17 Fixes For HDMI Port Not Working In Windows

An HDMI port has become an essential requirement in today’s world. It has eliminated the need to invest in expensive computer monitors. You can now turn your TV into a computer monitor. 

But, you might run into an HDMI Port not working in Windows 10 Error. But don’t you worry, this guide will help you fix any HDMI error. You will get the HDMI ports working in Windows 10 in no time.

With that being said, let’s begin:

Solutions For Windows 10 HDMI Port Not Working

1. Check Your Hardware And HDMI Cable
2. Change Display Settings
3. Set The Secondary Display
4. The Correct Display Output
5. Set HDMI Device As Default 
6. Check Hardware And Devices Troubleshooter
7. Check The Graphics Driver In Device Manager
8. Install Driver In Compatibility Mode
9. Run The SFC Scan
10. Run A DISM Tool
11. Delete Temporary Files
12. Check The Recently Installed Applications
13. Update The Operating System
14. Run A System Scan
15. Try System Restore
16. Factory Reset The TV
17. Replace The HDMI Cable

Solutions To Fix HDMI Port Not Working Issue On Windows 10

1. Check Your Hardware And HDMI Cable

You might have already tried this step. But, it is worth putting on the checklist before you move to other solutions. There are two things that you have to check here.

The first is the HDMI cable and its quality. Make sure that it is working fine. Change the HDMI cables or try it with something else. Naturally, if you suspect that the HDMI cable isn’t working, replace it.

The second thing you have to check is the HDMI port. Sometimes, the problem isn’t in the cable or device but the port. If the port was left uncovered, it could be a dust problem. Other problems could be just the port not working.

Also, make sure you correctly connect the HDMI cable. Remember, there are different types of HDMI cables. So, make sure to use the correct one with you.

• Make sure to have a single HDMI cable connected to your computer and the TV screen. Having more than one can interrupt the connectivity. It could be the reason for the HDMI port not working.
• Shut down your computer and connect the HDMI cable. Only after connecting the cable, boot up your computer. This will load up the HDMI. Often, Windows OS needs you to reboot the system for a new device connection. This often installs or loads relevant drivers.

2. Change Display Settings

It is easier to get the wrong display settings than you might expect. Sometimes, the windows just can’t load the correct settings. So, you will have to change it to your preference manually:

For the Windows 10 users, it is a piece of cake to fix this:

• Press Windows + P key from your keyboard. This will open a panel for Display settings. Now, you can choose one of the settings.
• The ‘Computer Screen Only’ option will keep the display on the primary screen. So it would be your Monitor or the Laptop screen.
• The duplicate option will help you have the same content on the Monitor / Screen and the second screen. This option usually works great for work like presentations.
• If you use the Extend option, there will be a new resolution setting. You will have to customize the extension. This is what gamers use when they have more than a single screen. They often have two or more displays and extend the display.
• Finally, you have Second Screen Only. This option will shut down your primary display. In other words, your monitor or laptop screen will shut off. Then, the secondary screen will power up. You will receive all the content on this secondary screen.

So, go ahead and make changes according to your preference.

3. Set The Secondary Display

This step could be a valuable solution for those that have graphics cards. If you have Nvidia or other advanced GPUs, follow these steps:

• Go to the taskbar in the bottom right corner. Find the controls for your graphic options (for example, Nvidia Control Panel).
• Open the controls and go to the setup for Multiple Displays.

• There, you will find most options that are easy to follow for HDMI connection.
• Check the main display and the secondary display settings. Rest is easy to follow through.

4. The Correct Display Output

Similar to the Display settings, the default display might need a change. This works if you can hear the sound but can’t seem to get the video.

• Go to the desktop and right-click on it. Select Display Settings. You can also do it from the Windows 10 Settings option.
• Scroll down and find Multiple Displays. If you can find other options like Monitor Icon 1 and 2, the display is readable. Otherwise, you’d have to click on the Detect option.
• Let Windows find and load your display. Once it does that, check the windows Monitor 1 or 2 and select accordingly.

