Freestanding TV showing No Signal, with a separate PS5 console and HDMI cable being reseated.
A direct TV-to-console HDMI test can separate a signal-path problem from a more persistent console fault.

Quick answer: If your PS5 turns on but the TV says No Signal, first confirm the TV is on the correct HDMI input, reseat or test the HDMI cable, and connect the PS5 directly to the TV or monitor—without a soundbar, receiver, capture device, switch, or adapter in between. Then do a controlled power restart. If the problem remains on a second working display with a known-good cable, stop buying accessories and use PlayStation’s repair guidance.

Safety and data note: Turn the console and display off before reseating cables. Do not force an HDMI connector, open the PS5 or TV, or use a damaged, hot, wet, sparking, or burnt-smelling device. This guide does not begin with a factory reset: Reset PS5 deletes user data, while Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) also removes the system software.

This guide is for a PS5 that appears to power on but produces no image. If you see an image but have no audio, start with the PS5’s audio-output settings and the connected TV or sound system instead. For a broader connection overview, see How to Hook Up Surround Sound.



Start by identifying what “no signal” means

  • TV says “No Signal” or “Check Input”: The display is not receiving usable video from that HDMI input. Start with the cable, port, input, and connection path.
  • TV is lit but shows a black PS5 screen: The TV may be receiving a signal. Use the PS5 display-settings and Safe Mode checks below.
  • PS5 does not power on or shuts off: This is a power/startup problem, not just a no-signal problem. Do not continue changing video settings until the console can stay powered on.

Make one change at a time and test it before changing the next thing. That preserves the clue that tells you where the fault is.

1. Confirm the TV’s selected input

Use the TV remote’s Input, Source, or Home control and select the exact HDMI port used by the PS5. A label such as HDMI 1, HDMI 2, Game, or a custom device name can be misleading if the cable was moved.

What to observe: If the correct input immediately displays the PS5 picture, the console was working and the issue was input selection. If the TV still says No Signal, continue.

2. Inspect and reseat the HDMI connection

  1. Turn off the PS5 and the display.
  2. Remove the HDMI cable from both devices by holding the connector body—not by pulling the cable.
  3. Look for a loose fit, bent metal, cracked housing, cuts, or strain damage. Do not straighten pins or force a connector.
  4. Reconnect the cable firmly to the PS5 HDMI OUT port and the chosen TV HDMI input.
  5. Turn on the TV first, select the correct input, then turn on the PS5.

What it means: A picture after reseating points to a poor connection. No picture does not prove the PS5 is faulty; the cable, TV port, display setting, or equipment between the two devices can still be responsible.

3. Simplify the video path

For this test, connect the PS5 directly to the TV or monitor. Temporarily remove a soundbar, AV receiver, HDMI switch, capture device, wall plate, extender, adapter, or splitter. PlayStation specifically recommends a direct display connection and removing other audio/video devices when investigating picture problems.

What to observe: If direct connection restores the picture, reconnect the removed equipment one item at a time. The last item or connection path added is the most useful place to investigate next.



4. Test a different HDMI cable and display port

Try another TV HDMI port, then a known-working HDMI cable. Use the PS5’s included cable when available. An older cable can work, but PlayStation recommends the included HDMI 2.1 cable for the console’s higher-performance features. Do not assume a new cable is good simply because it is new; the useful test is whether the same cable works with another device or the PS5 works with a different known-good cable.

Optional comparison item: If you need a replacement cable for a compatible HDMI connection, you can explore this HDMI cable on Amazon (paid link). Choose the correct length and confirm the connectors and display requirements; a cable cannot repair a damaged console port or a failed TV input.

Affiliate disclosure: This article contains paid affiliate links. If you purchase through one of these links, All About Home Electronics may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

5. Perform a controlled power restart

  1. Turn off the TV or monitor and the PS5 completely.
  2. Disconnect their power cords.
  3. Wait 20 minutes, as PlayStation recommends for this picture-output reset.
  4. Reconnect power, turn on the display, select the PS5 input, and then turn on the PS5.

What it means: If video returns, the issue may have been a stalled HDMI handshake. This restart does not erase games, saved data, or console settings.

6. Use Safe Mode only after the basic display checks

Safe Mode is useful when the PS5 appears to start but its normal video output is incompatible with the display. To enter it, turn off the console by holding the power button for three seconds. After the power indicator has stopped blinking, press and hold the power button again. Release after the second beep—about seven seconds after the first. Connect the controller with a USB cable and press the PS button.

In Safe Mode, choose Change Video Output and then use Change Resolution or Change HDCP Mode only if that matches the problem. These are display troubleshooting options; do not select Reset PS5 or Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) as a routine no-signal test.

Stop condition: If you cannot see Safe Mode on two working displays using a known-good cable, do not repeatedly restart the console or attempt to open it. Record the PS5 model, power-light behavior, cables and displays tested, and whether Safe Mode appeared.

7. Check display firmware and high-bandwidth settings

If the PS5 works on another display but not yours, update the TV or monitor firmware using that manufacturer’s instructions. Consult the display manual for settings that affect high-resolution or gaming signals. If a direct, basic connection works but the problem returns after enabling a feature or inserting an intermediary device, that setting or device needs model-specific support.

When to seek PlayStation repair

Use PlayStation Support and its repair diagnostic path when the PS5 has no image with a known-good cable on more than one confirmed-working display, when the HDMI port is visibly damaged or loose, or when the console cannot show Safe Mode. Do not keep buying cables or adapters after those isolation tests.

Need help documenting the signal path?

Use Gadget Wiz Gaming Console Help after you have completed the free checks above. Have the PS5 model, TV or monitor model, selected HDMI input, cable path, power-light behavior, and results from the direct-connection and Safe Mode tests ready.

What the result tells you

Result Most likely area Next action
Picture returns after choosing an input TV input selection Label that input for the PS5 and confirm it remains selected.
Picture returns with a direct TV connection Receiver, soundbar, switch, adapter, or its settings Add devices back one at a time and consult their support guidance.
Picture returns with another cable or TV port Original cable or display input Replace only the failed cable or avoid the failed port.
Safe Mode appears but normal video does not PS5 output setting or display compatibility Use Change Video Output; do not factory-reset as the first response.
No picture or Safe Mode on two tested displays PS5 hardware or a persistent console fault Use PlayStation’s repair diagnostic path.

Frequently asked questions

Can a PS5 be on while the TV says No Signal?

Yes. The console can have power while the TV receives no usable video. That is why testing the selected input, cable, port, direct connection, and a second display is more informative than judging only by the console light.

Should I reset my PS5 to fix No Signal?

Not first. A full PS5 reset deletes user data. Use the non-destructive connection and Safe Mode checks before considering any reset, and follow PlayStation’s current instructions if a reset later becomes necessary.

Does the PS5 need an HDMI 2.1 cable to display a picture?

No. PlayStation states that older HDMI cables can be used, although the included HDMI 2.1 cable is recommended for the console’s higher-performance features. A known-good compatible cable is the right diagnostic comparison.

Technical guidance consulted

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