PS5 Black Screen – Causes, Fixes, and Expert Solutions

A PS5 black screen can turn a quick gaming session into a headache. You press power, you might even hear the console hum and the UI “clicks,” but the TV or monitor stays dark or shows No Signal. The good news: in the vast majority of cases this is a settings, cable, or HDMI-handshake problem—not a dead console. Below you’ll find a complete, practical guide that walks you from the simplest checks to advanced fixes, plus expert tips and an actionable flow you can follow end to end.

What Is the PS5 Black Screen Issue?

The term “PS5 black screen” covers any scenario where the console powers on but fails to deliver a visible image:

You may see a blank/black display with or without the PlayStation boot logo.
Your TV/monitor may show No Signal or flicker during resolution changes.
Sometimes audio works (menu sounds, game audio), but video does not.
In other cases, the system appears on but isn’t responding visually at all.

This behavior is usually caused by an interrupted or incompatible video handshake, a resolution/refresh rate mismatch, or a software/configuration issue. Hardware faults exist, but they’re less common.

Common Symptoms Users Experience

No Signal / Black screen after power-on (never reaches the Home screen).
Black screen with audio (you can hear clicks/music but see nothing).
Black screen after the PS logo (fails when switching to the dashboard resolution/refresh rate).
Intermittent blackouts during gameplay, especially when toggling HDR, VRR, or 120 Hz.
Black screen via receiver/soundbar but works when PS5 connects directly to the TV.
Works at 1080p but not at 4K (or fails when enabling HDR).
Fails to wake from Rest Mode (stays black until hard reboot).
1440p monitor issues (image fails or looks off until you select the right resolution).

Main Causes and Reasons Behind the Issue

HDMI handshake failures
Incompatible or unstable communication between the PS5 and display chain (TV/monitor → receiver/switch → cable). This is often cable quality, port quirks, or receiver pass-through behavior.
Resolution/refresh mismatch
The PS5 may be outputting 2160p/120 Hz, VRR, or HDR that your TV/monitor (or your HDMI path) can’t reliably handle.
Cable problems
A non–Ultra High Speed cable can cause dropouts at 4K, HDR, VRR, and 120 Hz. Physical damage or loose connectors also cause black screens.
Display/receiver settings
Some TVs require you to enable Enhanced/HDMI 2.1 mode per port. Receivers/soundbars may need updated firmware or different ports for 4K/120.
Software or database glitches
Corrupted cache/database, incomplete updates, or a bad wake-from-Rest-Mode state can blank the screen.
HDCP conflicts
Content protection (HDCP) can trigger black screens with certain capture devices, receivers, or older displays.
Thermal or power irregularities (less common)
Overheating or unstable power can cause the console to crash into a black screen.
Hardware faults (least common)
Failing HDMI port, APU/GPU issues, or board-level faults. Usually shows consistent failure across all displays/cables.

Step-by-Step Fixes (Detailed, Practical, and Easy to Follow)

Before you start:

Power off the PS5 fully (hold the power button until you hear one long beep, then a second beep, ~7 seconds).
If you’ll be changing TV/receiver settings, keep the PS5 off until the step says to turn it on.
If possible, have a second HDMI cable and test on a second display for comparison.

1) Verify the HDMI Path (Cable, Ports, Chain)

Use the included PS5 Ultra High Speed HDMI cable (48 Gbps). If in doubt, try a different certified Ultra High Speed cable.
Plug the PS5 directly into the TV first. If it works, add your receiver/soundbar back later to find the failing link.
Try another HDMI port on the TV (many TVs only enable 4K/120 on specific ports).
Secure connections: firmly seat both ends; avoid loose adapters/extenders.
Bypass HDMI switches, splitters, capture cards during testing—they often cause handshake issues.

If you now have a picture: the issue was your cable/port/chain. Reintroduce devices one by one to find the culprit.

2) Power-Cycle Everything (TV/Monitor, Receiver, PS5)

Turn off the TV/monitor (and receiver if used) and unplug them for 60 seconds.
Turn off the PS5 and unplug it for 60 seconds.
Power on the TV/monitor first, wait until it’s fully ready, then power on the PS5.
This clears stale HDMI handshakes and CEC states that can cause black screens.

3) Force a Safe Mode Boot and Fix Video Output

Safe Mode runs at a basic output that usually displays even on finicky setups.

How to enter Safe Mode:

Turn the PS5 off completely.
Press and hold the power button; release after the second beep (~7 seconds).
Connect the controller by USB cable and press PS.

In Safe Mode, try (in this order):

[2] Change Video Output → Change Resolution → select 1080p (or 720p if 1080p still fails).
[2] Change Video Output → HDR → Off temporarily; also toggle VRR and 120 Hz Output later inside the OS.
[1] Restart PS5 and test.
If still failing: [5] Clear Cache and Rebuild Database (safe, non-destructive).
If software update might be pending/corrupt: [3] Update System Software (via internet or USB).
As a last resort (data-impacting steps):
- [6] Reset PS5 (Keep My Games & Apps)
- [7] Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) (requires USB + PC/Mac; wipes the console)

Tip: After you regain video, go to Settings › Screen and Video and set Resolution to Automatic or 1080p, then reintroduce 4K/HDR/120 Hz/VRR one at a time to identify the exact trigger.

