Shame you are having problems. That said, I’ve not had any problems with my g4 and hdmi 2 .
when I first got my g4 I connect a pattern gen to it via hdmi 2, calibrated the tv, then swapped between my pc and ps5 on hdmi 2. (before I wall mounted it and the put the AVR on hdmi 2)

this post likely should have gone in the owners threat rather than world is on fire - my problem is everyone’s problem. Beware!.. (also as your first post…)

 

Shame you are having problems. That said, I’ve not had any problems with my
g4 and hdmi 2 .
when I first got my g4 I connect a pattern gen to it via hdmi 2, calibrated the tv,
then swapped between my pc and ps5 on hdmi 2. (before I wall mounted it and
the put the AVR on hdmi 2)

this post likely should have gone in the owners threat rather than world is on
fire - my problem is everyone’s problem. Beware!.. (also as your first post…)

This will probably earn me a dunce cap, but I have to ask:

"HDMI2" as in HDMI input #2, or, HDMI gen 2.0?

 

Seems you are the lucky one. Just today, Crutchfield has confirmed 4 G4s have been returned with the same issue as has the Brst Buy in Tyson’s Corner, VA (in their case, 7 G4s have been returned with non-working HDMI2s). Obviously, I’m not in the position to get more numbers on G4 returns, but those instances are significant and seem to substantiate what I’m experiencing with two G4s I have purchased. In the meantime, enjoy yours and don’t be upset that I’m expressing a concern about a real issue that others might be having and thinking something’s wrong with their own setup. After all, this is how companies learn of issues and address them for all of us.

 

First I have heard of this thats really unfortunate. I have no issues with the HDMI 2 port I am testing. I will keep my ears open for viewer feedback.

 

Thank you for your response. What size is yours and what externals are you connecting to HDMI2? The issue (at least the one I am experiencing and what I have been told by Magnolia from its customers who have returned G4s) is that HDMI2 connected devices work when the TV is first turned on. But after switching to other HDMIs and then back to HDMI2, the problem occurs again.

 

Thank you for clarifying I will test this more and see if I encounter any issues by doing what you say. This is a 55" that I am currently reviewing.

 

Hey while we are talking about issues can you listen for the pop /click noise that the g3 made very often like 20 times a movie .. during bright scenes or when it gets hot .. this is the one question I’m waiting to get answered before I pull the trigger on the 83 inch .. the video shows what it sounds like

 

No, I am not experiencing this with the G4.

 

I don't doubt you're having an issue, but I would guess very few use HDMI 2, switch to another HDMI input, and then go back to HDMI 2. I'm really surprised Crutchfield and Best Buy had so many returns and shared that information with you.

 

Thanks for your thoughts. Still struggling with this. I just wanted to ask you what you mean when you say that very few would switch from HDMI2 to other HDMIs and back. How else would you go from your OTT to your game console, to your cable box and then back to your OTT? You would turn the TV off d dry time you would want to do this? Please also note that I’ve been using this same exact setup with all my previous LGs without any such issue. As for the retailers, you’ll be amazed what information you can get when speaking with sales advisors who are honest and don’t want to push you to the most expensive TV. As for BB, it wasn’t very difficult to have that discussion when 4 G4s were in the shop having been returned and marked as returned for that issue … They also don’t work on commission and are there to be transparent with product issues they are aware of.

 

Thanks for your thoughts. Still struggling with this. I just wanted to ask you what you mean when you say that very few would switch from HDMI2 to other HDMIs and back. How else would you go from your OTT to your game console, to your cable box and then back to your OTT?

Most people use the cable box on HDMI 1 and the TV for streaming. Many who have multiple devices will switch with a AVR. I never switch HDMI inputs on any of my TVs.

 

It may be one bad manufacturing batch of tv’s. So your replacement had the same issue because it came from the same batch/run.

 

I'm watching soccer on HDMI 2 right now. No issue.

 

Can you switch to another HDMI source with video and then a few minutes later, back to HDMI2? Do you have any issues then?

