HDMI or High-Definition Multimedia Interface is the most frequently used HD signal for transferring HD audio and video over a single cable. Many AV receivers have HDMI outputs to connect TVs and other A/V devices. However, sometimes receiver HDMI output may stop working. Why would the HDMI output on your receiver stop working?
Let’s find out.
Your HDMI output from your receiver may stop working because of an error and the device may need a reset. Turn off the receiver and TV, unplug them from the power outlet, then power the receiver and TV on again. Do not remove the HDMI cables during this process.
If the HDMI output on your receiver stops working and you do not wish to troubleshoot and fix it, please check out our article on how to connect a receiver to your TV without HDMI.
If the above did not fix the problem, or if you need more details on how to prevent this issue in the future, read on.
HDMI problems can be varied. You will know when your HDMI has an issue if the on-screen displays and other inputs work but HDMI inputs do not. As a result, no pictures are displayed, no sound is heard, and sometimes both.
When the cable or source device experiences a problem, the TV may sometimes display a “no signal” error message or the source device displays an error message.
So, why would my HDMI output on the receiver stop working?
HDMI problems are different. There are therefore several reasons why your HDMI output on the receiver may stop working. Let’s look at some of the reasons and how to troubleshoot them.
1. Handshake Error
What Is A Handshake?
Before the emergence of HDMI systems, a signal interface known as DVI ruled the market. However, the DVI cable could not carry audio signals and had no piracy (copy) protection. Hollywood producers then realized that their content was not safe and required a system that is copy-free. This is how DVI got faced out by HDMI.
HDMI has a copy protection unit known as HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection). It is a protocol designed to protect content creators and distributors against piracy.
When an HDMI source device is turned on, the HDMI sends data to the receiving device with the question, “What kind of a device are you?” If the device answers “I’m a TV,” the source device says “OK, here’s your movie.”
However, if it answers “I’m a Digital Video Recorder,” or if it doesn’t answer at all, the source device will not send any content! This, of course, helps to protect your content.
When you send your HDMI signals through a receiver, the source device asks the receiver what it is. The receiver also asks the TV to identify itself. The response is then passed back to the source through the same line. The whole process is known as “handshaking.”
If a handshake error occurs, no output will be sent to the TV and you will think the HDMI output port on the receiver is not working.
Causes Of Handshake Errors
Some of the possible causes of handshake errors that are likely to cause HDMI output on the receiver to stop working include:
- Lags: The receiver ‘forgets’ that handshake has been done and refuses to relay the output. In other words, there is some sort of lag.
- Receiver Off: The receiver could be unplugged or may be turned off at the time you turn the source device on. As a result, it cannot answer the source’s question.
- Corruption: HDCP data in the receiver is corrupted.
- Device Mismatch: The receiver could be a new type, developed after the source device. As a result, the source may not understand the response it gets from the receiver and therefore fails to send it a response.
Troubleshooting Handshake Errors
- System Reset: Reset the system by unplugging or turning them off. Begin by powering the TV and turning it on. Then, power the receiver and switch it on. Finish the process by plugging in the source device and powering it on. Let the system repeat the startup routine and check if the receiver works. If this does not solve the problem,
- Disconnect and Reconnect: Disconnect all the components in the HDMI path. Connect the source directly to the TV. If the TV works, then the problem must be with the receiver. If the problem persists, then the HDMI cables could be at fault.
- Change The Cable: Try connecting the components using a different HDMI cable.
2. HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) Problem
What Is CEC?
Consumer Electronics Control is a system that allows interconnected devices to control each other especially if they are joined by an HDMI. For instance, if you switch on a DVD player, it sends data to the TV to turn on and switch to DVD input. 
Introduced in HDMI 1.0 and updated in HDMI 1.3, HDMI CEC allows you to connect 15 devices. The devices easily communicate and even share settings to create seamless home theater experiences.
However, CEC can actually cause HDCP lockup.
HDCP Lockup
High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) Lockup is an interruption in the output signal from an audio system such as an AV receiver.
It occurs when the devices do not understand one another. When this happens, the HDMI output on the receiver stops working, and no signal or sound is heard.
Troubleshooting HDCP Lockup
Follow the process below to troubleshoot HDMI lockup.
- Disconnect all the HDMI devices
- Perform a power reset or restart your receiver and the other components
- Connect the HDMI cables to the ARC ports on both the devices
- Set the HDMI control settings on the receiver
- Set the Bravia sync settings on the TV and make sure the receiver is enabled on the Bravia sync list of the TV
- Set TV speaker systems to Audio system
When this happens, it is recommended that you turn off the CEC feature on the menus of each of the devices connected.
3. Fault On The HDMI Port Or Cable Plug
The HDMI output on the receiver is also likely to stop working when the HDMI port or the pug is faulty. As a result, the cable will not communicate with the source device and will not transmit any signal as a result.
You can troubleshoot the plug by getting a new cable. However, if the port has issues, you may need to engage a technician as the issue may be too technical to solve with a DIY explanation.
Fitting An HDMI Cable Into The AV System
HDMI is a type of digital audio/video cable and it’s a digital interface. It uses a single cable to combine high-definition video and audio transmission. As a result, it replaces the analog solutions requiring separate audio and video cables such as audio jack, RCA, and VGA cables. You can, of course, always convert between analog sources like RCA to digital HDMI.
Understanding The Different Types Of HDMI Connectors
Before looking into the specific type of HDMI port you are working which, you need to, first of all, ensure that you are working with an HDMI output and not an input port. Check this article to learn more about what HDMI output is used for on receivers.
Type A
This is the most common HDMI version available on a majority of audio/visual devices.
It is a standard 14mm version of the HDMI connector. It is usually available as a plug or male connector on a cable.
Generally, a normal HDMI cable features a plug at both ends of the cable. For compatibility with receivers, the devices are fitted with HDMI type A sockets for easy connectivity.
Type C
Also known as Mini HDMI, type C is a smaller version of the type A connector. The cables are commonly used in portable devices such as camcorders, DSLR cameras, tablets, etc.
Type D
These are called Micro HDMI. They are smaller than Type A and Type C connectors. Devices fitted with HDMI sockets such as smartphones are compatible with Type D connector cables.
HDMI cables are however limited to the maximum distance they can be used to transmit signals. It is recommended that they are used within a range of not more than 10 meters. You can however increase the distance using the following methods:
- Using HDBaseT technology or HDMI-over-Ethernet cable
- Using HDMI switches and repeaters to amplify HDMI signal
Conclusion
The fact is, depending on the form of connection or system setup, your HDMI output on the connected device may fail to work properly. This is normally due to a system problem that requires a system reset or just a restart. These problems are very popular with Yamaha receivers connected to Panasonic TVs. If you have a Pioneer receiver, you can check out our specific guide on Pioneer receiver HDMI output not working.