Besides the screen itself, arguably the most important part of your TV is its HDMI ports. Since its introduction in the early 2000s, HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) has been the gold standard for connecting devices to your TV, delivering high-quality audio and video through a single connection.

But while HDMI is undoubtedly convenient and makes it easy to connect just about any device to your TV, whether it’s a game console, streaming device, soundbar, Blu-ray player, or PC, it’s not entirely foolproof. That’s because there’s more to HDMI than meets the eye, with different specifications, cables, and TV settings that can all affect how your connected devices perform. The frustrating part is, some of these things are surprisingly easy to miss.

Here are the three biggest HDMI issues you should know about, along with how to spot and fix them quickly, so you can get the best possible viewing experience.

Some HDMI ports are more powerful than others

Not all HDMI ports are created equal

Hands down, one of the most confusing things about HDMI, and something that catches a lot of users off guard, is that while all the HDMI ports on your TV may look the same, that doesn’t necessarily mean they all have the same capabilities. Some are more powerful than others because many TVs use different HDMI standards. HDMI 2.2 is the newest standard, but it hasn’t appeared on any TVs yet, leaving HDMI 2.1 and HDMI 2.0 as the most common standards you’ll find on smart TVs today. It’s also not uncommon to see both featured on the same TV, with one HDMI port supporting HDMI 2.0 and another supporting HDMI 2.1. That means you could unknowingly be using an HDMI port that isn’t the best one for your device.

The main difference between HDMI standards is the amount of bandwidth they can support, which in turn affects things like resolution, maximum refresh rate, and feature support. For instance, HDMI 2.1 supports 4K at up to 120Hz, as well as gaming features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which helps reduce screen tearing, and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which reduces controller input lag. HDMI 2.0, on the other hand, only supports 4K at up to 60Hz and doesn’t support VRR or ALLM. So if you’re gaming on your TV with a PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, or PC, and you’re using an HDMI 2.0 port instead of an HDMI 2.1 port, you could be limiting your experience. HDMI 2.1 also supports features like Dynamic HDR, which can make HDR content look more vibrant and detailed.

That said, how can you tell what kind of HDMI ports your TV has? A lot of budget and mid-range TVs feature a mix of HDMI 2.1 and HDMI 2.0 ports, while newer high-end TVs tend to feature HDMI 2.1 across all of their ports. The simplest way to find out what your TV has is to check its manual or look up its specifications. You can also check the labels above the HDMI ports on your TV, as they can often indicate what each port supports. For example, if you see “4K @ 120Hz” labeled above an HDMI port, that’s usually a strong indication it supports HDMI 2.1, and it’s the port you’ll want to use with your device to ensure the best picture quality and feature support. If you’re connecting a soundbar or receiver, look for the HDMI 2.1 port labeled eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), which offers the best audio experience.

HDMI cables can also cause problems

Using the right HDMI cable is essential

What’s just as important as using the right HDMI port for your device is making sure you’re using the right HDMI cable. Just like HDMI ports, not all HDMI cables are created equal. Different cables can support different amounts of bandwidth, which can determine whether you can take advantage of features like 4K at 120Hz.

I’ve run into cable issues a couple of times myself. The first time, I connected my PC to my TV and accidentally used an older HDMI cable, so I couldn’t get 4K at 120Hz until I switched to a newer, higher-bandwidth cable. The same thing happened with my PS5 after I moved and set it up again. I accidentally used an older cable instead of the HDMI cable that came with the console, and I couldn’t use some of the PS5’s features properly, such as VRR and ALLM, until I swapped them out. It just goes to show how much of a difference using the right HDMI cable can make.

If you’re shopping for a new HDMI cable, the easiest way to make sure you’re getting one that can handle the bandwidth requirements of HDMI 2.1 is to look for an Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable. These cables support up to 48Gbps and are designed to handle demanding formats such as 4K at 120Hz and 8K at 60Hz, along with the other high-bandwidth features HDMI 2.1 supports. These cables will typically have a marking on them too. For example, all of my HDMI 2.1 cables have “8K” labeled on them.

You can also check the cable’s packaging or product page to find its maximum bandwidth. A cable rated for up to 48Gbps meets the bandwidth requirements of HDMI 2.1, while a Premium High Speed HDMI Cable supports up to 18Gbps and is designed for the bandwidth requirements of HDMI 2.0. And because HDMI cables are backward compatible, you can use a 48Gbps cable with older HDMI ports, too. So if you’re upgrading to HDMI 2.1, you don’t need to worry about buying a separate cable for your older devices.

Enable HDMI Deep Color

Unlock your TV’s full HDR potential

Another big piece of the puzzle when it comes to HDMI that could be holding your TV back is not having a setting called HDMI Deep Color enabled. If you’ve never heard of HDMI Deep Color before, it was first introduced with HDMI 1.3 back in 2006 and has been included in every HDMI standard since, meaning it isn’t exclusive to newer standards. What HDMI Deep Color does is allow your connected devices to send more color information to your TV using higher color bit depths, such as 10-bit and 12-bit. This allows your TV to display more accurate and detailed colors, particularly when watching HDR content.

Most HDR content is mastered in 10-bit, while some formats, such as Dolby Vision, can use 12-bit color if your TV supports it. For reference, SDR typically uses 8-bit color, which can display about 16.7 million colors, while 10-bit and 12-bit color can display more than a billion colors. So, with HDMI Deep Color enabled, you can help ensure your TV reaches its full HDR potential when using a device connected via HDMI.

The good news is that on most TVs, HDMI Deep Color is automatically enabled when you connect a compatible device, such as a PS5, PC, or streaming stick. However, if you’re running into HDR issues on your TV, or you just want to double-check that it’s enabled, you can usually find the setting in your TV’s HDMI settings. On my LG TV, I found it under Settings > General > External Devices > HDMI settings > HDMI Deep Color. If you can’t find it on your TV, I’d recommend searching online to find out where the setting is located on your specific model. Also, depending on your TV brand, HDMI Deep Color may be called something else, such as HDMI UHD Color, Ultra HD Deep Color, or Enhanced Format.

Length(s)

1.6, 3.3, 6.6, 10, 15, 26, 36 ft

Brand

UGREEN

System Compatibility

HDMI 2.1