If your PS5 shows the home screen but the TV goes black when you launch an HDR game, start by isolating the video signal: connect the console directly to the TV, check the HDMI cable and input, then temporarily turn HDR off. If the picture returns, test the PS5’s HDR and high-refresh settings one at a time before restoring them.
A PS5 HDR black screen does not automatically mean the console is broken. The display, HDMI cable, TV input, receiver or soundbar, and PS5 output settings all have to support the signal being sent. These steps follow PlayStation’s current troubleshooting guidance and avoid unsupported blanket fixes.
HDR is only one part of the signal. A blackout that begins when a game launches may point to an HDMI handshake or compatibility issue as the PS5 changes video output. A cable or intermediary device may work for the home screen yet fail at a higher resolution or refresh rate. The TV may also need a particular HDMI input or a manufacturer-specific setting for high-bandwidth video.
If the screen is black even on the PS5 home screen, treat it as a general no-image problem first. If only one game triggers it, test another HDR-capable game before changing several system settings. A brief blank during a mode change and a persistent “No Signal” screen are different symptoms.
Use the TV’s Input or Source control to select the HDMI port connected to the console. Check that the picture is not simply on another input. If the TV reports “No Signal,” continue with the cable and connection checks below. Note whether the PS5 home screen appears and whether the blackout happens only when a particular game starts; that distinction helps narrow the fault.
Turn off both devices completely, disconnect their power cables, and reconnect them after 20 minutes. Then turn on the TV, select the PS5 input, and start the console. This follows PlayStation’s no-image troubleshooting sequence and clears a stuck connection state. A quick rest mode wake is not the same as a full power cycle.
Reseat the HDMI cable at both ends. For this test, connect the PS5 straight to the TV and temporarily remove a receiver, soundbar, HDMI switch, capture card, or adapter from the video path. Try another TV HDMI port and select that port on the TV. If a direct connection works, reconnect intermediary devices one at a time; one of them may not pass the same video format reliably.
Try the cable supplied with the PS5 first. Sony recommends it for the console’s high-performance features, though older HDMI cables can work. If you replace it, choose a cable rated for the signal you want to use; for 4K at 120 Hz, Sony recommends the included cable or an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable rated for 4K 120 Hz. Check the cable and connectors for visible damage, and do not force a loose or bent plug.
HDR does not universally require an “HDMI 2.0 or higher” cable as a standalone rule. The supported resolution, refresh rate, TV port, cable, and any device in between determine whether the complete setup can carry the signal.
If the PS5 menu is visible, open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > HDR and temporarily select Off. Launch the affected game once. If the image returns, the test suggests a problem somewhere in the HDR signal path; it does not prove the console’s HDR hardware is defective.
After the test, restore HDR and choose On When Supported if you want HDR only for compatible games and apps. PlayStation explains that Always On also converts non-HDR content to HDR output. You can reopen Video Output and set Resolution to Auto, or to 2160p when using a compatible 4K display. Change one option at a time and retest.
If the black screen occurs with a game that uses a high refresh rate, go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output and test with 120 Hz Output turned off. If the issue remains, test with VRR off as well. Restart the game after each change. If the picture returns, restore the settings separately to identify which combination triggers the problem.
Confirm in the TV manual that the selected HDMI port supports the mode you want. Some displays also require a manufacturer-specific enhanced or high-bandwidth HDMI input setting. The name and location vary by TV, so use its manual rather than applying another brand’s menu instructions.
If the screen stays blank after a resolution change, start the PS5 in Safe Mode. Turn the console off by holding its power button for about three seconds. Then press and hold the power button again, releasing it after the second beep, which comes about seven seconds after the first. Connect the controller with a USB cable and press the PS button.
Choose Change Video Output > Change Resolution, then select a resolution your screen supports. Once the picture returns, go back to the normal Video Output menu and select Auto or the appropriate resolution for your TV. Do not choose Reset PS5 or Reinstall System Software as a display troubleshooting shortcut: those options delete user data.
With a working picture, update the PS5 at Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings. Check the TV manufacturer’s instructions for a firmware update and any required settings for high-resolution signals. If only one game is affected, install its latest update and test another game before changing more console settings.
If the screen still goes black, test the PS5 on another TV or monitor, or test another HDMI device on the original TV. A PS5 that fails with more than one known-working screen and cable may need inspection. Contact PlayStation Repairs if the HDMI port is loose or visibly damaged, or if the no-image problem persists after these checks.
| What you see | First test | What the result suggests |
|---|---|---|
| Only an HDR game goes black | Temporarily turn HDR off, then test another HDR game | Focus on HDR output, game behavior, and the TV’s signal path |
| Only 4K 120 Hz games lose picture | Turn off 120 Hz Output; check cable and TV port support | A high-bandwidth mode or connection may be incompatible |
| PS5 home screen is also missing | Check TV input, reseat HDMI, connect directly, then try Safe Mode | Treat it as a general no-image or connection problem |
| Picture returns after bypassing a receiver or switch | Update that device and reconnect it after testing | The intermediary device or its port may be interrupting the signal |
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