Is It Safe To Reuse An Existing TV Wall Mount?

As you're assembling your updated entertainment center, nobody can blame you for wanting to reuse your old wall mount for the new TV. Mounts can be a time-consuming, labor-intensive pain to remove and install. They're also an added expense, potentially taking from a budget you could put towards a better TV or sound system. If your current mount is in good condition, there's no reason to avoid reusing it to save you some time and money, right?

Luckily enough, that's often correct. You can usually reuse your wall mount without issue, providing a chance to mount your TV the easiest way possible. The important detail to check for is VESA compatibility. VESA is a standardized system of hole placements and dimensions, allowing for more flexibility when mounting your TV. For instance, some TVs may have a 200 x 100 pattern, meaning the holes are 200 millimeters apart horizontally and 100 millimeters apart vertically. Modern mounts are generally universal, with most brackets supporting a range of TV sizes.

If your mount is rated to hold your TV's weight, check its condition and attachment to the wall, ensuring no parts are worn or loose. Find the holes on the mount matching your TV's layout. Attach the appropriate bolts to secure the bracket to the TV, using a screwdriver to firmly hand-tighten them. A straightforward task, putting a TV on an existing wall mount nevertheless requires a few considerations throughout the process to keep the setup safe and effective.

To see if your wall mount will support your current TV, measure the spacing between your TV's mounting points, and compare it to the VESA range your mount accommodates. You can also find the VESA mounting standard for your new TV by checking the specifications for the model number online. Likewise, you can look up your mount's VESA compatibility by searching online by its model number if you don't have the original packaging or user manual. Check the mount for a tag with identifying information to find the model.

While looking up your mount's specs, check the weight rating as well. Even though the mount might fit the VESA layout, it may not be able to withstand the new panel's weight. You'll often find the need to make upgrades once you pass certain TV size thresholds. For instance, a 55-inch TV could have a VESA of 200x200, but jumping to a 65-inch panel might push that to 300 x 300, which your current mount may not fit. In some instances, an adapter can make a budget-friendly, effort-saving fix. Adapters are extension arms or plates, like this Mount Plus 200x200 Universal Adapter Plate, that fit over the existing bracket and attach to the TV, connecting two pieces that don't normally match. Just be careful to avoid the common mistakes when mounting your TV, like forgetting to research whether the wall mount can hold the new TV's weight, or it may not last long at all.

When the weight and VESA layouts match, you can move onto checking the hardware to complete the transition to the new TV. Start with the wall connection. If the mount is secured in studs, you'll likely be safe installing a new TV. When you're relying at least partially on wall anchors, though, you may have to upgrade your fasteners to manage the extra weight. Different types of drywall anchors have different load capacities. You might have to change to toggle bolts for extra reinforcement, assuming your wall is in good condition.

The final piece of the puzzle is checking the bolts that connect the mount to the TV. As you change TV sizes or models, the types of screws (e.g., M4, M6, M8) that connect the TV to the mount may change as well. Mounts typically come with hardware packs to accommodate the various TV designs. If you can hunt down the original pack for your mount, you may find what you need. Otherwise, you can shop hardware kits for TV mounting, like this Perlegear Universal TV Mounting Kit, for a low-priced way to get the right bolts. If the bolts you're using are too long to hold the TV snugly to the mount, try adding a spacer over the bolt to shorten its effective threads. With the brackets tight on the TV, and the wall mount secured on the wall to sustain the weight, you're ready to hang your set and start enjoying it!