5. Set HDMI Device As Default Device

If none of the above-given solutions helped, it’s time to check the default device. This can fix the HDMI Port Not Working On Windows 10 issue. But, it is mainly for the sound settings. So, if you can’t hear the audio but can see the video, follow-through:

• Open the Home Screen and go to the Taskbar in the bottom right corner.
• Find the Volume Icon and right-click on it. Then find the ‘Sound’ in the options you get.
• Open it and go to the Playback tab. Find the default devices. It will show all the devices connected or available for your Computer.
• Select the one that is your HDMI device. Then set it as default.

You can reboot the computer if you want, but don’t forget to click OK. After this, you can check if you are getting the sound or not. 

6. Check Hardware And Devices Troubleshooter

With each new update and Windows Versions, we got troubleshooting. It is one of the best tools to fix any issues with your Computer. There is a troubleshooter for various problems. You can use it to diagnose and automatically fix any problem.

For the display settings and HDMI port not working, Hardware and Devices is the one you need:

• Go to the Control Panel in your Start Menu. You can search for it.
• Search for Troubleshooting in the top-right search box. Go to Hardware And Sound. Run the troubleshooter that is relevant.
• You can also press Windows + I to pop up a control center. Search for troubleshooting settings.
• Go to an additional troubleshooter and find if there is any troubleshooter for display.

Once you run either troubleshooter, Windows will start working automatically. All you’d have to do is follow the on-screen instructions.

7. Check The Graphics Driver In Device Manager

This is the best step with multiple solutions for you. So, get ready as you will go through device drivers one after another. Often, the issue for the HDMI port not working in Windows 10 is the display driver.

First, you will have to check if it is enabled or disabled. You can also use this step to ‘restart’ the driver.

• Open Device Manager. For this, you can use the Run option (windows + R key) and type devmgmt.msc
• You can also go to the Search Bar at the bottom and search for the Device Manager.
• Go to the Display Adapters settings and expand it. Find all the drivers installed for display adapters.
• Right-click on the secondary drivers (not the main one). Click on disable. Then reboot the Computer and click on Enable. This will restart the display driver.
• If any of the display drivers related to HDMI is already disabled, it will show ‘enable’ for the option.
• This means that your driver was disabled, and that’s why the HDMI port wasn’t working. Just enable it and reboot the computer.

If this solves the issue, then great. Otherwise, move to the second series of solutions. This time, you will have to Update the Driver Software.

• Once again, go to Device Manager > Display Adapters. Right-click on the relevant driver and find the update driver option.
• If you can’t find the option there, go to Properties. In the driver tab, you will find various options. Select the Update Device or Update Driver option.
• Make sure to select ‘Search Automatically For Updated Driver Software.’
• This option will help you download the relevant drivers.

If this option doesn’t work, you will have to find the manufacturer of the display device. In this case, it will be the TV screen you’re connecting to. Find the driver by going to the official manufacturer’s website. There, you will find drivers for Windows 10.

Finally, if updating drivers didn’t help, or if the drivers are already up to date, try a rollback. After all, you can constantly update the drivers again. So, it is worth trying the ‘roll back driver’ option. You will find it in the same Drivers tab as above.

After the rollback, you will have to reboot the computer. Check and see if this solves the issue.

8. Install Driver In Compatibility Mode

It might be a good idea to use a compatibility mode if you have a driver setup file. This will increase the chances of successful and best installation for the drivers.

• Right-click on the driver setup file and click on Properties
• Then find the Compatibility Tab from the options.
• Select ‘Run File In Compatibility Mode.’ The option’s name might differ but select it.

Now run the setup file normally, as you would do to install the drivers. That’s all.

9. Run The SFC Scan

Much like the troubleshooting tool, there are some other great tools in Windows 10. These can help you fix an array of issues with the system. It is a good idea to run them once in a while.

The first tool would be to use System File Checker.

