Normally, when you turn on an NEC projector, the power light flashes blue and then the blue light becomes steady. But sometimes, it keeps flashing blue and doesn’t seem to turn steady any time in the near future. If that’s the case with your projector, there’s a problem with it that needs to be addressed.
Read on as we cover the most common reasons why your NEC projector’s power light is flashing blue and how to troubleshoot them.
Why is your NEC projector power light flashing blue?
Loose or faulty power cable
Loose power cables are common with owners that frequently move their projectors from room to room or the backyard. You may unknowingly have partially unplugged the power cable and this results in the power light flashing blue. Check that the power cord is securely plugged into the outlet.
The power cable may also be faulty. Check that it is not torn or bent anywhere along its length. This could be caused by rodents in the backyard chewing on it or friction with different surfaces it comes in contact with.
If you use an adapter, it helps to verify that it is not faulty. You can do that by plugging other appliances into it and seeing whether they work. If they don’t work, then you need to get a new adapter from a reputable business.
Something else you’re likely to encounter is a dusty port. The dust may be interfering with the flow of current by acting as a barrier of some sort. To fix it, get a soft brush to clean out the dust or use a vacuum cleaner to suck it out.
When it comes to blowing dust from fans and filters, compressed air is the way to go. But with regards to cleaning out ports, it’s a no-no. The cleaning stuff is flammable and may start a fire when you plug the cable back in.
Overheating
Overheating is another possible reason why your NEC projector power light is flashing blue. Usually, internal sensors will detect a rise in temperature and trigger an automatic shutdown of the projector to protect its components.
But before that, the fans will work harder to try and cool down the projector and the outer surface will become warm to the touch. You’ll hear an annoying sound from the fans and the power light will be flashing blue.
See Also: Top 5 Projectors That Work in Daylight
The internal increase in temperature could be due to a dust buildup on the air filters and fans or the room may just be too hot.
If the room you’ve installed your NEC projector is too hot or lacks ventilation, it may be a good idea to move it outside or to a room with ventilation. Remember to use gloves of good quality if the projector surface is too hot to avoid hurting your hands.
Cleaning out dust from the filters and fans should be part of your regular maintenance routine, particularly if you live in a dusty location. How frequently you do it depends on what the user manual recommends as well as how dusty your environment is.
The best way to go about it is to use a good-quality air duster to blow out the dust.
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And if you haven’t changed the filters in a long time, it’s a good idea to do so. The air filters become less effective with age, which is bad news for your projector. You’ll find the instructions on how to do it in your user manual.
Incorrectly installed lamp cover
An incorrectly installed lamp cover could also trigger the flashing blue power light. What happens is that the projector assumes that the cover is missing when in fact, it’s just improperly installed.
Now, NEC lamp covers come with a small post that triggers a sensor responsible for detecting their absence or presence. If it’s missing, your NEC projector won’t turn on.
To remove the lamp cover, apply a little down pressure on the end that’s opposite the projector’s side edge. The cover should slide out by about a half inch. Proceed by pressing or ‘pinching’ the sides of the opposite end and the cover should pull back a bit more. Finish by lifting it and the post should be visible (it resembles a nail extending away from the cover).
If you find that the post is missing, our advice is to get in touch with NEC customer support for a replacement or order a new cover that fits your specific model from a reputable third-party company.
Bad lamp
If your lamp hours are used up, the power light may start to flash blue. To be certain that’s the case, check your lamp hours in the settings.
When you’re sure the lamp needs a replacement, read through your manual to find out whether it’s possible and how to go about it. If you get stuck, contact NEC customer support for guidance.
Final Words
In this post, we’ve gone over four common causes of a flashing blue power light in NEC projectors. In summary, they are:
- Loose or faulty power cable
- Overheating
- Incorrectly installed lamp cover
- Bad lamp
If the flashing blue light doesn’t turn steady after doing everything we’ve discussed, it may be time to contact NEC support.