4) Optimize TV/Monitor and Receiver Settings

On your TV, enable the correct port mode: HDMI Enhanced, 4K, or Game mode. On some models this is per-port.
If you use a receiver/soundbar, ensure firmware is up to date and use the 8K/4K120-capable inputs/outputs.
Disable or enable HDMI-CEC (a.k.a. Bravia Sync, Anynet+, Simplink) to test whether CEC is causing wake/handshake issues.
On 1440p monitors, set Resolution = 1440p in Settings › Screen and Video once you have a picture.
If your TV struggles specifically with HDR: set HDR = Off or On When Supported, and run Adjust HDR after stability is confirmed.
If you experience dropouts at 120 Hz, set Enable 120 Hz Output = Off to confirm stability at 60 Hz first.
If VRR causes flicker/blackouts, set VRR = Off (you can re-enable later if stable).

5) Toggle HDCP (Content Protection)

Some older displays, capture devices, and certain AV chains don’t play nicely with HDCP.

Go to Settings › System › HDMI (or Screen and Video on some firmware) → Enable HDCP → toggle it Off to test.
If turning it Off restores video, leave it Off unless an app demands it (some streaming apps require HDCP On).

6) Fix Rest Mode Wake Issues

If black screens happen after Rest Mode:

Go to Settings › System › Power Saving › Features Available in Rest Mode and disable:
- Stay Connected to the Internet
- Enable Turning On PS5 from Network
Alternatively, avoid Rest Mode and fully shut down until stability is confirmed.
After a clean boot, re-enable features one by one to isolate the trigger.

7) Address Potential Thermal/Power Contributors

Ensure the PS5 has clear airflow (sides/back not blocked).
Vacuum dust around vents (do not open the console unless you know what you’re doing).
Avoid overloaded power strips; plug the PS5 directly into a reliable outlet.
If the console shuts down or the screen goes black after heavy load, let it cool, then test again—thermal trips can appear as black screens.

8) Workarounds When You Have “Sound but No Picture”

Use the PS App (Remote Play) or a different display to temporarily regain on-screen access and lower resolution/HDR settings.
Once you can see the UI, set Resolution = 1080p, HDR = Off, VRR/120 Hz = Off, then reconnect to your main TV and raise settings gradually.

9) When to Suspect Hardware Faults

Consider contacting support or a repair professional if:

The console never displays video on any TV/monitor with any good cable.
The PS5 fails to enter Safe Mode (no second beep, lights loop or turn off).
You see persistent artifacts, random colors, or reboots unrelated to settings.
The HDMI port is physically loose/damaged.

Extra Tips from Community Discussions and Expert Advice

Direct connection testing is the #1 timesaver. If direct-to-TV works, your receiver/soundbar or HDMI switch is the culprit.
Many users report success locking the console to 1080p/60 first, then enabling HDR, then 4K, and finally 120 Hz/VRR. The step that re-breaks video identifies the incompatibility.
On certain TVs, changing the input label to “Game Console” or enabling Game Mode stabilizes the handshake and latency.
Certified Ultra High Speed cables (shorter runs if possible) eliminate subtle 4K/120 dropouts.
If capture cards are in your chain, test without them. Many aren’t fully compatible with 4K/120 + HDR + VRR simultaneously.
Rebuild Database has fixed stubborn black screens after crashes or forced shutdowns.
If Rest Mode repeatedly causes black screens, leave it disabled; it’s a common community workaround.
For 1440p monitors, enabling 120 Hz after setting 1440p is often the most stable path (rather than starting at 4K).

FAQ (Short, Helpful Answers)

Q: My PS5 has sound but no picture. What do I do first?

A: Test a direct HDMI connection to the TV with a certified Ultra High Speed cable, then boot Safe Mode → Change Resolution to 1080p.

Q: Safe Mode shows, but normal boot goes black. Why?

A: The main OS is trying to use a resolution/refresh/HDR your display can’t handle. In Safe Mode, set 1080p, disable HDR/VRR/120 Hz, then re-enable stepwise.

Q: Do I need a special HDMI cable?

A: For 4K/120, yes—use a 48 Gbps Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. Lower-spec cables often cause flicker/blackouts.

Q: Will turning off HDCP help?

A: It can with some older TVs or capture devices. Toggle HDCP Off to test, but note certain streaming apps need it On.

Q: Black screen only when using my AV receiver.

A: Update the receiver’s firmware, use its 4K/120-capable ports, or connect PS5 direct to TV and return audio via eARC/ARC.

Q: 4K works, but enabling HDR causes blackouts.

A: Leave HDR Off or set On When Supported, then run Adjust HDR later. Some displays handle HDR poorly at certain refresh rates.

Q: Is VRR causing my flicker?

A: Possibly. Set VRR = Off; if stable, you’ve found the culprit.

Q: How do I fix Rest Mode black screens?

A: Disable Stay Connected to the Internet and Turn On from Network, or avoid Rest Mode until stable.

Q: When should I factory reset?

A: Only after cable/port tests, Safe Mode resolution changes, cache/database rebuild, and updates have all failed.

Q: How do I know it’s hardware?

A: If no display works, Safe Mode won’t appear, or you see consistent artifacts/reboots across setups—seek service.

Final Troubleshooting Flow (Actionable Summary)

Direct connect PS5 → TV with a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. Try another TV if possible.
Power-cycle TV/receiver/PS5 (unplug all 60 seconds).
Safe Mode → Change Resolution = 1080p → Restart PS5.
In the OS: HDR Off, VRR Off, 120 Hz Off → confirm stable image.
Re-enable features one at a time: HDR → 4K → 120 Hz → VRR (stop when it breaks).
If issues persist: Clear Cache & Rebuild Database, then Update System Software.
Optimize TV/receiver settings (Enhanced/2.1 port, firmware), test eARC or direct video + ARC for audio.
Toggle HDCP Off (test), then only re-enable if an app requires it.
If still failing: Reset PS5 (Keep My Games & Apps) → test → if needed, Reset (Reinstall System Software).
Suspect hardware if none of the above helps on any display/cable; contact support/repair.