Why, when you turn on the refrigerator, the TV screen goes blank for a second - technical reasons and solutions

You turned on your favorite TV series, when suddenly, when the refrigerator starts, the TV screen goes blank for a split second, blinks, or even turns off completely. The sound may be interrupted and the picture may freeze. This problem is familiar to many owners of household appliances, but not everyone knows why this happens and how dangerous it is for electronics. In 90% of cases, it is not the breakdown of the devices themselves that is to blame, but the peculiarities of the home electrical network or incorrect connection of devices.

In this article we will analyze all possible reasons - from harmless power surges to serious wiring faults that require the intervention of an electrician. You will learn how to diagnose the problem yourself, when you can get away with carrying a filter, and when it’s time to sound the alarm. We will also give step-by-step instructions how to check sockets, stabilizers and network filters, so that you can fix the problem without calling a technician.

Spoiler: in most cases, this is not a breakdown of the TV or refrigerator, but about network overload or weak wiring. But you can’t ignore the signals either - constant power surges can shorten the service life of equipment.

1. Voltage surges when starting the refrigerator compressor

The main reason for the short-term shutdown of the TV screen is sharp voltage surge at the moment the refrigerator compressor starts. The fact is that the compressor electric motor consumes current in the first seconds of operation. For example, if a refrigerator in normal mode “takes” 150 W, then at start the power can reach 700–800 W. 3–5 times higher than the nominal. For example, if a refrigerator in normal mode “takes on” 150 W, then at startup the power can reach 700–800 W.

Such a surge leads to:

• 🔌 Voltage sag in the general network of the apartment (especially if the wiring is old or thin).
• 📺 Short-term power failure of the TV, which is sensitive to changes.
• ⚡ Protection activation in the TV power supply (it can “blink” or reboot).

The more powerful the refrigerator (for example, model Samsung No Frost or Liebherr with two compressors), the more noticeable the drawdown. In houses with old aluminum wiring, the problem is aggravated - thin wires cannot cope with the load.

2. Weak wiring or overload of the outlet group

If the TV and refrigerator are connected to one socket group (for example, through an extension cord or tee), the problem is almost guaranteed to lie in the overload. Modern refrigerators and LED TVs consume little energy in normal mode, but when the compressor starts simultaneously and there is a peak current (for example, when turning on the TV after sleep), the total load may exceed the permissible for the socket.

How to check:

1. Disconnect the refrigerator and connect the TV to another outlet (preferably in another room).
2. If the problem disappears, the group overload is to blame.
3. Check the rating of the machine in the panel: for outlet groups it should be 16 A, not 10 A or 6 A (as in old houses).

Pay attention to section wires:

⚠️ Attention: If your house has aluminum wiring with a cross-section of 1.5 mm² (typical for Khrushchev), connecting powerful devices to one group can lead to overheating and fire. In this case, it is necessary to replace the wiring with copper (cross-section of at least 2.5 mm²).

3. Low-quality surge protectors or extension cords

Many people connect the TV through cheap extension cords or filters without protection against power surges. Such devices not only do not solve the problem, but also aggravate it:

• 🔥 Bad contacts in the extension cord socket they lead to a voltage drop.
• 🛑 Lack varistor (protection element) does not dampen surges.
• ⚡ Thin wires extension cords do not withstand the starting currents of the refrigerator.

How to choose the right filter:

Have varistor protection (indicated on the case)

Power of at least 2200 W

Wire length of at least 1.8 m (for stable voltage)

Sockets with grounding (if available in the house)

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Good models: APC SurgeArrest, Pilot T, Xiaomi Mi Smart Power Strip (with USB ports and protection). From the budget ones - SVETORZAR or ERA with the marking “Surge Protection.”

4. Malfunction of the TV power supply

If the TV reacts when the refrigerator is turned on even when connected to another outlet, the problem may be in its power supply. Modern LED and OLED TVs (for example, LG OLED C2 or Sony Bravia XR-55A80) have switching power supplies that are sensitive to voltage surges. Signs of a malfunction:

• 🔄 The screen goes blank not only when the refrigerator is turned on, but also when other appliances (vacuum cleaner, kettle) are started.
• ⚡ The TV reboots spontaneously.
• 🔌 Swollen capacitors are visible on the power supply case (if you disassemble the TV).

What to do:

1. Connect the TV via voltage stabilizer (for example, Resanta ASN-1000 or Stil IS350).
2. If the problem persists, contact a service center to diagnose the power supply.

⚠️ Attention: Do not try to repair the TV power supply yourself - there are capacitors that can store a dangerous charge even after being disconnected from the network. Contact specialists with equipment for discharging.

5. Problems with grounding or neutral wire

In houses with an old grounding system (or lack thereof), when turning on powerful appliances, this may occur. occur phase asymmetry, which leads to short-term malfunctions in the electronics. This is especially true for refrigerators with a system No Frostthat have high starting power.

How to check the grounding:

1. Take an indicator screwdriver and check the socket:
   • 🔌 The phase should light up.
   • 🔋 Zero - do not light.
   • 🌍 Grounding - do not light up (if it lights up, this is an error connection!).

