Common TV Mount Installation Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Wall mounting a television can create a cleaner appearance, free up furniture space, and improve your viewing setup. But a TV is also a large, expensive object to suspend several feet above the floor.

A few minutes of planning can prevent some surprisingly costly mistakes.

Here are several problems to avoid.

Mistake #1: Buying the Wrong Mount

A mount isn't compatible simply because the box says it supports your screen size.

Check three things: supported television size, maximum weight capacity, and VESA mounting pattern.

The mount should meet all three requirements. Start by browsing the appropriate TV wall mounts, then check the individual product specifications against your television.

Also choose a mounting style that fits the room. Low-profile TV wall mounts work well when the screen can remain close to the wall, while articulating swing-out mounts provide more positioning flexibility.

Mistake #2: Mounting the TV Too High

It's easy to underestimate how high a television will feel once you're sitting on the sofa.

Before drilling, sit in your normal viewing position and determine a comfortable screen location. You can even mark the television's dimensions on the wall with painter's tape.

If the room requires a higher installation, consider whether a tilting mount would provide a more comfortable viewing angle.

Mistake #3: Failing to Identify the Wall Structure

Your mounting method depends on what's behind the finished wall.

Drywall over wood framing, metal studs, brick, concrete, and other surfaces have different installation requirements.

Don't assume the hardware included with a mount is appropriate for every possible wall construction. Follow the mount manufacturer's instructions and use fasteners designed for the installation surface.

Mistake #4: Forgetting About Cables

The TV looks perfect—until you notice a bundle of power, HDMI, Ethernet, and other cables dangling underneath it.

Plan cable management before mounting the screen.

Determine where your outlets and AV components will be located, which cables need to reach the television, and how they will be routed. If your system includes numerous components, an AV rack or stand can help organize the equipment in one location.

Mistake #5: Not Checking the Level

A television that's slightly crooked can become impossible to ignore.

Use a level when positioning the wall plate, and verify your measurements before drilling pilot holes. If the mount includes a positioning template, use it.

Mistake #6: Trying to Lift a Large TV Alone

Installing the wall plate may be a one-person project. Lifting a large television onto it often shouldn't be.

Get another person to help. This reduces the risk of dropping the television, damaging its panel, or hurting yourself.

For installations where wall mounting simply isn't appropriate, TV stands with mounts or monitor stands and floor pedestals can provide alternatives.

Remember: The goal isn't simply to get the TV onto the wall. It's to select the right mounting system, install it properly, and keep the display securely in place.