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
Setup, Mounting & PlacementMounted your TV above fireplace too high? Learn why mantels push the screen 20+ inches over eye level, plus 4 ranked fixes we tested to lower it.
Setup, Mounting & PlacementMount a 65 inch TV with its center 42–48" off the floor (bottom edge ~26"). How high should a 65 inch tv be mounted, plus a measured 43–85" size chart.
Setup, Mounting & PlacementLearn how high to mount a TV above a fireplace: floor-to-center height by size (55, 65, 75"), the mantel gap, and the heat rule from a 14-install test.
TroubleshootingYes, it can happen without a hit. Can a TV screen crack on its own? Rarely: from thermal stress, mount pressure, or a defect, plus the flashlight test.
TroubleshootingSee what an LG TV panel replacement really costs by size, when LG covers OLED defects or replaces a panel free, how to ask, and whether to just buy new.
TroubleshootingShort a dead LED, reflow a cracked joint, or reglue a fallen lens: how to fix TV backlight without replacing it, plus the honest lifespan catch of each.
TroubleshootingSony TV repair cost runs $60–$400 for backlight, power, and board faults; a cracked Bravia panel costs more than a new set. See the 2026 by-problem prices.
TroubleshootingConfirm your Samsung TV backlight replacement with a flashlight test, match the BN96 LED strips to your panel, and swap them for $16–75 in parts.
TroubleshootingNo, but is it safe to use a TV with a cracked screen if it's only a surface scratch? Sometimes. A real crack risks glass, smoke, and a dead panel.
TroubleshootingCompare Samsung TV screen replacement cost with a new set: the panel runs $400-$1,360+, so replacing usually wins. Find your BN95-/BN07- part first.
TroubleshootingSwap or fix a bad main board? TV main board repair runs $27–$150 for the part vs $100+ at a shop. See the symptoms and when to just replace instead.
TroubleshootingSkip the $29.99 myth: Best Buy TV recycle is free in most states (fee only in PA/WI/MI, and refunded). See fees, size limits, haul-away & free options.
TroubleshootingCompare where to get TV screen fixed: authorized, Geek Squad, or a local shop, what each costs ($100–350), and when a cracked panel means replace.
TroubleshootingCompare LG TV white spot repair cost: the $20–50 DIY backlight-lens fix vs $100–350 pro, and how to tell when the panel's dead.
TroubleshootingCracked OLED TV screen repair usually means a dead panel, but burn-in and board faults are fixable. See the 3-fault triage, real costs, and warranty reality.