HDMI Port is not Working on PC: 7 Ways to Fix it

Try these tested solutions to HDMI problems on Windows 10

Reading time icon 6 min. read


Readers help support Windows Report. We may get a commission if you buy through our links. Tooltip Icon

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial team Read more

Key notes

  • If your HDMI port is not working, recently installed apps may interfere and need to be uninstalled.
  • It would be best if you used to try easy checks such as restarting your device and cleaning out dirt from the HDMI head before venturing into more complex fixes.

You must have encountered a problem that has led to your HDMI port not working on Windows 10. This is a problem other users have experienced.

This port is handy for connectivity, especially with modern equipment, so we will show you how to fix this problem.

Why is my HDMI port not working on my PC?

There are multiple reasons why the HDMI port isn’t working on Windows, and in most cases, this is just a glitch with your graphics card, so you might want to check your drivers.

This issue can affect any PC, and many reported that HDMI isn’t working on laptops. If drivers aren’t the issue, a solid workaround would be to use a specialized adapter.

However, that’s not always the best solution since sometimes the USB to HDMI adapter won’t work, so it’s essential to find the core cause of this issue.

Here are some quick examples of how these issues can manifest:

The most common problem with HDMI is that audio or video is missing, and in most cases, thatโ€™s caused by driver incompatibility, but there are a few things you can do to fix this problem.

How do I test my HDMI port?

  1. Check for damage along the length of the chord.
  2. Check for particles in the head of the chord and the port on the device. You can spray some compressed air to remove these particles.
  3. Insert one end of the chord in the source device and the other in the display device.
  4. Boot the display device and ensure it is set to HDMI mode.
  5. Boot your source device and ensure it is set to export images.
  6. If the image and sound quality are fine, nothing is wrong with your HDMI chord.

If thereโ€™s no sound, video is missing, or your HDMI port is not working on your PC, follow the below steps to refresh your audio and video drivers.

How can I fix the HDMI port if it’s not working on PC?

Before you go into any of the solutions provided, make sure you do the following:

  • Enable your HDMI port on Windows 10
  • Restart your computer
  • Make sure to select the correct HDMI port on the display device
  • Check the hardware and make sure the HDMI cable is not slipping out
  1. Set your HDMI device as the Default Device
  2. Update your drivers
  3. Rollback to the older driver
  4. Uninstall the graphics driver
  5. Remove recently installed software
  6. Run System Restore
  7. Replace your cable

1. Set your HDMI device as the Default Device

  1. Right-click on the volume icon on the taskbar and select Playback devices.
    hdmi port not working windows 10
  2. In the newly open Playback tab, select Digital Output Device or HDMI if they exist on the list of devices, then click Set default.
    hdmi port not working windows 10

First, the HDMI port will not work on your monitor if your HDMI device is not set as the default device.

2. Update your drivers

2.1 Update drivers manually

1. Click the search bar on your taskbar, typeย Device Manager,ย and select theย Device Managerย app.

hdmi port not working windows 10

2. Expand any section with outdated devices (Start with the Display adapters).

3. Right-click on the device and selectย Update driver.

hdmi port not working windows 10

4. Clickย Search automatically for drivers.

https://i.imgur.com/4wwrDqm.png

5. Install the drivers found by the wizard.

Sometimes, all you need to do to fix the HDMI port not working issue is to install the latest drivers. Just visit your graphics card or motherboard manufacturerโ€™s website and download the latest drivers.

You can also update your video and audio drivers using the Device Manager, as shown above.

2.2 Update your drivers with an advanced tool

One common factor that can cause your HDMI port not to function correctly is out-of-date drivers. Therefore, updating your device is crucial, and we recommend you do this by using professional software.

PC HelpSoft Driver Updater is an excellent tool for the maintenance of your drivers. After a quick scan of your system, this software will allow you to replace or update any broken driver with fresh genuine ones, all within minutes.

โ‡’ Get PC HelpSoft Driver Updater

3. Rollback to the older driver

  1. Click the search bar, type Device Manager, and select the Device Manager app.
    hdmi port not working windows 10
  2. Expand any section with devices to be rolled back.
  3. Right-click it and choose Properties.
    hdmi port not working windows 10
  4. Navigate to the Driver tab and click on Roll Back Driver if it is not greyed out.
  5. Restart your computer.

Sometimes, itโ€™s better to use the default driver to avoid compatibility issues. Youโ€™ll need to uninstall the current driver, and the default one will install itself.

However, using the Roll Back feature is also an effective method of getting back an old driver. Check if this resolves the issue of the HDMI port not working on Windows 10.

4. Uninstall the graphics driver

  1. Click the search bar, type Device Manager, and select the Device Manager app.
    hdmi port not working windows 10
  2. Expand the Display adapter menu, right-click on your graphics driver, and select Uninstall device.
    hdmi port not working windows 10
  3. Click on Uninstall.
    hdmi port not working windows 10

Check if this resolves the issue of the HDMI port not working on Windows 10.

5. Remove recently installed software

  1. Go to Start and type Control Panel and open up the app.
    hdmi port not working windows 10
  2. Click on Uninstall a program.
  3. Select the program recently added, and click Uninstall (Repeat this step for recently added programs).

If you recently installed new software on your computer, try uninstalling it. Then, check if this resolves the issue of the HDMI port not working on Windows 10.

This solution may work if the HDMI port is not showing in your Device Manager. Sometimes, newly installed software may trigger compatibility issues and various connection problems.

6. Run System Restore

  1. Press Windows Key + S and enter system restore, then choose Create a restore point from the menu.
  2. The System Properties window will now appear. Now click the System Restore button.
    hdmi port not working windows 10
  3. When the System Restore window opens, click Next.
  4. If available, check Show more restore points. Select the desired restore point from the menu and click Next.
  5. Now follow the instructions on the screen to complete the restoration process.

The System Restore option allows you to restore the previous well-performing system configuration without losing files, except for a few customizable features and settings.

7. Replace your cable

Also, there might be situations when your problem is hardware-related. In this case, we recommend you look at some highly-rated products you could buy.

This way, you can ensure the HDMI output works great on your Windows 10 devices.

That would be all; we hope these solutions helped you solve any problem you may encounter regarding your HDMI port not working on your Windows 10 device.

As always, if you come across other solutions to fix HDMI issues on your PC, you can help the Windows community by listing the troubleshooting steps in the comments below. And if you’re wondering what to do when the PC is connected to a TV with HDMI, but no picture appears, make sure digital vibrancy is not set to 0%.

Also, if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, contact us in the same comment section. Don’t forget to tell us which solution worked for you.