Why Your PS5 Won't Connect to Your TV and How to Fix It

The most common reason your PS5 won't show on your TV is a loose or wrong HDMI cable, or your TV is set to the wrong input

Start with the physical connection. Turn off both your PS5 and TV completely. Unplug the HDMI cable from both the PS5 and the TV, wait 10 seconds, then plug it back in firmly — you should hear a small click at each end. Make sure you are using the HDMI port labeled HDMI 3 or HDMI 4 on your TV if it has them; these ports support the higher bandwidth the PS5 needs. The port closest to the power cord is often the right one, but check your TV manual if you are unsure.

After reconnecting, turn on your TV first, then your PS5. Use your TV remote to cycle through the input sources — usually by pressing Input, Source, or HDMI on the remote. You should see a list of ports. Select the HDMI port where you plugged in the PS5. If you see the PS5 startup screen, the problem is solved. If the screen stays black, move to the next section.

Key Takeaways

A loose HDMI cable or wrong TV input is the cause in about 8 out of 10 cases — unplug both ends, wait, and reconnect firmly.
Your TV must be set to the correct HDMI input port, which you change using your TV remote's Input or Source button.
If you see a black screen after reconnecting, try a different HDMI port on your TV or a different HDMI cable entirely.
The PS5 may need a software update or a factory reset if the cable and input are correct but the TV still shows nothing.
Some older TVs cannot display the PS5's 4K signal — switching to 1080p in PS5 settings can sometimes help, though this requires getting into the menu first.

Try a different HDMI port or cable

If the first port did not work, unplug the cable and try a different HDMI port on your TV. Most TVs have at least two ports; try each one. This rules out a single bad port on your TV. If you still see nothing, the HDMI cable itself may be damaged. Borrow a different HDMI cable if you can — many people have spare cables from old devices. Plug it into the original port and try again.

The cable matters more than people think. A bent, kinked, or partially damaged HDMI cable will not carry the signal properly, even if it looks fine from the outside. If you do not have a spare cable, you can buy a new one for $10 to $20 at most electronics stores or online. It is worth trying before you assume the PS5 itself is broken.

Check if your TV supports the PS5's video signal

The PS5 outputs video at 4K resolution on newer TVs, but some older TVs cannot display this signal and will show a black screen instead. If your TV is more than 8 to 10 years old, or if it does not have a 4K label, this might be the issue. The problem is that you cannot change the PS5's video output without seeing the menu first.

If you suspect this is the problem, try connecting the PS5 to a different TV temporarily — a friend's TV, a monitor, or even a TV at a store — just to see if the PS5 itself works. If it does, your original TV may not support the PS5's default signal. In that case, you can try putting the PS5 into Safe Mode and changing the resolution, but this requires getting the PS5 to display something first, which brings you back to the cable and input problem.

Force the PS5 into Safe Mode to reset the video output

If the cable is connected, the input is correct, and you still see nothing, the PS5 may have a software issue. You can reset the video output without seeing the screen by using Safe Mode. Turn off the PS5 completely. Press and hold the power button on the front of the console for about 7 seconds — you will hear a beep, then a second beep. Release the button after the second beep. The PS5 will start in Safe Mode.

In Safe Mode, the PS5 outputs video at 1080p resolution, which almost every TV can display. You should see a menu on your screen now. Select "Change Video Output (Resolution)" and choose 1080p or the lowest resolution available. This tells the PS5 to stop trying to send a 4K signal. Turn off the PS5, turn it back on normally, and try again. If you now see the startup screen, the problem was the video resolution mismatch.

Perform a factory reset if Safe Mode does not work

If you can see the Safe Mode menu but the PS5 still will not display anything after you change the resolution, or if Safe Mode itself shows nothing, a factory reset may be necessary. This erases all your games and saved data, so only do this as a last step. In Safe Mode, select "Reset PS5" and choose "Reset Your Console." The PS5 will restart and go through the setup process again.

A factory reset takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your console's storage. During this time, keep the PS5 plugged in and do not turn it off. After the reset completes, the PS5 will ask you to set it up again, just like when it was new. If you see the setup screen, the hardware is working and the problem was a software corruption. If you still see nothing after a factory reset, the issue is likely a hardware problem with the PS5 itself, and you should contact Sony support or consider repair options.

Check your TV's HDMI port for physical damage

While you have the cable unplugged, look inside the HDMI port on your TV with a flashlight. The port should have 19 small metal pins arranged in a specific pattern. If any pins are bent, broken, or missing, the port is damaged and will not work. Bent pins sometimes can be straightened with a very small tool, but this is risky and often causes more damage.

If the port is damaged, you have two options: use a different HDMI port on the TV if one is available, or connect the PS5 through an external device like a soundbar or receiver that has HDMI ports. Some soundbars and receivers have multiple HDMI inputs and can pass the signal to your TV, which bypasses the damaged port entirely. This is a temporary solution, but it works if you do not want to repair or replace the TV right away.

Understand what each light and sound on the PS5 means

While you are troubleshooting, pay attention to what the PS5 itself is doing. When you press the power button, the console should beep once and the light on the front should turn white, then blue. If the light stays off or turns orange, the PS5 is in rest mode or has a power issue. If the light turns blue but you hear nothing from the TV, the PS5 is running but not sending a video signal.

A white light means the PS5 is starting up. A blue light means it is running normally. An orange light means it is in rest mode and will wake up when you press a controller button. If the light does not turn on at all, check that the power cable is plugged in firmly at both the wall and the console. If the light turns on but the TV shows nothing, the problem is the video connection, not the power.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any HDMI cable with the PS5?

Any HDMI cable will work physically, but the PS5 performs best with HDMI 2.1 cables if your TV supports 4K at 120Hz. For most people with standard 4K TVs, a regular HDMI 2.0 cable works fine. The cable does not have to be expensive — a $10 cable works as well as a $50 one. The key is that it is not damaged or bent.

Why does my PS5 work on one TV but not another?

The second TV may not support the PS5's default video output, or its HDMI ports may be older. Try connecting the PS5 to the second TV using a different HDMI port, or use Safe Mode to lower the resolution to 1080p. If it works at 1080p but not 4K, that TV straightforward does not support 4K video.

Do I need a special HDMI cable for 4K?

No. Any HDMI cable can carry a 4K signal if it is in good condition. The cable does not know what resolution it is carrying — it just passes the signal through. A damaged cable will fail at any resolution, but a working cable works at all resolutions your TV supports.

What if my TV has only one HDMI port?

Try that port first. If it does not work, you can use an HDMI splitter or switch to route multiple devices through one port, but this adds another potential point of failure. A simpler option is to connect the PS5 through a soundbar or receiver if you have one — these devices usually have multiple HDMI inputs and can send the signal to your TV.

Will a factory reset delete my games?

Yes. A factory reset erases everything on the PS5, including all installed games and saved data. Only do this if you have tried everything else. If your games are tied to your PlayStation Network account, you can reinstall them after the reset, but it will take time to read them again.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.