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Fix a TV that has a Mac that will not display

We'll check TV input, macOS display settings, 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 (or USB-C-to-HDMI adapter or cable if Mac has USB-C only)
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Steps

Goal: Confirm TV input and macOS display settings, then rule out cable and handshake issues.

Check input and display settings

Goal: Confirm the correct TV input is selected and macOS is outputting to the external display.

  • Use the TV remote to select the HDMI or PC input that matches where the cable is plugged in.
  • Open System Settings > Displays. Confirm the TV appears. Click Detect Displays if needed. Select Mirror or Extend.
  • Good: Correct input selected and TV in display settings. The signal appears. Done.
  • Bad: Still no signal—proceed to Check cable and adapter.

Check cable and adapter

Goal: Rule out loose or faulty cable and wrong or missing adapter.

  • Unplug the HDMI or USB-C cable at both ends. Plug it back in firmly. Macs with USB-C only need a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter or cable.
  • Try a different port on the Mac and on the TV. Try a known-good cable or adapter. Some USB-C ports are data-only.
  • Good: Cable reseated or adapter correct. The signal appears. Done.
  • Bad: Still no signal—proceed to Power-cycle.

Power-cycle

Goal: Reset display handshake between TV and Mac.

  • Unplug the TV and the Mac from power. Wait 30 seconds. Plug both back in. Turn on the Mac 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 technician if:

  • You have checked input, display settings, cable, adapter, and power-cycle with a known-good cable and the Mac still does not display on any TV input.

Verification

  • The TV shows a picture from the Mac.
  • The correct TV input is selected.
  • The HDMI or USB-C cable is firmly connected at both ends.
  • The TV appears in System Settings > Displays.

Escalation ladder

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

  1. Input and display settings Select correct TV input; System Settings > Displays, add or mirror TV.
  2. Cable and adapter Reseat cable; try different port, cable, or adapter.
  3. Power-cycle Unplug TV and Mac for 30 seconds; plug back in.
  4. Call a pro Mac does not display 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
  • Mac model
  • Cable type (HDMI, USB-C-to-HDMI adapter)
  • Steps already tried

Is the correct TV input selected?

Wrong input shows no signal.

Use the TV remote. Select the HDMI or PC input where the cable is plugged in (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc.). Correct input: check macOS display settings. Wrong input: select correct one, then test.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Select correct input

Select the TV input that matches your Mac connection. Open System Settings > Displays and add or mirror the TV. If signal appears, done. If not, reseat cable and try different port.

Done

Does the TV appear in System Settings > Displays?

macOS must detect the TV.

Open System Settings > Displays. Check if the TV is listed. Click Detect Displays if needed. TV listed: reseat cable. TV not listed: reseat cable, try different port or adapter, then check again.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Reseat cable and try different port or adapter

Unplug cable at both ends. Try a different USB-C or HDMI port. If Mac has USB-C only, try a different USB-C-to-HDMI adapter. Open System Settings > Displays again. If signal appears, done. If not, power-cycle.

Done

Reseat cable and try different port or cable

Unplug cable at both ends. Try a different port on Mac and TV. Try a different cable or adapter. Power-cycle: unplug TV and Mac 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 a Mac not display on a TV?
Wrong TV input selected, macOS not set to mirror or extend to the TV, loose or faulty cable, or wrong adapter. Macs with USB-C only need a USB-C-to-HDMI adapter or cable.
Can I fix a Mac that will not display on a TV myself?
Yes. Check TV input, open System Settings > Displays to add or mirror the TV, reseat the cable, and power-cycle. Most issues are input selection or display settings.
When should I call a technician for a Mac that will not display on a TV?
If you have checked input, display settings, cable, adapter, and power-cycle with a known-good cable and the Mac still does not display on any TV input. The display port or adapter may need repair.

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