TV mounts are a useful accessory for your living room design. You can customize your room around the TV. However, sometimes you may have to dismount a TV due to certain circumstances.
Dismounting a TV can be hard as they weigh between 10 to 50 pounds depending on the size.
To help you easily dismount a TV, we have prepared a step-by-step guide.
Quick Summary
In this article, we will go through:
- How you can get your TV off the wall mount
- How to disable different locking mechanisms
Let’s take a look at it.
How can you dismount your TV wall mounts?
As discussed earlier, dismounting TVs can be a tough job. TVs are heavy and the screen size can be problematic to work with. You might need a friend in case of a bigger screen.
Dismounting is also affected by the type of mount you are using. Full motion mounts are easy to use as they give you a view of the TV from the back.
Before starting, make sure you have the following things ready:
- A screwdriver for loosening the screws
- A blanket or sheet that you can put your TV after dismounting it
- Your wall mount manual
- A friend to help you out with the dismounting
After you’ve made sure that all the things are available, you can start dismounting the wall mounted TV. The sheet makes sure you take off the TV safely.
Step # 1 - Unplug the wires
First thing you need to do before removing the TV is to unplug the wires. This includes unplugging the video cables from the TV. You also need to make sure that the power cable has been removed.
Step # 2 - Remove all the Safety locks
We recommend that you first go through the user’s manual. Most TV wall mounts don’t have safety locks, but some include them. They are put in place to prevent theft and you have to unlock the screws to take off tv from the wall mount.
Begin by unscrewing the lock or release mechanism that holds the TV in place. Typically, this involves removing four screws. Take caution not to drop or damage the TV during this process.
Once the screws are removed, you can safely lift the TV off the mount. It’s important to have a firm grip and be mindful of the weight of the television. Enlist the help of another person if needed to ensure a smooth and safe removal.
Using a screw lock, loosen the screws that secure the TV to the tilting tv wall mount. Carefully hold the TV in place while removing the screws completely. Gently lift the TV off the wall mount, making sure to keep it away from the wall to avoid any damage. With a firm grip, place the TV securely on a stable surface, ensuring it is well-supported.
Remember, the top part of the TV is often placed on either side of the mount, so make sure to lift the television straight up to avoid any tilting or imbalance. Take care to unscrew the screws completely to detach the TV securely.
To disable the locks, simply rotate them. Some locks require a key or you need to pull the lock assembly.
Step # 3 - Tilt and Lift the TV
You might need a friend’s assistance for this, depending on the screen size of the TV. Start by tilting the TV from the bottom of the panel. Do this until you can see the back of the TV as well as the mounting bracket. Carefully lift your wall-mounted television.
Then locate the pull string lock or the bar. The manual will tell you which one your wall mount comes with.
- If your wall mount has a screw lock, you have to use the screwdriver to disable the lock.
- If there is a bar, you need to locate it. Then remove the bar. You can easily slide it from the side.
- If your bracket has a pull string, you need to pull them. They are generally located on the side of the TV mount.
These have been discussed in detail in the next section. Check if you have a fixed wall mount or a tilting wall mount.
Step # 4 – Make Sure To Properly Remove From The Wall
When removing the bracket from the TV set, it’s essential to consider the types of walls in your home. Some walls may require special tools or techniques for tv wall mount removal. If the bracket doesn’t come off easily, don’t force it as you might risk damaging the TV. Instead, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or seek professional assistance. Gently place the TV face down on a blanket or another soft surface.
Once the bracket is detached, you’ll want to assess the best placement for your TV. Consider the size of the room, viewing angles, and any potential obstructions. It’s best to mount the flatscreen TV at eye level, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience.
If you decide to mount the TV on the wall again, make sure to use the appropriate bracket for your TV’s size and weight. These brackets can be installed on either side of the TV, allowing you to adjust its position as needed. By following these guidelines, you can safely handle the removal and reinstallation of your TV bracket while optimizing your viewing experience.
Step # 5 - Remove the TV from the TV wall mount
After you have made sure that the locks have been disabled it is time to remove the TV from the TV wall mount. At this point, the TV is free to move around. You will need a friend’s assistance to remove the TV.
To remove the TV from the wall, lift it slightly above until the hooks are free. Now you have removed the TV from the wall.
Then place the TV onto the blanket.
Step # 6 - Remove the Mount bracket
First, you need to carefully place the TV onto a flat, smooth surface. You don’t want to scratch the screen at this point.
Removal of the mount bracket from the back of your is an easy step. The mount is attached to the TV by 4 screws, no matter what kind of bracket you are using.
You simply need to loosen and remove the screws using a suitable screwdriver.
Step # 7 - Remove the mount piece on the wall
The last thing you need to do is to remove the mount piece on the wall. That piece keeps the entire setup in place. It is held in place by screws and washers.
To remove the mount piece from the wall, simply remove the screws using a suitable screwdriver.
Afterward, you should also add filler to the holes left behind and apply paint over them. After drying, the wall will look good as new. Or you can install a new wall mount.
How to deactivate different types of locking mechanisms?
These days, TV mounts come in different models. They have different mechanisms and different specifications. As such, the locking mechanisms of mounts can also be different.
Just like almost every wall mount has a unique feature, locking mechanisms are no different. Each locking mechanism is deactivated in different ways. Let’s discuss them in detail:
Screw-Type
A screw-type mechanism, as the name suggests, keeps the TV in place using screws. These are placed at the bottom of the mount. To remove the screws, you need:
- A 12-inch screwdriver
- A flashlight to locate the screws
First, you need to locate the screws in the wall mount. After you have located the screws, it is time to unscrew the screws. Do this until you can pull out the bottom part of the TV away from the mount.
After this, you just need to unhook the bottom of the TV from the wall piece of the bracket.
Pull String
This mechanism is present in most of the new wall mounts. Pull strings are attached to latches that release the bottom of the TV when pulled.
You need to find the pull strings and then pull them hard. Do this until you can hear a click sound, as well as the TV, moving away from the mount. Then, you simply need to pull the TV away from the setup and remove all the cables.
Horizontal Locking Bar
Lock bars are the most used examples of locks used in mounts. Unlike screws and pull strings, they slide in to lock the TV in place.
To remove the lock bar, you just have to locate it and then slide it away from the wall mount. Lock bars can be slid from both sides. However, do read the manual first before removing the bar. Some flat screen tv mounted models are also limited to removal from one side only.
Wrapping things up
TV mounts add to the overall aesthetics of the room and are fit for viewing comfort. However, sometimes you need to remove the wall mount due to certain circumstances.
In this case, you have to follow a series of steps to ensure that you have safely removed the wall mounts. By following the above-mentioned steps, you can easily accomplish the task at hand.
With this, we reach the end of our article on “How to get TV off Wall Mount”.
Please let us know what you think by commenting below.
Adam F.
A/V and Home Theater Expert that focuses on providing clear as well as concise reviews for anything and everything Audio Visual. From TV's, TV Mounts, Soundbars, and Wiring, my focus is to provide expertise in everything Audio Visual focused.
