Over the years, Shield TV has received significant updates from generation to generation, and the current generation, the 2019 model, has even implemented an AI video upscaling feature.
Being a long-time user of the Shield TV, I have had my share of problems with the device.
Be it a connectivity issue or a snowy screen, I'm always able to resolve the problem and get on with streaming. The same goes for HDMI issues.
The most common reasons for an HDMI issue are faulty HDMI cables and bad handshakes. Out-of-the-ordinary settings can also foil the connection along with out-of-date software. Replacing the cables and a compatibility check can in most cases be a lifesaver.
If you have HDMI issues, try out these troubleshooting steps for a possible solution.
Check the HDMI Connection
Start the troubleshooting procedure by checking for a proper HDMI connection.
If the HDMI cable is not plugged in properly, you will experience difficulty in streaming. A snug fit is essential for seamless connectivity and to avoid issues such as Prime Video not working on Shield TV.
Make sure both ends- the TV and the Shield TV- have been plugged in properly.
Replacing the HDMI Cable
If you have a strong connection and still the screen is black, try checking the cables.
Damaged or incompatible cables are the most common reason for HDMI connection failures.
You can verify whether the cable is faulty or not by connecting the Shield TV to your TV by using another HDMI cable.
If you are able to establish a favorable connection, your old HDMI cable might be damaged.
When shopping for a new cable, you should look for a cable that supports HDMI 2.0b and HDCP 2.2. More about HDCP later in the article.
A cable length of 3m or less is preferred so that the interference will be minimal and the losses insignificant.
An HDMI cable with a lower gauge (thickness) is preferred for better flexibility. A thicker cable will cause transmission problems when it is bent or crooked along its path.
Remove Splitters and HDMI Adapters if any
It might be a good idea to remove any HDMI splitters or DVI adapters that you have used to connect your Shield TV to a monitor or any other display.
Using a cheap splitter can make the connection dodgy. An adapter may help you amplify the connection but at the same time, it may also amplify the defects within the cable.
The right way of connecting the display out from the Shield TV to a display is through the HDMI connection. Using any other methods or contraptions may land you in trouble.
Try to connect your Shield TV directly to the TV without the aid of a splitter or any other adapters.
Enable HDCP - How to Set it Up
High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection(HDCP) is a transmission and content protection protocol developed by the Intel Corporation.
It aims to protect and uphold copyrighted content from being copied and used by unauthorized devices.
It is necessary to connect your Shield TV to an HDMI port that supports HDCP protocol.
You can check whether your TV supports HDCP settings by either checking the user manual to find the ports or heading to the settings menu and looking for HDCP.
Make sure you have the option enabled.
If you don't have an HDCP-supported TV or monitor, you won't be able to use certain apps like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.
How to Change the HDCP Setting on Your Shield TV
Even if your TV supports HDCP and still you are unable to play content on your TV, it must be because your TV's HDCP version might be different from the recommended version of HDCP.
HDCP 2.2 is the recommended and default standard followed in Shield TV.
If your TV has a lower version, you can change the HDCP settings on your Shield TV to match the versions.
Follow these steps to change the HDCP settings.
1. To access the HDCP settings menu, you'll have to enable developer options on your Shield TV.
2. On the Settings tab, navigate and head to Device Preferences.
3. Click on About and then, click on the Build number tile several times until the developer options enabled message comes on.
4. Return to Device Preferences and you will be able to find the Developer options tile.
5. Inside the settings tab, select the HDCP option, and change accordingly to your TV's standard.
6. Restart your device and try to access the app now.
Check for Updates on the Shield TV and the TV
Running either of your devices on a run-down version can cause the device to act accordingly.
Always make sure you are running your devices on the latest version to make them protected against possible errors and bugs.
One of the major causes of HDMI blackout is running your device on an outdated version.
To update your Shield TV, follow these steps.
1. On the Settings menu, click and open Device Preferences.
2. Select About.
3. Then click on System upgrade to check for updates manually and install them.
If you have a Smart TV, it might be a good idea to check and update your TV frequently since TV bugs are one of the major reasons for foul play.
To update your TV, open the Settings tab on your TV and check for Update which usually can be found under system settings or About.
You may want to check your user manual or the TV manufacturer's website for a comprehensive guide on how to update your TV.
