# tv repair question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 29, 2001, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-repair-question/59944 "2001-03-29T07:26:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Studoggie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b487fb/32.png) [@Studoggie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Studoggie)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-repair-question/59944/1 "2001-03-29T07:26:46Z")
My 25" Sanyo TV shows many horizontal lines that distort the picture when then tv is first turned on. After a few minutes this problem usually fixes itself. However today many more lines have appeared than usual and it takes about ten minutes for it to fix itself. Even then a few lines come up every now or then. Is there anything I can do to fix this problem? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-repair-question/59944/2 "2001-03-29T14:19:35Z")
I have no idea what the problem is or whether or not it can be fixed. I do know that trying to fix it yourself can be downright dangerous if not deadly. TV’s have capacitors in them that maintain a BIG charge even if the TV is unplugged. If you touch the wrong thing you will get a nasty shock at the least or a deadly shock and/or severe burns at the worst. In short, take your TV to a certified TV repairman. DO NOT attempt repairs yourself! ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-repair-question/59944/3 "2001-03-29T15:34:12Z")
Look at the back of it, find the date, report back. Otherwise unplug it from wall for a full minute or more & plug back in, this resets any & all electronics inside. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2001, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-repair-question/59944/4 "2001-03-29T15:59:11Z")
Sounds like a temperature-dependent variation in your horizontal frequency. A number parts in the horizontal output circuit could cause this, one way or another. Regardless, it’s not something you should try to fix yourself–get thee to a qualified (licensed, if your state licenses techs) repair shop. There’s stuff in there that can kill you.