PlayStation 4 Black Screen

PlayStation 4 Black Screen

Evan Gattuso and 4 contributors
Last updated on

If your PS4 turns on but your TV or monitor displays no signal follow the steps below. If your PlayStation 4 will not power on, see the PlayStation 4 Won't Turn On wiki instead.

Causes

1

Before troubleshooting any issues, ensure the TV or monitor you are using is powered on and working correctly. If you have a smart TV, ensure you have installed the newest software.

  1. Turn the TV or Monitor off and then on.
  2. Connect a different console or DVD player to the TV to ensure the TV works.
  3. If another device shows a working image with no issues, the problem likely comes from the PS4, possibly from its HDMI connection.
  4. If you can't get any device to show an image on the TV or monitor, try plugging the PS4's HDMI cable into another TV or monitor.
2

If your TV or monitor turns on and displays other devices, it is possible the HDMI cord that connects the PS4 to the TV is damaged or improperly connected. The HDMI port the console is plugged into might be broken. If your TV screen is black but you can hear sound coming from PS4 games or the system, this could be the root of the issue.

  1. Check the PS4 HDMI cord for damage. If you can't see any visible damage, try a new HDMI cord and plug it into the PS4 and TV.
  2. Plug the HDMI cord into a different port on your TV if there's more than one. If another device shows up on the TV using a different HMDI port, connect the PS4 HDMI cord to that port. Be sure to adjust the input settings to ensure that your screen is set to display the proper port's input.

If the HDMI port on the PS4 is not functioning then you may need to replace the motherboard with a new one that fits your version of the PS4.

3

If you've tried different TVs and HDMI cords and ports, the PS4 console is likely the source of the problem. If your PS4 turns on, but your TV or monitor is black or not showing the PS4 user interface, force shut down the console.

  1. Turn on the PS4 console.
  2. Press and hold the power button.
  3. Once you hear two beeps, let go of the power button.
  4. Wait for 20 minutes while the PS4 cools down.
  5. Turn on the PS4.

If performing a force shutdown did not fix the issue, complete a power cycle.

  1. Press and hold the console's power button until the white light stops flashing.
  2. Remove the power cable.
  3. Wait at least 20 minutes while the power drains.
  4. Reconnect the power cable and turn on your PS4.

If the force shutdown and power cycle did not get the image back on your TV screen, you will need to attempt the solutions below.

In the event that the PS4 is not being powered correctly, the console may not be receiving enough power from either the wall outlet or the power cord to stay on.

  1. Unplug the power cable. Wait at least a minute, check the cord for damage, and then plug it back into the PS4.
  2. If it is damaged or you aren't sure the cord works, try another power cord. The PS4 uses an IEC C7 power cable that came standard with the PS3 and PS5.
  3. Use a different wall outlet.
  4. It is possible the power supply is damaged and you may need to replace the power supply with a new one. Depending on your model of PS4, select the appropriate guide: Slim, Standard, or Pro. Make sure the console is not overheating before repairing the power supply.
4

HDCP is a default setting on the PS4 console that prevents users from pirating content. If you are getting a black screen when playing video games and can navigate to your system settings, turn off this feature.

  1. Select Settings.
  2. Select System Settings.
  3. Uncheck the Enable HDCP checkbox.
  4. Test out your games and see if the problem persists.

Note: You must enable HDCP to use video streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu.

If you have a PS4 Pro console connected to a 4K TV, it may not be able to display an image when playing 4K games or 4K video streaming if the TV does not support HDCP 2.2. To fix the black screen or no image screen you should try changing the PS4 Pros' HDCP setting in Safe Mode:

  1. Hold the power button for three seconds to turn off the PS4 Pro.
  2. Press and hold the power button until you hear two beeps. Release the button after the second beep.
  3. Connect your DualShock controller using the USB cable.
  4. Press the PS button on the controller.
  5. Select Set HDCP Mode
  6. Select HDCP 1.40 Only

If your screen remains black, you'll need to continue to the next section.

5

This issue is most likely to occur when you plug your PS4 into a new TV or display that differs from the display you used when setting up your PS4. Your PS4's display setting may not be compatible with your existing display, so you should change its video output in Safe Mode.

  1. Hold the power button for three seconds to turn off the PS4.
  2. Press and hold the power button until you hear two beeps. Release the button after the second beep.
  3. Connect your DualShock controller using the USB cable.
  4. Press the PS button on the controller.
  5. Select Change Video Output.
  6. Select Change Resolution.
  7. Wait for the PS4 to restart.
  8. Select the supported resolution for your device.

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