Your TV has sound, but the screen stays blank. Start with the fixes that restore video fastest: wake the display, restart the TV, pick the right input, and reseat the HDMI cable.
Then move through source-device checks, picture tests, video settings, software updates, and resets only when the basic fixes do not bring the picture back.
1. Wake the screen and restart everything
This fixes standby, audio-only display modes, and temporary TV or HDMI glitches.
Press any button on the TV remote or streaming-device remote to wake the display.
On LG webOS, press any button except Power or Volume when Screen Off is active.
On Roku TV with audio-only playback or Fast TV Start, press Power or another remote button to wake the display.
Turn off the TV and the connected source device.
Unplug the TV power cord and the source-device power cord.
Wait 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
Plug both power cords back in.
Turn on the source device first, then turn on the TV.
2. Match the TV input to your device
Press Input, Source, or Video on the TV remote.
Select the HDMI or input number that matches the port your device uses.
When the TV cycles through inputs, pause 10 seconds on each input so the TV detects video.
3. Reseat the HDMI cable
This fixes a loose, damaged, or format-limited HDMI connection.
Turn off the TV and the source device.
Unplug the HDMI cable from both ends.
Reconnect it firmly to the HDMI output on the source device.
Reconnect it firmly to the HDMI input on the TV.
Reverse the HDMI cable ends, then test again.
Move the cable to another HDMI port, then switch the TV to that input.
Replace the HDMI cable.
For 4K or HDR devices, match the cable to the format: use a Premium High Speed HDMI cable for HDMI 2.0 sources, or an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable for HDMI 2.1 sources.
4. Bypass soundbars and HDMI switches
Disconnect the source device from the AVR, soundbar, HDMI switch, or HDMI hub.
Connect the source device directly to an HDMI input on the TV.
Switch the TV to that HDMI input.
When the picture returns, troubleshoot or replace the receiver, switch, hub, or soundbar, or contact that manufacturer.
5. Separate the TV from the source
Move the source device to another HDMI port on the same TV.
Switch the TV input to the new port.
Connect the same source device to another TV.
When the problem follows the source device, troubleshoot that device.
When the problem stays with the original TV, run the TV picture test.
On Samsung 2022 and later TVs, go to All Settings > Support > Device Care > Self Diagnosis > Picture Test > OK.
On previous Samsung TVs, go to Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > Picture Test.
On LG webOS 5.0, go to Settings > All Settings > Customer Support > Additional Settings > Picture Test.
On LG 2019 or earlier webOS, go to Settings > All Settings > Picture > Picture Test.
When the built-in picture test fails or the TV shows no menu, volume bar, message, or picture, contact the TV manufacturer for service.
6. Correct picture and HDMI settings
On Samsung 2022 and later TVs, go to All Settings > Support > Device Care > Self Diagnosis > HDMI Troubleshooting.
Select the HDMI connection and follow the on-screen instructions.
On previous Samsung TVs, go to Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > Signal Information > HDMI Cable Test > Start Test.
On LG TVs using a set-top box, go to Settings > All Settings > Picture > Additional Settings > HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color.
Turn HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color on for a 4K-capable source, or off for an HD 1080p or lower source.
On Samsung, set brightness from All Settings > Picture > Expert Settings > Brightness.
On Samsung, turn off Intelligent Mode from All Settings > General & Privacy > Intelligent Mode Settings.
On LG, turn energy saving off from All Settings > Picture > Energy Saving or Power Saving Mode > Off.
On LG webOS 22 or webOS 6.0, press Mute three times, then choose AV Reset in the pop-up.
7. Repair streaming device video
For Roku, press Home > Settings > System > Power > System restart. If Power is not shown, choose System restart.
For Fire TV, go to Settings > My Fire TV > Restart.
On Fire TV Smart TV, go to Settings > Device & Software > Restart.
When Fire TV shows a blank screen because of display resolution, hold Up and Rewind together for 5 seconds, then choose the resolution that displays correctly.
For Apple TV, go to Settings > System > Restart.
On Apple TV 4K, hold the TV button together with Back on the newer Siri Remote, or Menu on the older Siri Remote, until the status light blinks rapidly.
On Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD with no picture, hold Menu and Volume Down for 5 seconds, then choose a working resolution.
On Apple TV, go to Settings > Video and Audio > Match Content, then turn off Match Dynamic Range and Match Frame Rate to test blank screens during playback changes.
On Sony Android TV or Google TV BRAVIA, press and hold POWER until the restart option appears.
On Sony Android TV or Google TV BRAVIA, use Quick Settings > Settings > System > Restart > Restart.
When only one streaming app has sound with a black screen, restart the device first, then remove and reinstall that app on supported TVs and streaming players.
8. Update software or reset last
This fixes TV or streaming-device software problems after the display checks fail.
On Samsung, update through Settings > All Settings > Support > Software Update > Update Now.
On Roku, update through Home > Settings > System > Software update > Check Now.
On Sony TVs, use the TV software update menu for your model, or download the exact model update from Sony support and follow the USB prompts.
On Sony Android TV or Google TV BRAVIA, open Settings. If the remote has Quick Settings, press Quick Settings > Settings; otherwise press HOME > Settings.
Select Apps > See all apps > Show System apps > ExternalinputServices > Clear data and Clear cache > OK, then restart the TV and reconnect HDMI.
Reset Samsung only after other fixes fail: Settings > General & Privacy > Reset > enter PIN > Reset > OK. The default PIN is 0000.
Reset Sony only as a last resort from Quick Settings or HOME > Settings > System > About > Reset > Factory data reset > Erase everything > Yes.
Reset Fire TV only as a last resort from Settings > My Fire TV > Reset to Factory Defaults.
On Fire TV Smart TV, use Settings > Device & Software > Reset to Factory Defaults.
Reset Apple TV only as a last resort from Settings > System > Reset > Reset, or use Reset and Update.
On Roku TV, use the hardware reset only after simpler checks: hold the recessed Reset button for 12 seconds, hold the Roku remote-shaped button and Power button for at least 5 seconds on Roku Pro Series TVs, or hold the TV Power button for 10 seconds on models with no reset button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my TV have sound but no picture?
The supported causes are standby or audio-only screen mode, the wrong TV input, a loose HDMI connection, an HDMI device routed through a receiver or switch, incompatible video format settings, software problems, or a TV hardware fault.
What should I try before replacing the TV?
Wake the display, power-cycle the TV and source device, select the correct input, reseat the HDMI cable, bypass receivers or switches, test another HDMI port, and run the built-in picture test.
How do I know whether the HDMI device is the problem?
Move the device to another HDMI port, then connect it to another TV. When the blank screen follows the device, troubleshoot the source device. When it stays with the original TV, use the TV picture test and service steps.
When should I contact support for a TV with sound but no picture?
Contact support when the TV cannot show its own menu, volume bar, message, or picture, or when the built-in picture test shows the fault after input, cable, restart, update, and reset steps fail.