: Absolutely. The built-in streaming apps (Netflix, YouTube, etc.) sometimes clash after an update—try uninstalling and reinstalling them if your issues are limited to app use. Also, LG’s “AI Picture” and “AI Sound” modes are infamous for introducing weird processing artifacts. Go to Picture > Picture Mode Settings and Sound > Sound Mode Settings, and set both to “Standard” or “Off” to see if stability improves.
Q: Is this a known thing across all LG UHD AI ThinQ 65 models?
A: From many reports—yours, @chasseurdetoiles, @techchizkid, and the hive mind that is Facebook—yeah, it’s hardly isolated. But keep in mind, every smart TV brand has their share of groans (see Samsung QLED auto-dimming threads for a parallel universe of frustration). LG just happens to have the quirky combo of “AI” and “ThinQ” in the branding for extra complaint flavor.
Q: Is the TV worth fighting with, or should I just move on?
A: Pros for the LG UHD AI ThinQ 65: fantastic upscaling, super sleek UI, tons of ports, decent HDR when it behaves. Cons: unpredictable flickers, sound dropouts, support that’s more script than solution, and firmware updates that occasionally break more than they fix. If you value WebOS and picture quality, it remains competitive. If reliability is key, Sony’s Bravia and TCL’s 6-Series are both worth a glance (though each has quirks—just check their forums).
Q: Any last-ditch ideas if nothing else has worked?
A: Turn off the “Simplink” HDMI-CEC function, and fully disconnect all external devices for a day. If the TV still flickers or mutes itself on NOTHING but its own menus or a USB stick, it’s repair time. LG might cover hidden defects if you press them hard enough, even post-warranty.
Bottom line: the LG UHD AI ThinQ 65 is a feature-loaded TV with some gremlins, but most routes to fixing flicker are more “hunt and hope” than science. Worth a shot before shelling out for a service call—or a rival model.