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Fix a TV that has component that will not work

We'll check input, plug mapping (green/blue/red for video, red/white for audio), and power-cycle—or tell you when to call a technician.

Troubleshooting · Home electronics
5–15 min
What you'll need
  • TV remote
  • Component cable (green, blue, red, red, white)
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Steps

Goal: Confirm input and plug mapping, then rule out source and cable issues.

Check input and plugs

Goal: Confirm the correct Component input is selected and component video plugs are in the correct jacks.

  • Use the TV remote to select Component, YPbPr, or HD—the input where the component cable is plugged in.
  • Confirm green-to-green (Y), blue-to-blue (Pb), red-to-red (Pr) for video. Red and white for audio.
  • Good: Correct input and plug mapping. The signal appears. Done.
  • Bad: No picture or wrong colors—check green/blue/red mapping. Proceed to Check source device.

Check source device

Goal: Confirm the source device is on and set to output YPbPr.

  • Check that the source is powered on. Check the source menu for video output—select Component or YPbPr.
  • Good: Source is on and outputting component. The signal appears. Done.
  • Bad: Still no signal—reseat plugs, try different cable, power-cycle.

Power-cycle

Goal: Reset the connection with a power-cycle.

  • Unplug the TV and the source device from power. Wait 30 seconds. Plug both back in. Turn on the source first, then the TV.
  • Good: Power-cycle fixes the issue. The signal appears. Done.
  • Bad: Still no signal—call a technician.

When to get help

Call a TV repair technician if:

  • You have checked input, connections, plug mapping, and power-cycle with a known-good cable and source and the component still does not work.

Verification

  • The TV shows a picture from the component source.
  • The correct Component or YPbPr input is selected.
  • Green, blue, red (video) and red, white (audio) plugs are firmly connected in the correct jacks.
  • Picture and sound both work; colors look correct.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Input and plugs Select correct Component input; confirm green/blue/red and red/white in correct jacks.
  2. Source device Confirm source is on and set to output component.
  3. Reseat and cable Reseat all plugs; try different component cable.
  4. Power-cycle Unplug TV and source for 30 seconds; plug back in.
  5. Call a pro Component does not work after all checks.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • TV model
  • Source device (DVD, game console, cable box)
  • Steps already tried

Is the correct input selected?

Wrong input shows no signal.

Use the TV remote. Select Component, YPbPr, or HD—the input where the component cable is plugged in. Correct input: check plug mapping. Wrong input: select correct one, then test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Select correct input

Select the Component or YPbPr input. Confirm green/blue/red and red/white are in the correct jacks. If signal appears, done. If not, check source and reseat plugs.

Done

Are green, blue, red (video) and red, white (audio) in the correct jacks?

Green Y, blue Pb, red Pr for video. Red and white for audio. Wrong mapping causes no picture or wrong colors.

Check green-to-green, blue-to-blue, red-to-red for video. Red and white for audio. Correct: check source is on and outputting component. Wrong: fix mapping, then test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Fix plug mapping

Plug green into green, blue into blue, red into red (video). Red and white into audio jacks. Select correct input. If signal appears, done. If not, check source and power-cycle.

Done

Is the source on and set to output component?

Source must output YPbPr, not HDMI or composite.

Check the source. Wake it if in sleep mode. Check source menu for video output—select Component or YPbPr. Correct: reseat plugs, try different cable, power-cycle. Wrong: change source output, then test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Set source to component output

Change source video output to Component or YPbPr. Reseat plugs. If signal appears, done. If not, power-cycle and try different cable.

Done

Reseat plugs and power-cycle

Reseat all component plugs. Try a different cable. Power-cycle TV and source. If still no signal, call a technician.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would TV component not work?
Wrong input selected, loose or wrong plug mapping, source off or not outputting component, faulty cable. Green/blue/red must match Y/Pb/Pr. Check input and plug mapping.
Can I fix TV component that will not work myself?
Yes. Check input, confirm green/blue/red and red/white are in the correct jacks, and power-cycle. Most component issues are connection or input related.
When should I call a technician for component that will not work?
If you have checked input, connections, plug mapping, and power-cycle and the component still does not work. The component input or source device may need repair.

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