If your TV shows the wrong device or a No Signal screen, it is probably on the wrong input. Each connected device uses its own HDMI input, and switching inputs tells the TV which device to display.
These steps apply to smart TVs and standard TVs from Samsung, LG, Vizio, TCL, Hisense, Sony, and most other brands. The button name changes, but the idea is the same.
Does this affect you?
Use this guide if you need to switch from a cable box to a game console, from a streaming stick to a Blu-ray player, or away from a blank HDMI screen. It also helps if your remote does not have an obvious Input button.
Use the Source or Input button
Most TV remotes have a dedicated button for this.
- Look for a button labeled Source, Input, TV/Input, or an icon shaped like a rectangle with an arrow.
- Press it once to open the input list.
- Use the arrow buttons to highlight the device or HDMI port you want, such as HDMI 1, HDMI 2, Cable Box, Xbox, or Soundbar.
- Press OK, Enter, or Select.
- Wait two or three seconds for the TV to detect the signal.
If the remote has no dedicated Input button, look for a physical button on the TV itself, often along the bottom edge, side, or back near the ports.
Switch from the on-screen menu
Some newer TVs put inputs inside the home screen instead of using a single remote button.
- Press Home or Menu on the remote.
- Look for Source, Input, Inputs, Connected Devices, or Home Dashboard.
- On Samsung TVs, inputs often appear in Smart Hub.
- On LG TVs, they may appear in Home Dashboard.
- On Vizio, TCL, and similar TVs, look for Inputs in the main menu.
Select the HDMI input you want. Many TVs also let you rename inputs, so HDMI 2 can become PS5, Cable Box, Roku, or another label that is easier to recognize later.
Use HDMI-CEC for automatic switching
Most modern TVs can switch automatically when a connected device powers on. The feature is called HDMI-CEC, but brands rename it. Samsung calls it Anynet+, LG calls it SimpLink, and Vizio or TCL may simply call it CEC.
Look under Settings > General, Settings > Devices, or a similar menu and turn HDMI-CEC on. With CEC enabled, powering on a console or streaming box often changes the TV to the correct input automatically.
Fix a black screen after switching
If the selected input shows black or No Signal, confirm the connected device is awake and powered on. A game console in sleep mode or a cable box that is off will not always send video.
Unplug the HDMI cable from both ends and reconnect it firmly. If that does not work, try a different HDMI port on the TV. Also note that an HDMI ARC or eARC port is usually best reserved for a soundbar or receiver; using it for another device can complicate audio routing.
Sources
- Samsung Support – Change the input source on your TV (2025)
- LG Support – Switch between connected devices on your LG TV (2025)
- Vizio Support – Select an input on your Vizio TV (2025)