The 5 Most Common HDMI Input Problems (And How To Fix Them) – BGR

These days, if you need to connect two devices via wire, you’ll most likely use HDMI. This display protocol supports all sorts of device pairings. It lets you use your iPhone with an external display, your TV with a game console, and even your computer monitor with a streaming device. It’s generally one of the most reliable ways to make your devices work together.

However, like any technology, HDMI can fail at times, particularly on the input side. You might get a “No Signal” error, a distorted picture, or no sound. Before exploring more complex causes for these problems, the first thing you need to do is check the cable and the port. Most HDMI input issues stem from a bad cable or loose connection, so make sure they’re not the culprit.

First, check whether your cable has corroded connectors, sharp bends, frayed wires, or any other damage. If so, try using a different HDMI cable. Next, see if the cable plugs securely into the device. It shouldn’t wobble, the alignment should be straight, and the connector should be fully seated in the port. If it doesn’t feel snug, try connecting the HDMI cable to a different port. Once you rule out these potential hardware causes, you can move on to solving the specific issues at hand. Here are some of the most common HDMI input problems and what you can do to fix them.

When you get a No Signal or No Input error when connecting two devices via HDMI, it means your source — say, a laptop, soundbar, or game console — can’t be detected or isn’t sending any signal. The most common reason why this happens is because your output device — something like a TV or monitor — isn’t set to the right input source. To fix this, first check what port the HDMI cable is connected to. It should say HDMI IN. If there’s more than one HDMI IN port, see what number you’re using. These are usually labeled with HDMI 1, HDMI 2, and so on. After identifying the port, go into your output device’s settings and choose the right input option.

Another reason for the “No Signal” HDMI input problem is that the source might not be working properly. Verify that it’s connected to power the same way the manufacturer recommended. For instance, Amazon asks users to plug in the Fire TV Stick to a wall outlet, not just the TV’s USB port, and with the official adapter. This is one of the must-knows before buying an Amazon Fire TV Stick. If you’re using a computer as an input, check if it’s booting correctly, and if not, see if a BIOS reset will solve the problem. Don’t let it go into Sleep or Hibernate mode, as it might disrupt the video transfer to your output.

If your input is powered and turned on but still produces a “No Signal” error, try restarting it. It might just be a temporary glitch. It’s also worth trying to plug the input directly into the output’s HDMI port and to remove HDMI extenders if you’re using any.

So, you plugged your HDMI input into your display of choice. But instead of a video greeting you, all you see is a flickering picture, or worse, a blank screen. This is typically related to the “No Signal” error, so make sure to verify that you selected the right input source and that the input is working properly. If so, here are some other fixes you can try:

1. Configure the display settings of your input device, especially the resolution and refresh rate, to what your output device supports. Mismatched settings can cause issues with the HDMI input picture.
2. If your input device has HDMI-CEC Device Control, disable it and enable it again. Review your manual to find this option, but it’s generally under Settings > Display.
3. If you’re using an HDMI extension cable, check for compatibility. Some input devices require HDMI 2.1 and 4K support, while others get away with just HDMI 2.0.
4. Update the firmware on both your input and output devices. The flickering picture might be due to an outdated graphics driver.
5. Unplug all the other devices connected to your output device.
6. Turn off certain features on the HDMI input that can cause the picture to flicker or remain black. The Apple TV, for instance, has Match Dynamic Range and Match Frame Rate features, which can make your screen go black or flicker while your Apple TV and TV sync to the same settings.
7. Shorten your HDMI cable to 16 feet or under. Long HDMI cables weaken the signal and affect the quality of the picture.

If all else fails, take your input device to a service center. There might be an issue with the input’s graphics card or another internal component.

Sometimes, when you use an HDMI cable to connect two devices, you get a picture on the screen but no sound comes out, or the audio is distorted. It’s a common HDMI input problem, but you can quickly fix this with a few simple adjustments. Start by checking the volume on your input and output devices. They shouldn’t be on mute and are turned up to a decent level. Try playing a different file,  as the first one might have corrupted audio. If these basic fixes don’t work, follow these other solutions:

1. Change the input device’s default audio to HDMI. This way, the sound will play through the output device. For instance, on Windows computers paired with external monitors, you can do so by navigating to Control Panel > Sound > Playback, selecting the external monitor, and pressing Set Default. 
2. Use a different audio format on your input device. Your output device might not support the current format. 
3. If your output device has an Equalizer, volume leveling, or any other audio-processing control, disable them. You might find these options under Settings > Sound. 
4. Disconnect any Bluetooth audio device paired to your HDMI input to prevent conflicts. 
5. Remove third-party connecting hardware and plug your HDMI input directly to the HDMI port on the output device. 
6. Update or reinstall the sound drivers on your input device. 
7. Update the system software on both your input and output devices. 

If nothing works, see if it’s a problem with the speakers on your output. If it is an issue with your speakers, you should have your device serviced. 

HDCP is short for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection. Just as its name suggests, it’s a sort of safeguard against the unlawful copying and use of digital content. But while this sounds like a practical security feature to have, it can sometimes cause HDMI input problems.

If you see an HDCP error when using HDMI, check whether your output device supports HDCP. Look at its specs sheet for any mention of this feature. If your output is not HDCP compliant, switch to one that is. The same goes for the HDMI cable itself. If the content you’re playing is 4K HDR, make sure the HDCP support for the output is HDCP 2.2 and nothing older, and your HDMI cable is Premium High Speed. Test these other fixes as well:

1. Reboot the input and output devices. A quick restart might easily solve the problem. Make sure to unplug the HDMI cable from both devices to reset their connection.
2. Watch a different show or movie to see if you get the same error. If there’s no issue with other content, report the problem to the streaming provider.
3. Use an HDMI cable under six feet.
4. Bypass the HDMI switch, AVR, or soundbar where the input is connected to and plug it straight to the output. Some of these devices don’t come with HDCP support, so they can throw an HDCP error.
5. Play around with the display settings on the input device to find one that works.
6. Update your input and output to the latest firmware version.

After trying these solutions, give your input and output devices another reboot. Once they are back on, check if you still get the HDCP error.

Seeing no picture or hearing no sound on your HDMI output is one issue, but randomly experiencing signal loss might be worse. If this happens to you, swap out your HDMI cable with a higher-quality one. It’s best if you can go with the HDMI 2.1 or later. Some users also report that turning off certain display features on the input and/or output solves the intermittent signal issue. These features include Auto HDR, AMD Freesync, Dolby Vision, some refresh rates, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), 4K resolution, Auto Detect Display Type, and HDMI UHD Color. Try playing around with the other settings and see if that solves your HDMI input issue. If not, check out these fixes:

1. Switch to a lower or higher refresh rate.
2. Disable auto power savings on your input device. This can prevent the input from sending signals to the output, especially during periods of inactivity.
3. Free up some space on your input device, as it might be having some memory issues.
4. Disconnect the HDMI selector or switch if you’re using one.
5. Try a shorter HDMI cable. Signals travel better on shorter wires.
6. Clean your HDMI port and connector. Dust and debris can disrupt the signal.

If your HDMI signal still drops intermittently, it might be time to ditch the HDMI port altogether and switch to a different port. For instance, you can connect your laptop and external monitor via Thunderbolt USB-C instead — yes, you can use your laptop’s USB-C port for video output. An HDMI-to-USB-C adapter might also do the trick if your output device doesn’t have Thunderbolt USB-C.