So, you finally cleared some space on the entertainment center for that glossy (or matte, if you have the Slim) black box. Getting a PS4 hooked to a TV seems like the easiest thing in the world. HDMI goes in, power goes in, boom—gaming. Right? Sorta. Honestly, while the physical process is straightforward, I’ve seen so many people settle for a blurry image or weird audio lag because they missed one tiny setting in the menu or used a cable from 2012 that can't handle the bandwidth.
Let's get the basic physical stuff out of the way first. You need the console, a power cable (that standard "figure-8" style cord), an HDMI cable, and your controller with its micro-USB charging cable. If you’re rocking the PS4 Pro, that power cable looks a bit different—it’s beefier, more like a PC power supply cord.
The Physical Connection: Don't Jam the Ports
First, find the HDMI port on the back of your PlayStation 4. It's usually tucked right next to the optical audio port. Take your HDMI cable and plug it in firmly. You should feel a slight "click" or at least a snug fit. Do not force it. If it doesn't go in, you're probably holding it upside down. It happens to the best of us. Now, take the other end and find an open HDMI port on your TV.
Pro tip: Look at the labels on your TV's HDMI ports. Some might be labeled "STB," "DVI," or "ARC." If you have a PS4 Pro and a 4K TV, you specifically want a port that supports HDMI 2.0 or HDCP 2.2. Usually, port 1 is the safest bet, but check your TV's manual because manufacturers love to make things complicated for no reason.
Next is the power. Plug the small end into the PS4 and the pronged end into the wall. I always suggest a surge protector. Consoles are sensitive to power spikes, and a cheap power strip is better than a fried motherboard. Once that’s done, press the power button on the front of the console. If you hear a beep and see a blue light (which should eventually turn white), you're in business.
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Wrestling with TV Inputs and Resolution
Switch your TV to the correct input. If you plugged it into HDMI 2, flick through the source menu until you see the PlayStation logo. If the screen stays black, don't panic. Sometimes the PS4 and the TV have a "handshake" issue. This is where the devices fail to agree on a resolution.
If you get no signal, try the "Safe Mode" trick. Turn the console completely off. Then, hold the power button down for about seven seconds until you hear a second beep. This boots the console in a low-resolution mode (480p). From there, you can go into settings and manually pick the resolution that actually works with your TV. This is a lifesaver if you're moving a PS4 from a modern 4K TV to an older 720p bedroom set.
Making It Look Actually Good
Once you’re through the initial setup, you’ve gotta dive into the Sound and Screen settings. This is where people leave performance on the table. If you have an HDR-compatible TV, make sure HDR and Deep Color Output are set to Automatic.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Sound and Screen.
- Hit Video Output Settings.
Check your "RGB Range." Usually, "Automatic" is fine, but if your blacks look grey and washed out, try setting it to "Full" or "Limited" to see which matches your TV's black levels better. Most TVs expect "Limited," while monitors expect "Full." If you mix them up, your games will look like they have a weird foggy film over them or, conversely, the shadows will be so dark you can't see the enemies.
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The Audio Dilemma: Soundbars and Headsets
Connecting the PS4 to the TV is only half the battle if you care about sound. If you're using the TV speakers, you're done. But if you have a soundbar or a home theater system, you might want to use that Optical (Toslink) port on the back of the original PS4 or the Pro. Note: Sony removed the optical port on the PS4 Slim. If you have a Slim, you have to run everything through HDMI.
If you’re getting a delay where the sound happens a split second after the action, go to Settings > Sound and Screen > Audio Output Settings. Change the "Primary Output Port" to Digital Out (Optical) if you're using it, and play around with the "Audio Format (Priority)." Linear PCM is the highest quality but uses the most bandwidth. If you're using an older surround sound system, Bitstream (DTS) or Bitstream (Dolby) might be necessary to get all your speakers working.
Troubleshooting the "White Light of Death" and Other Gremlins
Sometimes you do everything right and it still won't work. If your PS4 shows a pulsing blue light and never turns white, that's often a hardware issue, but sometimes it’s just a bad HDMI cable. Before you send it in for repair, swap the cable. Seriously. HDMI cables fail way more often than people think.
Also, check the HDMI pins. Look inside the port on the back of the console with a flashlight. If you see any bent metal pins, that’s your culprit. People often trip over cables or yank them out too hard, which can mangle the port. It’s a common repair job at most shops, but it’s a pain to deal with.
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Connectivity and the Internet
You aren't really "hooked up" until you're online. You have two choices: Wi-Fi or Ethernet. If you're playing multiplayer games like Call of Duty or Apex Legends, please, for the love of everything, use an Ethernet cable. The Wi-Fi chip in the original PS4 and the Slim is notoriously weak. It supports 2.4GHz but often struggles with interference from microwaves or neighbors' routers. The Pro finally added 5GHz support, which is better, but a physical wire is always king.
Setting Up Your Controller
If this is a fresh setup, your controller won't work wirelessly yet. You have to sync it. Use the micro-USB cable to connect the controller to one of the front USB ports on the console. Press the PlayStation button in the center. The light bar should glow, and you’ll be able to navigate the menus. Once synced, you can unplug it.
If the controller won't sync, there’s a tiny reset button on the back, near the L2 trigger. You’ll need a paperclip to poke it. Hold it for a few seconds, then try the USB cable again.
Step-by-Step Action Plan
To make sure your setup is optimized and not just "functional," follow these specific steps:
- Inspect the HDMI Cable: Use a High-Speed HDMI cable (Category 2). If you’re on a PS4 Pro, ensure it’s a Premium High Speed cable to handle 4K HDR without flickering.
- Enable Game Mode: On your TV settings (not the PS4), find the "Game Mode" toggle. This reduces input lag by turning off the TV's unnecessary image processing. This makes the difference between a jump feeling "heavy" and feeling "instant."
- Update the System Software: Once the screen is on and the internet is connected, go to Settings > System Software Update. Sony releases patches that improve stability and sometimes even how the console communicates with newer displays.
- Calibrate HDR: Go to Settings > Sound and Screen > Video Output Settings > Adjust HDR. This tool is vital. It ensures your whites aren't "clipping" (losing detail) and your blacks aren't just solid ink. Follow the on-screen prompts until the symbols are barely visible.
- Configure Power Saving: If you want to charge your controllers while the TV is off, go to Settings > Power Saving Settings > Set Features Available in Rest Mode. Enable "Supply Power to USB Ports." This keeps the ports active so your gear is ready to go when you are.
Getting the PS4 hooked to a TV properly is about more than just the cables. It’s about ensuring the handshake between the hardware and the display is perfect. By checking your HDMI port versions and calibrating the HDR correctly, you're making sure you actually see the game the way the developers intended. Now, grab your controller and get to it.