How to Fix Blurry Picture on an LG Smart TV

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

It can be incredibly frustrating when the picture quality is not up to the standards you expect from your LG Smart TV. While not always within your control, this guide will take you through the basic steps to understand the issue, and solve what problems you can.

2. SD Content Check

Some channels only broadcast in analog. The analog picture is much, much smaller than what your Smart TV's resolution is, so the television stretches the picture to take up the whole screen.

That stretching makes the picture a bit blurry and 'soft' looking, but the only alternative is to display it in a tiny box, instead.

Over-The-Air Broadcasts
Channels that end in -0 are analog signals, and will always be lower resolution. Tune to another channel that ends in -1, -2, etc. for high-definition broadcasts.
DVDs
DVDs are lower resolution than modern Smart TVs. They are similar to broadcast television, but without any interference.

If the media you are watching is lower resolution, there is nothing you can do to fix the problem. Switch to another program, or contact the content creator to get a higher quality copy and/or ask them to broadcast the program you wish to watch in high definition.

3. Test Other Media

Try using a different streaming service, a different show on the same streaming service, or a different disk.

4. What's next?

5. Check your HDMI cables or try a different one

Check the HDMI cable ends and device ports and remove any foreign objects.
Check for cable damage. If it is damaged then it should be replaced.
Securely and firmly reconnect the HDMI cable between your devices.
Try plugging the HDMI cable ends into a different port on each device if possible.
Try using a different high-speed HDMI cable. Some cables are higher quality than others, a low-quality cable may impact your sound and video signal.

HDMI Cable

HDMI Port

6. Determine Platform

We must determine which platform is loaded on your LG Smart TV before beginning. Newer TVs released after 2014 will have webOS. Older models released between 2011 and 2015 will have NetCast. See the images below to help tell the difference.