Lightning To HDMI Adapter Not Working? – Here’s How to Fix

In case your lightning to HDMI adapter not working, then you’ve discovered the best-possible guide to address the problem. Let’s learn more!

When the lighting to HDMI adapter is not working, we often rush to conclusions before we test the HDMI cable and video source and inspect all ports in our setup.

In regard to adapter troubleshooting, we can only thoroughly clean both the HDMI and lighting ports!

Let’s next unwrap the most-frequent reasons why the adapters won’t work:

6 Reasons Why Lightning To HDMI Not Working?

The reason why your adapter is not working is yet to be discovered, but before we begin it’s important to know the general suspects. 

Here is everything that might impact your Lightning to HDMI adapter:

1. The adapter might not be compatible with the iOS version.
2. The iOS version of the device might be outdated.
3. The HDMI cable from the receiver is faulty.
4. Incorrect display settings (Refresh Rate and Aspect Ratio).
5. Damaged or faulty HDMI or lightning ports on either device.
6. The iOS device won’t stream due to “Battery Throttle”.

Important: Make sure that both the HDMI and lightning cables are tightly connected to the adapter and into the respective devices!

How To Fix When Lightning to HDMI Adapter Not Working?

Tip: Don’t skip any of the solutions in the guide!

1. Power Cycle the iOS Device!

The very first step is to perform a power circulation on the iOS device that you’re connecting to the lightning cable.

This method is simple and only requires you to turn off (Shutdown) the device for a few minutes so the operating system can completely refresh.

• To power cycle, your iOS device, turn the device off for 3 minutes!

When the time is over, turn on your iOS device and check whether the lightning to HDMI adapter would start working.

In case the problem persists, keep reading the next solution!

2. Clear the Adapter’s Ports

In case the lightning to HDMI adapter stopped working out of a sudden, perhaps something is obstructing the lightning port.

If the iOS device in your case is a laptop, dirt accumulation in the port is a common thing since we carry them all around.

The only solution is to thoroughly clean the ports so follow the steps below:

1. Acquire a dry brush (such as an old toothbrush).
2. Thoroughly clean both the HDMI and lightning ports.
3. Remove as much dust, hair, and debris as possible.
4. Use a soft cloth to remove accumulated dirt.
5. Repeat the same with the other involved ports.

In total, you need to secure the two ports on the lightning to HDMI adapter, the HDMI port on the source device, and the lightning port on the iOS device.

Reminder: Don’t forget that using water for cleaning ports is absolutely forbidden!

3. Change The HDMI Cable

Chances are that it’s not the adapter that’s causing all this fuss, instead, the issue could be coming from the HDMI cable.

It’s a good idea to switch the cable’s sides just to begin with but we can’t know whether the issue is with the adapter or HDMI cable, without a replacement.

Note: The HDMI cable shouldn’t be longer than 10 feet for 4K content streaming!

4. Switch to Another Source

When you’re suspecting that the HDMI to the lightning adapter is not working one of the best possible ways to justify it is by connecting another HDMI source.

The “source” is the device on the other end of the HDMI cable, which you’re using to stream content on your iOS machine.

For this purpose, you can use any computer or laptop as long as there is HDMI output to connect the lightning adapter.

Got Another iOS Device?

Have you tested the lightning to HDMI adapter on a different iOS device or just on the one you’re currently attempting?

If not, then this is a good time to do it before jumping further!

5. Adjust iOS Monitor Settings!

One of the reasons why the lightning to HDMI adapter stops working suddenly is because the monitor settings are misaligned.

You should check what is the aspect ratio and resolution of the video source and configure your iOS device display the same way.

Here’s how to change the resolution on macOS and iOS:

1. Open the Apple Menu and tap on Display.
2. Scroll down to change the Resolution.
3. Recommended – ”Default for Display”.

Tip: If you’re using a MacBook, close the laptop and reopen it!

6. Charge iOS Device’s Battery

If you’re using an Apple TV, jump to the next solution!

There is something called “Battery Throttle” which basically makes any device work slower because the system limits the hardware resources.

The purpose of this is to preserve the battery so the device can stay on for as long as possible.

Solution: If the battery of your iOS device is under 10%, plug the device into the charger!

Make sure to wait until the battery is above 50% and test while keeping your device plugged into the power. If the stream appears then the lighting to the HDMI adapter is working well.

Note: Keep the device plugged into the power until the rest of the guide!

7. Update iOS Device Firmware

In order for any lightning adapter to function properly the iOS device’s firmware has to upgrade as soon as an update is released.

In case your iOS device hasn’t been working in quite a while and the adapter is not working, you should check for updates!

How to check for updates on iMac/MacBook and iPad:

1. Connect your iOS device to the WiFi.
2. Open the Apple Menu, (on iPad go to Settings).
3. Go to General > Software Update.
4. Tap or click on Check for Updates.
5. Wait for the update to complete.

When your device is updated to the most recent firmware, reconnect the lightning to the HDMI adapter on both ends and test. 

8. Check for “Protected Content”

If you don’t know what this is, Protected Content is any sort of material that cannot be streamed through adapters as well as wirelessly.

If you’re simply trying to stream something popular such as YouTube or Netflix, then jump to the next solution.

If you’re concerned that the content you’re attempting to stream is protected, banned, or regulated feel free to check more on the publisher’s website.

9. AirPlay / Screen Mirror (Workaround)

In case you’ve just found out that things are not going to work out with your adapter and are wondering how to bypass things, we have an idea!

Use AirPlay (for iOS only):

If the source of the HDMI signal is an iOS device, then there is no point in using an adapter at all.

You can simply connect both devices to the same WiFi, and use AirPlay to stream the content directly so here’s how:

1. On your iOS source device, open the Quick Menu.
2. Tap on the Screen Mirroring feature.
3. When your iOS device is discovered, select.
4. When the screen of your source appears, test.

Reminder: Don’t forget to enable “AirPlay Display” in Apple Menu > Display!

Use Remote Control Software:

In order to achieve a screen mirror, you don’t need to use an application, instead, we have a basic and quick idea to achieve the goal.

Simply install a remote control application such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer to wirelessly connect from one computer to the iOS device.

This way you don’t need a wired connection (adapter), and after making the sharing full screen you’ll see the contents just the way you needed.

Quick Recap:

Whenever the lightning to HDMI adapter not working, we should power cycle the entire equipment and re-plug all cables tightly.

In case that doesn’t help we need to clean the adapter’s HDMI and lightning ports before trying any of the workarounds available!