LG OLED TV F33 Error Code Guide (Real-World Fix Breakdown)

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What This Error Means

F33 on an LG OLED TV is an internal hardware fault code. In plain terms: the TV’s brain sees a serious hardware problem and shuts down.

What is actually happening: the main board detects a fault with power delivery or communication to the panel or other internal boards and forces a protection shutdown. You usually see F33 when the TV tries to start, clicks or cycles, maybe shows the logo or a black screen, then throws the code or dies.

This is not a “wrong setting” or “bad app” issue. It is almost always hardware: main board, power supply, or cabling between them.

Official Fix

The official line from LG-style support is: rule out simple stuff, then hand it to service.

Do this, in order:
  • 1. Hard power reset
    • Unplug the TV from the wall.
    • With it unplugged, press and hold the power button on the TV (not the remote) for 15–20 seconds.
    • Leave it unplugged for at least 1 full minute.
    • Plug it straight into a known-good wall outlet (no strip, no surge bar) and try powering on.
  • 2. Kill the external junk
    • Disconnect everything from the TV: HDMI devices, USB drives, soundbar, gaming consoles, antenna, Ethernet.
    • Try turning it on with nothing connected. A bad HDMI device can sometimes trip protection on startup.
  • 3. Check power source and strip
    • Plug the TV directly into a different wall outlet.
    • A half-dead surge protector or UPS can cause weird startup faults that look like internal errors.
    • If the outlet is on a dimmer or smart switch circuit, move it. TVs hate that.
  • 4. Firmware and reset (only if it stays on long enough)
    • If the TV will actually boot to the home screen, go to: Settings > Support > Software Update and check for updates.
    • Install any update, then power cycle again.
    • If F33 still comes back, perform a factory reset: Settings > All Settings > General > System > Reset to Initial Settings (wording can vary by model).
    • Set it up bare-bones (no extra apps, just a simple input) and test.
  • 5. Visual check (without going crazy)
    • Unplug the TV and let it sit a few minutes.
    • If it is on a stand and you are comfortable, you can remove the back cover to look, but do not touch power components if you do not know what you are doing. There can still be charge on the power board.
    • Look for burned spots, cracked components, or blown-looking capacitors on the power board or main board.
    • If you see visible damage, stop. That is a board-level repair or replacement job.
  • 6. The official end of the road
    • If F33 still comes back after the reset steps, the official answer is: internal fault, main board or power section, contact LG or an authorized service center.
    • They will normally test/replace the main board first, then the power board, and only then look at the panel if the code returns.
If your TV is under warranty, do not keep opening it. Get LG to log the F33 fault and repair or swap it.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: TV under ~5 years old, no burn-in, and a quote for main board or power board repair under about 250–300 USD. Solid set, worth the parts.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: TV is 5–7 years old, out of warranty, or the tech is not sure whether it is the main board or panel. If the estimate is 40–50% of a new OLED, think hard.
  • ❌ Replace: Panel is involved (screen itself bad), or the repair quote climbs over ~60% of a new comparable TV, or you already have image retention/burn-in. Do not sink money into that.

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