Difference between 4 blinks V STOP and OVP OCP

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Sony TV 4‑blink codes behave very differently from OVP (3 blinks) and OCP (2 blinks): they point to different subsystems and different types of protection. OVP and OCP are power‑supply over‑voltage / over‑current faults, while V‑STOP (4 blinks) is a vertical‑deflection or backlight‑driver fault, depending on the TV generation and model.

4 blinks = V‑STOP (older Sony CRT/analog TVs)

On older Sony CRT/analog sets, 4 blinks is officially “No Vertical Deflection” (V‑STOP), which is an analog video‑stage fault, not a power‑supply fault.

  • Meaning

    • The vertical deflection circuit has failed, so the picture collapses into a single bright horizontal line or a thin band, then the TV mutes the video and shuts down.

  • Typical symptoms

    • Screen draws a thin horizontal line, then the TV goes into standby with the LED blinking 4 times.

  • Common causes

    • Failed vertical‑output IC, damaged vertical‑deflection coils or yoke, or faults in the deflection‑driver stage.

This is a video‑processing / vertical‑scan issue, not an over‑current or over‑voltage in the B+ rail.

4 blinks = LED backlight / driver fault (modern Sony LED TVs)

On modern Sony LED‑backlit TVs, the 4‑blink code is often backlight or LED‑driver related, sometimes called “V‑STOP” in the fault‑log but actually pointing to the backlight section.

  • Meaning

    • The TV has detected a backlight‑driver fault or LED‑strip problem (e.g., shorted or failed LEDs, failed LED‑driver IC, or bad power‑board backlight section).

  • Typical symptoms

    • No picture or very dim screen, sometimes with a faint band of light visible at the edge, then the TV turns off and the LED blinks 4 times.

In many newer LED‑panel sets, “4 blinks = V‑STOP” in the diagnostic screen is really a backlight‑protection flag, not CRT‑style vertical‑deflection.

How 4‑blinks differs from OVP (3 blinks) and OCP (2 blinks)

Code / blinks OCP (2 blinks) OVP (3 blinks) 4 blinks “V‑STOP” (older CRT) / 4 blinks “backlight‑fault” (LED)
What it protects Over current on the B+ line. Over voltage on the B+ line. Vertical‑deflection circuit (CRT) or backlight‑driver section (LED).
Fault type Short or heavy load drawing too much current. Regulator failure causing too‑high voltage. Broken vertical‑scan stage or failed LED strips/LED‑driver.
Symptoms TV starts, then shuts down instantly; 2 blinks repeat. TV starts, 3 blinks, then returns to standby. CRT: single horizontal line; LED: black/dim screen, 4 blinks, shutdown.
Circuit focus Power‑supply B+ stage, caps, MOSFETs, loads. Power‑supply feedback loop, regulators, reference parts. Vertical deflection Y‑section (CRT) or backlight‑strips/driver (LED).

In short:

  • 2 blinks = OCP → too much current in the power rail.

  • 3 blinks = OVP → too much voltage in the power rail.

  • 4 blinks (V‑STOP / LED‑fault) → vertical‑deflection failure (CRT) or backlight‑driver failure (LED), not a pure B+ over‑current/voltage issue.

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