Derek Whitfield
Derek Whitfield is the setup & repair editor at Tech Junctions. He's the byline on every "how to mount", "how to connect", "won't turn on", and "no signal" article on the site, because he does this work for real - fourteen years installing residential A/V equipment across the US Mid-Atlantic, certified by the International Society of Certified Electronics Technicians (ISCET), and currently maintaining an active residential-installation business that gives him a steady stream of real customer problems to test his troubleshooting steps against. When a power board fails on a Samsung TV, Derek's article describes the actual fix he'd run, including the multimeter test he'd do before recommending a $200 part. He owns the HDMI/ARC/eARC pillar because cable confusion is the single most common reason readers email a corrections request. He lives in the US Mid-Atlantic.
Published work
Articles by Derek Whitfield
TroubleshootingBuy the exact replacement panel for your TV: find your part number, compare where to source it, and see the honest cost that usually means buy new.
TroubleshootingDiagnose which TV board failed, learn whether a main, power or T-CON board can be repaired or only swapped, find the part number, and weigh DIY-vs-pro cost.
TroubleshootingYes, a cracked TV screen is usually safe to use briefly at low voltage, but tape the sharp glass, expect it to spread, and know when to stop.
TroubleshootingMost TVs last 5–10 years (40,000–60,000 hours). See lifespan by type—LED, QLED, OLED - plus the signs yours is failing and how to add years.
TroubleshootingExpect $49.99 (members) or $99.99 to diagnose a TV at Best Buy, and no cracked-panel fixes. See real repair costs, the 42" rule, and whether it's worth it.
TroubleshootingClear Netflix's stored data on an LG TV using a 12-button remote code. webOS has no cache menu, so we tested four methods across three sets.
TroubleshootingFix a Samsung TV software update that won't start: greyed-out menu, stalled download, USB errors. 6 fixes tested on 7 sets, fastest first.