TV screen popping, cracking, sparking [?] - why?

Factual Questions
1

So the TV set that we have in our bedroom (a Daewoo, that’s about 15 years old), has started doing something really weird when it’s turned on: It appears to throw out LOUD, cracking sparks* from the screen.

*Now, I haven’t actually seen any bona fide sparks, but for the life of me that’s what it sounds like: some sort of strong static-electricity build-up and discharge, or something. But it didn’t develop this problem until very recently, and dusting it off to remove any static charge, doesn’t seem to help. When the TV is turned off, there’s no problem. But within seconds of being turned on, it starts this alarming behavior.

My wife tried to look this up online, but found very little on it.

Any idea on what’s causing this? Is it fixable, or must we chuck it?

Thanks.

2

If this is an older tube (CRT) TV (not a flat panel), then you probably have dust buildup on the flyback transformer. This will cause loud snapping sparks as the dust shorts the high voltage. It’s not really fixable by the owner, and a 15 year old TV is probably not worth fixing anyway.

3

Sounds like Beowulff is correct. Just dust. Get it professionally cleaned.

4

i also agree that a CRT set can spark when dust builds up on the inside. since it’s in the set right behind the picture tube it will sound from that direction. components in a CRT tv set can hold high voltage that can give a dangerous shock long after the set has been off, should be cleaned by someone with experience with CRT sets.