Xbox One HDMI port repair in Kensington

Signs you need a new HDMI port

• The port looks physically damaged
• Pins inside the port are bent or pushed back
• The port is loose and moves when you plug the cable in
• The console switches on and its light comes on, but the TV shows no signal

The port is soldered to the motherboard, with a row of fine pins in a tight arrangement. It can’t be bent back into shape or glued down. The only reliable fix is to replace the whole port, and that is skilled soldering work, not a job for the kitchen table.

What causes the damage

Nearly always, an accident while the cable is plugged in. The console gets knocked off a shelf, kicked over or dragged by its lead, and the HDMI cable is wrenched sideways or ripped out, taking part of the port with it. Spilt drinks do their share of harm as well.

It also happens while plugging in. The port is fairly fragile, and forcing the cable in at an angle or upside down will bend the pins. Line it up and push gently.

How we replace the port

1. Strip the console downWe dismantle the Xbox One right down to the bare motherboard.
2. Remove the old portThe port is held by four main legs, and its data pins are surface mounted. We clear the old solder and lift the damaged port away.
3. Inspect the solder padsIf the port was torn out, the pads on the board may be damaged too. We check every one and repair what we can.
4. Fit the new portWe clean up the board, prepare the pads and solder the new HDMI socket into place.
5. ReassembleThe whole console is put back together.
6. Bench testEvery console runs on our test bench for at least four hours before it goes home.

A badly torn port can leave a board that looks past saving. We do everything we can to restore it, and if we can’t fix it, there is no fee.

Price and warranty

You get a free, no-obligation quote before any work begins, and the price we quote is the price you pay, with no extras. As a guide, video issues on games consoles cost £79 + VAT to £95 + VAT. See the prices page for other rates.

The repair carries a three-month warranty. It is void if the port is physically damaged again during that time. We treat that as fresh damage and charge it as a new repair.

Checks to try before you bring it in

Not every blank screen is a broken port. The console, the TV and anything connected between them have to recognise each other before a picture appears. This is called the HDMI handshake, and if one device fails to recognise the copy protection (HDCP) in the signal, you get no picture. These checks can sort it out.

Cable seating

Check the cable is pushed fully home at both ends. HDMI plugs don’t grip tightly and can work loose. If yours keeps slipping out, buy a locking HDMI cable.

Power-on order

If you normally switch the TV on first, try the reverse: console and other devices first, TV last. With several HDMI devices, try different orders and note the one that works.

Switching inputs

Use the TV remote to switch to another input and back again, to see whether the signal locks. Then try a different HDMI socket on the TV, and make sure that input is selected.

Resolution setting

If the video resolution in the console’s settings is on automatic, set it by hand to your TV’s native resolution: 720p, 1080p or 4K.

Bypassing the AV receiver

If the Xbox runs through an audio receiver or similar, plug it straight into the TV. A picture now means the fault is in the receiver, not the console.

Firmware updates

Look online for firmware updates for your devices, and for other Xbox One owners describing the same handshake problem. Someone may already have found the cure.

Tried all of that and still nothing? Then it is one for us. Drop the console in at North End Road, use our free collection and return, or post it to us. We repair other consoles as well, including PlayStation 4 HDMI ports. The full list is on our games console repair page.