TV HDMI Not Working? What to Check First

An HDMI connection that suddenly stops working does not necessarily mean your television, cable or connected device has failed. The problem is often caused by the wrong input, a loose connection, a temporary HDMI communication fault, an incompatible video setting or another device in the connection chain.

Work through the following checks in order. Begin with the simplest connections and settings before buying replacement cables, replacing equipment or arranging professional service.

Before you begin

Do not remove the television’s rear cover or attempt to repair an HDMI socket or other internal components yourself. Televisions can contain dangerous voltages even after they have been unplugged.

Disconnect the television from power and arrange professional assistance if you notice:

A burning smell or unusual heat.
Crackling, popping or electrical noises.
Liquid damage.
A damaged power cable or plug.
A visibly damaged, loose or pushed-in HDMI socket.

Identify where the HDMI problem occurs

Before changing settings or buying another cable, test more than one HDMI input and, if possible, more than one connected device. This helps determine whether the problem is with the television, the HDMI cable or the source device.

What happens	What it may indicate
One HDMI device does not work, but other devices do	The source device, its settings or its HDMI cable may be responsible.
One HDMI input does not work, but the others do	The individual HDMI input, its settings or the physical socket may be responsible.
No HDMI devices work on any input	Check the television’s input selection, restart the equipment and review the television’s HDMI settings.
The picture appears and disappears	A loose connection, damaged cable, incompatible video format or HDMI communication problem may be responsible.
The television displays No Signal	The wrong input may be selected, the source device may be off, or the television may not be receiving a usable HDMI signal.

Check the selected HDMI input

Use the television remote control to open the Source, Input or Inputs menu.

Confirm that the selected input matches the physical HDMI socket being used. For example, a device connected to HDMI 2 must normally be viewed by selecting HDMI 2.

If you are unsure which socket is being used, follow the HDMI cable from the connected device to the television and check the label beside the socket.

Check that the source device is actually on

Confirm that the streaming box, game console, Blu-ray player, computer or other source device is switched on and has completed its normal startup process.

Look for its normal power indicator and try operating the device with its own remote control or controller.

If the device appears frozen, restart it before changing television settings.

Reconnect the HDMI cable

Turn off the television and connected device before reconnecting the cable.

Remove the HDMI cable from both devices and reconnect each end firmly. HDMI plugs do not lock into place and can become partially disconnected when equipment is moved, cleaned or rearranged.

Check that the plug enters the socket normally. Do not force a connector into a socket that appears damaged or misaligned.

Restart the television and connected device

Turn off the television and HDMI source device. Disconnect both from power for approximately one to two minutes.

Reconnect the television first and allow it to start normally. Then reconnect and start the source device.

This can clear a temporary HDMI communication problem between the two devices.

Try another HDMI input

Move the same device and HDMI cable to another HDMI socket on the television.

For example, move the connection from HDMI 1 to HDMI 2 and then select HDMI 2 from the television’s input menu.

If the device works normally on another input, the cable and source device are less likely to be the problem. Check the settings associated with the original input before assuming that its HDMI socket has physically failed.

Test another HDMI device

If possible, connect another known-working HDMI device to the television.

You could test:

A streaming device.
A game console.
A Blu-ray or DVD player with HDMI output.
A set-top box.
A laptop or computer with a compatible HDMI output.

If another device works on the same television input, concentrate on the original source device and its settings.

Test another HDMI cable

If the problem remains, test with another HDMI cable that you know works correctly.

Inspect the original cable for:

Bent or damaged connectors.
Loose plugs.
Sharp bends.
Crushing behind furniture.
Visible cuts or other physical damage.

If another cable solves the problem, replace the damaged or unreliable cable with one suitable for the features and bandwidth required by your equipment.

Check the source device’s video settings

A source device can sometimes output a resolution, refresh rate or video format that the television or particular HDMI input does not accept correctly.

Settings that may affect the HDMI connection include:

Screen resolution.
Refresh rate.
HDR output.
Colour format.
Variable refresh rate.
4K or high-frame-rate output.

If the problem began after changing video settings, return the source device to an automatic or previously working configuration.

If necessary, connect the source device to another compatible display so that you can change its output settings.

Check the television’s HDMI signal settings

Many modern televisions allow individual HDMI inputs to be configured for standard or enhanced video formats.

Depending on the manufacturer, settings may have names such as:

Enhanced Format.
HDMI UHD Color.
Input Signal Plus.
HDMI Deep Colour.
4K Signal Format.
Enhanced HDMI.

