How to Attach a TV to Its Stand or Legs

For a safe TV stand setup, lay the TV screen-down on a soft blanket on a table, with the panel fully supported, then screw the legs or pedestal into the marked holes using the screws from the box. Lift it upright with two people, and strap it to the wall if children are around.

Unbox and lay the TV safely

1. Find the screws first. They’re often taped to the manual, in a small bag inside the foam, or attached to the legs.
2. Spread a thick blanket or the foam packing on a table big enough to hold the whole screen. The floor works if you’d rather not lift.
3. Two people lift the TV by its frame, never by pressing the screen. Large panels flex and crack easily.
4. Lay it screen-down on the blanket. If the table is smaller than the TV, keep the lower edge (where the legs go) overhanging slightly so the legs can be fitted, with the screen still flat and supported.

Check for grit on the blanket. One small stone under a screen can crack it when you press on the back.

Fit legs or a pedestal

Two legs (most budget and mid-range TVs): 1. Match the legs to the sides; they’re often marked L and R, or shaped to slot one way. 2. Slot each leg into its hole at the bottom edge. 3. Tighten the screws by hand with a screwdriver, firm but not forced. An electric driver can strip the threads.

Centre pedestal: 1. Join the neck to the base first if they come apart. 2. Slide the neck into the slot in the middle of the TV’s back and fit the screws.

Before lifting, wiggle each leg; nothing should move. Then stand the TV up with two people and place it on a surface wider than the feet. Legs often sit near the outer edges, so measure first: our TV dimensions in cm table helps.

Anti-tip straps

TVs are front-heavy, and a toddler pulling or climbing on the cabinet can bring one down. Strap the TV to the wall or to a heavy cabinet, especially in homes with small children.

• An anti-tip kit has two straps: one end screws into the TV’s wall-mount holes at the back, the other into the wall or the back of the cabinet.
• Use wall fixings suited to your wall (stone, block or drywall); kits often don’t include them.
• Put the TV on low, solid furniture, not a dresser with drawers children can climb.
• Keep remotes and toys off the TV unit so children have no reason to reach.

Want it off the cabinet altogether? See how to mount a TV on the wall and the right height.

Common mistakes

• Standing the TV upright on its bare legs before the screws are in. It can slide off.
• Using the wrong screws. Wall-mount screws are longer and can damage the panel inside.
• Leaving it on a blanket edge that someone can pull.
• Throwing away the box before checking the TV works. Keep it for the warranty period if you can.
• Placing it over the cabinet edge so feet hang off.

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