My family and I love watching our favorite TV shows together in the evening.
But on one such evening last week, our TV displayed a “No signal” message when we switched it on. This was a little weird since everything seemed to be connected properly.
Still, I unplugged the cables, put them back in firmly, and restarted the TV.
When the error persisted, I turned to the Internet for possible solutions.
After fidgeting a bit more with our TV’s input settings and set-top box, I finally figured out what was wrong.
It took me almost six hours, but I got the TV working again. Here’s how:
If your TV says “No signal”, but everything is plugged in, reconnect the cables firmly after checking them for wear and tear. Also, make sure to select the correct input source and restart the TV.
Reconnect All the Cables
Your TV will show the “No signal” message if the connection between your set-top box or input source and the TV is loose or faulty.
In this case, the first thing to do is unplug all cables from your TV and check them for physical damage.
If the cables are in proper condition, reconnect them in order.
- Connect the power cable to your TV power socket and plug it into an electric outlet.
- Plug the HDMI cable of your set-top box, streaming player, or any other external device into the TV.
- Connect the antenna cable (if available) to the correct port at the back of your TV.
Make sure you plug in all the cables firmly to avoid any loose connection.
In case any cable is torn or frayed, you need to replace it.
Once all the cables are plugged in, power on your TV to check it works correctly.
If your TV still gets no signal after reconnecting all the cables, you need to move on to other troubleshooting steps.
Select the Correct Input Source on Your TV
Your TV can display a “No signal” message if you haven’t selected the correct input source.
To change the input source on TVs of popular brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, Vizio, and others:
- Press the Source or Input or TV/Video button on the TV’s remote.
- Use the arrow keys to move up and down between the different input sources.
- Select the correct input source.
If you are not sure which input source needs to be selected, check the source cable and the port it’s connected to at the back of your TV.
In case you have selected the correct input source but still get no signal on the TV, try using a different input device.
If the video starts playing from the new device, the problem lies with the source you were using before. In that case, you need to get the faulty device checked and repaired.
Check Your Set-top Box For Faults
Before you get down to troubleshooting your TV, it’s always good to rule out problems with the set-top box.
This is because a faulty set-top box is one of the most common reasons why a TV shows the “No signal” message.
If your TV does not receive any input from the set-top box, it won’t be able to display a picture or video.
Note: You can follow these steps irrespective of whether you use a set-top box or streaming device with your TV.
- Make sure the power source of your set-top box is plugged in properly.
- Turn off your set-top box and restart it after a couple of minutes.
- Make sure the service isn’t interrupted by your service provider.
- Make sure the antenna is positioned correctly.
- If you are experiencing bad weather conditions in your area, wait for the weather to clear out.
In case there is nothing wrong with your set-top box, the problem lies with your TV.
Power Cycle Your TV
Power cycling a TV means performing a soft reset of the TV to clear its memory and weed out minor software bugs and static charge.
This process resets the TV to a working state but does not affect your personal data in any way.
To power cycle your TV:
- Unplug the TV from the power socket.
- Press and hold the Power button of the TV for 10-20 seconds.
- Wait 60 seconds.
- Plug the power cord back in the socket and turn on the TV.
Once your TV turns on, it should display the video as normal.
Update Your TV Software
Software bugs in your TV can cause it to malfunction and produce various errors. The “No signal” message is one such example.
That said, you can resolve all these errors by updating your TV’s OS.
Software updates are often loaded with bug fixes and performance improvements, so it’s essential to keep your TV up-to-date.
To update your TV:
- Go to the Home screen on the TV.
- Navigate to Settings using its remote.
- Find Support or System.
- Choose the Software Update or System Update option.
- If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.
- This can take several minutes. Do not turn off your TV during the process.
Once the update is installed, your TV will restart automatically.
Note: The steps to update your TV may vary depending on its brand and model. Please consult your TV’s user manual or the manufacturer’s website for detailed instructions.
Factory Reset Your TV
A factory reset will remove any bugs or glitches that cause your TV to malfunction.
It will also remove any installed apps from your TV and delete your custom preferences.
So, perform a factory reset only after you have tried the other solutions covered above.
To factory reset your TV:
- Go to the Home screen of your TV.
- Open Settings.
- Look for the Reset or Factory Reset option.
- Enter your security PIN if prompted. If you have never set a PIN, type in ‘0000’.
- Your TV will now reset to factory defaults.
Note: The exact steps may vary depending on your TV’s brand and model.
Once your TV turns on, you have to go through the set-up and activation process from scratch.
If you continue to get the “No signal” error even after a factory reset, the problem might be with your TV’s hardware.
Your best option then is to get the TV checked by a professional technician.
No Signal? No Problem
It was quite frustrating when we couldn’t watch the latest episode of a show we had been following for weeks on our TV.
I tried everything I could think of at that moment to fix the TV’s “No signal” message, but nothing worked.
Turns out, one of the cables hidden behind the TV stand was frayed. As soon as I replaced it, the TV started working as normal.
Now, I’m going to make it a habit to check our TV cables regularly to avoid any future problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my TV lose signal when I switch channels?
Your TV may lose signal due to a weak or unstable signal from your cable or satellite provider. Try resetting your satellite box to resolve it. If the problem persists, contact your service provider.
Can other devices cause interference in a TV’s signal?
Yes, electronic devices near your TV can cause interference with your TV’s signal. If you are experiencing distorted or no video on your TV, move other devices away from your TV and check if the signal improves.
What to do if my Blu-ray player is not working?
If your Blu-ray player is not working, unplug it from the power socket, wait a few minutes before plugging it back in, and turn it on. It’s also good to check the wires for any damage or loose connections.