Use a multimeter to measure the voltage between phase and zero (should be ~220–230 V), as well as between phase and ground (same value).

If there is no grounding at all, consider installing RCD (residual current devices) or complete replacement wiring to the system TN-C-S (with separate neutral and grounding conductors).

What is an RCD and why is it needed?

An RCD (residual current device) is a device that instantly turns off electricity when there is a current leak (for example, if a wire is exposed or someone touches a phase). Unlike a machine, which protects against short circuits, an RCD protects against electric shock. For a refrigerator and a TV, we recommend an RCD with a leakage current 30 mA and a rated current 16–25 A.

6. Refrigerator compressor malfunction

If the problem appeared suddenly and the TV did not respond to the refrigerator turning on before, it may be to blame worn compressor. Over time, its starting currents increase due to:

• 🔧 Worn windings (resistance increases).
• 🛢️ Lack of oil in the compressor (friction increases).
• 🔥 Short circuits of turns (the compressor “takes” more current).

How to diagnose:

1. Listen to the sound of the compressor: if it hums louder than usual or clicks (the starting relay is activated), this is a sign of a malfunction.
2. Check the temperature of the compressor housing - if it excessively hotit is an overload signal.
3. Measure the compressor starting current multimeter with current clamps (must be within the limits specified in the refrigerator passport).

If the compressor is faulty, it will have to be replaced. For refrigerators Atlant, Indesit or Beko it will cost 5–8 thousand rubles (including labor). For premium models (Liebherr, Samsung Family Hub), the price can reach 15–20 thousand.

7. The influence of other household appliances

Sometimes the problem is aggravated by the operation of other devices. For example, if at the same time as the refrigerator the following is turned on:

• ☕ Electric kettle (power 1.5–2 kW).
• 🍳 Microwave (power 0.8–1.2 kW).
• 🧺 Washing machine in water heating mode.

In this case, the total load on the network exceeds the permissible limit, and the TV “blinks” not only from the refrigerator, but also from other appliances. Solution:

Connect the refrigerator and TV to different socket groups

Use a priority relay (turns off less important devices when overloaded)

Install a voltage stabilizer on the TV

Do not turn on powerful devices at the same time

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What to do: step-by-step instructions for fixing the problem

The algorithm of actions depends on the cause, but you always need to start with the simplest steps:

1. Step 1. Check the TV connection.
   • 🔌 Connect the TV to another outlet (preferably in another room).
   • 🔄 If the problem disappears, the socket group or extension cord is to blame.
2. Step 2. Use a surge protector.
   • 🛡️ Buy a filter with protection against power surges (from 1000 W).
   • ⚡ Connect the TV through it.
3. Step 3. Check the wiring.
   • 🔍 Inspect the sockets for melting or blackening.
   • 📏 Find out the cross-section of the wires (if aluminum is 1.5 mm² - required replacement).
4. Step 4. Install a voltage stabilizer.
   • 📊 For a TV, a 500-1000 W model is suitable.
   • 🔌 For a refrigerator - from 1500 W.

Step 5. Contact an electrician.

• ⚡ If the problem is not solved, call a specialist to check the shield and grounding.

FAQ: Frequent questions

Can the TV burn out because of this?

Short-term voltage sags are unlikely to damage the TV immediately, but Constant surges shorten the service life the power supply and matrix. Particularly vulnerable are models with QLEDscreens (for example, Samsung QN90B), where the electronics are sensitive to changes. If the TV is new, it is better to insure yourself with a stabilizer.

Why did the problem appear only now, although the refrigerator and TV have been together for a long time?

Probable reasons:

• 🔌 Wear of wiring —over time, the contacts oxidize, resistance is growing.
• ⚡ Increasing load —you may have connected new devices to the same group.
• 🛠️ Compressor malfunction —over time, its inrush currents increase.

Start by checking sockets and extension cords.

Will a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) help?

Yes, but with reservations:

• ✅ For a TV it will A UPS with a power of 300–500 W (for example, APC Back-UPS BE550G-RS).
• ❌ For a refrigerator The UPS is not suitable - its battery will not be enough for long-term operation of the compressor.

The UPS will smooth out surges and give time for correct turning off the TV in the event of a network failure.

Is it possible to connect a refrigerator through a stabilizer?

Yes, but choose a model especially for refrigerators with:

• 🔌 Power from 1500 W (for a compressor with a reserve).
• ⏱️ Switch-on delay (to avoid repeated surges).
• 🌡️ Operating range 140–260 V (for example, Resanta ASN-2000).

Do not use cheap "Chinese" stabilizers - they may not withstand inrush currents.

What to do if the TV does not just go out, but turns off completely?

This is a sign serious voltage drop or a faulty unit TV power supply Urgent:

1. Disconnect the TV from the network.
2. Check the voltage in the outlet with a multimeter (should be 220–230 V).
3. If the voltage is below 190 V - call an electrician to check the input cable.

Do not turn on the TV until the cause is eliminated - this can lead to matrix failure.