How Do You Know When the Color Wheel Needs Changed in a DLP TV? (3 Steps)

By Stephen Lilley

One of the integral components of any DLP television set is the color wheel. This device looks just as you would expect from the name—it is literally a wheel with various colors on it that spins around inside your DLP TV. Light passes through the various colors on the wheel, which is what creates the colors you see on the screen. Occasionally you'll need to replace the color wheel to ensure your TV keeps functioning as it should. There are signs you need to look for that will inform you that you need to change the color wheel.

Step 1

Look for the lamp indicator light on the front of your DLP TV to start blinking. If your color wheel is functioning improperly, the main computer chip that runs your television set will not allow the internal lamp (which is the main source of light for the TV) to turn on. If the lamp indicator light begins blinking, this could be the sign of a faulty color wheel.

Step 2

Look for color distortion to appear in the picture, even after you make adjustments to the TV's settings. If the colors seem "off" (meaning that they look unnatural, or that a few colors are dominant when they should not be), this could be an indication that your color wheel is faulty and will need to be replaced. When a color wheel is functioning as it should, all the colors on your DLP TV will look natural and appealing.

Step 3

Listen for a loud whirring sound. One of the main things the color wheel does is spin. When a color wheel needs to be changed, the motor that spins the wheel may start spinning erratically, which leads to visual problems with the TV set. When that motor spins erratically it will make a loud whirring noise. This sound is the chief indicator (aside from any flaws in your television's image) that you'll need to invest in a new color wheel.

References

Writer Bio