Why Does My PS5 Turn On But Show No Display?

Believe me, I‘ve been there. You excitedly hook up your shiny new PlayStation 5, press power…and are greeted by a blank screen. Why spend $500 on a lifeless slab of plastic and silicon? At least my PS4 showed something, even if it was just the logo mocking me!

But don‘t smash that DualSense controller in frustration just yet. Having your PS5 turn on without any video or audio is usually an easy, DIY fix. The most common culprits can be summed up with the acronym HADS:

HDMI Connections
Accessories and Cables
Display Compatibility
System Software

After ruling out these basic issues, a minority of cases do require professional repair – but are often covered under Sony‘s 1-year warranty.

By methodically working through the following troubleshooting tips, you should get back to 4K 120fps gaming glory in no time…

HDMI Connections – #1 Suspect

Like most modern AV equipment, the PS5 transmits video solely through its HDMI 2.1 port. A loose fitting or damaged HDMI cable is by far the most likely reason your spiffy new console won‘t show anything on-screen. Thoroughly inspect both ends of the cable for any bent pins or gaps between the connectors and ports. If possible, swap in a different certified HDMI 2.1 cord to rule out cable failure.

While loose wires can cause intermittent signal dropouts, bent pins inside the PS5‘s HDMI socket prevent proper contact, resulting in no video output whatsoever. Though delicate, this port is repairable by a skilled technician if needed.

Accessories and Cables – Change ‘Em Up

Before assuming your PS5 is defective, experiment with alternates for EVERY connection to isolate the problem:

• Different HDMI port on TV
• Separate power outlet
• Alternate USB controller cable
• Substitute power cord from another console

Process of elimination goes a long way towards fixing obscure hardware bugs or incompatibilities.

Display Compatibility – All About Resolution

Since the PS5‘s graphics output can drive 4K 120fps, your television or monitor must support HDMI 2.1 to show everything without issues. If it‘s an older display, try manually adjusting the video resolution lower via safe mode after verifying the max specs:

Tip: Most 4K televisions include a dedicated ‘Gaming‘ HDMI port optimized for consoles. Consult your display manual for details.

System Software – Power Cycling

Before letting panic set in, methodically power cycle your PS5 to discharge any built up static, clear memory leaks, or kickstart stuck background processes:

1. Fully power off PS5
2. Unplug all cables for > 1 minute
3. Reconnect everything tightly
4. Cross fingers, say prayer to the Sony gods
5. Press power button

This reboot procedure solves many mysterious computer woes…including the dreaded ‘No Signal‘ status according to numerous forum posts.

When DIY Fixes Fail…

Assuming you‘ve triple checked all connections, adjusted settings, rebooted repeatedly, and the PS5 still shows a depressing black void instead of your game, hardware failure becomes the likely culprit.

While a small percentage of brand new consoles ship DOA, many more fall victim down the road due to defects or everyday wear-and-tear.

Here is how the first year failure rate breaks down by model according to a 2022 study:

Data Source: Warranty Week Report

Before shelling out $200+ for professional repair costs, contact Sony in case your issue is covered under their standard 1-year limited warranty:

• Sony Support Phone: 800-345-SONY
• Sony Support Chat: Link

But ultimately, selection a repair avenue comes down to cost:

Here‘s hoping some combination of cable-wiggling, setting tweaks, resets, and maybe warranty replacement gets your PS5 back on track soon. While the blank screen is never the experience we hope for with new gadgets, rest assured this annoying glitch is usually fixable even if it requires some trial and error. Let me know in the comments what ended up doing the trick for your system!