Sony Bravia keeps restarting — fix it without a technician
Steve H.
Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers
Specialities: Sony Bravia, Android TV & Google TV, power and restart faults, firmware updates, app crashes, HDMI-CEC/Bravia Sync, home AV setups
Sony Bravia keeps restarting on its own — Android TV reboot loop, software and power issues
Technician
• Exact model number of the Sony Bravia (Android TV or Google TV)?
• What does it do: stuck in a reboot loop on the Sony / Google TV logo, or it randomly turns off and back on during Netflix, YouTube, or HDMI?
• Did this start after a software update, new app install, power outage, or adding a device like a soundbar, PS5, Apple TV, or cable box?
• Any red LED blinking codes on the front (for example 6 or 8 blinks), or does it just restart with no warning?
The more detail we have, the easier it is to stop a Sony Android TV that keeps restarting over and over instead of guessing with random resets.
Technician
When a Bravia keeps restarting on its own, it’s usually one of these:
• The last firmware update or app update corrupted the system cache or a core app, so Android keeps crashing and rebooting.
• An app (often streaming apps, live TV, or built-in Chromecast) is crashing in the background and forcing the TV to turn off and on repeatedly.
• Power features like Bravia Sync / HDMI-CEC, eco timers, or “Auto shutoff” are misfiring because of a connected HDMI device or bad power strip.
• In rarer cases, overheating or a failing power supply can also trigger constant restarts, but we’ll rule out the easy software causes first.
We’ll start with a proper power reset, then test without HDMI devices, and if needed go through safe mode, app cleanup, and a full factory reset so you don’t pay a technician for something you can do yourself.
Technician
Step 1 — Full power reset (not just standby)
1) With the TV on, press and hold the Power button on the remote for ~5–10 seconds until it restarts, then let it boot once.
2) Turn the TV off and unplug the power cord from the wall or surge protector.
3) Disconnect all HDMI and USB devices (PS5, soundbar, streaming sticks, USB drives).
4) Leave it unplugged for at least 2–3 minutes so any residual charge drains.
5) Plug the TV directly into a wall outlet (no power strip) and turn it on with no external devices connected.
If the Sony Bravia stops restarting when nothing is connected, we know an HDMI device or power strip is involved. If it still reboots, we’ll move on to safe mode on Android TV to check for bad apps or corrupted data.
Technician
Step 2 — Start Sony Bravia in safe mode
1) With the TV on, press and hold the Power button on the remote until you see the power menu, then choose “Restart”.
2) As it restarts and you see the animation, hold the Volume Down button on the remote (on many models) until “Safe mode” appears in a corner.
3) In safe mode, only system apps run. If the Android TV no longer keeps restarting here, a downloaded app is likely crashing the TV.
Step 3 — Remove or disable problem apps and clear cache
• Go to Settings > Apps and uninstall any suspect apps you recently added, especially streaming or “cleaner” apps.
• For heavy apps like YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, clear cache and data if the TV allows it.
• Check Settings > Storage and free up space — a nearly full internal storage can also make a Sony Google TV keep rebooting after updates.
Once cleaned up, reboot normally (not in safe mode) and see whether the random restarts are gone with HDMI still disconnected.
Technician
Step 4 — Factory reset from the Settings menu
(if you can keep it on long enough):
1) Go to Settings > System > About > Reset (or Settings > Device Preferences > Reset, depending on your model).
2) Choose Erase everything / Factory data reset and confirm.
3) Let it wipe and reboot. Set up the TV again but do not install all the old apps at once; test it with only one or two streaming apps first.
Step 5 — Hardware button factory reset (for hard reboot loops)
If it won’t stay on long enough to reach Settings:
• Unplug the TV from the wall.
• Press and hold the Power and Volume Down buttons on the TV itself (not the remote).
• While holding them, plug the TV back in and keep holding until the LED changes colour or the reset screen appears.
• Release the buttons and follow on-screen steps to reset.
This deep reset clears stubborn software glitches that make a Sony Bravia stuck in a restart loop.
Technician
Step 6 — Adjust Bravia Sync and power options
1) Go to Settings > Watching TV > External Inputs > Bravia Sync settings (or similar menu).
2) Temporarily turn off Bravia Sync (HDMI-CEC) for all devices and test whether the TV still restarts when switching inputs.
3) Under Settings > Power / Eco, disable “Auto shutoff”, “Idle TV standby”, and any energy-saving timers for testing.
4) Make sure the PS5, soundbar, and other HDMI devices are using good-quality HDMI cables and are plugged into a stable power source.
If your Sony Bravia keeps turning off and on with HDMI-CEC enabled, we can either fine-tune the Bravia Sync settings per device or simply leave CEC disabled for the problematic one while keeping it for the others.
Technician
• The TV reboots even in safe mode or right after a full factory reset with nothing connected.
• The front LED shows a repeat blinking pattern (like 6, 7, or 8 blinks) and the TV won’t fully start.
