Check if the Source Device Is Connected and Powered On: How to Fix It

You turn on your TV and get a blank screen with the message “Check if the source device is connected and powered on.” It is most common on Samsung TVs, and it means the TV is not receiving a video signal on the input it is currently showing. The TV itself is usually fine. The problem is almost always the input, the cable or the device behind it.

What this message actually means

The TV checks the selected input for a picture. If nothing arrives, it shows this message instead of a black screen. That can happen when:

• The TV is on a different input than the one your device uses.
• The device is off, asleep, rebooting or has crashed.
• The HDMI cable is loose, damaged or low quality.
• The HDMI port on the TV or device is faulty.
• The device is sending a resolution or HDR mode the TV input is not set up to accept.
• HDMI-CEC (Anynet+ on Samsung) is confusing the connection after a power event.

Step-by-step fixes

1. Make sure the source device is really on

Look at the device, not the TV. A cable box in standby, a console in rest mode or a laptop that has gone to sleep will all trigger this message. Switch it on, wait for its own start-up to finish, then check the TV again. Boxes can take a minute or two to start sending a picture.

2. Select the correct input

Press Source (or Input) on the remote and step through HDMI 1, HDMI 2, HDMI 3 and so on. Match the number to the port label on the TV where the cable is connected. If the TV shows the device name but still no picture, go to step 3.

3. Reseat the HDMI cable at both ends

Unplug the cable from the TV and from the device, wait 10 seconds, then push both ends in until they sit fully. A cable that looks plugged in but is slightly loose is one of the most common causes.

4. Try a different HDMI port and a different cable

Move the cable to another HDMI port on the TV and select that input. If it works there, the first port is faulty. If you have a spare cable, swap it in. Cables fail more often than people expect, especially long, cheap or bent ones. For 4K at 60 Hz or HDR, use a cable rated High Speed or Ultra High Speed.

5. Power cycle everything

1. Turn off the TV and the source device.
2. Unplug both from the wall for at least 60 seconds.
3. Plug them back in, turn the TV on first, then the device.

This clears stuck handshake problems between the TV and the device (HDCP errors).

6. Check the input signal setting on Samsung TVs

Newer Samsung TVs have a setting that controls how much bandwidth an HDMI port accepts. Open Settings, go to General, then External Device Manager and look for Input Signal Plus. Turn it on for the port in use if your device sends 4K, HDR or high frame rates, or turn it off if a basic device such as an older cable box or DVD player is not showing a picture. Menu names vary a little by model and year.

7. Turn HDMI-CEC (Anynet+) off and on

In Settings > General > External Device Manager, switch Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) off, restart the TV, then test. If the picture comes back, you can leave it off or turn it back on later. On other brands the same feature is called Simplink, Bravia Sync or similar.

8. Lower the output resolution on the device

If the screen goes blank right after you change a display setting on a PC or console, the TV may not accept that mode. Connect the device to another screen, or start it in safe mode or with its default display settings, and choose 1080p at 60 Hz. Then raise it step by step.

9. Update the TV software

If your other inputs work, go to Settings > Support > Software Update and install any available update. HDMI handshake bugs are often fixed in firmware.

10. Test the device on another TV

If the device and cable work on another TV, the problem is the HDMI port or board in your TV. If it fails on every TV, the device or cable is the cause. Replace the cable first, as it is the cheapest part.

If it only happens with a cable or satellite box

Check that the box has finished booting and is not showing a blank or “no signal from provider” screen on its own. Then power cycle the box, check the coax or satellite line, and make sure it is not set to an HDMI output resolution the TV rejects. Our guide on fixing a TV that says no signal covers cable box and antenna cases in more detail.

If it only happens with a game console or PC

• Turn off fast start or instant-on modes, then fully shut down and restart the console.
• On a PC, press Windows + P and choose Duplicate or Second screen only.
• Update the graphics driver, then try a lower refresh rate.

When to get the TV repaired

If every input shows the message, several cables and devices fail the same way, and a power cycle did not help, the HDMI board or main board may be at fault. Check your warranty, then contact the manufacturer or a repair shop.

Frequently asked questions

Does this message mean my TV is broken?

Usually not. It means no picture is arriving on the selected input. Most cases are fixed by changing the input, reseating the cable or restarting the device.

Why does it appear when the device is on?

The TV may be on the wrong input, the cable may be loose, or the device may be sending a signal mode the TV input is not set to accept. Try another HDMI port and check Input Signal Plus.

Can a bad HDMI cable cause this?

Yes. A damaged, loose or low-grade cable is one of the top causes. Swap in a known good High Speed or Ultra High Speed cable to rule it out.

Is it only on Samsung TVs?

The exact wording is most associated with Samsung, but other brands show similar “No signal” messages, and the same fixes apply.

My TV apps are not working either. Is it related?

Not usually. App problems are a network or software issue. See how to fix TV apps not working.