My TV says no signal but everything is plugged in? Well, there are numerous possibilities behind such issues so stay with us until the end of this guide as we unwrap everything!
The TV may be displaying the “no signal” message when there is an issue with the selected input.
When there is a fault with a (video) connected device or with the TV service cable, you’ll see “no signal” on the screen respectively, with the used source!
Keep reading to learn more!
What Does It Mean When Your TV Says No Signal?
When your TV keeps saying “no signal”, it could mean quite a few different things, that include. the cable service, any service subscriptions, cables, and of course, TV input.
To learn more about the surrounding factors, here are all the possibilities why the TV says no signal:
- A functionality (video) cable fault
- An issue with the TV input port
- A software issues with the TV
- An issue with the external device
- Wireless setup interference
- Ongoing service maintenance
Have You Checked All Cables Thoroughly?
Though all of the cables may look secure at first glance, a thorough examination is required to conclude the wiring.
It’s recommended to determine if all of the cables are secured into their ports by pulling them slightly and inspecting for any rips, cuts, and body damage!
TV Says No Signal But Everything Is Plugged In – Fixed!
Tip: Don’t skip any of the steps!
1. Check the TV Input Source!
The first step that you should undertake is to inspect the selected input source of the TV, and whether there is a connected device.
This is important since, selecting an improper input source (where no device is connected), will result in the “no signal” message you’re seeing.
- To adjust the input source on most TVs, press the “Source” button!
Info: Pressing “Source” on the remote control should bring out the input menu, where you’ll be able to select the input source of your streaming device.
2. Power Cycle your Equipment
In case you’re confident that the TV source should be working but you still see “no signal”, the next best step would be to perform a power circulation.
The goal of this method is to restart all services and allow your TV and equipment to cool down.
How to Power Cycle Setup?
- Use the remote control to shut down the TV.
- Unplug the television from the electrical outlet.
- Also, unplug the TV source (connected device)
- Wait for at least 4-5 minutes for the circulation.
- Reconnect your TV and equipment to the power.
Info: In addition, it’s recommended to check whether the TV source device is working and connected to a functional power outlet.
3. Use a Different TV Input & Port
If you’re seeing “no signal” on your TV only while on a particular input (although a device is connected), the port might be the culprit.
To test this theory out, you should connect the external device to an alternative input, available on your TV.
How to Use a Different Coax Input?
- Follow the cable coming out of the TV box.
- Locate an alternative coax input on the TV.
- Unplug the coaxial cable from the previous input.
- Connect the coax into the available coaxial input.
- Select “Coax 2” or “Coax 1” from the TV’s source menu.
How to Use a Different HDMI Input?
- Disconnect the HDMI from the current port.
- Locate another free input (HDMI 1, 2, SIDE).
- Connect the HDMI of the device into another port.
- Use the TV source menu to select the new input.
Tip: To access the input menu for most TVs, use the “Source” button on the remote control, or go to Settings > “Input”/“Source”.
4. Adjust the Coaxial Channel!
When your TV says no signal but cable box is on, you should check whether the TV is on the same coaxial channel as the TV box.
Most cable boxes whose output via coax can be either set to channel “3” or “4”. Your TV must be set to an identical output channel respectively.
Here’s how to change the coaxial channel of your TV:
- Make sure both your TV and box are turned on.
- Use the remote to enter the TV’s “Menu” section.
- Navigate to the “Settings” or “Options” tab.
- Enter either the “Channel” or “Tuner” tab.
- Set the TV to channel “3” first and then “4”.
Info: Whilst testing on which channel will the broadcast of your TV box occur, verify that the device is turned on and running!
5. Update your TV’s Firmware!
Running your TV on outdated firmware could cause all sorts of trouble, including losses in the signal.
To resolve this problem, you must upload the latest firmware available for your TV, through the settings of the device!
- Your TV must be connected to WiFi to download and install an update!
Here’s how most TVs are software updated:
- Navigate into the Settings of the TV.
- Access the “General” functions tab.
- Search for “Software Update”.
- Press “Check for Updates”.
- Wait for the checker to finish.
- Select “Start Update” and wait.
Note: The settings on different brand TVs might be labeled differently!
6. Re-Install the Coaxial Cable
When my TV says no signal but everything is plugged in coaxial cable included, we often forget to check whether the cable is tightly connected on both sides.
The best course of action would be to unplug the coaxial cable from the TV box (if involved) or from the TV.
For precise instructions, follow the guide below:
- Shut down your TV using the remote.
- Unplug the power cable of the TV from the wall outlet.
- Locate the coaxial cable (connected to the TV or device).
- Gently unplug the coax from the port of your device.
- If you have a coax outlet, unplug the cable from there as well.
- Tightly plug the cable in both ports to secure the connetion.
Important: While reinstalling the coaxial cable, thoroughly examine the body and cable connectors for any damage or other traces of a general fault.
7. Reset the External Device & TV
If you keep having issues with an external device, such as a coaxial TV cable box, the best next step would be to factory reset the device.
Fortunately, most cable boxes have an in-built reset button on their panels.
Note: If your device does not have a panel reset button, navigate through the settings!
How to Factory Reset a TV Cable Box?
- Locate the “reset” button on either panel of the box.
- Press and hold the button down for 5-10 seconds.
- Wait for the LED lights on the front of the box to blink.
- Release the reset button and wait for the device to reset.
How to Factory Reset a TV?
- Using the remote, open the Settings of the TV.
- Navigate to the “Software Menu” or “General” tab.
- Scroll down and enter the “Factory Reset” tab.
- (Optional) Insert parental PIN if required.
- Press on “Factory Reset Everything”.
- Wait for the television to undergo the reset.
Alert: The factory reset on both your TV and cable box will have irreversible consequences, such as the erasing of all software data stored.
Still Here?
In case you’re still experiencing issues with your cable TV service or external devices, it’s best to search for help elsewhere.
For users who are on a TV subscription, contact your provider and report the outage problem that you’re facing.
Quick Recap:
We’ve learned that when my TV says no signal but everything is plugged in, the first step is to perform a power circulation and then reconnect ALL setup cables.
In case that doesn’t help, switch to another TV source and/or factory reset your setup equipment.
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Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.