Troubleshooting Samsung Frame TV turning on or off by itself in TV or Art Mode

by Jordan Keats · Published 27/01/2026 · Updated 05/02/2026

Applies to: Samsung The Frame TV (models with Art Mode, motion sensor, One Connect Box and HDMI CEC)
Last updated: 27 January 2026

Problem

Your Samsung Frame TV appears to turn itself on or off without warning. It may switch from Art Mode to a black screen, wake up unexpectedly, or power down while you are still in the room. In some cases, the TV turns on when you switch on another device, or it exits Art Mode and behaves like a normal TV. These issues are confusing and make the Frame feel unreliable.

Solution

Unexpected power behaviour on the Samsung Frame TV is usually caused by motion sensor settings, power saving options, HDMI CEC signals from connected devices, SmartThings automations, or software glitches. By reviewing sensor behaviour, disabling unnecessary power features and checking connected devices, you can stop the TV from turning on or off unexpectedly and make its behaviour predictable.

Step-by-step instructions

Check motion sensor and Art Mode detection settings

The motion sensor is designed to turn Art Mode on or off automatically, but incorrect settings can make the TV seem unstable.

Press Home on the remote.
Go to Settings > General > Power and Energy Saving.
Locate Motion Sensor or Art Mode Motion Detection.
Temporarily disable motion detection for testing.
Leave the TV in Art Mode and observe whether it stays on consistently.
If the issue stops, re enable the sensor and increase the delay time before Art Mode turns off.

Motion sensors can be triggered by pets, reflections or movement in nearby rooms.

Review power saving and auto power off features

Go to Settings > General > Power and Energy Saving.
Check Auto Power Off, Eco Mode and Energy Saving options.
Disable any setting that turns the TV off automatically after inactivity.
Confirm that Power Off in Art Mode is configured the way you expect.
Test the TV again in both Art Mode and normal TV mode.

Power saving features are useful, but they can conflict with Art Mode expectations.

Check HDMI CEC and external devices

Connected devices can wake the TV via HDMI control signals.

Go to Settings > General > External Device Manager.
Find HDMI CEC, often labelled Anynet+ on Samsung TVs.
Disable HDMI CEC temporarily.
Test whether the TV still turns on or off by itself.
If the problem stops, re enable HDMI CEC and reconnect devices one at a time to identify the trigger.

Devices such as games consoles, soundbars and streaming boxes often send wake signals.

Inspect SmartThings automations and routines

SmartThings can control power behaviour in the background.

Open the SmartThings app on your phone.
Select your Samsung Frame TV.
Check Automations, Routines or Scenes.
Disable any automation that turns the TV on, off or changes modes.
Test the TV again without SmartThings automation active.

Automations may run at scheduled times or respond to motion sensors or other smart devices.

Check sleep timers and scheduled events

Press Home and open Settings > General > System Manager.
Look for Sleep Timer, Scheduled Power On or Scheduled Power Off.
Disable any timers that are enabled.
Restart the TV after making changes.

Even forgotten timers can cause regular, unexpected shutdowns.

Restart and update the TV software

Turn the TV off using the remote.
Unplug the One Connect Box from mains power.
Wait at least 30 seconds.
Plug the One Connect Box back in and turn the TV on.
Go to Settings > Support > Software Update.
Install any available updates and allow the TV to reboot.

Firmware updates often resolve sensor and power management bugs.

Test without external devices connected

Disconnect all HDMI devices from the One Connect Box.
Leave only power and network connected.
Use the TV in Art Mode for several hours.
If the issue disappears, reconnect devices one by one until the behaviour returns.

This isolates whether an external device is causing power changes.

Optional methods or tools

Disable voice assistants temporarily
Voice assistants can sometimes misinterpret background noise as commands. Disable voice wake features to rule this out.
Use a single power source
Avoid smart plugs or switched extension leads that may cut or restore power automatically.
Factory reset as a last resort
If all else fails, a factory reset can clear corrupted settings. Only do this after noting down your preferences.

Best practices or tips

Keep motion detection sensitivity appropriate for the room and disable it in busy areas.
Avoid placing the Frame near heating vents, reflective surfaces or areas with frequent movement.
Use HDMI CEC only for devices where unified power control is genuinely helpful.
Review SmartThings automations after adding new smart home devices.
Restart the TV fully after major software updates or configuration changes.

Unexpected power behaviour on the Samsung Frame TV is almost always related to automation rather than a hardware fault. Motion sensors, HDMI CEC signals and smart routines are designed to be helpful, but when combined they can cause confusing results. Systematically disabling and re enabling these features helps identify the exact cause and restore predictable behaviour.

Once configured correctly, the Frame should behave consistently, switching cleanly between Art Mode and TV viewing without surprise wake ups or shutdowns. Spending a little time reviewing power and automation settings ensures the TV blends quietly into your home instead of drawing attention at inconvenient moments. Keeping these settings under control allows the Frame to feel like a piece of art when idle and a TV only when you want it to be.