Samsung TV has no picture or shows a black screen

If your TV or Odyssey Ark gaming screen is turned on and producing sound but has a black screen, the issue could be with your external device. For instance, if your screen uses a One Connect Box, which allows you to connect multiple external devices, there are some troubleshooting steps you can take to solve the issue. If it isn't connected to one, you can try other methods, such as checking your connections and cables.
Blank Samsung TV in living room
Blank Samsung TV in living room

Samsung TV has no picture or shows a black screen

TV without a One Connect Box has no picture
TV with a One Connect Box has no picture
TV without a One Connect Box has no picture
1
Press the Home (Menu) button on the remote.

If the menu appears, then the TV is powered on, but it is either not on the correct source or not receiving a signal.

 

If the menu does not appear, the TV may be having power issues. See our guide concerning a TV that will not turn on.

Press the Home (Menu) button on the remote.

If the menu appears, then the TV is powered on, but it is either not on the correct source or not receiving a signal.

 

If the menu does not appear, the TV may be having power issues. See our guide concerning a TV that will not turn on.

2
Confirm the TV is set to the same source as the external device.

Your TV may display a black screen if it's connected to a source but the external device is turned off. For instance, if your cable box is connected to HDMI 1, you should set the TV source to HDMI 1 and make sure the cable box is turned on.

 

If the TV is set to the correct source, but there is still no image, unplug and reconnect the connections one cable at a time, from both ends of each cable. If there's any damage to the cable, it will need to be replaced. After you've reconnected the external device, turn it off and then back on.

Confirm the TV is set to the same source as the external device.

Your TV may display a black screen if it's connected to a source but the external device is turned off. For instance, if your cable box is connected to HDMI 1, you should set the TV source to HDMI 1 and make sure the cable box is turned on.

 

If the TV is set to the correct source, but there is still no image, unplug and reconnect the connections one cable at a time, from both ends of each cable. If there's any damage to the cable, it will need to be replaced. After you've reconnected the external device, turn it off and then back on.

3
Test the HDMI cable.

Note: The HDMI cable test is designed for HDMI cords less than 6 feet long. The test may not give accurate results on longer cords.

 

Certain TVs have an HDMI cable test. Some models only have this test after a software update, and older models do not have it. If your model does not have this test, or is not connected by HDMI, skip to Step 4.

 

To perform the test, make sure the TV's source is still on the HDMI setting for the cable you want to test. Navigate to Settings, and then select Support. Select Device Care, select Self Diagnosis, and then select Signal Information. Select HDMI Cable Test, and then start the test. Follow the on-screen instructions.

 

If the test says the cable is bad, replace the cable. Service is not required.Self Diagnosis highlighted on a Samsung TV
 

Test the HDMI cable.

Note: The HDMI cable test is designed for HDMI cords less than 6 feet long. The test may not give accurate results on longer cords.

 

Certain TVs have an HDMI cable test. Some models only have this test after a software update, and older models do not have it. If your model does not have this test, or is not connected by HDMI, skip to Step 4.

 

To perform the test, make sure the TV's source is still on the HDMI setting for the cable you want to test. Navigate to Settings, and then select Support. Select Device Care, select Self Diagnosis, and then select Signal Information. Select HDMI Cable Test, and then start the test. Follow the on-screen instructions.

 

If the test says the cable is bad, replace the cable. Service is not required.Self Diagnosis highlighted on a Samsung TV
 

4
Test different external devices.

The final thing to rule out is the external device you're using. Try connecting a different device, or using a different source port. If you were unable to test the cable in the previous step, then try swapping the cable as well.

 

If the TV can display a picture in any other setup, then you've ruled out the TV as the cause of the issue. Keep trying various setups until you identify the device or cable that is not working, and troubleshoot or replace it.

Test different external devices.

The final thing to rule out is the external device you're using. Try connecting a different device, or using a different source port. If you were unable to test the cable in the previous step, then try swapping the cable as well.

 

If the TV can display a picture in any other setup, then you've ruled out the TV as the cause of the issue. Keep trying various setups until you identify the device or cable that is not working, and troubleshoot or replace it.

5
Request service for your TV.
If there's still no picture on your TV, visit the Support Center to request service.
Request service for your TV.
If there's still no picture on your TV, visit the Support Center to request service.
TV with a One Connect Box has no picture
Note
A One Connect box serves as a hub for all of your TV’s connected devices, such as your cable box or video game system. It’ll help you organize your cables and wires as well. It is only included with select TV models.
1
Check the One Connect cable for damage and ensure it is connected.

Disconnect and firmly reconnect the One Connect cable at both ends. (Some models refer to this as the Invisible Cable.)

 

If the One Connect cable is bent, broken, kinked, pinched, or has a heavy object on top of it, it can cause issues. The cable needs to be replaced if it’s damaged.

Check the One Connect cable for damage and ensure it is connected.

