Nvidia Shield Not Turning On: How to Fix [2023]

written by

Doug Stevenson

updated July 01, 2023

Nvidia Shield has always been one of my go-to streaming platforms and a great gaming station. But one fine day, I could not turn my Shield TV on.

After a lengthy stretch of comprehensive online research to fix this abrupt issue, I successfully came up with a few troubleshooting steps. Eventually, I did fix it.

As a result, I have narrowed down all the potential reasons why this might be happening. Realizing that there are certainly other users like me facing similar issues, I decided to write this article.

If your Nvidia Shield is not turning on, check the cables and ensure they are in good condition. Power Cycle the Shield TV to resolve temporal issues like bugs and errors. Check for issues with the Controller/Remote as well. Factory Resetting the Shield TV could also help.

Keep reading for detailed descriptions of these troubleshooting methods.

Check the Cables on Nvidia Shield

This is surely the first check you should execute if your Nvidia Shield is not turning on.

The cables supply power to your Nvidia Shield. Without properly connecting these cables, the device will not turn on.

Make sure all connections are properly made. Ensure the same by checking each connection and securing them.

Check for any breakages or loose connectivity with your cables.

Switch the Power Supply to Another Outlet

Even after you have secured each port and connection, if your Nvidia Shield is still not powering on, try connecting to another outlet that you know for sure is working.

You could also check the output power supply of a power outlet using a multimeter.

Check the HDMI Port and Cable

You should check your HDMI port and the HDMI cable since this cable is responsible for carrying video signals to your TV from the Nvidia Shield.

Make sure that the HDMI cable is securely fixed at both ends - the TV HDMI port, and the Nvidia Shield HDMI port.

You should also make sure that there are no breakages or loose connections at the ends of your HDMI cable.

If available, try using another HDMI cable if you feel that the issue lies with the HDMI port/cable.

Improper HDMI cable connection and/or using incompatible HDMI cables can lead to issues like Black screens on your Shield TV.

Power Cycle Nvidia Shield

Power cycling your Shield TV pretty much is identical to restarting the device but in a more hands-on way.

Nvidia Shield is usually refreshed by accessing Shield-TV Settings and by tapping on the 'Restart' option.

Since you are reading this article, you probably cannot access the Shield TV settings.

And so, to refresh your Shield TV, unplug the power cord, wait for at least 10-15 seconds, and then plug the power cable back into the power source.

Check for the issue now.

Power cycling happens to also be an effective fix for resolving casting issues on Shield TV.

Check for Issues with the Remote/Controller

Another potential issue you could be facing is problems with your Nvidia Remote Controller, more specifically, if the Nvidia Remote/Controller doesn't work.

Some of the issues that your Nvidia Remote could have are low battery power, running older software, or connectivity issues.

You may also enjoy reading our article on the Best Remote for Nvidia Shield TV [2023].

Try popping fresh batteries into your Nvidia Remote. If your device is unable to send a signal to power Nvidia Shield ON, the device will stay OFF.

Use the Nvidia Shield App to Power the Device

If you find that you are unable to use your Nvidia Shield Remote, you can use the Nvidia Shield App on your mobile device as an alternative.

You can download the app from the application store of your device to do so. Create an account and sync the app with your Shield TV to start using the Remote control feature.

To use the Shield app on your phone/tab, ensure to connect your device to the same network as the Shield TV.

If you are already using the Nvidia Shield App, make sure that you have the latest firmware to ensure smooth functionality.

Factory Reset Nvidia Shield

If you can't get over the issue even after implementing all the fixes mentioned above, as a last resort, factory reset your Shield TV.

Keep in mind that once you have completed a factory reset, all data on the Nvidia Shield will be erased.

However, any data backed up on your Google account can be recovered. All device settings will be erased as well.

This method may also come in handy for issues like Gamestream not working on your Shield TV.

The conventional method of resetting your Shield TV is to access Home screen and then navigate to Settings> Device Preferences > Reset > Erase everything.

Since you are facing video issues, you can reset your Shield TV by accessing Fast Boot mode. Press and hold the remote locator button, and then choose factory reset.

The directions to access Fast Boot mode on Shield TV and the further directions for factory reset differ depending on your model of the Nvidia Shield. Check for model-specific information here.

Keep in mind that if there is a proper power supply to your device, you can mimic the directions required to execute the factory reset even if you cannot see the events on the TV.

Final Thoughts

The Nvidia Shield is an extremely stream-lined device, capable of streaming games and upscaling videos from HD to 4k video quality at 30 fps.

It offers a relatively high storage capacity with the additional capability of extending storage using USB ports.

However, there are some issues with the device like the one mentioned in this article. Fortunately, fixing these issues is not a concern for the most part.

Most of the fixes mentioned here can also be applied to fix the Nvidia Shield stuck on Android logo issue.

Hopefully, the troubleshooting methods mentioned in the article have helped you locate and solve the issue with your Nvidia Shield.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I install third-party apps on the Nvidia Shield?

All models of the Nvidia Shield run Android TV. Therefore, you can install most applications designed for Android devices (smartphones and tablets). However, depending on the application, it might or might not work.

Does Shield have an SD card slot?

Yes, the Nvidia Shield TV does come with an SD card slot on the base model. Although, there are two USB ports giving you the option to expand storage as per your needs on the Pro version.

Can Nvidia Shield play Dolby Vision?

Nvidia Shield TV supports 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160p) resolution content with HDR10 or Dolby Vision from a wide range of apps. Make sure that you are running the latest firmware for optimized 4K video output.

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Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

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