I’m an avid gamer, and I’ve been excited to play “God of War: Ragnarok” ever since they announced it back in September 2019.
They’d landed on both feet with the 2018 reboot “God of War” and I was excited to finally play the sequel.
Having finally gotten my hands on a physical copy (I’m a collector at heart), I popped in the disc, turned on my PS4 and Samsung TV, and waited.
“Mode Not Supported”. That’s odd.
I’ve been playing games on my PS4 with this very Samsung TV since its launch, and I’ve encountered a few errors in my time, especially back when the new UI kept crashing in the early days, but this was new.
I was frustrated and couldn’t help but wonder what the error meant as there was no code or description available on the screen.
To know more about the error and its possible fixes, I switched to the internet to read through relevant articles and discussion threads.
After over an hour of research, I learned that a lot of gamers faced this issue on their consoles including Xbox and PlayStation.
Fortunately, I found the easiest way to fix the error with a perfect setting to ensure that it never comes back again.
The “Mode Not Supported” error occurs when the input device resolution isn’t supported by the Samsung TV. Change to a supported resolution from the device settings to fix the error.
What Does “Mode Not Supported” Error Mean?
A mode not supported error comes when you plug in a device via an HDMI cable such as a laptop, gaming console, or projector.
This error message indicates that the Samsung TV is having issues connecting to the input device due to unsupported settings.
This miscommunication usually occurs when the input device resolution isn’t supported by the Samsung TV. The device resolution might be either too high or too low to be compatible with your TV.
Verify and Change To A Supported Resolution
The first thing you need to verify is that the connected input device is set to a resolution compatible with your Samsung TV.
Here’s a list of resolutions supported by the Samsung TV:
- 480p (640×480)
- 720p (1280×720)
- 1080i and 1080p (1920×1080)
- 2160p (3840 x 2160 or 4096 x 2160).
Note: This is a general list of supported resolutions for Samsung TVs. Based on your TV model, this list may vary. For example, 4k resolution 2160p (3840 x 2160 pixels) is only supported by Ultra HD 4K Samsung Smart TVs. Read the TV manual to check the supported resolution for your TV.
Now go to the input device settings to confirm if it’s running on any one of these resolutions.
If it’s not, change the resolution and check if the error is gone.
For PlayStation users, here’s how to check if the resolution is set correctly:
- Go to PlayStation Settings and select Sound and Screen
- Now click on Video Output Settings
- Ensure that the Resolution is set to Automatic for the best compatibility with Samsung TV
If you’re trying to connect a laptop (Windows OS), here’s how to change its resolution:
- Go to Start
- Search and click on Control Panel
- Click on the Adjust Screen resolution on the Appearance and Personalization menu
- Select the drop-down list next to the resolution and then click on the resolution you want to apply and click on the Apply button
Soft Reset Your Samsung TV & Source Device
Try soft resetting your TV and the connected input device as well.
This will help fix some minor bugs that may prevent your TV and device from working properly together.
Samsung TV Soft Reset Guide
- Unplug your Samsung TV from the power outlet
- Wait for at least 60 seconds (ensure not to rush on this step)
- If there’s a power button on your TV, press and hold it for 30 seconds (skip if you don’t find the power button)
- Plug your TV back in
Soft Reset the Input Device
- Turn the device off
- Unplug it from the power socket
- If the device has a power button, press and hold it for at least 30 seconds
- Wait for about 60 seconds to pass
- Plug the device back in
Now turn both the devices on and check if the mode not supported error is fixed.
Update the Samsung TV Software (If Available)
An outdated software version may lead to compatibility issues while connecting an input device to your Samsung TV.
Software updates help fix any technical glitches and user-reported bugs as well.
Here’s how to check for updates on your Samsung TV:
- Press the Home button on your Samsung TV remote
- Now click on the Settings icon and select Support
- Go to the Software Update option
- If the update is available, click on Update Now
- Finally, press OK to download and install the update
Replace the HDMI Cable
Any issues related to the HDMI cable may also cause the mode not supported error.
