Why Samsung TV Won’t Switch To HDMI? – Proven Solutions

The Samsung TV won’t switch to HDMI and you don’t know why? Well, you may want to keep reading because we’re about to go through the reasonable causes for the problem.

In addition, we’ll unwrap the best solutions that are available to perform at home right now!

The Samsung TV may refuse to switch to an HDMI input if there’s an issue with the OS or firmware version or simply there is nothing plugged into the selected HDMI input.

Also, if the connected device is experiencing issues, the Samsung TV won’t display anything!

Let’s investigate further!

Samsung TV HDMI Lights Up But Says No Signal?

If the HDMI device connected to your Samsung TV should work and all indications are giving you a green light but there’s no broadcast, well here’s why.

The problem is most likely in the connection between the external device and Samsung TV, and whether all is running fine!

Here are the most frequent causes of HDMI issues on Samsung TV:

1. You have not selected the correct source on your Samsung TV
2. There’s a power issue with the connected external device
3. The HDMI cable is faulty or not transmitting data properly
4. Your Samsung TV has run into a fatal software fault
5. Your Samsung TV is running on an outdated firmware version
6. The HDMI input on your Samsung TV no longer functions

Try This First!

Verify that all cable connections coming out of your external device and going into your Samsung TV are secure.

For proper and reliable functionality, it’s essential that all of the cable connections are securely and tightly connected to the input ports!

Samsung TV Says HDMI No Signal –  8 Working Solutions!

Note: Follow our steps and instructions in chronological order to resolve your issue faster!

1. Select the Correct Source

If your Samsung TV says “no signal” when a particular HDMI source is selected, it is possible that there is no device plugged into the corresponding input.

Every source of your Samsung TV’s menu answers to an input on the back of the TV.

How HDMI Inputs Answers to Sources?

Note: Samsung TVs have up to 3 HDMI inputs and 3 source options in the menu.

Here’s how to source menu options answer to the HDMI inputs:

• HDMI IN 1 – “HDMI 1” in the source menu
• HDMI IN 2 – “HDMI 2” in the source menu
• HDMI IN 3 – “HDMI 3” or “SIDE” in the source menu

Info: Selecting an empty HDMI input (where no external device is connected), will display “no signal” on the screen of your Samsung TV.

2. Inspect the Connected Device!

Regardless of the device you’ve connected to the HDMI input on your Samsung TV, the unit must be powered on or there will be no broadcast on the TV screen.

It is possible to connect a console, TV box, or other device that broadcasts video to your TV’ screen.

• Find and press the Power button on the HDMI-connected device!

How to Tell if the External Device is On?

Most broadcasting devices have a power lamp (LED) that blinks or is in solid green/red when the device is working.

For example, both the Xbox and PS4 have a LED lamp over their power button that is solid white when the device is up and running.

Alert: Your Samsung TV will not display a broadcast if the external device is not turned on!

3. Power Cycle the Samsung TV

The best way to resolve an issue with your Samsung TV is to power cycle the device.

It’s an effective way to discharge all of the current electricity in the hardware of your TV and refresh the software and hardware as well as restart all services.

Follow these steps to power cycle your Samsung TV easily:

1. Hold the power button on your TV remote for 5-10 seconds.
2. Unplug the power adapter of your Samsung TV from the outlet.
3. Wait for up to 60 seconds, while the power cable is disconnected.
4. Reconnect the power cable to your TV and into the power outlet.
5. Using the Samsung TV remote control, select the correct source.

Tip: Keeping your Samsung TV unplugged for longer than 60 seconds may also help with overheating issues during the warm seasons.

4. Test with a Different HDMI Input

It is possible that the HDMI input on the back of your Samsung TV is not functioning properly or has gone faulty.

When the source of a faulty input is selected, there will be a “no signal” on the TV screen since the connection is not properly established.

Here’s how to switch the input of your external device:

1. Locate the HDMI cable going on the back of your Samsung TV.
2. Unplug the HDMI cable and remember the faulty HDMI input.
3. Find another available input (from HDMI 1 up to 3).
4. Plug the external device’s HDMI into one of the other inputs.
5. Turn on your Samsung TV using the remote control.
6. Launch the Source menu and select the newly used source.

Note: To access the source menu on your Samsung TV, press the Home button on the remote and go to Menu > Connected Devices > Inputs.

5. Replace the HDMI Cable

It is possible that this fault is occurring as a result of a faulty HDMI cable.

If the HDMI cable cannot transfer data properly, your Samsung TV will be unable to display the broadcast of your connected third-party device on the screen.

• Use a replacement HDMI cable or a brand new one to install with your TV!

About Audio Devices and HDMI ARC

Many Samsung TVs nowadays have one of their HDMI ports adjusted for audio devices.

Those inputs are known as HDMI ARC and work best with audio devices that are connected. HDMI ARC connectors on your Samsung TV have an “ARC” label above the port.

Notice: It is not recommended to connect non-audio devices to an HDMI ARC input.

6. Update your Samsung TV’s Firmware!

Whenever the Samsung TV won’t switch to HDMI one of the probable reasons is an outdated firmware version.

If your TV has not been updated in a while and it is running behind on too many software versions, all sorts of problems may start occurring so we can’t skip this step.

• To update your Samsung TV, it must be connected to either WiFi or Ethernet!

Here’s how to update your Samsung TV’s firmware easily:

1. Navigate to the Samsung TV menu using the remote control.
2. Access the “Settings” tab by scrolling down in the menu.
3. Press “Support” and then “Software Update”.
4. If an update is available, press “Update Now”.

Alert: Stop pressing buttons on the TV or the remote control while the TV is still updating!

7. Connect a Different External Device

It is possible that the problem is with the external device rather than your Samsung TV device.

To determine if the problem is with your TV or external device, connect an alternative third-party device to the same HDMI input on your TV and check the broadcast.

A test device for HDMI could be anything from a computer, laptop, gaming console, phone with an adapter, computer monitor, or anything else with HDMI.

Use such a device to tighten the circle of possibilities by understanding whether the issue is in the Samsung TV or HDMI cable.

Tip: To check if there’s really a fault with one of the HDMI inputs on your Samsung TV, use the same input that the previous device was connected to.

8. Restore Initial Settings On Samsung TV

Resetting your Samsung TV may be the only way to resolve HDMI-related issues this far into the guide, considering that nothing else helped.

However, this process comes with a downside – all system files, configuration, and settings will be deleted from your Samsung TV.

Here’s how to factory reset a Samsung TV in easy steps:

1. Launch the Settings on your TV using the remote.
2. Go to “General” and then access the “Reset” tab.
3. Insert the parental PIN (“0000” by default if not changed).
4. Press “OK” and wait for the reset to be completed.

Note: The factory reset is complete when the Samsung TV restarts automatically!

Quick Recap:

We’ve learned that when your Samsung TV won’t switch to HDMI, the most reasonable approach would be to power cycle your TV first and check the selected input.

If that didn’t work, update the firmware of your Samsung TV and inspect the external device! Visit our blog for more technical solutions!

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