There is perhaps no more sinking feeling for a gamer than pressing the power button on a PlayStation 5, hearing that familiar beep, seeing the console’s light turn from blue to solid white, and being met with a cold, flickering “No Signal” message on the TV. You know the console is running, you might even hear the menu music through your headset, but the bridge between your PS5 and your display has collapsed.
This phenomenon is known as an HDMI Handshake issue. In the world of modern high-definition gaming, the connection between your console and your screen isn’t just a one-way street of data; it is a complex, ongoing conversation. When that conversation breaks down, the result is a black screen, intermittent flickering, or distorted visuals.
Whether you are a day-one PS5 owner or you’ve recently upgraded to the PS5 Pro in 2026, this guide will walk you through everything from the basic “quick fixes” to the deep-level system settings required to stabilize your connection.
What is an HDMI Handshake?
Before we dive into the “how-to,” it is helpful to understand the “what.” An HDMI handshake is a digital process where the source (your PS5) and the sink (your TV or Monitor) exchange encrypted information. They are essentially introducing themselves to each other:
- Resolution & Refresh Rate: “I can output 4K at 120Hz,” says the PS5. “I can only display 4K at 60Hz,” replies the TV. They agree on 60Hz.
- Color Space: They negotiate HDR10, Dolby Vision, or SDR capabilities.
- HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection): This is the most common point of failure. It is an anti-piracy protocol that ensures the content isn’t being recorded illegally. If the TV doesn’t “sign off” on the HDCP key fast enough, the PS5 cuts the video signal entirely.
When any of these parameters fail to align—or if the signal is degraded by a poor cable—the handshake fails, and you get a black screen.
Step 1: The Hardware Audit
Most HDMI issues are physical. Before you start digging into software menus, we need to ensure the physical path is clear and functional.
1. Check the “Ultra High Speed” Certification
The PS5 requires a massive amount of bandwidth (up to 32Gbps or 48Gbps depending on the model and features) to push 4K resolution at 120Hz with HDR. If you are using an old HDMI cable from your PS4 or a generic “High Speed” cable you found in a drawer, it simply won’t have the “pipe” size necessary for the PS5’s data stream.
- The Fix: Ensure you are using the original cable that came with the PS5 or a certified HDMI 2.1 (Ultra High Speed) cable. Look for the “Ultra High Speed” hologram on the packaging.
2. Inspect the Ports
The PS5’s HDMI port is notoriously delicate. Over years of use, or from a single accidental tug, the internal pins can bend or the solder joints connecting the port to the motherboard can crack.
- The Fix: Use a flashlight to look inside the PS5’s HDMI port. Are the pins straight? Is there dust or lint inside? If the port feels “wobbly” when you plug the cable in, you likely have a hardware failure that requires professional repair.
3. The 60-Second Power Cycle
Electronic components can hold a static charge or get stuck in a “logic loop.” A simple restart often isn’t enough; you need a full “cold boot” to reset the HDMI controllers on both devices.
- The Fix:
- Turn off the PS5 and the TV completely.
- Unplug both from the wall outlet.
- Wait 60 full seconds. (This allows the capacitors to drain).
- While unplugged, hold the power button on the PS5 for 10 seconds to clear residual energy.
- Plug everything back in and turn on the TV first, followed by the PS5.
Step 2: Using Safe Mode to Reset Resolution
If you still have a black screen, the PS5 might be trying to output a resolution that your TV doesn’t support (for example, trying to push 4K to a 1080p monitor). Safe Mode is your backdoor into the system.
How to Enter Safe Mode
- Turn off your console by holding the power button for three seconds. The power indicator will blink for a few moments before turning off.
- Once the console is off, press and hold the power button again.
- Release it after you hear the second beep (about 7 seconds after the first).
- Connect your DualSense controller via a USB-C cable and press the PS button.
Adjusting Video Output
In the Safe Mode menu, you have two primary tools for fixing handshake issues:
- Change Video Output: Select “Change Resolution.” The PS5 will restart and allow you to pick a lower resolution (like 1080p or 720p). If the image appears at a lower resolution, you know the cable was likely the bottleneck for 4K.
