Many gamers worldwide have Microsoft’s Xbox One console as the game of choice through which they enjoy the latest video game smash hits. While the console might not be as popular as its counterpart, Sony’s PlayStation 4, it’s still a hugely popular game in the gaming community.
One of a gamer’s worst nightmares is switching on their consoles, ready to play, and then the game refuses to work as it should for one reason or the other. Indeed, it’s more frustrating when you realize the game powers on successfully but just isn’t displaying on the TV as it should.
A major cause of the Xbox One coming on but not displaying is the HDMI port, so we would look at some of the causes of this issue and how we can fix it.
How To Fix HDMI Port On Xbox One
There are three ways to fix the HDMI port on Xbox One; routine hardware troubleshooting, software fix, and hardware fix:
1. Troubleshooting HDMI Hardware On Xbox One
Before you open up your Xbox One console case or try any software fixes, you should do a routine check to ensure there aren’t any errors causing the system to not display. Some important things to check are:
- Check that your HDMI cable is plugged in correctly on the Xbox One console and the TV; sometimes, you might plug the cable in and not push it in all the way. Make sure that you can’t see any of the metal parts of the HDMI plug sticking out of the plug.
- If your TV has multiple HDMI ports, check to ensure the input source selected on the TV is the same as the port you plugged your cable.
- Check if your cable is bad; try to insert your cord so that the top part plugged into either of the devices isn’t bent. You should also try using a different HDMI cable that you are sure works.
- Try testing other HDMI-compliant devices on the TV to see if the HDMI port on the TV is the issue.
- Check that there are no dust, sand or cobwebs in the HDMI port of the Xbox One, the TV and the HDMI cable.
- On the back of the Xbox One console, two HDMI ports look the same; ensure you plugged your cable into the port labelled HDMI OUT. The other port is an HDMI IN port used to connect your cable or satellite TV box so you can view your TV channels directly from an app on the console.
2. Software Fix HDMI Port On Xbox One
If you’ve done all the physical troubleshooting on your console and it still doesn’t work, don’t open the console up just yet; you can try the software troubleshooting as follows:
- Unplug everything on your console, including the power cords and adapter, for around 2-3 minutes.
- Plug everything back on the console
- If your console has an eject button, hold it with the pair button for about 10 seconds, then press the power button; keep holding them till you hear a beeping sound twice.
- If your console doesn’t have an eject button, hold the pair button for about 10 seconds, then tap the power button; keep holding till you hear a beeping sound twice.
- Your Xbox one would enter into Safe Mode and show a Troubleshoot menu on the screen.
- Select Continue and see if the system now works; if it still shows a black screen, repeat steps a-d.
- Select Reset this Xbox, and you will see two options; Keep games and apps and Remove everything.
- Try the first option and see if it works; if it doesn’t, you would need to select the Remove everything option, which would mean your entire system gets wiped.
Related: How To Connect Xbox To Laptop With HDMI
3. Hardware Fix HDMI Port On Xbox One
When you’ve tried every other option, and your Xbox One still isn’t displaying, it’s probably a hardware issue and would require opening the system to change the HDMI port.
Except you’re a qualified technician, you shouldn’t try changing the HDMI port yourself. Firstly, you could try taking your console to a Microsoft Service Center closest to you and get it fixed or do the following:
- Check the sticker on the back of your console for the production model of your Xbox One.
- Find an HDMI port on eBay compatible with it.
- Take the console and the port to a qualified electrician to get it fixed for you.
