Isn’t it amazing that one little invention is the solution to nearly all of your audio/visual problems? You only need an HDMI cable to hook up your Blu-ray, DVD, and video game consoles to whatever media display device you own.
It is all rosy until one day you wake up to an ‘HDMI Not Supported’ error.
If you are currently experiencing this, do not panic.
This article will explain what it means when your device prompts you that “HDMI is not supported”. We will also look at why this may happen and suggest possible solutions that can remedy this situation.
Let’s get right into it.
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What does HDMI Not Supported Mean?
The HDMI not supported error means that your display device, such as a TV or monitor, is not getting any input from the source that you have selected. It simply means there is a miscommunication between your devices, resulting in no sound or display of picture.
Why does my HDMI (cable/port) say not supported?
There are several reasons why your device may give the “HDMI Not Supported” error message.
Some of the common causes are:
1. Wrong connections
If the HDMI cable is not correctly set up, you will likely get the error message “HDMI Not Supported.” Both ends of your HDMI cable need to be snug and secure in their rightful ports for the HDMI to function.
A wrong connection can also occur when using a faulty or broken cable. This interferes with the connection and causes the error message to be prompted.
2. Long HDMI cable
Another likely cause is that you are using an extremely long HDMI cable. When a cable is too long, it can easily cause an unreliable transmission of signals across your devices when an HDMI extender is not used.
3. Resolution conflict
Resolution conflict is another common reason for the “HDMI Not Supported” error message. If your display device has a lower resolution than your source device, it prevents it from displaying any visuals.
Another resolution discrepancy can be a result of external device settings on your display. Although the default setting adjusts the resolution automatically, it may not always work properly.
So when it fails to work and does not balance your device resolution levels, the HDMI will not be supported.
4. Incompatible devices
In some cases, you may find your source and display devices simply do not pair well. This is mostly the case when the models have a significant age difference between them.
An old source device may lack the technology to function across HDMI, and an old display device may be short of the resolution required to display content sent from a newer model.
How do I fix HDMI not supported?
Using one of the solutions listed below, you should easily be able to fix the problem of HDMI not being supported by your device.
Work your way down our list until you find a solution that best works for you.
Solution 1: Configure your device display settings
The first thing you should do when trying to fix the ‘HDMI not supported’ problem is to check whether your HDMI connection setting is enabled.
Go to Settings > Display Entries > HDMI Connection, and enable the HDMI setting if it is disabled.
Sometimes it’s simply just a wrong display setting that is causing this error. This often happens when using multiple monitors.
Check the current setting on your source device and also make sure to use the right settings on your display device.
If your source device is a computer, simply press your windows logo key simultaneously with the P button on your keyboard.
This will give you a list of display modes, including duplicate, extend, PC screen/computer only, and second screen/projector only.
From these options, try to experiment and settle on the one that works for you. Once you get the correct display settings, images will be clearly displayed on your screen connected via HDMI.
Solution 2: Reinstall or update graphics driver
HDMI technology is rapidly evolving. As such, regularly updating and reinstalling your graphic and chipset drivers is always a smart move to keep you updated with the latest technology offered by manufacturers.
Using an incorrect graphics driver or an outdated driver with your HDMI will result in an “HDMI Not Supported” error message on your screen.
Update your driver with the latest software versions and see if the problem is resolved.
You can either update your drivers automatically or manually. The automatic update is the quickest and easiest option that only requires a couple of mouse clicks, and you are good to go.
Updating your driver manually may require a bit of computer know-how and patience. You will need to identify the right driver online, download and install it.
Solution 3: Restart and reconnect your devices
Sometimes unplugging the cables from your devices for a short while before plugging them back in can prove an effective solution to getting your HDMI working again.
Here’s how you should go about it:
- Disconnect all HDMI cables from their ports.
- Shut down your devices and unplug all their power cables. If a device has any batteries, remove them too.
- Leave your devices for around five minutes.
- Reconnect all the power cables and replace the batteries.
- Connect all the HDMI cables to your devices.
- Turn on your devices.
Now check to see if your HDMI is working.
Solution 4: Factory reset your devices
The final solution to try, if all the above options fail to resolve your error, is to perform a factory reset on your devices.
A factory reset will restore your device’s software to its original settings. It removes all programs and files that you may have created or installed and deletes drivers. All your settings return to their defaults.
Here’s how to factory reset your device step-by-step:
- Go to settings and select System
- Choose Reset options
- Select Erase all data
- Select Reset
- Your device will ask for confirmation of the action, select the erase everything option
- Your device will start rebooting
- A display of the progress will be indicated on your screen, confirming data is being erased
Solution 5: Troubleshoot for hardware issues
After trying all the above options, if your HDMI is still not working, then there’s a high chance that your HDMI has malfunctioned.
In this case, try to replace your HDMI cable with a new one.
If this does not work, it’s almost definite that one of your devices has hardware issues. You should therefore have it (them) repaired or replaced.
Conclusion
HDMI is a standard connection device which makes it an essential component of any entertainment setup. Be it media streamers, video projectors, TVs, or game consoles.
With a properly functioning HDMI, it is easier for you to connect all your devices using only one cable for both video and audio.
However, it is not always smooth sailing with the HDMI, just like with other cables. There will be times you will wake up to the ‘HDMI Not Supported’ error. Lucky for you, we have extensively covered all the solutions to help fix these problems in this post. Keep trying until you find a solution that resolves the error.
Vance is a dad, former software engineer, and tech lover. Knowing how a computer works becomes handy when he builds Pointer Clicker. His quest is to make tech more accessible for non-techie users. When not working with his team, you can find him caring for his son and gaming.