Can Hear PS3 But No Picture: 5 Fixes

The PlayStation 3 remains a popular gaming console nearly two decades after its initial release in 2006. All this time later, there still remains a large market for the aging console. The PS3 also has some interesting troubleshooting features, a few of which are the focus of this article.

A blank or black screen with audio doesn’t necessarily mean your PS3 is broken. In fact, it could be something as simple as a system feature some people are unaware of or the need to simply switch your cables. 

Like most gaming consoles manufacturer post-Super Nintendo, there are a host of little features that, over time, people tend to forget or things we didn’t realize we could do in the first place. Exactly 17 years since its initial release, it would seem the PS3 still has some secrets left in it.

5 Fixes To Can Hear PS3 But No Picture

1. Press and Hold the Power Button

If you press and hold the power button on the PlayStation 3, for longer than 30 seconds, the console will emit a series of tiny beeps, resetting and powering back on by itself. This accomplishes a few things all by itself.

For one, it’s possible that it will get rid of your black screen, audio-only issue. Second, this action performs a basic reset of some of the settings, one or two of which may be behind the black screen with audio only.

Third, it forces the system to do a semi-self-check. If you have video again, the PS3 will inform you that a self-check is exactly what it’s doing. Since it’s the PS3 and we’re talking about 17-year-old hardware, this will typically take quite a bit of time.

However, there’s no need to worry. If you see the self-check status on the screen, that means the black screen issue is probably resolved. Pressing and holding the power button for thirty seconds resets the video output settings.

If you happen to have RCA cables back there instead of the HDMI cables the system was originally set up on, this will provide the solution you didn’t realize was there.

2. Switch Cables

This is running off the same theory that the PS3 is using an HDMI cable or RCA (Red, Yellow, and White composite cables) when it was set up for the opposite. For instance, let’s say you originally set your PS3 up using an HDMI cable ten years ago.

Now, ten years later, excited that you found your PS3 console in an attic box, you plug it into the TV but can’t find an HDMI cable.

So instead, you find the original RCA cables that came with the system and plug them right in. Now, you have audio, but the screen is completely blank.

That’s because the PS3 settings were originally initiated on the HDMI set up and despite the passage of a decade’s worth of time, the PS3 still assumes that’s the setup. The fact that you switched to RCA cables is irrelevant to your stubborn PS3.

Instead of holding down the power button, which will definitely do the trick, quit being lazy and go find your HDMI cable.

Or, you can order a new one. Once you plug it in, you’ll be back in line with your PS3’s settings and should have video back again.

3. Check Your HDMI Input

Just because the last time you played your PS3, TVS only had one HDMI output, doesn’t mean that’s still the case today. You might simply be plugged into an HDMI port and you’re getting audio from a home theater or third-party speaker setup while your TV remains on the wrong input.

Pick up the remote control for your TV and scroll through the number of inputs you have to ensure you’re on the right one. It’s a simple enough fix but we all do crazy things sometimes. If you haven’t torn your house apart looking for sunglasses that are perched on your head the entire time, you aren’t living.

4. Check Your Cable

Whether you’re rocking some original RCA cables or you have the same HDMI cable that came with the system all those years ago, it’s always a good idea to check over your cables from time to time.

Even an HDMI cable can go bad eventually. This is especially true if it got a little crimped up in storage or someone casually steps on it while you’re setting up the console. The same is true with the RCA cables. They can go bad as well.

If you purchase a replacement cable, whether it’s HDMI or RCA, stick with high-quality, known-brand cables. Never settle for cheap garbage when it comes to your gaming. If you stick with premium gear, you’ll find you are far less frustrated in the long run.

5. Check Your Ports and Connectors

We’re talking about a PS3 here. There’s no telling how long it might have been in a box or what you’re getting if you buy one used. Check those connectors and the ports on the back. Make sure they are free of all dust and debris.

Make sure none of the metal on the RCA or the HDMI cables is rusty, discolored, or bent. All three can happen over time. Make sure they plug in smoothly, without a hitch, just like you would expect them to out of the box.

There’s a possibility that your cables are just messed up enough that they handle audio just fine but video is just too much for them.

If you even suspect you have a bad cable, don’t try to use it. It just runs the risk of making things worse. Buy some new cables and toss the old ones. You won’t regret it.

Final Thoughts on PS3 Audio with No Video

There you have it, five ways to get that old, cranky system up and running again at a moment when all hope is lost.

Most people don’t know about the little reset button trick unless they’re very familiar with PlayStation 3s or gamers themselves. Now, you know about it too and you will have your PS3 up and running in no time.

Meta Description

Experiencing sound but no picture on your PS3? Explore five reliable fixes to resolve the issue in this comprehensive article.

Reference Sources

SOLVED No Picture PS3 Retrieved from: https://www.techsupportforum.com/threads/solved-no-picture-ps3.537038/ Unit is on but nothing on TV Screen Retrieved from: