10+ Instant Fixes For HDMI “No Signal” on BenQ Projectors

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Experiencing “no signal” on your BenQ projector? While HDMI is typically reliable, issues can arise, such as loose connections or faulty cables.

Thankfully, we’ve tested solutions that have worked for many. Let’s dive into resolving this problem.

1. Easy Solutions You Should Try First

Before delving deeper, here are a few cursory yet practical things you must inspect and set right.

Note: you can go through the headings and skip the sub-solutions below if you’ve already tried them.

Properly Plugged-In Cables

Make sure the composite or HDMI cable is securely inserted at both ends.

Pull at the connector. Push it in if it comes off easily or there’s significant play.

Power on and off the input and output devices.

Flip the Cable Over

Try flipping the cable. Maybe the connector(s) at an end is worn or damaged, affecting the connection quality.

Flipping over the cord could expose a possibly less damaged connector section, leading to a better, more stable link.

If there’s dust or debris in the port(s), unplugging the cable could help displace the particles obstructing the connection.

Plugging the cord back in reversed or the same way could help establish better contact and link.  

Grab a Shorter Cable

Get another cable, preferably a shorter one so that the HDMI signals transfer smoothly and reliably between the input and output devices and not subject to “signal attenuation.” 

The weakened signal could result in problems such as flickering, pixelation, or even signal loss. The shorter HDMI cables are less susceptible to RFI (radio-frequency interference) and EMI (electromagnetic interference) from nearby electronic devices.

If the cable is less than 25 feet, it’s short enough. If you don’t have one handy already, here’s a shopping list to get you started.

Use Another Source Device

If the input source (computer, Blu-ray player, gaming console, etc.) is faulty, it may have trouble displaying the content received, possibly resulting in HDMI signal loss concerns.

For example, the Blu-ray player’s HDMI output port could be malfunctioning. Or your computer’s graphics drivers could be outdated, causing HDMI signal problems.

Also, the input device must be compatible with your BenQ projector to support certain HDCP (high-bandwidth digital content protection) and HDMI standard requirements. More on that later.

If amending the aforementioned root causes is not plausible, using another source device is the only resort.

Do a Soft Reset

A soft reset is a simple reboot that clears software errors or temporary glitches (firmware issues, power surges, overheating, etc.) causing the HDMI signal loss problem.

It may also refresh the HDMI handshake issue or reset display settings, forcing your BenQ projector to reestablish the communication protocol.

To soft reset your BenQ projector, here are the steps:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Unplug it from its wall and let it remain undone for 30 seconds to a minute at the least. Also, unhook all other devices connected to the projector.
3. After the mini breather, plug in the cable and power on the device.
4. Reconnect the projector and the input device and check if the signal loss problem is fixed.

Also, ensure your BenQ projector is up-to-date on the software front. If the issue is firmware-related, the newest update could have the fix.

Note that a soft reset will not check for pending software installs. You’ll have to do it manually. Read “How to Update BenQ Projector Firmware?.”

2. Make Sure Your HDMI Cable is Fully Seated in the HDMI Port of Your BenQ Projector

As stated earlier, ensure the HDMI cable is correctly inserted into your BenQ projector’s corresponding port.

A few BenQ devices, such as the W1070, have a tad deeper abyss for the HDMI port. With such devices, it’s imperative to push in the connector deeper for secure seating.

This step may seem trivial, but it fixed this user’s HDMI signal loss issue. Therefore, be diligent when inserting the HDMI cable into your BenQ projector with a deep-seated connector.

If your HDMI cable jacket is obtrusive or does not allow deeper seating, shave a millimeter or two off the soft plastic cover.

Unfortunately, there’s no HDMI cable with a design suited for such deeper ports—at least none we could recommend right now.

3. Disable Auto Search Feature

Your BenQ projector’s auto-search feature lets it search for a source automatically and display content from a device plugged into its ports.

Although the function works like a charm, it could sometimes cause a signal loss problem.

For example, suppose multiple devices are connected to your projector via its different ports. In that case, your BenQ projector may prioritize the VGA input over the HDMI feed courtesy of auto search, which could cause the HDMI signal loss problem.

It could happen for different reasons—for instance, a loose cable connection at the HDMI source.

Therefore, turning it off is highly recommended if you encounter an HDMI signal loss issue on your BenQ device with the auto search feature enabled. If needed, switch the inputs manually instead.

To turn off the feature, follow these steps:

1. Hit the Menu key on the projector remote or body.
2. On the screen, go to Source and toggle off the Quick Auto Search option.

4. Remove Any Intermediary Device (Receiver, HDMI Switch, Splitter, etc.)

Check if your setup has intermediary devices (received, HDMI splitter, switch, etc.) at work. If yes, the in-between device could be causing the signal loss issue.

An intermediary device such as an AV receiver helps manage your house’s audio-video system. But they also tend to introduce signal transmission issues. I have experienced the phenomenon on my BenQ projector and Optoma device.

The solution is to simplify the setup or eject intermediary devices (received, HDMI splitter, switch, etc.) and directly connect your BenQ projector and the input source.  

If running the cable directly to your BenQ from the input device discarded the signal loss concern, confirm the intermediary device was indeed hampering the connection.

To do so, add the splitter or adapter back and check if the issue resurfaces. If it does, you now know the cause.

5. Match the Resolution Settings Between Your BenQ Projector & Source Device (HDMI EDID Setting)

If the resolution settings of your BenQ projector and source device do not match, HDMI signal loss issues may occur.

Dropping down the source device’s resolution to match your BenQ projector will fix the problem.

If the projector’s resolution is higher, lowering it to match the input device’s image resolution will help.

For example, if the source device can manage up to 1080p only, head to your projector’s HDMI EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) setting and change the resolution to Standard (1080p). 

The Enhanced option is applicable only if the source device can natively handle 4K content.

6. Ensure There are No “Handshake” Issues

The HDCP content protection technology mitigates unauthorized HD (high-definition) content replication.

A handshake happens when the authentication and communication between two HDMI devices are established, ensuring proper audio-video content transmission. When that doesn’t happen, a handshake problem arises.

Different HDCP versions exist, signifying compatibility based on the content sources and devices. The versions that your BenQ projector and its input device support must be the same to ensure the handshake.

For example, if your BenQ device supports HDCP 1.4 and the input source is HDCP 2.2 (4K), there won’t be a handshake, possibly manifesting as HDMI signal loss.

HDCP handshake problems could also arise if the HDMI cord used is damaged, loosely inserted, or not of the correct specification.

Throwing in another device, such as an extender, splitter, etc., increases the likelihood of the input and output devices not talking or stuttering when corresponding to each other.

Read: Top 5 HDMI Splitters To Bypass HDCP & How-To Guide.

7. Contact BenQ Support Team

If you’ve tried everything stated above and the signal loss issue is still there, contact BenQ support.

Their expert guidance or knowledge about BenQ projectors is difficult to match for others. The specialists can offer certain recommendations and advice suiting your specific projector and the particular issue.

If the projector is still covered by warranty, contacting BenQ is a no-brainer. But then, ring the company only as a last resort or when your DIY measures don’t entail opening up the device.

If the warranty safeguards the hardware issue, you can repair or replace the problematic component for no cost.

Call BenQ at 1-888-512-2367 to apprise them of the issue, or email [email protected].

Before picking up the phone, keep all essential information about your device ready, including the projector model, its serial number, and the date and location of purchase.

Conclusion

Your BenQ projector losing its HDMI signal haphazardly is not a grave scenario. But it isn’t very pleasant, nonetheless.

Although there is no singular reason behind the problem, digging into the likely causes and ascertaining the fixes is not a complex endeavor, as illustrated above.

For example, the cause factor could be a simple loose connection or a cabling problem that can be corrected by replugging or replacing the cord.

If the HDMI signal on your projector is misbehaving, run it through the above list of checks and fixes.

Contact BenQ support after you have tried everything you could have conceived of and the issue persists.

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