Quick Answer
The most common cause of HDMI no signal on Onkyo TX-SR606, TX-SR607, and TX-SR608 receivers is either the wrong HDMI output selected on the front panel, a loose cable, or a failed HDMI board on older units. Press the HDMI OUT button on the receiver's front panel, re-seat all cables, and power cycle both devices for 30 seconds. If the TX-SR606 or TX-SR607 shows no signal after all software fixes, hardware board failure is a serious possibility.
Key Takeaways
- The TX-SR606 uses HDMI 1.3 (no ARC, no 4K). The TX-SR607 adds HDMI 1.4 and basic ARC. The TX-SR608 reaches HDMI 2.0 with ARC and 4K@60Hz passthrough.
- TX-SR606 and TX-SR607 both had a documented HDMI board failure problem on aging units.
- TX-SR608 has ARC only, not eARC. It cannot pass lossless Dolby Atmos or DTS:X through ARC.
- Always power cycle for 30 seconds minimum before assuming hardware failure.
- Onkyo's CEC setting is labeled "HDMI Control" in the receiver's setup menu.
[IMAGE: Onkyo TX-SR receiver front panel showing HDMI OUT button and input selector - search terms: Onkyo AV receiver front panel]
[INTERNAL-LINK: older Onkyo receiver HDMI passthrough limitations → onkyo-receiver-no-picture-or-4k-hdr-passthrough]
Models Covered — HDMI Spec Comparison
These three receivers share the same basic HDMI troubleshooting workflow, but their hardware capabilities differ. Knowing your model's limits saves you from chasing features the hardware never had.
| Model | HDMI Version | ARC | eARC | 4K Passthrough | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TX-SR606 | HDMI 1.3 | No | No | No | Known HDMI board failure issue |
| TX-SR607 | HDMI 1.4 | Yes (basic) | No | No | Known HDMI board failure issue |
| TX-SR608 | HDMI 2.0 | Yes | No | 4K@60Hz only | No 4K@120Hz, no lossless Atmos via ARC |
None of these models support eARC. The TX-SR608 maxes out at 4K@60Hz passthrough. If you need 4K@120Hz for gaming or lossless Atmos audio return, you'll need a newer receiver. None of the TX-SR series includes Chromecast Built-in, which is only available on later Onkyo TX-NR models (TX-NR6100 and above).
[INTERNAL-LINK: upgrade options for HDMI 2.1 and eARC → onkyo-receiver-earc-hdmi-issues-troubleshooting-guide]
Step-by-Step Fix
Work through these steps in order. Most no-signal problems on these receivers resolve at Step 1 or Step 2.
Step 1: Check HDMI Output Selection on the Receiver
Many TX-SR series owners miss this. The receiver has an HDMI OUT button on the front panel (or in the on-screen menu) that selects which HDMI output is active. If you've plugged your TV into HDMI OUT 2 but the receiver is set to output via HDMI OUT 1, you'll get a black screen with no error message.
Press the HDMI OUT button on the front panel and cycle through the options. Alternatively, go into the receiver's setup menu and confirm the HDMI output assignment matches your cable routing. This takes 30 seconds and fixes the problem more often than you'd expect.
Step 2: Re-seat All HDMI Cables (Both Ends)
[PERSONAL EXPERIENCE] Loose HDMI connections are the single most common cause of intermittent no-signal on these receivers. Pull each HDMI cable out completely at both ends, check the connector for bent pins, then push it back in firmly until you feel it seat.
Do this for every HDMI cable in the chain: source device to receiver, and receiver to TV. Don't just wiggle the cable at the TV end and call it done. The receiver-side connection loosens just as easily, especially on older ports.
Step 3: Try a Different HDMI Cable
Cables degrade over time, especially near the connectors. A cable that worked fine two years ago can develop intermittent signal loss. Try a different cable before moving to more complex fixes.
For the TX-SR608 running 4K@60Hz, use a Certified Premium High Speed cable or better (18 Gbps). For the TX-SR606 and TX-SR607 running 1080p signals, a High Speed cable is sufficient, but a better cable eliminates variables. A Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable (paid link) covers all three models and any future receiver upgrade.
[CHART: Bar chart - HDMI cable speed ratings vs bandwidth required per TX-SR model - Source: HDMI Forum specifications]
Step 4: Try a Different HDMI Port
The TX-SR606 has two HDMI inputs. The TX-SR607 and TX-SR608 have multiple inputs. One port may have failed while others still work. Move your source device to a different HDMI input on the receiver and update the input selection accordingly. If the picture appears on the alternate port, the original port has likely failed.
Step 5: Power Cycle Both Devices (30 Seconds Minimum)
Do not just turn devices off and back on. Receivers and TVs have capacitors that hold a charge after power-off. A partial discharge causes HDMI handshake problems on restart.
The correct sequence: turn off the TV, turn off the receiver, unplug both from the wall, wait 30 seconds, plug the receiver back in first, wait for it to initialize, then plug in and turn on the TV. Thirty seconds is the minimum. A full 60 seconds is better if the 30-second cycle doesn't clear it.
Step 6: Disable and Re-enable HDMI CEC
Onkyo calls its CEC feature HDMI Control in the setup menu. A corrupted CEC handshake can block signal passthrough even when the HDMI connection itself is fine.
On the TX-SR receiver, go to the setup menu, find the HDMI section, and set HDMI Control to OFF. Save and restart both devices. Then go back in and set HDMI Control to ON again. Do the same on your TV (the setting name varies: Samsung calls it Anynet+, LG calls it SimpLink, Sony calls it Bravia Sync). Toggling CEC off and back on forces both devices to re-establish the handshake cleanly.
