TCL 4-Series Roku TV S455 troubleshooting

Published specification

What is true of this model and changes how you fix it

• Panel — entry direct-lit LED (no QLED)
  The 4-Series S455 is TCL's entry tier: a direct-lit LED LCD with no quantum-dot QLED layer and no local dimming. Blacks are gray in a dark room and backlight uniformity is more visible; that is the limit of the tier, not a defect.
• Smart platform — ROKU TV
  Runs Roku OS built in. Update at Settings › System › System update; Miracast/AirPlay 2 mirroring; Roku remote and app store. Not Google TV.
• Picture / gaming limits
  4K resolution with HDR10 and HLG (limited HDR impact because the panel is not bright), a native 60 Hz panel and HDMI 2.0 — no 4K 120 Hz or VRR. A request for high-refresh or strong HDR is beyond this model's hardware.
• Sizes
  43 to 85 inches, an entry-level 4K Roku TV from 2022.
• Model and serial
  The S455 is a TCL 4-Series Google TV, with its label on the back. The sizes differ in stand and mount, so note the size when you contact support.
• Picture
  A 4-Series is an economy 4K LED TV. Movie mode gives a more natural picture than Vivid. Turn off automatic brightness if the picture changes in a dim room.
• Network
  The S455 joins 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi. A weak signal causes buffering, so place the router within sight or use a cable, if the model offers a port.
• Using the remote
  The remote has buttons for the main apps and a voice button. To pair it again, hold the buttons named in the manual until the light flashes. Keep the TV and remote within a few meters with no obstruction.
• Care
  Do not place the TV in a cabinet without ventilation. Clean the screen with a dry cloth. Update the software every few months, since TCL's updates fix bugs.
• Warranty and mounting
  Use the supplied stand or a bracket that fits the VESA holes at the back. Keep the receipt for the warranty period, and write down the model and serial number shown on the label.
• Picture and sound
  The 4-Series is a budget set, so the speakers are modest and a soundbar is a worthwhile upgrade. Connect it to the ARC port and select it in the audio settings. For the picture, use Movie mode and reduce the backlight in a dark room.
• Smart features
  Google TV adds apps, a watchlist and voice search. Sign in with a Google account to install apps. If the TV is slow, remove apps you do not use, restart it and keep the software up to date.
• Which settings matter most
  On a 4-Series set, three settings change the picture most: the picture mode, the backlight and the motion smoothing. Choose Movie for films, lower the backlight in a dark room and turn off smoothing if the picture looks too smooth. If the color looks cold, switch the color temperature to warm. Reset the picture settings from the menu if you are unsure what you changed.

Where these figures were read. support.tcl.com/en_US/us-productdownloads-4s-series-rokutv (TCL's own 4-Series Roku TV support page) (direct-lit LED, 60Hz, ROKU TV)

Manufacturer support for this product line. TCL Support — TCL Roku TV support. TCL's own TCL Roku TV troubleshooting hub.

Also read for this model. RTINGS — TCL 4 Series/S455 2022 TV review.