When a home theater projector, school projector or office projector malfunctions or goes on the fritz it can be incredibly frustrating, and in the case of business projectors it can cost you money! Regardless of what you're using it for if your projector stopped working you're not going to be happy.

Don't get upset just yet!

Before you take your projector to a repairman, wait for a replacement unit, demand a refund or smash your device out of frustration, try these simple projector troubleshooting steps to fix your projector. Regardless of is you got an Epson, BenQ, Optoma or other type of projector, these fixes are universal and might be the solution to your problem.

Sometimes it could be an issue with the projector, sometimes with the media source, sometimes the cables and sometimes it might even be the projection surface you’re using. This projector troubleshooting guide will offer some tips to overcome various issues. Keep in mind the simplest fixes like turning the device off and on again are sometimes the solution to a number of projection issues.

Projector Hardware Issues

  • Projector won’t turn on or power on
    • Make sure it’s plugged in and that the outlet is working
    • Check the control panel on the projector, if it has a status or indicator LED light. Refer to your user’s manual or the maker’s website for explanations or solutions if the light is on.
    • Check the temperature lights to make sure the device hasn’t overheated and shut down.
    • If you are using a remote control to turn on the projector, check the batteries in the remote.
    • Ensure the projector is not in standby mode.
    • Make sure the lens cap isn’t on
  • Remote won’t work
    • Make sure there are batteries in the remote
    • Some remotes use infrared signals, make sure nothing is blocking the path of the light from to remote to the sensor on the projector
    • Try to re-pair the remote with the projector
  • Projector is overheating
    • Make sure the vents are free of dust
    • Make sure there is at least several inches of clearance around the projector
    • Let it cool down before trying to use it again
    • Listen for the hum of a fan and feel that air is circulating around the vents, if it’s not you may need to repair or replace the cooling system
  • Projector fan is making a lot of noise
    • Projector might be overheating. Turn the projector off and allow it to cool
    • There may be something obstructing the fan, check the vents for any blockages
    • You may have turned off ECO mode which reduces fan noise
  • There’s no audio coming from my projector
    • Not all projectors have built in speakers
    • Make sure the projector isn’t muted
    • Check your video source or computer to ensure that the volume isn’t lowered or muted.
    • Check the audio cable connection cable between your media player or video source and your projector.

Projector Picture Quality Issues

  • No picture on the screen, “No Input Detected” or a “No Signal” message
    • Check the input. You may have HDMI 1 selected when the cable is in the HDMI 2 port
    • Check if the HDMI or VGA connection from your media player to your projector is properly connected
    • Try a different HDMI port
    • Try a different HDMI cable
    • Unplug and re-plug the cables and Power cycle or restart the devices and then turn them back on
    • Some HDMI cables have specific input and output ends, make sure they’re plugged in properly
  • Projected image looks blurry or not not sharp
    • Projector needs to be focused
    • Not enough or too much throw distance to make the size screen you’re going for
    • You’re not using a 4K projector screen with a 4K projector. A textured projection surface won’t be able to properly render a 4K UHD resolution image
  • Image looks grainy
    • Reduce “sharpness setting”
    • Clean the projector lens with a lens brush
  • Spots or blotches on the image
    • There is dirt or oil on the projector lens, clean the projector lens with a lens brush
    • There is a stain on your projector screen
    • If you’re not using a screen, your wall may be dirty or not perfectly flat
  • Image looks warped
    • You may have adjusted the image too much with digital keystoning
    • You’re not using a tensioned projector screen so there are ripples or waves in the surface
    • When you assembled the screen the surface was not pulled tight
    • If you’re not using a projector screen, your wall may not be perfectly flat
  • Image looks pixelated
    • Your source may be a lower resolution but you wouldn’t notice it on a smaller screen
    • You’re sitting closer than the recommended viewing distance
    • Check your HDMI connection
    • If you’re streaming video, your video may be rendering or you don’t have enough internet bandwidth
  • Colors aren’t correct
    • Check the cables to make sure they’re plugged in all the way
    • Check if there was a firmware update that may have reset your picture settings
    • Check your settings, your projector may be in HDR mode while your content is SDR
    • Adjust colors in the picture settings
  • Image is too bright or too dark
    • Adjust the brightness of the projector
    • If you’re using a bulb based projector check the lamp life as the bulbs dim overtime
    • Lower the ambient light in the room
    • Projector may be in ECO mode to save lamp life
  • Image looks skewed, squashed or stretched out
  • Part of the image is cut off
    • If only part of the image is shown like it’s cropped, then it might be a resolution issue. Your computer or media device should match the native resolution of your projector.
    • The projector is not properly aligned with the projector screen
  • Everything looks like I’m watching a soap opera
    • Lower the motion interpolation settings

Ultra Short Throw Projector Issues

  • Image on the screen looks dull and washed out
    • You have too much ambient light in the room, using a specialized ultra short throw projector screen will help you achieve a significantly better image even in a well lit room
    • Make sure your UST projector screen isn’t installed upside down
  • Image looks like a trapezoid
    • Adjust the projector so it is aligned with the screen. You may need to use shims to properly position the projector

My projector is still having issues, now what do I do?

If you’re still having issues after trying these projector troubleshooting suggestions, it’s time to elevate the response. We recommend first getting in touch with the projector manufacturer’s tech support.

If the manufacturer is unable to solve the issue, your retailer may be able to help you resolve the problem or send you a replacement unit.

Manufacturer Contact Information

AWOL Vision Projector Tech Support

Website: https://awolvision.com/pages/contact-us

Phone: 1-800-659-5235

Email: Info@awolvision.com

BenQ Projector Tech Support

Website: https://www.benq.com/en-us/support.html

Phone: Customer Sales & Support 1-866-600-2367 | Business Support & Service

1-888-512-2367

Email: Customer Sales & Support BenQSupport.US@BenQ.com | Business Support & Service

BenQCare.US@BenQ.com

Epson Projector Tech Support

Website: https://epson.com/Support/Projectors/sh/s3

Phone: (562) 276-4394

Email: https://epson.custhelp.com/app/ask/p_model_name

JVC Projector Tech Support

Website: https://www.jvc.com/usa/support/

Phone: 1-800-252-5722

Email: https://secure.jvc.com/consumer/forms/contactsupport.jsp?_ga=2.241214987.882283170.1671200178-1416287053.1668696966

LG Projector Tech Support

Website: https://www.lg.com/us/support/contact

Phone: 850-999-4934 or 800-243-0000

Email: https://www.lg.com/us/support/email-appointment

Optoma Projector Tech Support

Website: https://www.optomausa.com/service-and-support

Phone: 510-897-8600 or 1-888-289-6786

Email: https://www.optomausa.com/support/technical-support-and-enquiries

Samsung Projector Tech Support

Website: https://www.samsung.com/us/support/contact/

Premiere UST Tech Support: https://www.samsung.com/us/support/contact/?model=N0054312

Phone: 1-800-726-7864

Vava Projector Tech Support

Website: https://www.vava.com/pages/support

Phone: 1-888-456-8468

Email: Support@vava.com

ViewSonic Projector Tech Support

Website: https://www.viewsonic.com/us/onlinesupport-center

Phone: 800-688-6688

Email: https://www.viewsonic.com/customer-service-form

XGIMI Projector Tech Support

Website: https://us.xgimi.com/pages/support

Phone: 1-833-325-1055

Email: service-usa@xgimi.com