Connect the PS5 directly to an HDMI input on the TV, using an HDMI cable in the console’s HDMI OUT port. Turn on the TV, select the HDMI input you used, and start the PS5. In most cases, the console will detect the older display automatically.
If the TV shows “No signal,” check the selected input, reseat or replace the cable, try another HDMI port, bypass every intermediary device, power-cycle both devices, and set the PS5 to an automatic or lower resolution that the TV can display.
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What you need before connecting the PS5
The official PlayStation setup guidance applies to a TV with at least one HDMI input. Gather these items before troubleshooting:
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- An HDMI cable. The HDMI 2.1 cable supplied with the PS5 is the recommended cable for the console’s highest-bandwidth features, but an older HDMI cable can also work.
- A free HDMI input on the television.
- The TV remote, so you can select the input connected to the console.
- A direct connection for the first test. Leave a receiver, soundbar, HDMI switch, splitter, capture device, or converter disconnected until the TV displays a picture.
The TV’s age matters less than its actual HDMI input and supported video modes. An older HDMI television may work normally with the PS5 at the resolutions and refresh rates it supports. HDMI 2.1 is not required simply to play at a basic 1080p output; it becomes relevant only when the display and your chosen features require the additional bandwidth.
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Connect the PS5 directly to the TV
- Turn off or put both devices in standby. A powered-off connection makes it easier to identify the cable and input and avoids testing through an already active switch or receiver.
- Insert the HDMI cable into the PS5’s HDMI OUT port. Do not use the PS5’s USB ports or any other connector for the video signal.
- Connect the other end to an HDMI input on the TV. Note the label, such as HDMI 1, HDMI 2, or HDMI 3. Push both plugs in firmly; a partially inserted connector can produce intermittent video or no picture.
- Turn on the TV. Use the remote’s Input, Source, or similar button and select the exact HDMI number used in the previous step.
- Turn on the PS5. Give the television and console a moment to complete their HDMI handshake. The first screen may take longer to appear after a change of cable, input, or resolution.
- Leave accessories out of the signal path for this test. If the picture appears, reconnect a soundbar, receiver, switch, or capture device one item at a time so you can identify any device that interrupts the signal.
PlayStation’s instruction material summarizes the required sequence as connecting an HDMI-supported game console to the TV with HDMI, turning on the TV, and setting its input to HDMI. That direct path is the reference configuration for every later troubleshooting step.
Choose the right HDMI cable
The cable does not determine whether an older television suddenly gains newer display features. It carries the signal that both the PS5 and TV can negotiate. Select it according to the display mode you need, the cable’s condition, and its length.
| Cable choice | When it makes sense | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI 2.1 cable included with the PS5 | Use it as the default cable, particularly when you may later connect a higher-bandwidth display. | Sony recommends the included cable for the PS5’s high-performance features; an older TV will still limit the output to what its HDMI input supports. |
| Older, working HDMI cable | Suitable for testing and for an older TV that supports the desired resolution and refresh rate. | Older HDMI cables can work, but a damaged, excessively long, or poorly made cable may cause dropouts or no signal. |
| Ultra-High-Speed HDMI cable rated for HDMI 2.1 | A replacement when the supplied cable is missing or faulty, or an upgrade for a newer high-bandwidth display. | It is not required for basic 1080p operation on an older TV. The TV, not the cable alone, determines the usable mode. |
For a replacement, compare the cable’s stated HDMI speed rating, the resolution and refresh rate you need, its length, and its construction quality. A shorter cable is usually easier to route and test. Avoid assuming that a cable labeled “4K” or “gaming” will fix a problem caused by the wrong TV input, an incompatible intermediary, or an unsupported display mode.
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The PS5 and television negotiate a mode during startup. The console can send only a mode that the TV reports as supported. The older TV’s HDMI version, supported resolutions, refresh rates, and any manufacturer-specific high-resolution settings therefore determine the final picture.
Start with automatic video output
On the PS5, open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output and set Resolution to Automatic. This allows the console to select the highest mode the TV identifies as supported and is the safest first setting for an unfamiliar or older display.
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Use a lower mode when Automatic does not produce a picture
If the TV cannot display the currently selected mode, return to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output and choose a lower resolution that the TV manual identifies as supported. Make one change at a time, apply it, and wait for the picture before changing another setting. If you cannot see the menu, use the PS5’s Safe Mode display options to recover a visible output, following the on-screen instructions.
Do not infer capabilities from the TV’s age alone
Two televisions released in the same period can have different HDMI inputs and supported modes. Check the label beside each port and the television’s manual or specifications. Some sets accept high-resolution signals only on a particular HDMI input or require a menu setting before they will display them.
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Once the direct PS5-to-TV connection works, you can decide whether to route audio or video through other equipment. Each additional device adds another HDMI handshake and another possible compatibility point.
| Connection path | Advantages | Risks and best use |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 → TV | Fewest devices, simplest diagnosis, and the baseline supported setup. | Use this first and whenever reliability matters more than centralized switching. |
| PS5 → soundbar or receiver → TV | Can centralize audio and inputs. | An intermediary may reject the console’s video mode or interrupt the handshake. Reconnect it only after direct video is stable. |
| PS5 → HDMI switch or splitter → TV | Convenient when the TV has too few HDMI inputs or must feed multiple displays. | Power, EDID, HDCP, or bandwidth behavior can vary. Remove it during no-signal diagnosis. |
| PS5 → capture device → TV | Useful for recording or streaming. | The capture device can impose its own resolution or copy-protection limitations. Test without it first. |
PlayStation identifies intermediary equipment as a possible cause of picture problems. A direct connection is therefore not merely a convenient recommendation; it gives you a known-good reference before you add complexity.