- Change HDCP Mode: If you suspect an HDCP conflict, try setting this to HDCP 1.4 Only. This is an older, more stable version of the protection protocol. While it might prevent you from watching 4K Netflix, it often stabilizes the image for gaming.
Step 3: Deep Settings Tweak (The “4K Transfer Rate” Fix)
Once you have a visible image, there are specific settings within the PS5 UI that can mitigate handshake flickers.
The -1 and -2 Transfer Rate Trick
This is the “secret weapon” for many PS5 users. Under Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output, you will find an option called 4K Video Transfer Rate.
- Automatic: The default.
- -1: Limits the chroma subsampling (colors) to reduce the bandwidth required.
- -2: Limits it further.
If your screen flickers or “blinks” black every few minutes, setting this to -1 or -2 often fixes it instantly by slightly lowering the data load on the HDMI cable without a noticeable loss in visual quality for most players.
Disable HDMI Device Link (CEC)
HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) allows your PS5 to turn on your TV and vice versa. However, this “talkative” feature often causes handshake confusion where the TV and console keep sending conflicting “on/off” or “input switch” signals.
- The Fix: Go to Settings > System > HDMI and toggle Enable HDMI Device Link to Off.
Step 4: TV-Specific Troubleshooting
Sometimes the problem isn’t the PlayStation—it’s the display. As of 2026, many smart TVs from LG, Samsung, and Sony have specialized “Game Modes” that can interfere with standard handshakes.
LG OLED (C Series / G Series)
LG TVs often require you to enable HDMI Deep Color manually for the specific port the PS5 is plugged into. Without this, the TV won’t accept an HDR signal, causing a black screen.
- Fix: Go to Settings > General > Devices > HDMI Settings > HDMI Deep Color.
Samsung (QLED / Neo QLED)
Samsung’s “Anynet+” is their version of CEC, and it is notoriously buggy with the PS5. Additionally, ensure you are using the specific HDMI port labeled with a Controller icon or 4K@120Hz, as many Samsung models only have one or two high-bandwidth ports.
Sony (Bravia)
Sony TVs usually play best with PS5s, but they often require the HDMI signal format to be set to “Enhanced Format” or “Enhanced Format (VRR)” in the TV’s input settings menu.
Step 5: Bypassing External Hardware
If your PS5 is plugged into a Soundbar, AV Receiver, or HDMI Switcher before reaching the TV, you have doubled the chances of a handshake failure. Every “hop” in the chain is a new handshake that can fail.
- The Troubleshooting Test: Plug the PS5 directly into the TV.
- If the issue disappears, the problem is your receiver or switch. Many older receivers claim to support 4K but cannot handle the specific 120Hz or VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) signals the PS5 outputs. In this case, use the eARC port on your TV to send audio back to the soundbar while keeping the PS5 plugged directly into the TV.
Summary Checklist for 2026
If you are still struggling, run through this final checklist:
- Swap the cable: Even if it’s brand new, cables can be DOA (Dead on Arrival).
- Try a different port: Port 1 on a TV is often different from Port 4.
- Update Firmware: Check for a PS5 system update and a TV firmware update. In 2025/2026, several patches were released specifically to address VRR flickering on newer panels.
- Disable VRR/ALLM: These features are great for gaming but require perfect signal integrity. Turn them off in the PS5 settings to see if stability returns.
When to Seek Professional Repair
If you have tried three different certified cables, two different TVs, and performed a factory reset in Safe Mode, and you still have no signal, the HDMI Encoder Chip (a small chip on the motherboard) or the Physical Port is likely damaged. In 2026, these are common repairs for specialized technicians, as the PS5’s high-heat environment can eventually weaken the solder joints near the video out area.
By following this guide, you should be able to narrow down whether your issue is a simple “digital misunderstanding” or a physical hardware hurdle. Most of the time, a high-quality cable and a quick dip into Safe Mode are all it takes to get back into the game.
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