Do you constantly adjust your TV’s brightness and picture settings but still can’t achieve the perfect viewing experience? You’re not alone. Uneven lighting and high contrast between a bright screen and a dark room can make watching TV uncomfortable and less immersive.

Installing LED lights behind your TV is a simple yet highly effective solution. It enhances visual comfort, improves perceived picture quality, and adds a modern, ambient glow to your space.

Among the available options, LED strip lights and LED bar lights are the most popular choices for TV backlighting. While bar lights are quick and convenient to install, LED strip lights offer greater flexibility, allowing you to customize placement, colors, and lighting effects to suit your setup.

Before installation, it’s important to gather the right materials, measure your TV properly, and plan the layout carefully. A clean surface ensures strong adhesion, and secure wiring guarantees long-term performance. Whether you choose a DIY approach or hire a professional, proper installation is key to achieving the best results.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about installing LED lights behind your TV—from choosing the right type of lighting to step-by-step instructions and key benefits.

Adding LED lights behind your TV is one of the simplest ways to upgrade your home entertainment setup. Not only does it create a stunning visual effect, but it also reduces eye strain and enhances your viewing experience.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through 5 easy steps to install LED backlighting behind your TV.

Why Add LED Lights Behind Your TV?

Before installation, it’s important to understand the benefits:

• 🌈 Enhances ambiance with soft glow lighting
• 👀 Reduces eye strain in dark rooms
• 🎬 Improves perceived contrast on screen
• 🎮 Perfect for gaming and movie setups
• 🏠 Adds a modern and premium look

Types Of LED Lights To Put Behind Your TV

LED strip lights and LED bar lights are the most popular choices for TV backlighting,

1. LED Strip Lights

LED strip lights are the most popular choice for TV backlighting. They are flexible, easy to install, and can be cut to fit any TV size. And the interesting fact is that you can also rejoin the segments. To learn how to cut and rejoin the LED strips, check this- How to Cut, Connect, and Power LED Strip Lights.  Available in single color, RGB, or RGBW, they allow full customization of brightness and color effects.

2. LED Bar Lights

LED bar lights are rigid fixtures placed behind or beside the TV. They are easier to install but offer less flexibility compared to strip lights. Ideal for users who want a quick plug-and-play solution.

3. LED Neon Flex

LED neon flex provides a smooth, dot-free lighting effect. It creates a premium and modern look, making it perfect for decorative setups and high-end interiors.

4. Addressable LED Lights

Addressable LED strips (like WS2812B,WS2815, TM1934, or WS2811) allow dynamic lighting effects, including color chasing and screen-sync lighting. These are ideal for immersive gaming or home theater setups.

Required Material To Put LED Lights Behind Your TV

• LED strip light / LED neon flex / LED bar light
• Compatible power supply (DC5V, 12V, or 24V)
• LED controller (remote, app, or smart control)
• Connector cables and adapters
• 3M-Adhesive backing or mounting clips
• Cleaning cloth or alcohol wipes
• Measuring tape
• Scissors (for cutting strips if needed)

5 Easy Steps To Add LED Lights Behind Your TV

Let’s see some of the easy steps to follow for connecting LED lights to the back of your TV

Step 1: Measure Your TV

Start by placing masking tape strips a few inches away from the outer perimeter of the TV. This helps create space for the LED strip lights and provides greater flexibility during installation.

Most LED strip lights can be cut to length, allowing you to customize them to fit your TV perfectly. Many products also come with pre-cut sections, which makes installation even easier. With these options, you typically don’t need to cut the strips to fit corner connectors—simply follow the recommended measurements for your TV size.

Recommended LED Strip Length by TV Size

• 82″–95″ TV: 21–23 ft of LED strip lights
• 70″–82″ TV: 18–20 ft of LED strip lights
• 65″ TV: 14–16 ft of LED strip lights
• 43″ TV: 9 ft of LED strip lights
• 32″ TV: 6.5 ft of LED strip lights

Choosing the right strip length ensures even lighting around the TV, creating a comfortable ambient glow and enhanced viewing experience.

👉 Tip:

• Don’t install LEDs directly on the edges—leave a small margin for even light spread.
• Note where ports and vents are located to avoid blocking them.

Step 2: Choose the Right LED Strip

Choose a strip that matches your needs:

• RGB LED strips → for dynamic colors and effects
• Warm white (2700K–3000K) → for soft ambient lighting
• Addressable LED strips → for advanced animations

👉 Recommendation:
For best results, use DC5V or DC12V LED strips with good CRI and smooth brightness control.

Step 3: Clean the Surface

Use a dry or slightly damp cloth to clean the back of your TV.

✔ Removes dust and grease
✔ Ensures strong adhesive bonding
✔ Prevents strip from falling off later

Step 4: Install the LED Strip

Now it’s time to install the LED lights on the back of your TV. Below are four methods based on the type of LED lighting you have. Start from the side where the LED strip can easily reach the USB port. Make sure the strip connects to the mini controller and USB adapter.

