Symptoms
- Sound plays fine but TV shows no picture or 'no signal'
- Picture flickers in and out through the receiver
- Works when the source connects directly to the TV
- Happens after adding a new 4K or HDR source
Likely causes
- CommonHDCP handshake failure between devicesCopy-protection negotiation can fail across a receiver, especially with mismatched HDMI versions.
- CommonReceiver's HDMI board doesn't support the source's resolution/formatAn older receiver may not pass 4K, HDR, or high refresh rates it wasn't designed for.
- PossibleWrong HDMI output port on receiver used for the TVSome receivers have multiple HDMI outputs (e.g. one for a monitor, one for the main TV) that behave differently.
- PossibleFaulty or underspecced HDMI cableA cable that can't carry higher bandwidth signals can pass audio but drop video.
What to do
- Power cycle in this order: turn off the TV and receiver, unplug both for 30 seconds, plug in the receiver first, then the TV.
- Try a different, known-good high-speed HDMI cable between the receiver and TV.
- Check the receiver's menu for a 'resolution' or 'video format' setting and try forcing a lower resolution like 1080p.
- Connect the source directly to the TV to confirm the source and TV work fine on their own.
- Update the receiver's firmware if an update is available, since HDMI/HDCP compatibility fixes are common.
- Try a different HDMI output/input pairing on the receiver if it has more than one TV output.
Tools and parts
- Spare high-speed HDMI cable
When to call a pro
If the issue persists across cables, power-cycle order, and firmware updates, the receiver's HDMI board may need professional repair or the receiver may be too old for the source's format.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.