A word of advice?
Don’t overlook the little things.
When everything’s plugged in, but your TV says no signal…
The problem isn’t necessarily something only professionals understand.
So how do you know where the issue lies?
And what’s the best way to solve this?
Read on to find out:
- 11 tested-and-proven fixes to solve your TV no signal issue.
- Why your TV displays “No Signal” when everything’s plugged in.
- How to troubleshoot your TV, cables, and cable boxes to get the best fix.
- And so much more…
Why does my TV say no signal when everything is connected?
Your TV says no signal when everything’s connected because it’s set to the wrong source. Another common cause is a loose or damaged cable. Other times, it could be an HDCP error or an enabled HDMI-CEC feature. Finally, TV glitches/bugs, outdated software, and damaged hardware are also probable causes.
My TV says no signal but everything is plugged in: 11 fixes
#1: Check your TV’s source
Don’t get carried away by complex fixes.
Sometimes, to get your TV’s signal back, it all starts with a simple solution.
And in this case, the reason why you don’t see any signal’s because…
Your TV’s set to the wrong source.
For example.
If you insert a streaming stick into your TV’s HDMI port but choose AV as the source…
You get a “No Signal” message on your screen.
Why?
Because your TV’s receiving signal through your HDMI and not your AV port.
Now, most remote controls will have a “Source” or “Input” button.
In some cases, though, this will be a cable icon on your remote.
From here, follow these steps:
Step 1: Tap the “Source” or “Input” button to access your list of available sources.
Step 2: Make sure your cable’s plugged into the right port.
For example.
If you plan to choose HDMI as your TV source, then…
Your cable should be plugged into the same port.
Step 3: Choose the correct source.
#2: Ensure your TV box’s turned on
Seeing a “No Signal” message on your screen also means 1 thing: a power supply issue.
And in that case, verify if your TV set or cable box’s turned on.
You’ll know it’s on because you should see a green light.
If you see a red light on your cable box, that means it’s currently in standby mode.
Meaning, you’ll see a “No Signal” message appear on your screen.
#3: Re-insert all your cables
If you wake up one day and find your TV displaying “No Signal,” the most likely reason is…
You’re dealing with a loose cable.
It could be your HDMI, coax, or AUX cables that’s causing the issue.
How’s that possible?
For one, all cables have a lifespan.
If it’s a low-quality cable, you might notice a few problems after a couple of years.
Aside from “No Signal” issues, you might notice your TV freezing too.
Sometimes, your cables could just be loose.
Other times, if there was a recent power outage in your area, well…
It damages your cable over time.
Either way, the best way to fix this problem is to do the following:
- Unplug all your cables.
Note: this includes any cable attached to your cable box.
- Wait for 1 minute.
- Plug one cable at a time into its respective port.
- Make sure to press hard until you hear a clicking sound
Note: This indicates the connector’s locked in place.
- Check if your TV has a signal.
Did it work?
If not, you’ve narrowed down your No Signal issue to the following possibilities:
- Your cable’s faulty and needs to be replaced.
- There may be a problem with your TV’s ports.
To narrow it down even further, let’s head over to the next fix.
#4: Test another HDMI or cable box device
If you have another HDMI cable or streaming stick at home, plug this into your TV’s port.
Now, you might be wondering…
“What’s the point to all this?”
Good question.
The reason for this is to check whether your TV’s HDMI or USB ports are damaged.
This is often an overlooked factor.
If your TV port isn’t working, then it’s pretty clear why you’re not seeing any signal.
How so?
Because a damaged port translates to your TV being unable to process the video from your…
- Cable box.
- Hard drive/USB.
- Media or Blu-ray player.
- Streaming Stick/device (Roku, Firestick, Chromecast, Apple TV).
And when that happens, you either get no signal on your TV or a blank screen.
So if you have a Roku Ultra that you originally plugged into your TV’s port, then…
- Unplug any existing streaming device or cable box attached to your TV.
- Grab a hard drive or streaming stick.
- Plug either device into your TV’s port.
- Make sure to choose the right TV source.
- Check if your screen displays “No Signal.”
If both your hard drive or streaming stick work, then here’s what that means:
Your existing cable box or streaming device’s cable is damaged.
From here, the best solution is to get a replacement.
You can easily buy coax cables; however, make sure it’s high-quality.
If your streaming device’s causing the problem, then buy a new HDMI cable.
Worst-case scenario, you’ll need a new streaming stick.
You might also like: How To Use Smart TV Without Cable
#5: Check for HDCP errors
HDCP stands for High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection.
Basically, it’s a cable standard that prevents movie or TV show privacy.
But how does it relate to your “No Signal” issue?
Here’s how:
If your cable or streaming device isn’t HDCP-compliant, your run into either of these issues:
- “HDCP Error.”
- “Error: Non-HDCP Output.”
The result?
Your TV displays “No Signal” or a grey/blank screen.
So, what’s the turnaround solution?
The safest and most effective approach is to get an HDCP-compliant cable.
Meaning, don’t just buy cheap knockoffs anywhere online.
High-quality cables might mean shelling out more, but it’s better than dealing with this issue.
Alternatively, you can also try getting an HDMI splitter.
But here’s the risk.
HDMI splitters have to be compatible with your cable box too.
Fortunately, there are 2 reliable brands to choose from:
#6: Restart your TV or cable box
As mentioned earlier, cable issues aren’t the only cause for your TV displaying “No Signal.”
If all your cables work fine, it’s time to consider other factors like:
- Your antenna (more about this later).
- TV or cable box problems (outdated software, server downtime, glitches, etc.).
So, here’s what you need to do:
- Unplug your TV and cable box from the power source.