[INTERNAL-LINK: HDMI CEC settings by TV brand → arc-vs-earc-which-do-you-need-and-cables]
Step 7: Factory Reset
A factory reset wipes all custom settings, including speaker configuration and input assignments. Write down your settings before you do this. On Onkyo TX-SR receivers, the factory reset option is in the setup menu under System or Hardware Setup. Some models also support a hardware reset by holding buttons on the front panel during power-on. Check your specific model's manual for the exact button combination.
After the reset, you'll need to re-run the setup wizard and reconfigure inputs and speakers. If the reset fixes the no-signal problem, a corrupted setting was the cause.
HDMI Board Failure — Is Your Receiver Beyond Repair?
[UNIQUE INSIGHT] The TX-SR606 and TX-SR607 developed a documented HDMI board failure problem as they aged. This was reported widely by users on AV forums around 2012-2016 as the receivers hit the 5-7 year mark. The symptom is HDMI passthrough failing completely, often starting intermittently before becoming permanent. It's a hardware problem, not a software one, and no firmware update or reset will fix it.
Signs that you're dealing with hardware failure rather than a settings issue:
- No signal on every HDMI port, not just one
- The receiver's other functions (analog inputs, radio) work normally
- The problem started gradually and worsened over time
- Power cycling and resets provide no improvement
- The receiver is 8+ years old
If you're hitting these signs on a TX-SR606 or TX-SR607, repair is typically not economical. A new HDMI board for these models is difficult to source, and labor costs exceed the receiver's value. The TX-SR608 is less prone to this specific failure but is also aging hardware at this point.
[INTERNAL-LINK: newer Onkyo receiver HDMI issues → onkyo-receiver-4k120-passthrough-not-working-ps5]
When ARC Stops Working on the TX-SR608
The TX-SR608 has ARC support via its HDMI output port. ARC lets the TV send audio back to the receiver over the same HDMI cable that carries video to the TV. This means you can hear TV audio (streaming apps, broadcast TV) through your receiver's speakers without a separate audio cable.
What the TX-SR608 does NOT have: eARC. This is an important distinction. ARC carries only compressed audio formats, specifically Dolby Digital 5.1 and basic DTS. It cannot pass lossless Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. If you're connected via ARC and expecting Atmos from Netflix or Apple TV+, you won't get it through this receiver. That requires eARC, which starts on newer Onkyo TX-NR models.
Citation capsule: The TX-SR608 supports HDMI ARC for compressed audio return (Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS). It does not support eARC. According to HDMI Forum specifications, lossless Dolby Atmos transmission over HDMI requires eARC, which carries up to 37 Mbps vs ARC's 1 Mbps bandwidth. (HDMI Forum, 2024)
If ARC stops working on the TX-SR608, work through this checklist:
- Confirm your HDMI cable connects to the ARC-designated port on the TV. Most TVs label this port HDMI ARC or mark it separately. Connecting to a non-ARC port means no ARC function, regardless of settings.
- Enable HDMI Control on the receiver (setup menu, HDMI section). ARC on Onkyo requires HDMI Control to be ON.
- Enable CEC on the TV. The exact label varies: Anynet+ (Samsung), SimpLink (LG), Bravia Sync (Sony). If CEC is off on the TV, ARC won't negotiate.
- Set the TV's audio output to ARC or HDMI. This is often in the TV's sound settings under "audio output" or "external speakers."
- Power cycle both devices with a 30-second unplug, receiver first on restart.
If ARC worked before and stopped suddenly, a firmware update on either device sometimes breaks CEC compatibility. Toggling CEC off and on (Step 6 in the main fix section) resolves this in most cases.
[IMAGE: Diagram showing ARC vs eARC signal flow between TV and AV receiver - search terms: HDMI ARC eARC diagram home theater]
FAQ
Why does my Onkyo TX-SR show no signal even though the cables are plugged in?
The most likely causes are the wrong HDMI output selected on the receiver's front panel, a loose cable connection at either end, or a CEC handshake failure. Start by pressing the HDMI OUT button on the receiver and cycling the output selection. Then re-seat every HDMI cable. If that doesn't work, power cycle both devices for 30 seconds with them fully unplugged.
Can the TX-SR606 or TX-SR607 do 4K passthrough?
No. The TX-SR606 uses HDMI 1.3, which maxes out at 1080p. The TX-SR607 uses HDMI 1.4, which also does not support 4K@60Hz passthrough. Only the TX-SR608 (HDMI 2.0) can pass 4K@60Hz. If you're connecting a 4K source through a TX-SR606 or TX-SR607, the signal will either be downscaled or blocked, depending on the source device's behavior.
Does the TX-SR608 support eARC or lossless Dolby Atmos?
No on both counts. The TX-SR608 has standard ARC, not eARC. ARC carries only compressed audio like Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS. Lossless Dolby Atmos requires eARC, which was introduced on later receiver generations. For lossless Atmos from a streaming app, you'd need a receiver with eARC support.
My TX-SR606 HDMI worked yesterday and is dead today. Is it the HDMI board?
Possibly. The TX-SR606 had a known HDMI board failure issue as units aged. Check whether the problem affects all HDMI ports or just one, and whether other inputs (analog, optical) still work. If all HDMI is dead but everything else functions, board failure is the likely cause. At the age these receivers are now, repair is rarely economical.
How do I factory reset an Onkyo TX-SR receiver?
Go to the on-screen setup menu and look for System or Hardware Setup. The factory reset option is typically labeled "Initialize" or "Factory Reset." Some TX-SR models support a front-panel hardware reset by holding specific buttons during power-on. Check the manual for your exact model. A factory reset will wipe all speaker configuration, input labels, and custom settings, so write them down first.