You finally got your hands on a PS5, and you’re ready for those stunning visuals and lightning-fast gameplay. But then your Sony TV refuses to recognize it. The screen stays black, or maybe it flickers for a second before going dark again.
This frustrating issue happens more often than you’d think, even with Sony products that should work seamlessly together. Your TV and console might be from the same brand, but that doesn’t guarantee a smooth connection every time.
I’ll walk you through why this happens and show you practical fixes you can try right now. Most of these solutions take just a few minutes, and you won’t need any special tools or technical knowledge.
Why Your Sony TV Isn’t Detecting Your PS5
When your Sony TV doesn’t recognize your PS5, it’s usually a handshake problem between the two devices. Think of it like two people trying to communicate but speaking slightly different languages. The TV and console need to exchange specific signals through the HDMI cable to establish a proper connection, and when that conversation breaks down, you get a blank screen.
This issue can show up in different ways. Sometimes your TV shows “No Signal” even though everything’s plugged in. Other times, the screen might flash briefly before going black, or you might see a distorted image that keeps cutting out. You might even get audio without video, which is particularly odd.
If you leave this unresolved, you’re missing out on the full gaming experience you paid for. But beyond that, repeatedly forcing connections by unplugging and replugging cables can actually wear out your HDMI ports over time. The metal contacts inside those ports can get loose or damaged from excessive insertion and removal.
The good news is that most cases stem from simple issues rather than hardware failure. Your equipment is probably fine. Usually it’s about settings, cable quality, or how the devices are communicating with each other.
Sony TV Not Recognizing PS5: Common Causes
Several factors can prevent your Sony TV from detecting your PS5 properly. Let’s look at what’s typically behind this connection failure so you know what you’re dealing with.
1. HDMI-CEC Conflicts
Your Sony TV has a feature called HDMI-CEC (it’s branded as Bravia Sync on Sony TVs). This technology allows devices to control each other through the HDMI cable. Your PS5 has a similar feature called HDMI Device Link.
When both devices try to manage the connection simultaneously, they can interfere with each other. It’s like two managers giving contradictory instructions to the same employee. The devices get confused about who’s in charge, and the connection fails.
Sometimes one device sends a command that the other doesn’t understand properly, creating a communication loop that prevents recognition. This is especially common after firmware updates that change how these features work.
2. HDMI 2.1 Handshake Issues
The PS5 uses HDMI 2.1 technology to deliver 4K gaming at 120Hz. Your Sony TV needs to properly negotiate this high-bandwidth connection, and that negotiation doesn’t always go smoothly.
During the initial handshake, your TV and PS5 exchange information about their capabilities. If your TV is set to an incompatible resolution or refresh rate, this exchange fails. The PS5 might be trying to output a signal your TV can’t accept, or vice versa.
3. Faulty or Incompatible HDMI Cable
Not all HDMI cables are created equal. The PS5 comes with an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable that supports all its features, but if you’re using a different cable, it might not have the bandwidth needed for proper communication.
Older HDMI cables (versions 1.4 or 2.0) can’t handle the full data stream from your PS5. They might work for basic video, but they fail when the console tries to push higher resolutions or refresh rates. Even if a cable looks fine on the outside, internal wire damage can cause intermittent connection problems.
4. Outdated Firmware on Either Device
Your Sony TV and PS5 both rely on firmware to manage their functions. When this software gets outdated, compatibility issues can emerge.
TV manufacturers regularly update firmware to fix bugs and improve HDMI compatibility. If your TV is running old firmware, it might not recognize newer devices properly. The same goes for your PS5 system software.
5. Wrong HDMI Input Settings
Your Sony TV has multiple HDMI ports, and each one can have different settings. Some ports support enhanced features while others run in basic mode.
If your PS5 is plugged into a port that doesn’t have Enhanced Format (sometimes called Enhanced HDMI) enabled, the TV won’t process the full signal. The port might be physically capable but software-limited until you toggle the right setting. Additionally, if your TV is set to the wrong input source or the label got changed somehow, it won’t display your console even when everything else is correct.
Sony TV Not Recognizing PS5: DIY Fixes
Getting your Sony TV to recognize your PS5 usually takes just a few simple adjustments. Here are proven solutions that work for most connection problems.
1. Power Cycle Both Devices Completely
This sounds too simple to work, but a full power cycle clears temporary glitches in both devices. Turn off your PS5 completely (not rest mode). Then turn off your TV using the remote.
