PlayStation 4 (Slim and Pro) turns on but has no picture: if a PS4's power indicator is white but the screen is blank, Sony's steps are these: use the HDMI cable that came with the console, or a high-speed or premium high-speed cable, and try a different HDMI port and the right input; connect straight to the screen with soundbars and capture devices removed; turn the screen and console fully off, disconnect both power cables for 20 minutes, then reconnect; and update the screen's firmware. If that fails, Safe Mode's Change Resolution can drop the picture to 480p, and on a Pro the HDCP mode can be the cause.
Differential
Likely causes of “PlayStation 4 (Slim and Pro) turns on but has no picture”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The screen is on the wrong input or the cable is loose
What separates it The console light is white, the fan runs and the screen says no signal
How to confirm Select the HDMI input the PS4 is plugged into and reseat the cable at both ends; try a different HDMI port
- 2
A cable or port that cannot carry the signal
What separates it The picture comes and goes or never appears with a particular cable
How to confirm Use the cable included with the PS4 or a high-speed or premium high-speed HDMI cable, and try another cable
- 3
A soundbar, receiver or capture device in the chain
What separates it The picture works when the PS4 goes straight to the TV
How to confirm Connect the console directly to the HDMI port on the screen and disconnect other devices, as Sony directs
- 4
A resolution the screen cannot show
What separates it The picture went blank after a resolution or HDR change, or after moving the PS4 to a different TV
How to confirm Start Safe Mode and choose Change Resolution, which resets the output to 480p on restart
- 5
An HDCP handshake problem on a Pro with a 4K TV
What separates it The PS4 Pro shows no image on a 4K TV but works on another display
How to confirm In Safe Mode set option 8, HDCP Mode, to HDCP 1.4 Only, as Sony describes for 4K TV compatibility limits
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The power indicator color, and whether the console beeps at startup
- The TV brand and model, HDMI port and any receiver between the console and TV
- Whether the console is a Slim (CUH-2000 series) or a Pro (CUH-7000 series)
- Whether the picture failed after a settings change or a move to a new screen
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedCheck the input and cable ends
ReversibleUse the screen's remote to pick the correct HDMI input. Then reseat the HDMI cable at both the PS4's HDMI OUT port and the screen. If your screen has several HDMI ports, try another.
Use the right cable
ReversibleUse the cable that came with the console. If you use another, Sony says it should be a high-speed or premium high-speed HDMI cable compatible with the PS4.
Connect directly to the screen
ReversibleDisconnect the soundbar, home theatre and capture devices and plug the PS4 straight into the screen. This removes anything that could break the HDCP handshake.
Power everything off for 20 minutes
ReversibleTurn the screen and the console completely off, disconnect both power cables, wait 20 minutes, reconnect the cables and turn everything on. Sony lists this before any Safe Mode step.
Update the screen firmware
ReversibleMake sure the screen has the latest firmware and check its manual for any setting needed for high-resolution signals.
Start Safe Mode and change the resolution
ReversibleTurn the console off, hold the power button and release it after the second beep, connect the controller by USB and press the PS button. Choose Change Resolution; the console restarts at 480p, and you can raise it afterwards.
On a Pro, set HDCP Mode
ReversibleIn Safe Mode choose option 8, Set HDCP Mode, then HDCP 1.4 Only. The console restarts. Sony notes that you may not get 4K or HDR for some content while HDCP 1.4 is set, so return it to Automatic once you have a picture.
Try 2160p YUV420 on a 4K TV
ReversibleIf there is still no image, Sony says power off again, use Change Resolution to select 2160p - YUV420, then restart in Safe Mode once more and set HDCP Mode back to option 1, Automatic.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- PS4 Pro (CUH-7000 series) only
- Sony's 4K, HDR and HDCP troubleshooting is for the Pro. The Slim (CUH-2000 series) does not output 4K, so a 4K resolution problem cannot be a Slim problem.
- Safe Mode option numbers
- Sony's PS4 pages number the options: 2 is Change Resolution, 5 is Rebuild Database, 7 is Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software) and 8 is Set HDCP Mode.
- Tools and supplies
- A second high-speed HDMI cable, a USB cable for the controller, a flashlight for the HDMI port and the TV remote and manual.
- What to tell Sony repair
- The model number, which resolution and HDCP settings you tried in Safe Mode and what the screen does; a part number is not needed.
- Repair cost
- For this fault an HDMI port replacement is typically $100 to $150 per VideoGame911 and $80 to $130 per iFixScreens.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the PlayStation 4 Pro.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If Safe Mode shows no picture on any screen with a known-good cable, contact PlayStation Repairs
- !If the HDMI port on the console looks bent or scorched, stop using it and unplug the console
- !If a second cable, input and TV all give a blank screen, contact Sony with the model number
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The HDCP and 4K steps are Sony's for the PS4 Pro; the Slim outputs up to 1080p, which Sony's own model notes state. Sony does not list TV models that work with the PS4 Pro, so this page does not either.
Sony's no-image steps.
Set HDCP Mode and Change Resolution in Safe Mode.
PS4 Safe Mode options.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my PS4 turn on but show no picture?+
Follow Sony's list: right input, included or high-speed cable, direct connection, a 20 minute power-off of both devices and a screen firmware update. Then use Safe Mode to change the resolution.
How do I change the PS4 resolution without a picture?+
Start Safe Mode by holding the power button until the second beep, connect the controller by USB and press the PS button, then choose Change Resolution. The PS4 restarts with a 480p output.
What is HDCP and why does it matter?+
HDCP is copy protection on HDMI. Sony says the PS4 cannot output video and audio if a connected device does not support HDCP, and you can turn it off for gameplay only from Settings, System.
What is option 8 in PS4 Safe Mode?+
Set HDCP Mode. On a PS4 Pro with a 4K TV, choosing HDCP 1.4 Only can bring a picture back at the cost of 4K or HDR for some content.
Does a receiver break the PS4 picture?+
It can. Connect the PS4 straight to the TV, and note that Sony says the console must be connected directly to the TV to output HDR.
Do I need a special cable for the Pro?+
For 4K, Sony says to use Premium HDMI cables for every device in the chain. The cable supplied with the PS4 Pro is suitable.
Will Change Resolution delete my games?+
No. It only changes the display resolution. Options such as Initialize PS4 delete data.
When is a blank screen a repair?+
When the light is white, Safe Mode shows no picture on any screen with a known-good cable, or the HDMI port is damaged.