TCL TV HDMI Not Working? – (Try This Fix FIRST!)

Wondering why TCL TV HDMI not working? We have all of the answers so keep reading!

Encountering an HDMI hurdle when hooking up an external device to the TCL TV is definitely not uncommon and there are plenty of solutions to work with.

Remain invested in our guide to uncover how TCL TVs work with HDMI and what are the possible workarounds for this problem.

When you get an HDMI error on your TCL TV, examine the HDMI cable connection and check if you’re on the correct source.

If the issue persists, power cycle the TCL TV and external device, before replacing the HDMI cable with a brand-new one.

Let’s keep unwrapping!

Why Are TCL TV HDMI Ports Not Working Suddenly?

The primary sign that an HDMI port on the TCL TV doesn’t work is the “no signal” message you’re probably seeing when selected on either of the HDMI sources.

The direct translation of this error message is that the HDMI cable has not been detected by the TCL TV.

Here are the causes for HDMI issues with any TCL TV:

• Loose HDMI cable connection on either end.
• Physical damage on the HDMI cable/connectors.
• Incorrectly selected TCL TV HDMI input source
• Malfunction with the HDMI third-party device.
• TCL TV power issues/faulty cable connections.
• A resolution problem that is causing black bars.

Understanding HDMI Connection:

HDMI transfers both audio and video from the externally-connected third-party device to the receiving TV.

The primary indications of HDMI problems are lost in the audio or video or both, based on many factors involved that we’re going to individually review in the solution guide!

Note: The “HDMI-ARC” on some audio devices may not be compatible with TCL TV!

TCL TV HDMI Not Working – The 7 Top-Working Solutions!

1. Select the Correct Input Source

To receive a clear broadcast of the external device you have connected to the TCL TV, you must be on the correct input source.

Some TCL TVs have up to 4 HDMI ports, so selecting incorrect input in the “Source Menu” is not an uncommon mistake.

Here’s how to select the correct input source on the TCL TV:

1. Press the “Home” button on the remote control.
2. Tap the left arrow to highlight the “menu” icon.
3. Navigate to “Settings” > “TV Inputs” and press “OK”.
4. Highlight the desired input and press “OK” again.

Note: “HDMI 2” is “ARC” (Audio Return Channel) on TCL TVs that don’t have a fourth input.

• How to Check the Input of My External Device?

Read the label above the HDMI port on the back of the TCL TV. Since TCL TVs can have up to 4 HDMI inputs (based on model), all HDMI ports have inputs above them to recognize the source in the TV’s menu.

TCL TVs usually have “HDMI 1”, “HDMI 2 (ARC)” and “HDMI 3”.

2. Secure the HDMI Cable Connection!

A loose HDMI connection can potentially lead to input issues when the external device’s source is selected.

This method will teach you how to recognize visual damage on the HDMI cable and how to position the cable, so the signal doesn’t get interrupted.

• Ensure that the HDMI connectors are secured on both ends!

Visual HDMI Cable Faults?

Damages on the HDMI cable can vary from cuts or openings on the cable as well to broken port-ends and damaged cable covers.

The primary sign that the HDMI is faulty is of course a “no signal” message on the screen, especially if you notice any visual faults in the HDMI cable.

3. Power Cycle the TV/External Device

This method will go through how to apply a power cycle on both the TCL TV and the external device.

If there’s a power problem causing the HDMI connection to malfunction, this process is proven to resolve temporal functionality problems with any piece of electronics.

How to Power Cycle TCL TV & HDMI Device?

1. Press the power button to turn off the TCL TV.
2. Also, power off the HDMI-connected device.
3. Wait until both units are completely shut down.
4. Then gently unplug both devices’ power adapters.
5. Wait for about a full 45-50 seconds for a discharge.
6. After the power circulation, re-establish the setup.

Note: While the devices are unplugged, inspect all of the power equipment and connections!

4. Switch to a Different HDMI Input

Switching to another input will reveal whether the problem is with the external device or there’s a malfunction in the TCL TV’s HDMI inputs.

It’s relatively easy to switch to a different input, as all there is to be done is connect the third-party device to another input on the TCL TV.

• How to Use Another Input on TCL TV?

Unplug the HDMI cable of the third-party device from your TCL TV  and connect it to an input with a different label.

Remember whether the new input is “HDMI 1”, “HDMI 2” or “HDMI 3” since you will have to select it later in the TV’s source settings.

• How to Switch TCL TV Input Source?

Follow the instructions in the very first step in this guide and highlight a source that answers the new input of the external device.

Press “OK” on the remote to lock in your selection of the input source and check if the HDMI-connected device’s picture will now show on the TCL TV screen.

Tip: In case that didn’t work, test all of the HDMI inputs on the TCL TV individually!

5. Switch to Another Resolution!

The video broadcast of the externally-connected device may be failing to display because of incompatible resolution.

There is a common misconception on whether the TCL TV does support different types of resolution and whether it can rescale (re-size).

How to Adjust External Device’s Resolution?

Access the settings of the external device and go to “Resolution Settings”. You can change the resolution on any device, including a computer, laptop, and console.

In case you’re unable to switch from one resolution to another, we recommend using an HDMI device that can do so!

Test the following resolutions and whether something appears on the TCL TV:

• SD (480p)  – 640×480
• HD (720p)  – 1280×720
• Full HD (1080p) – 1920×1080

Tip: Test all different resolutions without 4K, and if you’re using UHD (4K) read the next step!

6. No HDMI Cable 4K Support

Sometimes when you’re attempting to view a 4K video feed from an HDMI-connected device, the screen remains black with the message “No Signal”.

In case the picture appeared when testing with different HDMI input resolutions, then the culprit is the length of the HDMI cable.

• To view a 4K video HDMI feed, the cable must not be longer than 10 feet!

With a high cable length, over the distance, the signal starts to degrade in which case your TCL TV simply denies the input.

Hence, to transfer a 4K signal and avoid the “no signal” message on your TCL TV you definitely need a 4K-compatible, 10 feet (3 meters) or less in length.

HDMI Cable Recommendation: For a 4K HDMI transfer, we recommend a reliable cable such as the PowerBear HDMI Cable 10ft or JSAUX 8K HDMI Cable 6ft.

7. Factory Reset the TCL TV

This method will uncover how to complete a factory reset on your TCL TV and erase all content and settings that could be impacting the HDMI input.

Also, the factory reset helps with any type of software issues, including app problems, cache, and misconfigured settings.

Here’s how to conduct a factory reset on any type of TCL TV:

1. Navigate to the “Settings” section from the home screen.
2. Go to “Device Preference” > “Reset” > “Factory Data Reset”.
3. Choose “Erase Everything” from the available options.
4. Wait for the factory reset to be completed by the TCL TV.

Factory Reset Options On TCL TV?

You can choose to factory reset the TV partially (erase specific content/settings) or factory reset the TV entirely with the “Erase Everything” option.

We strongly recommended applying a clean factory reset and setting up the TCL TV from scratch to permanently resolve the HDMI problem.

Note: Turning off or unplugging your TV during the factory reset will cancel the process!

Quick Recap:

Whenever TCL TV HDMI not working, the most reliable solution is to power cycle the HDMI component device and the TV first.

Moreover, you should also try to reset the HDMI cable, switch to another input on the TV and factory reset the TCL device.

Read Next: How To Fix TCL TV Volume Problems Easily?