 

For those interested on the G4 (and this who actually use the HDMIs of this unit):

LG has just confirmed an existing issue with HDMI2 as described above. The testing center is Huntsville, AL has replicated the drop of video and distorted picture when switching to HDMI2. I was told that this is usually a software issue (not a hardware one) and it should be addressed shortly through a firmware upgrade expected in a few weeks. In the meantime, the way to make this go away temporarily is to either turn off the TV for a few minutes, do a hard reset, or switch to LG Channels and then back to HDMI2 which should make the problem go away.

Per my discussion, as this is LG's flagship model for 2024, it will likely be addressed quickly.

 

For those interested on the G4 (and this who actually use the HDMIs of this unit):

LG has just confirmed an existing issue with HDMI2 as described above. The testing center is Huntsville, AL has replicated the drop of video and distorted picture when switching to HDMI2. I was told that this is usually a software issue (not a hardware one) and it should be addressed shortly through a firmware upgrade expected in a few weeks. In the meantime, the way to make this go away temporarily is to either turn off the TV for a few minutes, do a hard reset, or switch to LG Channels and then back to HDMI2 which should make the problem go away.

Per my discussion, as this is LG's flagship model for 2024, it will likely be addressed quickly.

Useful info on issue including workaround and a solution coming (hopefully software is it). Very useful share that others can reference and is hopefully resolved quickly.

Part of the issue in this thread is that this is a long-lived forum and traditionally it's been heavily dominated by home theater people, from basic to fully dedicated rooms, as opposed to more mainstream TV only types. Though that's clearly ticked up significantly in the past years. Meaning they are running a lot of equipment and the television itself is merely a monitor/display (often professionally calibrated) with a single HDMI cable going to it and everything else controlled via AVR/Pre setup. I doubt many here use the television for even streaming content or smart tv stuff - I turn mine basically on and off with all other functions elsewhere. First thing I do is disable ARC/eARC on all devices.

 

The LG OLED G4 seems to be having a significant issue with HDMI2 (eARC). Connecting external video sources to HDMI2 (which work on the other the other 3 HDMIs) do not produce an image (but you can hear sound). I have done all the troubleshooting in the world in order to try to isolate the issue to no avail (changing HDMI cables, factory resets, hard resets, removing the HDMIs one by one and re-adding them one by one, turned off HD color). Nothing works. The interesting thing is that this issue temporarily goes away with a hard reset, but it quickly returns.

After unsuccessful attempts at getting effective tech support from LG, I purchased a second 65 G4. Exact same issue! On 4/4/24, LG pushed down an update 3.10.27 which has not resolved the prob(in fact, it's not even addressed in the release notes). I should also point out that the setup I am using is the exact setup I have had with a C9, CX and a C3 just before getting the G4. This HDMI2 issue never occurred with the other TVs.

The devices I am talking about which work on other HDMIs but not in HDMI2 of the above-referenced TVs are Fire TV 4K stick, Nintendo Switch, Apple TV 4K and PS5.

If this is a software issue, then it can hopefully be addressed quickly by LG, seeing that the G4 is their flagship OLED and the problem is with the most important HDMI - the HDMI2. However, if this is a hardware problem (difficult to believe that both units were defective - in fact, I heard from another LG customer that he is having the same issue with a 83 G4), then LG has its work cut out for it. I can't think of many people who would be willing to wait for a hardware fix which would require for a part to be replaced by a tech's visit on a brand new TV which has been lauded by LG as ground-breaking.

All this would be very easily clarified by LG, but up until this point, it seems to be pushing customers (at least me) to an endless loop of bad customer service and then either that (a) the unit is defective and sine it's under the 30 (or 60 in my case) day return period, it can be returned, or (b) to send a tech to diagnose the issue. What exactly the tech would do beyond what i have done to troubleshoot has not been communicated by LG (unless they believe I would be conformable in having the tech open up a brand new TV and start exploring . . .).

This is very disappointing. I hope that the various reviewers take note of this very easily identifiable problem (all you have to do is connect a few video sources into HDMI2 and observe for a few hours while turning the TV off and on an again). This way, the interested customers would be informed and LG would provide some information on this issue.