Here’s the important part: unplug both devices from the wall outlet. Wait a full 60 seconds. This drains any residual power from the capacitors and fully resets the hardware.
Plug your TV back in first and turn it on. Then plug in your PS5 and power it up. This sequence ensures your TV is ready to receive the signal when your console starts broadcasting.
2. Check and Replace Your HDMI Cable
Inspect your HDMI cable carefully. Look for any kinks, bends, or damage to the outer coating. Even small damage can affect signal quality.
Try using the HDMI cable that came with your PS5 if you aren’t already. It’s certified for Ultra High Speed and will handle all the console’s features. If you need a longer cable, make sure any replacement is labeled as Ultra High Speed HDMI or HDMI 2.1 certified. Regular high-speed cables won’t cut it for 4K at 120Hz.
Plug the cable firmly into both the TV and PS5. You should feel a solid click when it seats properly. Loose connections cause intermittent recognition problems.
3. Enable Enhanced Format on Your HDMI Port
Your Sony TV needs Enhanced Format turned on for the HDMI port you’re using. Without this, the port can’t process the full signal from your PS5.
Press the Home button on your TV remote. Go to Settings, then Watching TV, then External Inputs, and finally HDMI Signal Format. You’ll see a list of your HDMI ports. Find the one your PS5 is connected to and change it to Enhanced Format.
Some Sony TV models call this setting Enhanced HDMI or HDMI Enhanced Mode instead. The location might vary slightly depending on your TV’s menu system, but it’s usually under external inputs or HDMI settings.
4. Adjust PS5 Video Output Settings in Safe Mode
If your TV still won’t recognize your PS5, the console might be outputting a signal your TV can’t handle. You can reset the video output through Safe Mode, which forces the PS5 to use basic settings.
Turn off your PS5 completely. Press and hold the power button until you hear a second beep (about seven seconds). This boots the console into Safe Mode. Connect your controller with a USB cable and press the PS button.
Select Change Video Output from the Safe Mode menu. Choose option 2: Change Resolution. Your PS5 will restart with 1080p output, which any modern TV can handle. Once you see the picture, you can go into normal settings and adjust the resolution back up gradually.
5. Disable HDMI Device Link Features
Sometimes the control features that should make life easier actually cause connection problems. Turning them off removes one layer of complexity from the handshake process.
On your PS5, go to Settings, then System, then HDMI. Turn off Enable HDMI Device Link. This stops your PS5 from trying to control your TV.
On your Sony TV, press Home and go to Settings. Find Watching TV or External Inputs, then look for Bravia Sync Settings. Turn off Bravia Sync completely. After disabling both features, restart both devices and check if the connection works.
6. Update Firmware on Both Devices
Outdated software causes compatibility headaches. Your Sony TV might not recognize your PS5 simply because it doesn’t know how to talk to it yet.
For your PS5: Go to Settings, then System, then System Software. Select System Software Update and Settings, then Update System Software. If an update is available, download and install it.
For your Sony TV: Press Home and go to Settings (gear icon). Select System, then About, then System Software Update. Your TV will check for available updates. Install any that are found. Some Sony TVs update automatically when connected to the internet, but checking manually ensures you’re current.
7. Try a Different HDMI Port
Your TV has multiple HDMI ports, and they’re not all identical. Some support full HDMI 2.1 features while others might be limited to older standards.
Check your TV’s manual or look near the HDMI ports on the back. Ports are often labeled with their capabilities. Look for ports marked HDMI 2.1, 4K/120Hz, or Enhanced. These are your best bet for PS5 connection. HDMI ports 3 and 4 often have the most advanced features on Sony TVs, but this varies by model.
Unplug your PS5 from its current port and move it to a different one. Remember to enable Enhanced Format for the new port as described in fix #3.
8. Contact a Professional Technician
If none of these solutions work, you might be dealing with a hardware problem that needs professional attention. A faulty HDMI port on either your TV or PS5 requires repair or replacement.
Reach out to Sony support for both devices. They can run diagnostics and determine if you need warranty service. Don’t attempt to open either device yourself, as this voids your warranty and can cause further damage.
Wrapping Up
Your Sony TV and PS5 should work together seamlessly, but connection hiccups happen. Most recognition problems come down to settings conflicts, cable issues, or outdated firmware rather than broken hardware.
Start with the simple fixes like power cycling and checking your cables. Then move through the settings adjustments if needed. One of these solutions will likely get you back to gaming within minutes. Your console is ready to deliver those incredible visuals once the connection clicks into place.