If the problem started after changing one of these settings, return it to its previous setting or follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the connected equipment.

Change one setting at a time and test the connection again. Changing several settings together makes it more difficult to identify the actual cause.

Use the television’s HDMI diagnostic tools if available

Some televisions include built-in tools that can help identify problems with HDMI devices and connections.

For example, compatible Samsung televisions may provide HDMI Troubleshooting or HDMI Signal information through the television’s Device Care and Self Diagnosis menus.

Menu names and availability vary by model, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your television.

Remove splitters, switches and adapters

Temporarily simplify the HDMI connection as much as possible.

If the signal normally passes through an HDMI switch, splitter, adapter, capture device, soundbar or receiver, connect the source device directly to the television.

If the direct connection works, reconnect the additional equipment one item at a time until the problem returns.

This can identify which device or connection is interrupting the HDMI signal.

Check a soundbar or AV receiver

If the source device passes through a soundbar or home-theatre receiver before reaching the television, temporarily bypass that equipment.

Instead of:

Source device → soundbar or receiver → television

Test:

Source device → television

If the picture returns, check the soundbar or receiver’s selected input, HDMI passthrough settings, cables and supported video formats.

Check ARC and eARC connections

If the HDMI problem involves a soundbar or AV receiver, confirm that the equipment is connected to the television’s HDMI socket labelled ARC or eARC when required.

Check that HDMI control or CEC is enabled where necessary and that ARC or eARC is enabled if the television provides a separate setting.

Manufacturers use different names for HDMI-CEC, including Anynet+, Bravia Sync, Simplink and Viera Link.

If the television has a normal picture but no sound through the external audio system, the problem may involve the audio-output or ARC/eARC configuration rather than the HDMI cable itself.

Check for software updates

Check for available software or firmware updates for the television and connected HDMI equipment.

This may include:

The television.
Streaming devices.
Game consoles.
Soundbars.
AV receivers.

Use a stable internet connection and do not disconnect equipment from power while an update is being installed.

Restart the equipment after updating and test the HDMI connection again.

Do not assume a more expensive HDMI cable will improve the picture

An expensive HDMI cable does not automatically produce better picture quality than a less expensive cable that correctly supports the required HDMI features.

The important consideration is whether the cable can reliably carry the signal required by your equipment.

For demanding features such as 4K at high refresh rates, HDR, variable refresh rate or other high-bandwidth formats, use a cable that meets the appropriate HDMI requirements for the connected devices.

If your existing cable works reliably with all required features, replacing it with a substantially more expensive cable will not normally improve the digital picture simply because the cable costs more.

Reset the television’s input or picture settings

If the television allows settings for an individual HDMI input to be reset, consider resetting that input before performing a complete factory reset.

This can remove an incorrect video or signal-format setting while preserving most of the television’s other configuration.

Test the HDMI device again after the reset.

Use a factory reset only as a final software step

If multiple known-working HDMI devices and cables fail and software updates have not helped, a factory reset may be worth considering before arranging service.

A factory reset removes saved applications, accounts, network information and customised settings. Record anything important before proceeding and follow the instructions for your exact television model.

When professional help makes sense

Consider contacting the manufacturer, retailer or a qualified television technician when:

One HDMI socket consistently fails while the others work.
Multiple known-working devices and cables fail on every HDMI input.
An HDMI socket is loose, bent or visibly damaged.
The signal disappears when the HDMI plug moves slightly.
The television repeatedly loses HDMI connections after resets and updates.
The television may still be covered by a warranty or consumer guarantee.

Do not attempt to replace or resolder an HDMI socket yourself unless you are suitably qualified. Internal diagnosis and repair should be left to an appropriate technician.

What to tell the technician

Before requesting service, note:

The television’s brand and complete model number.
Which HDMI inputs were tested.
Which source devices were tested.
Which HDMI cables were tested.
Whether built-in television applications work normally.
Whether the problem occurs with a direct HDMI connection.
Whether a soundbar, receiver, splitter or switch is normally connected.
Any error messages displayed by the television or source device.
The troubleshooting steps already completed.

This information can help the support team determine whether the likely cause is the television, HDMI input, cable, connected device or another component in the system.

Useful support information

Information and manufacturer support references checked 9 August 2026. HDMI capabilities, menu names and available settings vary between television brands, models and connected devices. Follow the instructions supplied for your exact equipment.

TV HDMI Not Working: What to Check Before Buying New Cables or Equipment