Thanks for posting this for us. Dunno why some are critical of your efforts

 

Quite, useful information but some, it seems, feel the need to argue you shouldn't be using the tv in a way it was designed and should be used...

 

Count me in as having the HDMI 2 issue on my G4 83' When installing it last night HDMI2 wouldnt play video or would play it garbled. EARC working perfectly through that same HDMI port though.

Surprizingly, just a few hours later this am. It is working as expected....... HDMI 2 is playing video through my receiver or directly connected to 4k bluray player

Fingers Crossed it stays that way.

 

Well unfortunately, I went to show my fiance the new tv and of course HDMI 2 started showing fuzzy video again. I turned the TV completely off and restarted it. Worked perfectly.

Very frustrating for such a basic task on what I would consider to be a very expensive tv.

 

This is very interesting, when I had my G4 I had this exact issue on HDMI 1. Hard reboot fixed it.

 

Please note that I have been using this same setup with LGs going back to the C9 - and since then, the CX and most recently the C3. These TV are more than capable of handling 4 HDMIs. And although i understand a lot of folks on this forum are serious audio/videophiles, I am a simple guy with a kid who likes to play PS5 and Nintendo Switch. The other two sources are a Fire TV stick and an Apple TV (we use this vs. the LG apps because we are an Apple home and the Apple TV works in conjunction with our other stuff). Hardly a sophisticated bunch

 

What length, and brands of hdmi lead are being used that have these problems. It could be cable issues putting the port into zombie mode.

 

It's unlikely to be possible to guess the reason, the first post does mention the problem with each source is seen with HDMI2 only. Although, so far, only two members are reporting having seen it, those posts across G4 threads have detail and photos etc. So this is a real concern for anyone thinking of buying a G4 as many users at this price level may well have an AVR with sources attached that needs to be on the eARC port.

It might seem surprising that it wasn't found by LG even though they're using a new Alpha 11 processor, but it took multiple reports over many months of eARC drop-outs on current Denon/Marantz when connected to common TVs - LG and Samsung - before an acknowledgement and fix, also Xbox compatibility in the previous AVR generation, things that ought to be found in testing and reviews rather than by users.

 

i had a different issue with this HDMI port. Basically I set the digital sound output to passthrough like I always do and made sure earc was toggled on (i'm using a SB). turns out it switched the digital sound output setting back to auto. i'll have to keep an eye on this.

 

Quite. I’m yet to be convinced it’ll be fixed with a firmware update. Let’s hope so.

 

Hdmi 2 acting strange after a week or so. Cant reset it. Same cable, same everything works perfect in hdmi 4. Earc still works with hdmi 2 so ive had to run 2 display outs from my processor. It works for now but i cant seem to get it to stop doing this regardless of power cycling the tv, or just going to another app like channels, as suggested. It does this no matter the format(hdr,sdr,DV). Its just been like this for a few hours now. Turning arc off didnt change it. Using a different cable doesnt matter. Using a different source or bypassing my processor doesnt do anything either.

Should i exchange this? I was about to get into calibrating it over the weekend but i feel like maybe i shouldnt waste the time. Would be a bummer if i have to exchange it but it is what it is i guess

Edit: it went back to normal. Weird

 

Have you updated the firmware? And factory reset?

 

I'd imagine if they'd fixed it in firmware one of the members who'd seen the issue would have updated here. So far the numbers seeing it are small as will be the number of users so far - but those reports are detailed with photos. Most G4 comments on other threads are positive about PQ but there are mentions of this issue https://www.avsforum.com/threads/lg...owners-thread-general-help-settings-no-price-talk.3298284/page-25#post-63273605

Denon were able to resolve the eARC drop out issue on recent models with an update - compatibility was something the HDMI devices used could be configured to handle, but the previous generation's compatibility with Xbox needed different hardware to resolve, so it remains to be seen whether the new SoC in the G4 can be easily corrected.

