How to fix PS4 HDMI port issue

If you sit down to play your PS4™ and notice there's no display, the problem may be with the HDMI port. But how do you know for sure? Much like other PlayStation® issues that stop your game before it starts, such as overheating, software crashes, or controller drift, it's annoying when you can't figure out or solve the problem.

Here at Asurion, when tech breaks, we fix it—whether your laptop battery won't charge or you need to fix your PS4 controller. Here's our guide to finding out if your PS4 HDMI port is having issues and what to do about it.

Signs that your PS4 HDMI port may have an issue

If the HDMI cable, which sends high-definition pictures and sound from your console to your television, is plugged into the port but there is still no video, the port may be damaged or not working properly.

Possible signs of a PS4 HDMI port issue are:

• A black screen or a “No Input" message.
• A pixelated or distorted screen.
• A tight or loose port.

How to repair your PS4 HDMI port

The first thing to do is to check the HDMI port for signs of damage. The HDMI port on your PS4 is located on the upper center of the back of your console and looks like half of an octagon. Signs of wear and tear to look for:

• Broken or bent pins—this can happen if the cord is constantly plugged and unplugged or pushed in too hard.
• Dust and dirt—the port may stop working if it's clogged with debris.

If you see physical damage to your port after checking it or suspect it has an issue, you can replace it with a new port. If you've ever repaired or installed a USB port, this will be familiar to you. If you're not experienced with tech repair, you may need to get expert help.

What you'll need to replace your PS4 HDMI port:

• A soldering gun—a power tool used to join or separate metal connections by using heat
• Solder—an alloy with a low melting point that is used to connect metal parts
• Desoldering pump—a device that sucks melted solder away from the pin and board
• A new PS4 HDMI port

Once you have all your tools on hand, you can get started walking through these steps:

1. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the outer case, hard drive, and metal plate covering the motherboard. Be sure to look out for and disconnect the small plastic connectors as you go.
2. Remove the motherboard from the bottom of the case and locate the HDMI port.
3. Once you've located the port, turn the motherboard over to reveal the pins and anchor points holding it in place. One anchor point at a time, use your soldering gun to heat the solder holding the PS4 HDMI port in place at the pins and anchor holes on the board, and use the desoldering pump to remove the melted solder from the board.
4. After you have removed the old PS4 HDMI port, clean the area of the board with a Q-tip and a bit of isopropyl alcohol.
5. Using the new solder, make sure the anchor holes are empty, then drop in the new port, line up the pins with the solder pads, and solder it into place.
6. Reassemble the PS4.

Tip: Make sure each pin has its own solder connection—this is the key to guaranteeing a data connection. Is your video back on? If so, you're back in the game. If it is not or if you don't have your own soldering gun, you may need more help.