• Go to the Start Menu or Search Bar. Find Command Prompt.
• Right-click on it and select ‘Run As Administrator.’ This will avoid any problem with authorizing the procedure.
• Type: sfc/scannow and press enter.

Let the entire process run through. It is an automated process that will scan and fix almost any issue with your system. This will also repair any other problem with the computer and not just the HDMI port not working.

Once it does scanning, there will be a reboot. After that, you can run the command once more to ensure that your computer is fixed.

10. Run A DISM Tool

DISM is another excellent tool that works with the System Image. Just like the system files, the image file is essential for Windows 10 to function. You can follow the same above-given steps to launch the Command Prompt.

You can also run the Windows Powershell tool for this.

All you need to do is type:

DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/ScanHealth
DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth

Wait for the entire process to complete. This will fix any issue that SFC failed to fix.

11. Delete Temporary Files

Temporary files are the cached files in your system. These aren’t essential but just make it so you can launch some apps and programs quickly. It helps in loading the tasks quicker. But, if there are too many temporary files, it can hinder the task.

In other words, your computer might load up slower, and you will have a problem executing commands. Sometimes, the HDMI port not working issues branches from the temporary files.

• It is a good idea to run a disk cleanup.
• You can also go to the ‘Run’ command and type %temp%
• Select all the files and delete them.

12. Check The Recently Installed Applications

If you’ve tried all the technical solutions, now you will find the most basic solutions. These are not necessarily the reason for HDMI not working, but could help you fix the issue. 

So, the first step would be to check for any software or app you’ve installed recently. Often, it can impact hardware and device problems. Maybe it is interrupting the HDMI communication. So, if you can’t get the audio or video feet, it is worth looking at. 

13. Update The Operating System

It is quite possible that the problem isn’t technical nor driver-oriented. It could be related to Windows Update. In other words, it is a good idea to check for updates once in a while. Just like driver updates, this can impact communication and performance. 

• Go to the Settings. You can press Windows + I key 
• Select Update & Security. Then go to Check For Updates
• Let the windows search automatically and install them. You won’t have to do anything.
• Reboot the computer. See if this helps fix the issue. 

14. Run A System Scan

There could be some malware or virus causing the problem. This could prevent the connection method. You could check the system by running an antivirus scan. Microsoft Windows Defender is enough in fulfilling this task. Thus, you can access it by searching for it.

If you want more premium services, you can try Avast and other similar software. Use them and scan your file. You can also make sure that the driver isn’t in quarantine or some other place.

Sometimes, antivirus (especially freemium) moves essential files, applications, and tools to quarantine. They might even disable these functions. So, it is worth checking.

15. Try System Restore

Maybe some recent changes, app, or virus has affected the computer. If you tried the above-given steps but can’t find a solution, use this. The system restore tool is a boon for many users. It will restore the system to previous conditions. But, you won’t use essential files or personal data. 

• Go to the Settings window once again.
• Find Update & Security. Look for the ‘Recovery’ option. 
• Once you find it, click on Get Started. Then follow the on-screen options.

Make sure to make it a habit of creating system recovery points from time to time. It can save you from massive problems. 

16. Factory Reset The TV

If none of the above-given steps worked, then the problem might be with your screen or TV. Try to factory reset your TV. As there are android TVs, you might want to give it a go.

Remember that primarily smart TVs and Computer monitors are capable of connecting to your computer. So, if you’re using an outdated TV, it might not work without an HDMI adapter or port.

With that being said, you should go to the TV’s respective settings and find a way to reset it. This could help with the compatibility issue. You can reconnect and see if this solves the problem. 

17. Replace The HDMI Cable

Now, the final resort for the HDMI port not working might be to replace the HDMI cable. You might also have to replace the HDMI port. These are the only last viable options available. After all, you’ve tried everything else, but nothing seems to work. It means that the problem is physical. 

Either the port or the HDMI cable is at fault. Sometimes, older cables become outdated, or there might be some physical damage. Thus, it is a good idea to check it and buy a new one from time to time. 

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