No picture through a Yamaha RX-V379 is usually one of the basics — the wrong input assigned, a worn cable, or a handshake that needs resetting. But there's one model-specific limit to know first: the RX-V379 is a 2014 receiver with HDMI 1.4, so it passes video up to 4K at 30Hz only. A modern source set to 4K60 (or HDR) won't pass through it at all, and that looks exactly like "HDMI not working."
Fix it
- Confirm the input assignment and selection. Make sure the source is on the right HDMI input and that input is selected on the receiver. Check the receiver's HDMI is going to the TV's correct input too.
- Drop the source to a mode the RX-V379 can pass. Set the source (console, streamer, player) to 1080p, or 4K at 30Hz — not 4K60 or HDR. This is the most common cause of "no picture" on this receiver with modern gear.
- Reseat and swap the cable. Unplug both ends, reseat firmly, and try a known-good cable. (4K30 doesn't need a high-end cable, but a failing one still breaks the link.)
- Power on in order. Power the source first, then the receiver, then the TV — and to reset a stuck handshake, unplug the receiver for at least 30 seconds.
- Enable HDMI Control if you use CEC, and update the receiver's firmware.
The modern-4K-TV workaround
Because the RX-V379 can't pass 4K60/HDR, the clean setup for a 4K TV and a 4K source is to connect the source straight to the TV for video, and run the TV's audio back to the receiver over ARC (or optical). That way you get full 4K HDR on the TV and the receiver still does the sound — without the receiver bottlenecking the video.
Isolate the fault
- Source: no picture on either receiver-HDMI-out path, but the source works direct to the TV. Drop its resolution to 4K30/1080p.
- Receiver: the source works direct to the TV but not through the receiver. Likely the resolution limit (4K60/HDR) or an HDMI input/handshake issue.
- Cable/port: swapping cables or the receiver's HDMI input fixes it.
FAQ
Why won't my 4K device show through the RX-V379? It's a 2014 HDMI 1.4 receiver — it only passes 4K at 30Hz. Set the source to 4K30 or 1080p, or run video straight to the TV and audio back over ARC.
No picture at all — first step? Check the input assignment and selection, drop the source to 1080p to get a picture, then climb to 4K30.
Do I need a special cable? No — 4K30 doesn't need a premium cable. A known-good High Speed cable is fine; swap it if you suspect a fault.
Can it do HDR or 4K60? No. The RX-V379 predates those. For a 4K HDR TV, send video direct to the TV and audio to the receiver over ARC. If you'd rather replace it with an HDMI 2.1 model that passes 4K, see our best AV receivers under $500.