Fix a “No signal” or blank screen
Work through these checks in order. Stop when the picture returns; changing several variables at once makes the cause harder to identify.
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1. Confirm the selected HDMI input
Use the TV remote to cycle through HDMI inputs and select the one labeled for the socket carrying the PS5 cable. Do not rely on the TV’s automatic input switching. If the TV has an on-screen input list, verify that the selected port matches the physical label.
2. Reseat both ends of the cable
Turn the devices off if the connectors are difficult to access. Remove and firmly reinsert the cable at the PS5 and TV. Inspect the plugs for bent parts, looseness, or visible damage. A connector that feels unusually loose can lose contact when the console or TV is moved.
3. Test another HDMI port
Move the cable to a different HDMI input on the TV and select that input. If one port works and another does not, the issue may be limited to the original socket or its configuration. Check the TV manual for any port-specific requirements.
4. Test another HDMI cable
Use a known-working cable of suitable length. The included HDMI 2.1 cable is a useful reference if it is available. If the second cable works, replace the original rather than changing unrelated PS5 settings.
5. Bypass every intermediary device
Disconnect the soundbar, receiver, HDMI switch, splitter, capture device, and any converter. Connect the PS5 directly to the TV, select the direct connection’s input, and restart the test. If direct video works, reconnect accessories individually to locate the device or cable that causes the failure.
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6. Power-cycle the complete setup
- Turn off the PS5 and TV completely.
- Disconnect both devices from power.
- Wait before reconnecting them so residual power and a stale HDMI handshake can clear.
- Reconnect power, turn on the TV, select the correct HDMI input, and then start the PS5.
Use this procedure after changing a cable, port, or intermediary. A standby restart may not reset every HDMI state.
7. Check the selected video mode
If the TV displays a message that the signal is unsupported, use Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output and select Automatic or a lower resolution supported by the TV. Older displays may fail to show a menu when the console is set to a mode outside their range.
8. Check TV firmware and signal settings
Consult the television manufacturer’s manual for firmware updates and settings required for high-resolution HDMI signals. Apply only settings that the TV documentation supports. A firmware update can resolve an input-handling problem, but it cannot add an HDMI input that the hardware does not have.
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Video and audio can fail independently. If the picture is visible but there is no sound:
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- Check that the TV and any connected audio device are not muted and that their volume is high enough to test.
- On the PS5, verify that audio output is set to an HDMI device.
- For the first sound test, connect the PS5 directly to the TV instead of routing it through a receiver or soundbar.
- Try another HDMI cable. A cable or connector that passes video unreliably may also interrupt audio.
- If direct TV audio works but an external audio path does not, reconnect the audio equipment and check its selected input and supported formats according to its manual.
Changing audio equipment should not be used as a substitute for confirming the basic PS5-to-TV HDMI connection. Establish direct picture and sound first, then add the preferred audio path.
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What if the TV has no HDMI input?
The official PS5 guidance cited here covers televisions with HDMI inputs. It does not establish that a particular composite, component, or RF converter will work with a PS5 and a specific old television.
If the TV has only legacy analog inputs, compatibility must be verified for the exact converter and TV combination. Check all of the following before buying or connecting one:
- The converter’s supported input and output resolutions and refresh rates.
- Whether it handles the PS5’s HDMI copy-protection requirements.
- How audio is extracted and delivered to the television or separate speakers.
- Whether the converter accepts the PS5’s signal without an intermediary switch or splitter.
- Whether the converter manufacturer lists the particular TV type and connection standard as supported.
Because these details vary by converter and television, a converter should not be presented as a guaranteed extension of the direct HDMI method. If possible, use a TV or monitor with a native HDMI input for the initial PS5 setup and diagnosis.
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Replace the HDMI cable when
- A known-good cable restores the picture while the original cable does not.
- The original cable has damaged plugs, kinks, exposed shielding, or a loose fit.
- The cable is long or routed under tension and the signal drops when it is moved.
Suspect the TV input when
- The PS5 and cable work on another HDMI port or another TV, but one specific port never displays a signal.
- The TV manual identifies that port as limited to a particular mode or requires a setting you have not enabled.
Suspect an intermediary when
- Direct PS5-to-TV video works consistently but the receiver, soundbar, switch, splitter, or capture device causes the failure.
- The problem appears only after reconnecting one particular device or cable.
Keep the direct connection available as a reference. It lets you distinguish a console or cable fault from a problem introduced by the rest of the HDMI chain.
A practical first-setup checklist
- PS5 HDMI OUT is connected to a TV HDMI input.
- The TV is on and set to the matching HDMI input.
- The first test bypasses receivers, soundbars, switches, splitters, capture devices, and converters.
- Both cable ends are fully seated.
- A second HDMI port and known-good cable have been tested if needed.
- The PS5 resolution is set to Automatic, or to a lower mode documented as supported by the TV.
- Both devices have been fully power-cycled after connection changes.
- The TV manual and firmware have been checked for high-resolution HDMI requirements.
- For missing audio, the TV and audio devices are unmuted and the PS5 output is set to an HDMI device.
Following this order gives an older HDMI television the simplest signal it can receive and isolates cable, port, resolution, power, and accessory problems without guessing.
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