- Wait for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Plug your TV and cable box back in.
A simple fix like this solves most glitches or bugs.
However, if this approach didn’t work, it’s worth trying the next fix.
#7: Adjust your antenna
Bad weather, heavy rainfall, or strong winds can all lead to one crucial problem:
Messing up your antenna’s position.
And when that happens, you end up with poor signal reception.
In turn, how else can your TV display your favorite channels without any signal, right?
So, what can you do?
One solution is to adjust your antenna’s position.
Warning: Don’t adjust it if the weather’s still bad. This can lead to electrical accidents.
If your antenna’s old, then there may also be signs of corrosion.
This is a common occurrence that’s impossible to avoid due to factors like:
- Age.
- Weather.
- Harmful environmental elements.
As a result, it’s only a matter of time before your antenna wears down and breaks.
Now, this is not to say that you should buy a replacement immediately.
However, you should consider 2 of the following options:
- Switch to an indoor digital TV antenna.
- Invest in an antenna amplifier (meant to boost your signal and reception).
Furthermore, you can check out this video to improve your antenna reception at home:
#8: Update your TV’s software
If you’re using a streaming device like Roku, Fire Cube, Chromecast, etc., then…
It’s worth noting that your TV has to be updated to function properly.
Most smart TVs require the latest updates to be compatible with apps like:
However, outdated software doesn’t just affect your TV apps.
It affects the entire system and not to mention, even basic operating functions.
Put simply, running on outdated software inevitably leads to issues.
Your TV’s software updates are typically in your settings menu.
From there, you can access your General settings followed by “About” or “About this TV.”
Then, update your TV by selecting the option “Software Update” or “Check for Updates.”
#9: Check for service outages
When dealing with server downtime, it’s not your TV, cable, or streaming device that’s the problem.
Instead, this is an issue on your cable provider’s end.
Your next best step is to…
- Contact your cable/service provider and ask if there’s an outage in the area.
- Tell them about your current situation and status.
- Inquire about how long the service interruption will last.
- If there’s a server downtime, the best thing to do is wait until the issue’s resolved.
#10: Turn off your TV’s HDMI-CEC
You might’ve seen this feature on your TV before.
However, if this is your first time hearing about it, here’s what HDMI-CEC means:
In a nutshell, it allows you to control HDMI-connected devices through your TV remote.
I understand that it could be confusing at first…
So here’s how it works.
Let’s say your media player’s attached to your TV via an HDMI port.
With the HDMI-CEC feature turned on, you can control your media player using your remote.
Put simply…
It allows any device that’s connected to your TV via the HDMI ports to communicate with each other.
Now, here’s where this feature gets a little sticky.
If your HDMI-CEC’s turned on, some devices change your TV’s input automatically.
Here’s another example.
Let’s say you have a Roku device hooked to your TV’s HDMI port.
However, you’re not currently streaming any show.
Instead, you’re playing a game on your Xbox.
Later on, you decide to cast a mind-boggling show on your tablet to your TV using Roku.
What happens is…
- Roku sends a signal to your TV.
- Because the HDMI-CEC feature’s turned on, it forces your TV to switch inputs.
- Your TV automatically switches to the right input source.
In other words, you wouldn’t need a remote to control your smart TV.
Thanks to HDMI-CEC…
You can easily switch between several inputs or TV sources depending on the device.
So, what’s the problem here, then?
For starters, this feature can run into issues similar to your TV displaying “No Signal” on your screen.
Although it’s rare for this to happen, it’s still worth considering if none of the fixes above worked.
How to turn off HDMI-CEC on your TV
You can find your TV’s HDMI-CEC feature in your “Picture” or “System” settings menu.
However, it depends on your TV brand too.
For example, for Samsung TVs, you’ll find the HDMI-CEC feature by:
- Access your Samsung TV settings.
- Tap “General.”
- Select “External Device Manager.”
- Tap “HDMI-CEC.”
For Firestick devices:
- On your Firestick remote, scroll right and tap Settings (gear icon).
- Select “Display & Sounds.”
- Tap “HDMI CEC Device Control.”
For TCL TVs:
- Press the settings button (gear icon) on your remote.
- Tap “System.”
- Select “T-link.”
- Toggle the feature off.
For LG TVs:
- Tap the Settings button on your LG TV remote.
- Scroll down and choose “All Settings.”
- Select “General.”
- Tap “Simplink (HDMI-CEC).”
- Toggle it to “Off.”
For Apple TV:
- Head to your Apple TV settings menu.
- Select “Remotes and Devices.”
- Toggle off the “Turn On Your TV with Your Remote” option.
For Sony TVs:
- Tap the settings button (gear icon) on your Sony TV remote.
- Select “Watching TV.”
- Tap “External Inputs.”
- Choose “Bravia Sync settings.”
- Turn off “Bravia Sync Control” and “TV auto power on.”
#11: Contact your cable/TV provider
As a last resort option, you should contact your TV or cable provider because…
- Your TV has a hardware problem.
- A damaged cable box that requires an inspection.
In other words…
The worst-case scenario of a “No Signal” TV issue is a faulty hardware component.
It may be your TV’s LED that’s damaged or your cable box has simply stopped functioning.
In other cases, your antenna or satellite dish has significant wear and tear damage.
And as a result, it may need to be repaired by a service professional.
If you don’t have technical experience with TVs, cable boxes, or satellite dishes…
Call a professional.
Don’t troubleshoot your devices on your own or perform any DIY fixes that could put you in harm’s way.
Ultimately, you should mention to your TV/cable provider all the fixes you tried above.
That way, it’s easier for the service technician to assess the main issue and solve your problem.