As great as the G4 sounds as an upgrade for those of us on OLEDs from some years ago this issue is too much of a worry to contemplate a purchase until it's clear it's resolved. There's always the C4 which has the previous SoC - normally something that's a disadvantage - and also lacks MLA - there's not many reviews / feedback on the C4 yet.

 

… or (b) to send a tech to diagnose the issue. What exactly the tech would do beyond what i have done to troubleshoot has not been communicated by LG (unless they believe I would be conformable in having the tech open up a brand new TV and start exploring . . .).

Just seeing this thread….

Perhaps someone has already answered, but IMHO what a tech could do is troubleshoot and with methods NOT available to you determine whether it's a hardware fault, or software fault. (E.g. have a spare HDMI control board in hand, and R&R with your TV.) Might be able to determine the fault without entry into the TV, or might have to open it up. My question for the retailer would be, if an LG authorized tech opens the TV and is unable to repair/replace promptly, is the retailer's return policy voided. My WAG is the retailer would want it returned without any service technician entry.

You haven't posted in a while(?), any update? Did firmware fix it, or did a tech visit, or did you "exercise the better part of valor" and return it?

Thank you for your response. What size is yours and what externals are you connecting to HDMI2? The issue (at least the one I am experiencing and what I have been told by Magnolia from its customers who have returned G4s) is that HDMI2 connected devices work when the TV is first turned on. But after switching to other HDMIs and then back to HDMI2, the problem occurs again.

This sounds familiar to a problem @Classy Tech encountered with the G3 and specifically an Xbox connected to HDMI. I.e. some HDMI switching wonkiness.

It may be one bad manufacturing batch of tv’s. So your replacement had the same issue because it came from the same batch/run.

This could be determined by comparing serial numbers -- the first digits of the serial number indicate year and month of manufacture, unless LG has changed numbering schemes in 2024.

 

Just seeing this thread….

My question for the retailer would be, if an LG authorized tech opens the TV and is unable to repair/replace promptly, is the retailer's return policy voided. My WAG is the retailer would want it returned without any service technician entry.

I think (in the USA at least), the Magnuson-Moss act prohibits manufacturers from putting on those "void if removed" stickers (The FTC sends out warning letters to manufacturers who do this), AND they have to prove that the owner OR even an authorised tech, had "broken" something during any attempted fix or testing.

 

My 77" just did it after switching from my PC on HDMI 4 to my Shield on HDMI 2. The first time it was a fuzzy screen like many have seen. A few hours later and I did it and the screen went black and the TV froze and went completely unresponsive. Then the a dark gray started spreading across the top of the screen which could only be seen because of the lights being off. Definitely scared the hell out of me seeing that. Powering on and off would t do anything. Only thing that fixed it was completely unplugging and replugging it back in.

 

I just spoke to a Best Buy in my area and was told that 17 G4s (of various sizes) have been returned as of now in that one store due to HDMI 2 issues. Despite some people’s valiant efforts to minimize or discredit the issue (some wondering why anyone would use a $4,000 TV’s 4 HDMI ports, etc.), the issue continues. The one and only update (3.10.27) does not fix it. The problem remains intermittent and can go away by either switching between ports, turning off and on, doing a hard reset or sometimes just waiting it out. Personally, I have a 60-day return window with Best Buy and will continue waiting to see if/when a future update might resolve the issue. Otherwise, this is unacceptable to me. Treating a $4,000 TV as a monitor is not why I have made this investment. Instead, I have chosen LG once again (as I have with the C9, CX and C3) in part due to its 4 HDMI 2.1 ports. Hopefully more users will continue to report this existing issue in this forum and others so as to pressure LG to fix this issue.

 

Thanks for posting an update - my use case would be switching from a PC HDMI to HDMI2 for the other sources connected via the AVR so it's difficult to consider a purchase until there's a real fix - unplug has often been the work-around - not a fix - for LG issues. Reviews aren't great at picking up issues like this, and recent owners might prefer to think they've bought the "best" and favour 10/10 reviews over bad news. It's always worth reading all comments before a purchase - so far there's little feedback on the C4 - it has the previous SoC so may not have this issue but might have good enough PQ.