Method 1: Cutting the LED Strips to Fit the TV Size

If your LED strip needs cutting, make sure the kit includes at least four corner connectors and enough connector clips. Corner connectors allow you to join two cut strips at each corner and help prevent damage from bending.For details, check this- Can You Cut LED Strip Lights and How To Connect: Full Guide.

Some LED kits include a small controller and USB cable. First, connect the power source and confirm it reaches the starting point of the LED strip. This guide, How to Cut, Connect, and Power LED Strip Lights, will help you cut the strips properly.  Typically, installation begins on the side closest to the TV’s power input (usually the right side).

1. Measure the first strip from the bottom of the TV to the top corner.
   
2. Cut the strip at the nearest marked cutting point (indicated by the scissor icon).
   
3. Attach connector clips at the corners.
   
4. Peel off the adhesive backing.
   
5. Stick each strip to the TV, one side at a time.
   
6. Connect all corners using connectors.
   
7. Connect the power supply and test the remote.
   
8. Place the TV back on the stand or wall mount.
   

Method 2: Attaching LED Strips Using the Folding Method

If you don’t want to cut the LED strips, you can fold them around the corners. There are three folding techniques:

a. Corner Fold (90-Degree Fold)
Fold the strip at a 90-degree angle. Use adhesive or super glue to secure the fold. This is simple and requires no connectors.

b. Ribbon Bend (Loop Method)
Place the strip along the TV edge, then create a small loop at the corner. Secure the loop using adhesive tape or glue. This method is easy for beginners.

c. Accordion Fold (Curve Method)
Use this method for rounded or wide corners. Create small back-and-forth folds and secure them with adhesive. This works well for curved edges.

These folding methods allow installation without cutting the LED strips. To learn about the folding methods of LED strips in detail, check this- How To Install LED Strip Lights Around Corners?

Method 3: Connecting Pre-Cut LED Strip Lights

Pre-cut LED strip kits come with four separate strips and corner cables.

1. Lay all strips on a flat workspace.
   
2. Use connector cables to join the four strips into a rectangle.
   
3. Align the connectors carefully with the strip contacts.
   
4. Test the setup before attaching to the TV.
   
5. Peel off adhesive backing.
   
6. Stick each strip to the TV, one side at a time.
   
7. Connect power and test the remote control.
   

Repeat the process until all four sides are installed.

Method 4: Attaching LED Bars to the Back of Your TV

LED bars are the easiest installation option. Simply place them behind the TV and connect the power.

• Position bars behind or beside the TV
  
• Aim lights toward the wall for ambient glow
  
• No cutting or measuring required
  
• Quick plug-and-play setup
  

LED bars may not be as dramatic as full strip lighting, but they provide comfortable ambient lighting for watching TV in the dark.

Step 5: Connect & Power On

Connect the LED strip to the controller and power supply.

🎉 Turn it on and enjoy your new setup!

• Adjust brightness and colors
• Sync with music or movies (if supported)
• Create your perfect viewing atmosphere

Pro Tips for Best Results

• Use bias lighting (soft white) for eye comfort
• Choose dimmable LED strips
• Hide wires for a clean look
• Match wall color (light walls reflect better)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Installing on dirty surfaces
• ❌ Blocking ventilation areas
• ❌ Using low-quality adhesive strips
• ❌ Choosing overly bright lighting

Benefits Of Having Lights Behind Your TV

Adding LED lights behind your TV comes with many advantages. Below are some of the most common benefits—take a look:

Minimizes Glare

LED backlighting reduces the contrast between the bright TV screen and a dark room, minimizing glare and reflections.

Diminishes Eye Strain And Headaches

Bias lighting helps your eyes adjust more comfortably, reducing fatigue during long viewing sessions.

Improves Visual Quality

It enhances perceived contrast, making colors appear richer and blacks deeper.

Reduces TV Wear And Tear

Stable brightness levels reduce the need to constantly adjust TV settings, helping maintain consistent performance over time.

Easy To Buy And Install

LED lighting solutions are affordable, widely available, and simple enough for DIY installation without professional help.

FAQs

The Bottom Line

Adding LED lights behind your TV is a quick and affordable upgrade that delivers both style and comfort. With just a few simple steps, you can transform your viewing experience into something truly immersive.

TV backlighting offers several benefits, such as reducing glare and eye strain, improving visual comfort, and enhancing overall picture quality. LED strip lights and LED bar lights are the most popular options for TV backlighting. Although LED bar lights are easier to install, LED strip lights provide the best lighting effect. They are highly flexible and can easily be installed around the corners of your TV for a clean and seamless look.

For the best quality, MSHLED is your ultimate solution. Whether you need single-color lighting or RGB options, we offer a wide range of products to match your needs. Our addressable LED strip lights are also an excellent choice for dynamic TV backlighting effects. So why wait? Place your order today and upgrade your TV lighting experience!