If you’re reading this, it is probably because you are getting the HDMI No Signal message when you connect the HDMI cord to your computer or smart television. HDMI cords make it possible to transmit audio and video from one source such as a computer to another such as a computer monitor, TV, or projector.
Naturally, you may be confused when the No Signal message is displayed because it is not always easy to determine at a glance whether it is a hardware or software issue you are encountering. The good news is that the HDMI No Signal message rarely ever signifies serious damage to your computer or HDMI port, and the problem is easy to fix.
The bad news is that the problem occurs quite frequently, so it’s important to have the different fixes handy for when they occur.
Be rest assured that this article would provide answers to your questions on how to resolve the No Signal issue.
Fixes For the HDMI No Signal Problem
When you get the No Signal message after connecting your monitor or TV to your PC it simply means that the monitor or TV isn’t getting input from the source. There are several solutions for this problem, and I will now dive straight into some of these fixes.
1. Unplug and Plug Back the HDMI Cable
Unplugging the HDMI cable and replugging it is the easiest solution anyone can offer to any HDMI-related problem, and that is why it appears first on the list of solutions. This simple procedure forces a lot of processes to reset and often leads to a successful connection. Sometimes it’s the simple things that matter.
The benefits of this simple method are that it is extremely fast and you don’t need any technical expertise to execute. If the problem has not been resolved after unplugging the cable and plugging it back in, you can try the other more complex solutions on the list.
2. Switch The Input Source
If you are trying to connect to a TV or monitor, the No Signal message may be displayed because the wrong input source has been chosen. Simply switching the input source solves the problem instantly.
To switch the input source, press Input or Source on your remote and switch the input to the HDMI port. If there is more than one HDMI port be sure to select the correct one. Easy as ABC, the HDMI No Signal issue should be fixed.
3. Enable The HDMI Connection Setting On Your Smartphone or Tablet
If you are connecting your Android phone or tablet to your television it is important to check if the HDMI connection setting is enabled on your device. If you do not toggle the enable switch, all your connections will be in vain.
Go to your Device Settings, then Display Entries, and finally HDMI connection. Toggle the enable switch to grant permissions for the connection to take place.
If your device doesn’t have this setting, or you can’t find it, move on to some of the other solutions provided in this article.
4. Change Boot Sequence
If you turned on the display before the HDMI source, turn both the display and source off for some seconds and power them on in reverse order. In other words, if you initially turned on the display before the source, after turning them off, you’ll power on the source before the display.
This is an extremely common solution for connection problems involving HDMI and is particularly effective for devices such as your home theatre and audio/video receiver. The order in which you power on the devices sometimes has an effect in determining the success of the connection.
5. Disconnect All HDMI Sources And Connect Them One at a Time
If you have multiple HDMI sources connected to your display, this is your go-to method when you have the HDMI No Signal problem. If you have only one source connected to the display, this solution does not apply.
The steps involved are easy:
- Unplug all the devices from the HDMI cable.
- Unplug the power cable from your TV/monitor/display for 10 minutes.
- Plug the power cable back into the TV/monitor/display
- Plug one device into your PC
- Turn on the device
- Repeat steps 4 and 5, plugging each device into a different HDMI port
6. Update The Chipset Driver and Graphics Driver
So far we have solutions that require you to either unplug and replug the cable or enable settings in your device to fix the HDMI No Signal problem. One possible cause of this problem is an out-of-date or damaged driver, and the previous solutions will not be effective in solving issues caused by outdated drivers.
While updating your driver it is advisable that you use a third-party software/website that automatically recognizes your device and chooses the right driver for you. This is because if you install the wrong driver, it can cause damage to your computer.
An example of third-party software that automatically detects defective drivers and updates them is DriverFix. Download and install DriverFix, then launch the software so it can scan your system for defective drivers. The scan will show you a list of drivers that are out of date, broken, or missing.
Select the drivers you want to download, then wait for DriverFix to download and install the drivers. After installing the drivers, restart the computer so the changes can take effect.
7. Check The Resolution Output Settings
Most smart TVs can easily adapt to different resolutions, however, a few PCs output videos at a wider range of resolutions than can be handled by the TV. If the other solutions mentioned earlier fail to resolve the problem, then checking the resolution output settings if your output device is a good idea.
To solve this mismatch of resolution between the HDMI source and the display, check if the outputting device allows you to have control over the display resolution. If you have control over the resolution, set it to Auto so your device can automatically choose an optimal resolution for the connection.
If you discover that the resolution is already set to Auto, try manually picking a resolution that matches the display’s resolution, HDMI No Signal should be fixed.
8. Check For Firmware Updates
The firmware protects your computer from all sorts of danger. Out-of-date firmware can sometimes prevent harmless processes such as connecting with an HDMI cable. Hence, this is a good call if you face an HDMI No Signal problem.
Check if there are firmware updates for the HDMI source, the monitor, and even the home theatre receiver. If there are updates available, update the firmware, restart the devices and see if that solves the problem.
9. Test With An Alternative Monitor or PC
If all other steps have proven to be unsuccessful, you should test your connection with a different monitor or PC. This gives you a good idea of where the problem might lie.
If the connection is successful, it tells you which of the devices in the connection is at fault for the HDMI No Signal message. This is also a good way to test to see if the problem is hardware or software-related.
10. Factory Reset The TV or Monitor
Desperate times call for desperate measures. A factory reset is an extreme measure, but if all other solutions have failed, then a factory reset of your TV or monitor may be just what you need.
A factory reset returns the monitor to the default settings. This means if the problem is caused by some settings or changes made to the TV or monitor, the reset resolved it.
Note that if after all these steps you still are having connection problems with your HDMI, it is extremely likely that the HDMI cable or ports are damaged and need to be replaced.
Final Thoughts On HDMI No Signal
HDMI is a unique type of connection because it combines both audio and video input in one port. It has grown in popularity because of the ease it is to use and the high-quality output produced when devices are connected using an HDMI cable.
Another benefit of this connection is the encryption used which adds an extra layer of protection for the devices. In practice, the HDMI cable helps to facilitate a key exchange between the source device and the display. This key exchange is often called a handshake.
The No Signal error occurs when this handshake is not successful. I have explained some of the methods that have been tested and proven to be effective in solving most of your HDMI-related connection problems.
If you’ve tried these solutions and the problem persists, then the chances are high that the problem is a result of a faulty cable or defective port. Solving the hardware issues will also solve the HDMI No Signal problem.
