A straighter screen starts with the right check
How to Level a Wall-Mounted TV
First confirm that the television itself is out of level. Then identify your mount and check its instructions for a designated leveling adjustment. Some mounts allow small corrections after installation; others require a different approach. A moving wall plate, loose attachment, or newly developing lean needs investigation before adjustment.
Before You Reach for a Screwdriver
A crooked television has a remarkable ability to become the only thing you notice in the room. Before attempting a correction, establish what changed. Was it uneven immediately after installation? Did the lean appear after swiveling the screen? Or has one side gradually dropped? Those observations help distinguish adjustment from a problem that needs inspection.
If the wall plate moves, the wall shows damage, hardware appears loose, or the screen drops unexpectedly, stop moving it and keep people clear of the area. Contact the installer or a qualified professional. Our guide to a TV mount that sags addresses a different concern from a simple cosmetic leveling correction.
Check the Television, Not Just the Ceiling
Start with a suitable level and a manufacturer-approved way to check a straight part of the television's frame. Avoid pressure on the display, unstable tool placement, and balancing anything on a narrow or curved edge. A built-in bubble on the wall plate does not prove the finished screen is level.
Ceiling lines, mantels, cabinets, and decorative trim can slope independently. Measuring equal distances between the television and the ceiling only establishes alignment with that ceiling. If the screen measures level but still looks wrong, compare the other lines in the room before changing it. Read why a TV can look crooked when the level says otherwise .
Level, Tilt, and Swivel Are Different Adjustments
Mount instructions may describe several movements. Identify the one you need before touching hardware. Tightening a tilt-control knob will not necessarily correct a screen whose left side sits lower than its right.
| Movement | What changes |
|---|---|
| Level or roll | The screen rotates clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from the front. |
| Tilt | The screen angles upward or downward. |
| Swivel | The television turns toward the left or right viewing position. |
Available movements vary by model. Our guide to fixed, tilting, and full-motion mounts explains the planning differences.
Find the Exact Mount Instructions
Look for the model in your receipt, packaging, installation paperwork, or a safely visible label. Download the matching manufacturer manual. Two brackets that look similar can use different mechanisms, locking arrangements, and adjustment limits.
Some models use designated leveling screws; others permit limited rotation at an identified connection. Some provide no post-installation leveling at all. Do not loosen a random fastener to see whether the screen moves. It may secure a load-bearing connection or prevent the television from disengaging.
If you cannot identify the mount or reach its controls safely, ask for help rather than working by feel behind the screen.
Make Only the Adjustment the Manual Allows
Follow the manufacturer's sequence, tool requirements, support instructions, and limits. Arrange any required assistance before starting. Make small permitted corrections, check the screen again, and secure all designated adjustment and locking components as instructed.
Do not twist the television cabinet, press on the panel, use the screen as a lever, or loosen wall attachments while they carry the television. If adjustment requires removing the TV, consult the instructions and our guide to removing a television from its mount before arranging the work.
No adjustment feature? The installation may need to be reassessed or repositioned. Improvised wedges, loose hardware, and household objects are not substitutes for the mounting system's intended components.
Does It Lean Only When the Arm Extends?
With a full-motion mount, note whether the television appears uneven only in a particular position. If movement is otherwise safe, compare its normal viewing position with the retracted position without forcing the mechanism. The observation is useful; it is not a diagnosis.
A repeating change can involve the mount's geometry, adjustment, connections, loading, or installation. Check the model's instructions and compatibility rather than repeatedly compensating for a developing problem. Our VESA and weight compatibility guide explains checks that screen size alone cannot settle.
Check Cable Clearance Before the Final Position
Watch for cables that become taut, snag, or get pinched as the mount moves. Do not pull against a trapped cable to straighten the television. Resolve the routing or length issue so the equipment can move as intended.
Plan cables for the positions you actually use, with appropriate slack and protected connectors. See choosing cable length for a moving mount . A tidy appearance should still leave connections accessible.
Confirm the Finished View From Your Seat
Once the permitted adjustment is complete, check the screen with the level and from the seating position. Compare the surrounding furniture separately. Keep mounting height in mind too: a straight television can still be poorly positioned for watching. Our guide to how high to mount a TV helps evaluate that part of the setup.
For a new installation, ask the installer to demonstrate the intended movement and explain any user adjustments. Confirm that locking features are engaged according to the manual. Use our final installation checks to organize the handover.
Common Questions About Leveling a Mounted TV
Can I level a TV without taking it off the wall?
Sometimes. Certain mounts provide post-installation adjustment while the TV remains attached. Check your exact model's instructions, including support and locking requirements.
Why is the bracket level but the television crooked?
A wall-plate reading does not establish the finished screen's position. Seating of the TV brackets, adjustment settings, and the mount assembly need checking against the manufacturer's instructions.
Should I make the TV parallel to an uneven mantel?
First establish which surfaces are level. Changing the screen to match sloping trim is an appearance decision, not proof that the TV is level. Discuss the visual tradeoff before altering the installation.
What if the television keeps becoming crooked?
Repeated movement deserves investigation. Do not assume the answer is more tightening. Have the mount, its connections, and the wall attachment assessed before continuing adjustments.
A Clear Description Helps a Pro Find the Problem
Share the TV and mount models, a front-view photo, and when the lean appears. Mention movement, wall damage, and whether the issue changes as the arm extends. Building access and installation conditions matter too.
Explore our TV mounting tips by region for Boston, Atlanta, Charlotte, and our featured Florida cities.
Find a TV Mounting Pro →Related TV Mounting Guides
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Recognize when the question goes beyond appearance.
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The Adventures of Handy Brothers
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Reference: SANUS guidance on TV mounting and post-installation leveling . Adjustment features vary. Use the instructions for your specific TV and mount.