Disconnect and firmly reconnect the One Connect cable at both ends. (Some models refer to this as the Invisible Cable.)

 

If the One Connect cable is bent, broken, kinked, pinched, or has a heavy object on top of it, it can cause issues. The cable needs to be replaced if it’s damaged.

2
Disconnect the One Connect Box to check if the TV displays an error message.

Note: If your TV does not have a power cord connected directly to a wall outlet, proceed to Step 3.

 

Disconnect the One Connect Box either by disconnecting its power cord or the One Connect cable (Invisible cable).
 

  • If you see anything (like a message or picture) on the TV after disconnecting the One Connect Box, then the One Connect Box needs to be replaced.
  • If the TV is plugged into a wall outlet, is turned on, and is disconnected from the One Connect Box, but no message appears, visit our Support Center to request service.TV with One connect Box

 

Reconnect the One connect box if there are no error messages.

Disconnect the One Connect Box to check if the TV displays an error message.

Note: If your TV does not have a power cord connected directly to a wall outlet, proceed to Step 3.

 

Disconnect the One Connect Box either by disconnecting its power cord or the One Connect cable (Invisible cable).
 

  • If you see anything (like a message or picture) on the TV after disconnecting the One Connect Box, then the One Connect Box needs to be replaced.
  • If the TV is plugged into a wall outlet, is turned on, and is disconnected from the One Connect Box, but no message appears, visit our Support Center to request service.TV with One connect Box

 

Reconnect the One connect box if there are no error messages.

3
Press the Home (Menu) button on the remote.
If the menu does not appear, the TV may be having power issues.
Press the Home (Menu) button on the remote.
If the menu does not appear, the TV may be having power issues.
4
Confirm the TV is set to the same source as the external device.

Your TV may display a black screen if it's connected to a source but the external device is turned off. For instance, if your cable box is connected to HDMI 1, you should set the TV source to HDMI 1 and make sure the cable box is turned on.

 

If the TV is set to the correct source, but there is still no image, unplug and reconnect the connections one cable at a time, from both ends of each cable. If there's any damage to the cable, it will need to be replaced. After you've reconnected the external device, turn it off and then back on.

Confirm the TV is set to the same source as the external device.

Your TV may display a black screen if it's connected to a source but the external device is turned off. For instance, if your cable box is connected to HDMI 1, you should set the TV source to HDMI 1 and make sure the cable box is turned on.

 

If the TV is set to the correct source, but there is still no image, unplug and reconnect the connections one cable at a time, from both ends of each cable. If there's any damage to the cable, it will need to be replaced. After you've reconnected the external device, turn it off and then back on.

5
Test the HDMI cable.

Note: The test is designed for HDMI cords less than 2 meters long and may not give accurate results on longer cords.

 

Certain TVs have an HDMI cable test. Some models only have this test after a software update, and older models do not have it. If your model does not have this test, or is not connected by HDMI, skip to Step 6.

 

To perform the test, make sure the TV's source is still on the HDMI setting for the cable you want to test. Navigate to Settings, and then select Support. Select Device Care, select Self Diagnosis, and then select Signal Information. Select HDMI Cable Test, and then start the test. Follow the on-screen instructions.

 

If the test says the cable is bad, replace the cable. Service is not required.Self Diagnosis highlighted on a Samsung TV
 

Test the HDMI cable.

Note: The test is designed for HDMI cords less than 2 meters long and may not give accurate results on longer cords.

 

Certain TVs have an HDMI cable test. Some models only have this test after a software update, and older models do not have it. If your model does not have this test, or is not connected by HDMI, skip to Step 6.

 

To perform the test, make sure the TV's source is still on the HDMI setting for the cable you want to test. Navigate to Settings, and then select Support. Select Device Care, select Self Diagnosis, and then select Signal Information. Select HDMI Cable Test, and then start the test. Follow the on-screen instructions.

 

If the test says the cable is bad, replace the cable. Service is not required.Self Diagnosis highlighted on a Samsung TV
 

6
Test different external devices.

The final thing to rule out is the external device you're using. Try connecting a different device, or using a different source port. If you were unable to test the cable in the previous step, then try swapping the cable as well.

 

If the TV can display a picture in any other setup, then you've ruled out the TV as the cause of the issue. Keep trying various setups until you identify the device or cable that is not working, and troubleshoot or replace it.

Test different external devices.

The final thing to rule out is the external device you're using. Try connecting a different device, or using a different source port. If you were unable to test the cable in the previous step, then try swapping the cable as well.

 

If the TV can display a picture in any other setup, then you've ruled out the TV as the cause of the issue. Keep trying various setups until you identify the device or cable that is not working, and troubleshoot or replace it.

7
Request service for your TV.
If there's still no picture on your TV, visit the Support Center to request service.
Request service for your TV.
If there's still no picture on your TV, visit the Support Center to request service.
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