My HDMI-connected displays will randomly 'reset', meaning the picture will go black and then come back on after a second or two. The OSD will display when the picture returns, just as it would when changing source or something.
I have two displays that this is effecting. One is an old Sony HDTV that I use a my PC desktop monitor. The other is a newer Vizio 4k in the livingroom, which is currently connected to a PS3 and a PS4. All three connections use HDMI, and all three have this issue.
I've posted on multiple sites asking for help with this and have yet to get any really helpful information. Some people have suggest it being a power issue, but even if it is I have no idea how to fix it.
I'm hoping we can find a solution here. This has been bugging me for a long time. It's particularly annoying when playing a game as losing the picture for even a couple of seconds can be a big issue in that case.
3 different devices, 3 different cables, 2 different displays, same problem. What can cause this to happen?
No. They're not connected in any way. One display is for my PC in my office. The other is in the living room connected to the game consoles. They're completely independent of each other, but the problem is the same.
the first thing I thought of when I read the thread title was an HDMI handshake issue: that will cause intermittent black-outs as you describe: the remedy is similar to what Ratman suggested: the first step is usually to check/ replace the HDMI cable and be sure the sources and displays are HDMI compatible with each other: if there is nothing in between that should make it easier
None of this is easy, but you have to start somewhere...
Regarding checking/replacing the HDMI cables. How do I know what to replace them with? In other words, when I shop for a new cable, what exactly should I be looking for?
As for the sources and displays being "HDMI compatible with each other", how do I check that?
To be honest, if the power output from the house can actually cause this type of issue, then I would lean more toward that than the HDMI cables or device compatibility. We're talking about different source devices, cables, and displays all having the same issue. The only common factor is that they're all plugged into the same house (possibly on the same run/breaker). I just need a way to test it. Perhaps I need to figure out how to use a multimeter to test the outlets or something. The problem with using a UPC to test this is that the problem occurs very randomly. It can happen multiple times within minutes, or hours can go by with no problems.
I really do appreciate all of the help. Thank you so much. If anyone has any more ideas or things to check/test, please let me know. In the meantime, I'm going to try to figure out how to test the power.
If this is a problem with the source device not getting enough power for the HDMI signal, then shouldn't I be able to "force" the problem by drawing from that power using something else?
For example, I have a window air conditioner that I just plugged into the same power strip as the PS4. With the console and TV on, game running, I turned on the AC unit but there wasn't any problem. I guess I'm misunderstanding the issue.
and use that to test each of your setups by replacing the existing one at a time: that is the least expensive approach that is most likely to yield results, or to help troubleshoot the issue
That sounds like a very reasonable idea. I'll see about getting a new cable and testing it out. I'd probably have to try it out for a few days at least... maybe a week.
As for Ratman's "suggestions", I don't find his post very helpful. "The source device"... "The TV/Monitor"... What am I supposed to do with that information?
Things to consider suspect.
I just was answering your vague question with a general answer.
How long are the HDMI cables you are currently using?
What are make/model of those cables?
Did the problem(s) just start or was it always there?
Any changes made to configuration that may have contributed to the problem(s)?
What video resolutions are you trying to "push"?
I don't recall the exact lengths of each cable, and they're not very accessible at the moment, but I'm pretty sure they're all less than 10 feet each.
I have no idea what the make/models are.
The problem has been going on for a very long time.
Video resolution used is generally 1080p.
I will try getting a brand new HDMI cable at some point and see if that helps. It might be a while. I can't get one right now.
I appreciate the help and troubleshooting tips. I'll report back when I have more information.
Well, I suppose I could start noting down the times when this occurs. As of this point, though, there's no discernible pattern or 'schedule' to when this happens.
I've also never noticed it happening both in my office and the living room at the same time, but then, I'm usually not in two places at once to notice such a thing.
Am having the same issue. Three devices, all of which have worked flawlessly for 10+ years, all quit and return at the same time. This began this past week. Cuts out, returns, cuts out and returns. No power or cable changes in those 10+ years.
Likelihood of it being power or cables given no changes from what has worked perfectly all that time has to be sbout zero, given that they are all quitting and returning at the same time. Am going to check for dust accumulation inside. Surprising how little information on this particular problem is there to be found. Have tried all of the resets, etc, that are listed. No impact on the situation.
Still searching, mostly out of curiosity now, since a new TV would only cost a few hundred dollars.
You say all three quit and return at the same time. Are you using a splitter or something to three displays?
I had a 25-ft HDMI cable that was never the same after I tried to reroute it. I wasn't really rough on it or anything but it just started to have intermittent dropouts after I moved it. So weird stuff can't happen.
No way it's going to be dust or anything like that. Even if it's really humid in your house and there was some corrosion on the connector ends it still wouldn't cause that. Not three separate devices all doing it at the same time.
If you disconnect the HDMI cables make sure you completely power off the system first. It's never a good idea to hot plug/unplug HDMI cables. If your cables are 10+ years old then it's highly unlikely that they are going to continue to support data transfer especially if you've upgraded your equipment.
I can appreciate stubborn curiosity . Dust bunnies can accumulate static electricity so maybe that's all it was, or you had an electronic gremiln that you vacuumed up.
No splitter. Same HDMI cables attached to the same external devices since forever. Ended up buying a new TV, but the mystery is still annoying me. Took the rear panel off to see if there was heavy dust accumulation inside the frame. Nothing.
It's like an episode of The Blacklist but without the all-revealing conclusion!
I know this is an old thread now. If any of the OP’s are still reading, have you found any resolutions to your problems? (I am just trying to sort through the same sort of problem myself)
Why don't you start a new thread explaining your issue and let's see if we can come up with something. It might be helpful to explain your setup in detail along with the model numbers of your connected devices.
Same issue here with a new Projector, it worked for about 6 month and the problem started. Some notebook (Windows), same cable and same projector always. I tested with different HDMI cables but the issue persist. Then when I was having the issue I changed to a Mac and it worked, so I assumed is the notebook with Windows. I tried everithing, updated, drivers, different HDMI, etc. I think that the problem is that the GPU start to overheat
"Excessive" heat at the HDMI port can indeed cause issues. Some cables can dissipate that heat better than others, and some HDMI ports on devices have better heat dissipation than others.
My HDMI-connected displays will randomly 'reset', meaning the picture will go black and then come back on after a second or two. The OSD will display when the picture returns, just as it would when changing source or something. I have two displays that this is effecting. One is an old Sony HDTV that I use a my PC desktop monitor. The other is a newer Vizio 4k in the livingroom, which is currently connected to a PS3 and a PS4. All three connections use HDMI, and all three have this issue. I've posted on multiple sites asking for help with this and have yet to get any really helpful information. Some people have suggest it being a power issue, but even if it is I have no idea how to fix it. I'm hoping we can find a solution here. This has been bugging me for a long time. It's particularly annoying when playing a game as losing the picture for even a couple of seconds can be a big issue in that case. 3 different devices, 3 different cables, 2 different displays, same problem. What can cause this to happen?
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