• The cabinet feels very hot and restarts happen after long viewing sessions (possible overheating or ventilation problem).
• You hear clicking from the power board and the screen never fully lights up.
In those cases the fault may be on the power board, main board, or backlight circuit, and you’re usually better off with a qualified Sony Bravia repair. For borderline cases, we can walk through the blink codes and error screens together in chat and decide if it’s still worth trying at-home steps.
Technician
Prevention tips for Sony Bravia restart issues
• Keep at least a couple of GB of free internal storage and uninstall apps you don’t actually use.
• Avoid installing “cleaner”, “booster”, or sketchy streaming apps — they’re common causes of Bravia reboot loops.
• Let firmware updates finish fully; don’t unplug the TV while “Updating…” is on screen.
• Use a surge protector or UPS in areas with unstable power to protect the power board from spikes.
• Make sure the TV has good ventilation and isn’t jammed tightly into a cabinet that traps heat.
• If a new app or update immediately makes the Sony Google TV start restarting again, uninstall that app or roll back changes instead of living with random reboots.
These small habits dramatically cut down on surprise restart problems.
Technician
Quick answer: the accepted fix
Accepted fix when a Sony Bravia keeps restarting: perform a full power reset with the TV unplugged and all HDMI/USB devices removed, then test it plugged directly into the wall. If it’s stable, boot into safe mode, uninstall problem apps, free up storage, and finally run a factory reset from Settings or using the TV’s buttons. Turn off Bravia Sync / HDMI-CEC and auto power features if restarts occur mainly when switching HDMI sources.
Why Sony Bravia TVs start restarting after an update or for no reason
Most Sony Bravia restart problems come down to software and power, not a dead TV. Firmware or app updates can corrupt cached data or a system app so the Android TV or Google TV interface crashes and reboots. If internal storage is almost full, the TV may struggle to run heavy apps and quietly restart. Features like Bravia Sync (HDMI-CEC), eco timers, and auto power-off can also misbehave after changes to connected devices, making the Bravia turn off and on by itself. Only when the TV still restarts in safe mode or shows repeated red LED blink codes do we start suspecting power board or main board hardware faults.
How to test if your Sony Bravia restart issue is really fixed
After each step, leave the Sony Bravia on for at least 20–30 minutes and try to use it the way you normally would. Stream from Netflix, YouTube, or another app, then switch between HDMI inputs to see if the TV still restarts by itself. If it stays on in safe mode and after a factory reset with only a couple of apps installed, your software and storage are likely fine. If restarts only happen with a certain HDMI device or when Bravia Sync is enabled, the issue is likely with HDMI-CEC settings or that device. If the TV randomly reboots even with no cables connected and plenty of ventilation, that points more toward a hardware or power problem.
Sony Bravia keeps restarting — quick troubleshooting tips
Most restart loops are fixed by proper power resets, app cleanup, and HDMI-CEC adjustments.
Quick path: start with a full power reset (unplugged, no HDMI/USB devices, direct to wall), then test if the Bravia still keeps rebooting. Boot into safe mode, uninstall suspicious apps, clear cache for big streaming apps, and free up storage. If needed, perform a factory reset and only add essential apps back at first. Turn off or fine-tune Bravia Sync / HDMI-CEC and auto power settings if restarts mostly happen while switching inputs or turning other devices on and off.
Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For advice specific to your Sony Bravia model, firmware version, and home setup, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech before making decisions.
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FAQ
Why does my Sony Bravia keep restarting by itself?
Common reasons a Sony Bravia keeps restarting are corrupted data from a recent firmware or app update, a crashing streaming app, nearly full internal storage, or HDMI-CEC (Bravia Sync) conflicts with consoles and soundbars. Less often, overheating or a failing power or main board can also cause random reboots.
How do I stop my Sony Android TV from restarting in a loop?
Start with a full power reset (unplug the TV, remove HDMI/USB devices, wait a few minutes, then plug it directly into the wall). If it stays on, boot into safe mode, uninstall suspicious apps, clear app cache, free up storage, and finally run a factory reset if the reboot loop continues.
When should I factory reset my Sony Bravia that keeps rebooting?
Factory reset your Sony Bravia if it still restarts after a proper power reset, safe mode tests, and app cleanup. A reset clears corrupted settings and data that often cause Android TV or Google TV to keep restarting. If the TV reboots even after a full reset with no apps installed, it may need hardware service.
Is a Sony Bravia restart loop always a hardware problem?
No. Most Bravia restart loops are software-related and can be fixed at home by following steps such as power reset, safe mode, app removal, storage cleanup, and factory reset. Suspect hardware only if the TV restarts in safe mode, shows red LED blink codes, or never gets past the logo even after a full reset.
Sources
- Sony Support — The Android TV or Google TV restarts by itself
- Sony Support — The TV turns off or unexpectedly restarts
- Asurion — Why does my TV keep turning off and how to fix it
Filed under: Keeps Restarting Random Reboot
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