Change the Colour Scheme of the Input
In recent times, it has come to my notice that TVs from certain manufacturers, namely Samsung and LG, have had problems with HDMI input.
Upon careful inspection, the problem seems to occur due to the Auto color settings of that input.
Switching OFF the option(auto color space setting) has yielded results.
Make sure you have turned OFF any color space settings and also turn OFF the UHD color space for the said manufacturer TVs.
Check the Resolution and Try Changing it
The Shield TV runs on the maximum supported resolution of your TV, which you have selected while setting up your device.
Even so, you may have problems with watching content on your Shield TV like missed frames and Audio sync issues.
Try playing with the resolution and frame rate settings on your Shield TV. This may help to set the right settings for the TV.
To change the resolution settings, follow these steps.
1. On the Settings tab, navigate to Device Preferences.
2. Click on Display & Sound.
3. Select Resolution and change the settings to your liking.
Try changing the color space also while in the resolution option, like switching it from 12-bit to 10-bit color. Adjusting the frame rate could also suffice as a solution.
Factory Reset the Devices
Even if you have gone through every troubleshooting step I mentioned above to no avail, all you need to do now is to reset the Shield TV.
This will help to revert your system back to its factory condition, to its default settings. Keep in mind, it will also forgo all your apps and preferences.
To reset your Shield TV, follow these steps.
1. On the Home screen, click and open Settings.
2. Select Device Preferences and then click on Storage & Reset.
3. Click on Reset.
4. Select Erase Everything to confirm and start the process.
If you cannot see the screen, you can reset your Shield TV(2019 model) using these steps.
1. First, you will have to make your Shield TV go into fast reboot mode. Remove the power cable and then press and hold the remote locator button near the HDMI port.
2. Plug the power cable back in.
3. Press the remote locator button and select Factory Data Reset.
4. Select Confirm using the remote locator button.
Wait for the device to reset and then set it up again. Check if you can watch the content now.
Other Relevant Fixes
You may want to check these fixes which are somewhat uncommon in comparison to the ones I have mentioned above.
Nevertheless, these have proven to be helpful when none of the others have.
Turn OFF AI Upscaling
If you have enabled AI upscaling on your Shield TV, you may experience display issues. Try turning it OFF and then check to verify.
To turn OFF AI upscaling, follow these steps.
- On the Settings tab, click and open Device Preferences.
- Select Display & Sound.
- Click on AI upscaling and then select basic.
Now you have turned OFF AI upscaling on your Shield TV.
App Related Issues
Certain apps may spoil the party by hindering the visual aspect of your streaming session.
Resolution and frame rate switching are prime examples of app-related problems.
Certain apps like PLEX have the option to automatically adjust the resolution and frame rate of the output to match that of the video. Make sure you have turned these settings off.
You can find such settings in the Advanced menu (in PLEX) or the whitelist option (in KODI) of the app.
Clearing the cache can also help remove the bugs and errors on your app.
Follow these steps to clear the cache memory of your app,
1. On the Settings menu, click and open Apps.
2. Select See all apps and then select the app in question.
3. Click on the clear cache option to refresh the cache memory.
Restart the device and then check for disparities.
Other than HDMI issues that may manifest in certain apps, other issues may also take root in the app. Some of these apps are issues with HBO MAX and Hulu app issues on Shield TV.
You may also find how to install the Xfinity Stream app on Shield TV helpful.
Conclusion
You are sure to find the reason for your HDMI-related problems on your Shield TV by following these steps.
Unless you have a hardware problem, a probable solution may also be waiting for you among these tips.
Make sure to follow every step mentioned to find a fix.
When having problems with the HDMI, more often than not, you may experience issues with the AI upscaling feature.
If you cannot find a solution, try contacting the customer services of Nvidia for further assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Shield TV support Netflix Dolby Atmos?
Yes, the current generation (2019 models) supports Dolby ATMOS and Dolby VISION for Netflix. Make sure your TV supports the features, and also use the appropriate cables.
How do I stop Nvidia Shield TV from buffering?
You may want to check your internet connection and if there is a problem, try restarting both the Shield TV and the router/modem. Check out my article on internet issues on Shield TV for more information.
Jay says
Hi,
How are most of those fixes supposed to be attempted when there is no way to access Shield settings due to HDMI issue resulting in only a black screen appearing on the TV?