Alex Ruben
How To Connect Your PS5 to a Monitor Effortlessly
Connecting your PlayStation 5 (PS5) to a monitor can be pretty handy if you’re chasing that crisp gameplay experience without all the extra gadgets. Sometimes, just plugging in the HDMI works fine, but other times, it’s a bit more complicated. Here’s a rundown of what’s helped, based on running into the same snags myself.
Prerequisites
Before jumping in, double-check you’ve got:
- PlayStation 5 console (duh)
- HDMI cable (the one included is usually good enough)
- Power cable for the PS5 (also included)
- Power cable for your monitor
- Monitor with HDMI input
Step 1: Gather Your Cables
Basically, you need three cables:
- HDMI Cable: Connects the PS5 to the monitor.
- Power Cable for PS5: Gives juice to the console.
- Power Cable for Monitor: Keeps the display alive.
If your monitor only has a standard AC cord, usually you just plug it straight into the wall. No trick there.
Step 2: Connect the HDMI Cable
Here’s where the magic happens. Find the HDMI port on the back of your PS5—it’s big, and usually labeled. Connect one end of the HDMI cable there. On the monitor, find the HDMI input port (sometimes labeled “HDMI 1”, “HDMI 2”, etc.). It’s usually obvious, but make sure your monitor is switched to the same HDMI source (hit the Input or Source button in the menu). Sometimes, that single HDMI port doesn’t display anything unless you manually select its input. On some setups, choosing the right port is the tricky part because the monitor’s auto-detect isn’t 100% reliable.
Step 3: Plug in the Power Cables
Now, connect the PS5 power cable into the back of the console and into a socket—preferably a surge protector if you’re fancy. Same with the monitor, just plug that into an outlet or surge protector. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary by sometimes not recognizing the display unless it’s powered on first. Not sure why it works that way, but hey.
Step 4: Power on Your Devices
First, turn on the monitor. Make sure it’s on the correct HDMI channel—sometimes it’s a matter of pressing the Input button until you see the input matching your cable. Then, press the power button on the PS5—it’s on the front. You’ll know it’s working if you see the spinning logo or a game menu. If the screen stays blank, double-check the HDMI connection or the input source. On some setups, the monitor might need a second or two to detect input, plus some monitors are just stubborn about auto-switching.
Step 5: Troubleshooting Common Issues
If nothing shows up, it’s probably one of these:
- HDMI cable isn’t seated properly—double-check both ends.
- The monitor isn’t on the right input—hit the Input button or go into menu to switch modes manually.
- HDMI port on the monitor is faulty or busy—try another port if available.
- Your PS5 might be outputting a resolution or refresh rate your monitor can’t handle. To fix this, you might need to power off the PS5, then start it in safe mode by holding the power button for about 7 seconds until you hear a second beep. Then connect via
adbor connect a TV temporarily to force display, and dial down the resolution in Settings/Screen and Video. On some setups it was the only way to get the signal to go through.
Step 6: Adjust Video Settings
If it’s working but the picture isn’t great, head into Settings > Screen and Video on your PS5. Sometimes, leaving it at 4K or 120Hz might cause issues if the monitor isn’t compatible. Dial it back to 1080p or 60Hz, especially if the picture flickers or is unstable. You might need to restart the console after changing resolution settings to get a steady picture.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Some things I learned the hard way:
- If your monitor has no speakers, you won’t get audio through HDMI. You’ll need external speakers or headphones connected directly to the PS5’s USB port or via optical (if you have an optical out). Alternately, try connecting wired headphones to the DualSense controller, which can also route audio.
- Make sure your monitor supports HDR if you want that extra pop. Sometimes, HDR messes with the picture if the monitor or cable doesn’t handle it well—disable HDR temporarily for troubleshooting.
- On certain setups, the PS5 just refuses to send a signal until you reboot it after changing display settings. It’s kind of frustrating, but powering off and on again often fixes weird blank screens.
Summary
- Check all HDMI connections and inputs
- Power cycle your devices if needed
- Adjust resolution and refresh rate in Settings if display is wonky
- Use safe mode for forcing signals if nothing else works
Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone. It’s mostly straightforward, but occasionally Windows or the monitor decides to be annoying. Good luck!