Replace the longer HDMI cable (over 6 feet) with a shorter one.
This is because a longer HDMI cable might have a negative effect on the signal quality and even lead to a mode not supported error.
Ensure that you’re using a high-quality HDMI cable capable of carrying higher bandwidth data.
This might help fix the error if it’s due to cable issues.
Additionally, you can try using a different HDMI port to connect your input device and check if the error is fixed.
If changing the port removes the error, then the previously used port might be faulty.
You can get it fixed through an authorized repair service.
Factory Reset The Samsung TV
As a last resort for troubleshooting, try factory resetting your Samsung TV.
I’d recommend trying this method only if none of the above fixes have helped fix the error.
A factory reset will remove account information, reset all settings to default and delete installed applications on your TV.
You’ll have to reinstall the required applications after the factory reset is complete.
Follow these steps to factory reset your Samsung TV:
- Press the Home button on Samsung TV Remote
- Click on Settings and choose General
- Now, select the Reset option
- When asked for a PIN, enter 0000 as the default value
- Once the factory reset is complete, connect the input device again and check if the error is gone
Reach Out to Samsung Support
If you’re still getting the mode not supported error, you may need to contact Samsung Customer Support.
Describe your issue with all necessary details such as your TV model number, the input device you’re trying to connect, the device’s default resolution, etc.
The Samsung experts will diagnose your issue and provide you with professional assistance.
In case they suspect any issue with your TV ports, you can also opt for an authorized repair service.
Check if your TV is under warranty or not.
Say Goodbye to Samsung TV Mode Error
The mode not working error implies that there’s a miscommunication between your Samsung TV and the connected input device.
This usually occurs due to the input device working on a resolution that is not supported by Samsung TV.
As the most effective solution, verify if your connected device is set to a resolution supported by the Samsung TV.
Try changing the resolution from the device settings and check if the error is resolved.
A simple soft reset can also help fix some minor bugs that may prevent both TV and input devices from connecting properly.
Replace the HDMI cable you’re using and ensure that you’re using a high-quality, short-length cable.
You can also try using a different HDMI port and check if the device starts working on the TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Mode Not Supported” mean on a Samsung TV?
“Mode Not Supported” on a Samsung TV refers to an error message that appears when the TV is unable to detect or display the resolution or refresh rate of the input source.
This can happen if the resolution or refresh rate of the input source is not supported by the TV, or if the TV’s settings are not configured correctly.
How do I fix “Mode Not Supported” on my Samsung TV?
To fix “Mode Not Supported” on a Samsung TV, you can try the following steps:
- Check the resolution and refresh rate of the input source and ensure that it is supported by your TV.
- Change the resolution or refresh rate of the input source to a supported setting.
- Adjust the TV’s settings to match the resolution and refresh rate of the input source.
- Check the cable connections between the input source and the TV.
- Power cycle the TV and input source.
How can I check the resolution and refresh rate of my input source?
The resolution and refresh rate of an input source can be checked by accessing the device’s settings or display options.
For example, on a computer, you can check the resolution and refresh rate by going to the “Display” settings in the control panel.
On a gaming console, you can check the resolution and refresh rate by going to the “Video” or “Display” settings in the system menu.
Can a “Mode Not Supported” error be caused by a malfunctioning cable?
Yes, a “Mode Not Supported” error can be caused by a malfunctioning cable.
Damaged or loose cable connections can prevent the TV from detecting or displaying the resolution or refresh rate of the input source.
Can a software update fix the “Mode Not Supported” error on my Samsung TV?
Yes, a software update can help fix the “Mode Not Supported” error by addressing any software incompatibility issues between the TV and input source.
Outdated software is most likely to cause app crashes, freezing issues, black screen problems, etc.
Thus, it is highly recommended to stay up to date and turn on automatic updates.
