Splashed out for a brand spanking new TV but haven’t the foggiest how to take your old TV off the wall mount? Has the teenager finally moved out of your future man-cave? Moving house is never much fun, but the TV is coming with you, so at least you have the footy on while you unpack. It doesn’t matter whether your TV is taking a trip down the hall, across the road, or to a new suburb; Hang My TV has you covered. We’re about to walk you through how to take down your wall-mounted TV step by step.

Equipment Needed

Getting your TV down is a lot easier than getting it up, so you don't need to wheel out the old tool drawers just yet; however, you will need:

Your Trusty Screwdriver

Your TV and its wall mount are defying the forces of gravity somehow. The odds are that ‘somehow’ is a few screws. Your mount may have come with the required hardware, so find the packaging (which, of course, you stored away nice and safe), and you’ll be good to go. If you can’t figure out how to use a screwdriver, it’s probably best you ask for our help.

Old Mate

This is a two-person job. Bribe whoever is within earshot with a beer or guilt, to avoid rapidly mounting your TV to the floor... or mounting yourself to the physio’s table.

If you’re already worried, give us a call instead. We have the appropriate tools, expertise, and know-how to get this job squared away. We’ll be in and out so quick you can still tell your partner how great you were at dismounting the TV... 

Step 1 - Disconnecting Cables

First things first, unplug all of your peripherals. The DVD player, Foxtel and Xbox all need to go before you get to the main event. If you want our advice, now is a good time to pack those up while you know which cords go with what box. This way, you save yourself a game of cable roulette when it’s time to set back up. Being the tech-savvy TV enthusiast you are, you might have read our article on how to hide your TV’s primary cables behind the wall; maybe you’re wondering how to go about reversing the process. You’ll need to unplug from the TV first. Best to leave cables plugged in at the power outlet end, though. The last thing you need right now is a fishing expedition into your wall-space to retrieve any escapees.

Once you have dismounted the TV, you can unplug and run the cables out through the lower cable plate.

If you’re looking for FAQs around all things TVs, solve your problems instantly - follow the link - All You Need to Know.

Step 2 - How to Take Down Your Wall Mounted TV

With the help of your comrade, hold the TV by its bottom and side edges. Gently tilt the bottom of the TV towards you; this keeps the top edge of the TV safely against the wall. Now slowly lift the TV to dismount. If it feels like your TV is stuck on the wall mount, don’t force it. It’s time to consult your wall mount manual. You’ll likely find it in the man-drawer under a pile of flat batteries and takeaway menus. Check if your wall mount has a locking mechanism and how it works. Unlock before going any further to avoid dismounting a chunk of your wall. Barring any disasters, you should now have successfully managed to remove your TV from the wall mount.

Step 3 - Setting Your TV Down

Don’t switch off and plonk your TV in any old place. It’s designed to hang on a wall (obviously), so no leaning it against anything upright or on the edge of the couch where it can tip and end up in the skip bin. Find a nice, soft, flat place like the middle of the bed for your TV to safely chill out until it’s time to pack it up.

Step 4 - Disassemble to Mounting Plate

Once you’ve successfully removed the TV from the wall mount, it’s time for the mount itself. Lay hands on your screwdriver and start by unscrewing the mounting bracket from the TV. This makes everything easier and safer to package for transport.

Don’t focus so much on your TV that you forget to unscrew your wall mount. Since you read our blog on how to mount your TV to the Wall, this shouldn’t be too difficult. We recommend packing the wall mount, mounting bracket, screws and hardware in a separate bag or box. This will streamline the remounting process at the other end. Don’t forget to fill and paint over the screw holes.

Step 5 - How to Pack your TV Safe for Travel

If you’re moving your TV long distance, taking the time to remove your TV off the wall mount safely is only any good if it stays in one piece on the road. The first part of your flatscreen you need to protect is… the flat screen. If you still have the protective sleeve that your TV came in, now’s the time to reuse it. A piece of packing paper taped across the screen can prevent scratching. If you have one spare, a thin blanket secured in place over the screen will also do the trick. 

The best packaging for your TV is the original box and styrofoam inserts that came with your TV. These were designed to keep your TV safe as it was delivered to you. If you don’t have these lying around, a box that fits your TV with a few cms of space on all sides is best. You’re going to be filling that space firmly with padding, like the blanket we just suggested. 

When it comes to loading, remember your TV is delicate! Slap a fragile sticker on that bad boy to let any movers know what’s in the box. Secure it in the moving truck or car upright where it can’t fall or be crushed.

Your TV is now safely off the wall and on the way to its new home! Don’t forget, we’ve already written a guide to getting your TV mounted once you get it to your new digs. If you’d rather leave that to the pros, Hang My TV is only a call away. Either way, you’ll be back browsing Netflix in no time.