How to Turn On Your TV

With Remote and Cable Box

Make sure the cable box is on first. Look at the cable box. Is it showing a number or is the screen blank? If it's showing a number, it's probably already on. Get the remote control for the cable box. Sometimes it is different than the one for the TV. On this Comcast remote, you would press the "All On" button. If this remote controls both your TV and your cable box, it will turn both of them on at the same time. If it only controls your cable box, proceed to the next step.

Press the power button on the TV remote. If the TV doesn't turn on, something might be wrong with the remote. Check the batteries or, if it's a universal remote, press the "TV" button and try the power button again. If the TV turns on but you're not seeing a channel (just a blue screen, or the phrase "no signal"): Check that the cable box is indeed on. Check that the TV is on the correct channel to receive a signal from the cable box. In many cases, this is channel "zero".

Without Remote

To turn on your TV without the remote, just walk over to the TV and hit the power button. If you are having problems finding the power button, then the follow steps given below. Read through any manuals that came with your television if you still have them. Check if your TV has a visible touch power button. It is usually at the middle point of the lower panel of your TV. Check the the left and right sides and the top of your TV, some TVs have power buttons there. It may be distinguishable by size, color, label, or a power symbol such as the one displayed here.

Attempt to retrieve or replace your TV remote. First try to find your lost remote. If you are unable to find the power button and don't have a TV remote, then try to buy a remote suitable for your television. If you have a broken TV remote, then the follow steps in How to Repair a Remote Control to fix it.