How does hitting a TV (slapping it on the side) make it start working?

Well, this is in General, so as much as I like @stanleybmanly’s post, I’ll try. Banging on something like that usually results in a loosened wire re-touching (and thus completing the circuit) the thing it is supposed to be touching.

At that point, the device starts to enjoy the bashing, as it then seems to need it more and more often.

It used to reset the tubes before people had solid state TVs. It also acted as a jiggle to the rabbit ear antennas.

It should not work anymore, especially with flat screen TVs.

@canidmajor and @zenvelo Thanks. I see it.

@canidmajor and @zenvelo
What do you think people who are not familiar with tubes etc. in old TVs think to the advice “Just hit/slap it”, if it came from a lay person?

The yoke would often be a little loose on the picture tube with tvs that needed a slap. Taking the cover off and seating it properly usually fixed it more permanently. Side note.. it used to be a fun prank to reverse the wiring on the yoke to invert the picture and then put the tv back together.

@ARE_you_kidding_me seating it properly. On a level surface?

Kinetic therapy can be effective for many kinds of machine failures, especially dodgy connections.

But before you knew that, would you have thought that slapping it fixes it makes sense.

Early on, somebody probably just got frustrated and smacked the device, and it worked, so they told a friend who told a friend ad infinitum, and it became the go-to for immediate fixes.

But the first time someone hears that advice probably thinks whoever said that is losing it, (not literally) or something. It doesn’t unless the person is keen when it comes to electricity appliances.

It’s advice we of a certain age have heard since childhood. My grandsons would probably gape in amazement at the sight of me smacking the flat screen that damned near has no side.