A method (300) for controlling a display function of an apparatus such as a television signal receiver is capable of remedying a display locked in an extinguished state to thereby ensure that a usabledisplay is provided. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method (300) includes steps of detecting a power on condition of the apparatus (330), determining whether at least one predetermined display parameter associated with the display function exhibits at least one predetermined value responsive to the power on condition (340), and adjusting the at least one predetermined display parameterif the at least one predetermined display parameter exhibits the at least one predetermined value (360).