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Fix a TV that has HDMI that will not work

We'll check input, source, cable, and power-cycle—or tell you when to call a technician.

Troubleshooting · Home electronics
5–15 min
What you'll need
  • TV remote
  • HDMI cable
Step 1 of 5

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Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.

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Steps

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

  • Confirm the TV is on and the correct HDMI input is selected. Wrong input shows no signal.
  • Good: You have confirmed input and source. Proceed to Check input and source.
  • Bad: TV will not turn on—see fix-tv-will-not-turn-on.

Check input and source

Goal: Confirm the correct HDMI input is selected and the source device is on.

  • Use the TV remote to select the HDMI input that matches where the cable is plugged in.
  • Confirm the source device is powered on and outputting. Wake it if it is in sleep mode.
  • Good: Correct input selected and source is on. The signal appears. Done.
  • Bad: Still no signal—proceed to Check cable and ports.

Check cable and ports

Goal: Rule out loose or faulty HDMI cable and bad ports.

  • Unplug the HDMI cable at both ends. Plug it back in firmly. Try a different HDMI port on the TV if one port fails.
  • Try a known-good HDMI cable. A faulty cable is a common cause of no signal.
  • Good: Cable reseated or replaced. The signal appears. Done.
  • Bad: Still no signal—proceed to Power-cycle.

Power-cycle

Goal: Reset HDMI handshake between TV and source.

  • 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—check source output settings or call a technician.

When to get help

Call a TV repair technician if:

  • You have checked input, source, cable, port, and power-cycle with a known-good cable and source and the HDMI still does not work on any port.

Verification

  • The TV shows a picture from the HDMI source.
  • The correct HDMI input is selected.
  • The HDMI cable is firmly connected at both ends.
  • The source device is on and outputting.

Escalation ladder

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

  1. Input and source Select correct HDMI input; confirm source is on.
  2. Cable and ports Reseat cable; try different port and cable.
  3. Power-cycle Unplug TV and source for 30 seconds; plug back in.
  4. Source output Check source resolution or output settings.
  5. Call a pro HDMI does not work on any port 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 (cable box, streaming stick, etc.)
  • HDMI cable type (Standard, High Speed, Ultra High Speed)
  • Steps already tried

Is the correct HDMI input selected?

Wrong input shows no signal.

Use the TV remote. Select the HDMI input where the cable is plugged in (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc.). Correct input: check that the source is on. Wrong input: select correct one, then test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Select correct input

Select the HDMI input that matches your source. Confirm the source device is on. If signal appears, done. If not, reseat cable and try different port.

Done

Is the source device on and outputting?

Cable box, streaming stick, or game console must be on.

Check the source device. Wake it if it is in sleep mode. Wait a few seconds for it to output. On and outputting: reseat cable. Off or sleeping: turn it on, then check input again.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Turn on source and select input

Turn on the source device. Select the correct HDMI input on the TV. If signal appears, done. If not, reseat cable and power-cycle.

Done

Reseat cable and try different port

Unplug HDMI at both ends. Plug back in firmly. Try a different HDMI port on the TV. Try a different cable if available. Power-cycle: unplug TV and source for 30 seconds, plug back in. If signal appears, done. If not, call a technician.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why would TV HDMI not work?
Wrong input selected, source off or not outputting, loose or faulty cable, bad HDMI port, or handshake issue. Some cables do not support 4K or HDR.
Can I fix TV HDMI that will not work myself?
Yes. Check input, source, cable, and power-cycle. Most HDMI issues are input, cable, or handshake related.
When should I call a technician for HDMI that will not work?
If you have checked input, source, cable, port, and power-cycle with a known-good cable and source and the HDMI still does not work. The HDMI board or port may need repair.

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