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
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.
TroubleshootingSee when Vizio TV repair is worth it: the faults worth fixing ($20-60 boards), what a pro really costs, plus cross-brand math for 8 TV brands.
TroubleshootingLearn how to fix a cracked TV screen the honest way: which panels can't be saved, the 3 fixes that actually work, and when replacing beats repairing.
TroubleshootingSee whether it's your T Con Board or a dead panel: the 6 symptoms, the free ribbon-reseat fix, and how to match the $10–65 part.
TroubleshootingCompare TV screen repair kit types (board, backlight, tool, scratch) so you buy the one that fixes your fault. No kit repairs a cracked panel.
TroubleshootingCompare Samsung TV repair service costs, in-warranty vs out, in-home "We Come to You" eligibility and how to book, plus when to just replace.
TroubleshootingBuy Samsung TV replacement parts without overpaying: OEM vs third-party vs salvage, by brand, plus how to find your exact part number the first time.
TroubleshootingSee what are the first signs of a TV going bad: vertical lines, dimming, dead pixels, no power, and whether each is a cheap fix or a dead panel.
TroubleshootingSee which cracked-TV-screen faults are worth fixing: glass damage runs 60–90% of a new set, but lines and backlight repairs often cost $150–$400.