Why Your TV or Monitor Says "No HDMI Signal" and How to Fix It

Pinpoint the cause of this common TV and video display error

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Travis Boylls

Last Updated: November 11, 2024 Fact Checked

"No HDMI signal" is a common error message encountered on TVs, computer monitors, and projectors. There are numerous causes for this error. Luckily most of them are easy to fix and require no equipment replacement. This wikiHow article teaches you how to troubleshoot "No HDMI signal" from your devices.

Ways to Fix "No HDMI Signal"

Check to make sure your HDMI connection is secure and that you are connected to the correct port. Try using a different HDMI port or display. Test different HDMI cables. Make sure your devices are updated. Factory reset your devices and display if nothing else works.

1

Check your HDMI connection.

Download Article

Check your HDMI connection. Make sure it's securely connected to the ports on your device and your display. Make sure it isn't loose or disconnected.

2

Check the HDMI port.

Download Article

You may be connected to the wrong port. Many external displays, (especially HD TVs) have multiple HDMI ports. You may not be connected to the right port. Either disconnect your device and connect it to the correct port, or press the Source button on your remote to change sources and select the port your device is connected to.
- The Source button usually has an icon that resembles a square with an arrow.

3

Disconnect and reconnect your device.

Download Article

HDCP is an encryption method that is established when you connect an HDMI cable to your device and display. Sometimes the connection isn't properly established. You can force it to re-establish the connection by disconnecting the HDMI cable for about a minute and then reconnect it.^{[1]
X
Research source}

4

Connect to another HDMI port.

Download Article

There may be a problem with the port. Connect to a different HDMI port and select the corresponding HDMI port with your remote. If your device works when connected to another HDMI port, try connecting another device to it. If no devices work when connected to the HDMI port, the port is probably not working.
- If your display only has one HDMI port, try connecting your device to a different display and see if it works on a different monitor.

5

Try using a different HDMI cable.

Download Article

If your device is not working when connected to any display, try using a different cable. If it works with a different cable, the cable may be bad. You may also want to inspect the cable for damage.

EXPERT TIP

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist

If an HDMI connection doesn't work instantly, it's most likely a driver or a cable.

6

Check your resolution settings.

Download Article

If your device's resolution or frame rate settings exceed that which your display is capable of, you may get an HDMI error. If you have a computer or game console that is outputting 4K graphics, but your monitor doesn't support 4K graphics, you might not get a signal. Check the user's manual for your display to see what resolution and frame rate it is capable of. Ensure that your device settings are set to stay within that resolution or frame rate.

7

Update your graphics drivers.

Download Article

Your graphics drivers may be outdated. If you're not getting a connection when trying to connect your laptop or PC to an external display, your graphics drivers may be outdated. You can update your graphics drivers on a Mac by updating your OS. Use the following steps to update your graphics drivers on a PC:
- Right-click the Windows Start menu.
- Click Device Manager.
- Expand "Display Adapters."
- Right-click your display driver (you may have more than one).
- Click Update Driver.
- Click Search automatically for drivers.
- Follow the prompts to install the newest drivers.
EXPERT TIP

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.

Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist

Check the drivers under the Control Panel on PC, also under the Display Settings on Mac. It'll give you a big yellow exclamation point if you have a bad video driver.

8

Update the firmware on all your devices.

Download Article

Firmware updates can fix glitches and bugs in the system. If you are using a computer, game console, or streaming box, make sure it has the latest updates. Also, check your display or TV and make sure it has the latest firmware updates as well.

9

Factory reset your devices.

Download Article

If you are able to connect your computer, game console, or streaming box to a different display, or you are able to run it in Safe Mode, you may need to do a factory reset to fix any major glitches in the system. This will most likely erase all your data on the device. Be sure to back up any data you want to keep. If your computer or game console is working fine with other displays, you may need to factory reset your display.

10

Repair or replace your display or device.

Download Article

If your computer, game console, or streaming box doesn't work with any display or any HDMI cable, the problem is probably with your device. The HDMI port may be bad, or there may be a problem with the graphics processor. You'll need to take your device in to get it repaired or replace it. Likewise, if your display is not working with any device or HDMI cable, the problem may be with your display. You may need to get a new TV or monitor or have it repaired.^{[2]
X
Research source}