Xbox Series S showing a black screen or "No Signal" is almost always a cable, settings, or HDMI handshake issue — not a hardware failure. This guide covers the correct fix steps for the Series S, including the display reset procedure that uses the Pair button, not an Eject button (the Series S is digital-only and has no disc drive or Eject button).
Quick Answer
- Power cycle — unplug Xbox Series S and TV for 30 seconds, reconnect HDMI, turn TV on first
- Try a different HDMI port on your TV — HDMI ports can fail or have signal issues independently
- Replace the cable — the included HDMI cable is fine for 1080p; use a Certified Ultra High Speed cable for 4K
- Reset display settings — Xbox button + Pair button (left side of console), hold until second chime — not the Eject button (the Series S has no Eject button)
Symptoms
- TV shows "No Signal" or a black screen when Xbox Series S is connected
- Xbox power light is on but no picture appears on the TV
- Audio plays from the console (you can hear menu sounds) but there is no video
- Console works on another TV but not on your main display
- Black screen appears after changing resolution settings
Quick Checks
- Confirm the TV is set to the correct HDMI input — wrong input is the most common cause
- Check the HDMI cable for kinks, bent pins, or loose connectors — reseat both ends
- Verify the Xbox is not in sleep/low-power mode (press the Xbox button to wake it)
- Try a different HDMI port on the TV — ports can fail independently
Step-by-Step Fix
1. Full power cycle
Turn off the Xbox Series S (hold Xbox button → Power off). Unplug it from the wall. Unplug the TV from the wall. Disconnect the HDMI cable from both ends. Wait 30 seconds — this clears HDMI handshake state from both devices. Reconnect HDMI. Plug in TV first and let it boot. Then plug in Xbox and power on.
2. Check HDMI connections
Disconnect the HDMI cable from both the Xbox and the TV and reconnect firmly. The Series S's HDMI port is on the rear of the console. Make sure the plug seats fully and doesn't wiggle.
3. Try a different HDMI port on your TV
If your TV has multiple HDMI ports, try each one. Switch the TV input to match. Some TV ports fail or have different bandwidth limitations — your current port may not be the problem, but a different port may work immediately.
4. Test with a different HDMI cable
If you have another cable, swap it in. The Xbox Series S includes an HDMI cable in the box that's adequate for 1080p and 4K/60Hz. For 4K/120Hz output (the Series S outputs up to 4K/120Hz for media, and up to 1440p/120Hz for games), use a Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable — look for the holographic certification sticker.
5. Adjust display settings (if you can see the menu)
If you can access the Xbox interface:
- Settings → General → TV & display options
- Set resolution to match your TV (4K UHD if your TV supports it, or 1080p as a fallback)
- Set Refresh Rate to 60Hz first; only increase to 120Hz after confirming a stable picture
6. Reset display settings (if you cannot see the menu)
The Series S has no Eject button — it is a digital-only console with no disc drive. The display reset uses the Pair button (the small button on the left side of the console, used for controller pairing).
Display reset procedure for Xbox Series S:
- Hold the Xbox button on the console for 10 seconds to force a full shutdown (the power light turns off)
- Press and hold the Xbox button and the Pair button simultaneously
- Keep holding both buttons until you hear a second startup chime (you'll hear one chime, then a second a few seconds later)
- Release — the console boots to low-resolution mode (640×480 / default)
- The TV should now show a picture — go to Settings → General → TV & display options to restore your preferred resolution
This resets the display output without erasing saved games or settings.
If It Still Doesn't Work
Test on a different TV — this confirms whether the Xbox or your TV is the source of the problem.
Check for visible port damage — inspect the HDMI port on the back of the Series S for bent pins or debris.
Factory reset as a last resort — Settings → System → Console info → Reset console → "Reset and keep my games & apps" preserves game installs while clearing software issues.
Contact Xbox Support — if the problem is a hardware port failure, the console will need service. Xbox hardware support: support.xbox.com.
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FAQ
Why does my Xbox Series S show a black screen? Most black screen issues on the Series S are caused by: wrong TV input selected, a faulty or loose HDMI cable, incompatible resolution settings (the TV can't display the resolution the Xbox is outputting), or a stale HDMI handshake. Work through the steps above — the display reset using the Pair button resolves most cases.
Does the Xbox Series S have an Eject button? No. The Xbox Series S is an all-digital console with no disc drive, so it has no Eject button. The display reset on the Series S uses the Pair button (left side of console) rather than the Eject button used on the Series X.
How do I reset the display settings on my Xbox Series S? Hold the Xbox button + Pair button simultaneously until you hear the second startup chime. This boots the console in default low-resolution mode so you can change display settings. The Pair button is the small button on the left side of the console used for controller pairing.
What resolution does the Xbox Series S support? The Xbox Series S outputs up to 4K/120Hz for video and media playback, and up to 1440p/120Hz for gaming (most games run at 1080p/60Hz or 1440p/60Hz/120Hz). It does not support 4K gaming at 120Hz. The HDMI output is HDMI 2.1.
My Xbox Series S works on another TV but not my main TV — what's wrong? This points to a compatibility or settings issue with your main TV rather than a Series S hardware fault. Common causes: HDMI port on the main TV doesn't support the resolution the Xbox is outputting (especially 4K), HDMI-CEC conflict, or a specific TV firmware issue. Try a different HDMI port on your main TV, or use the display reset to lower the output resolution.
Can I use any HDMI cable with Xbox Series S? Standard HDMI cables work for 1080p and 4K/60Hz. For 4K/120Hz media output, use a Certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable (HDMI 2.1, 48Gbps). The cable included with the Series S supports 4K/60Hz. Cables labeled "Premium High Speed" are not sufficient for 4K/120Hz.