Reset PS3 Video Setting - Blank Screen - How to switch from HDMI to Composite - Composite to HDMI

Posted November 30th, 2007 by Purazar

I ran across this problem when moving my Playstation 3 from my parents house to my house. I don't have an HD-TV(yet!!). So when I brough it over from my parents house (who have HDMI), to my TV (composite connection), the TV would just be blank.

This was because I had set the PS3 to output HDMI at my parents house, but forgotten to switch it to composite before bring it over to my house. So driving blind, I would never be able to find the menu to reset it.

By Sony had already though of this problem and there is an easy solution:

Make sure the system is off.
Hold down the Power Button for 5-6 seconds - until you hear the second beep.
That's it, your video settings are reset and you should be able to choose your input and configure it from there.

Simple!!

Update - If this didn't solve the problem, take a look at my updated list of solutions to get your PS3 working again!!

Purazar's blog

Cheers mate

On December 22nd, 2007 No name Jack (not verified) said:

Have just used your tip to reset az ps3 here in Ireland, but my back ground is black and white how can i change the colours like the psp

thanks thats alot of help

On May 8th, 2008 CJ (not verified) said:

thanks thats alot of help cause our HDTV took a dump and we got a regular one downstairs n we cudnt figure it out then we ran across this. THANKS LOTS!!

Just go to theme settings

On June 30th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

Just go to theme settings and go to color and then choose the 1 u want

Ahh, thanks for this! I ran

On December 23rd, 2007 Mike (not verified) said:

Ahh, thanks for this! I ran across this problem today! You saved me from hours of pulling my hair out, haha. Thanks again!

Changing Theme Colour

On December 24th, 2007 Purazar said:

If you want to change the colour of your theme from the defualt black and white (grey). Here's what you can do.

Under Settings, find the Theme Settings, then under that you will find Colour. You can choose from about 10 different colours. Some are a bit to bright for my liking...

Mike - Glad I could help. I spend a good amount of time trying to solve this issue, so I though I'd post for other people who have the same problem. Cheers...

Dude I had the exact same

On January 14th, 2008 Kimberling (not verified) said:

Dude I had the exact same problems... my dad just got an HDTV for christmas and I got the PS3 then too... I had it set on the HDMI settings and, like you, brought it to my house in college and hadn't switched them back. It took me a bit to find this answer but you sir are a lifesaver!

Thanks

On January 14th, 2008 Purazar said:

Glad I could help Kimberling.

Thanks be to Jeebus

On February 14th, 2008 Steeb (not verified) said:

I had same problem, moved from HDTV @ home into a hotel far across the province that i would be living out of for the next month or so for work....pooped my pants when i realized my mistake. You are a lifesaver maaaaaan! (ok time to play hockey) WAHOOOO!

My life stretched longer

On February 18th, 2008 dpeck37 (not verified) said:

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! You would think that Sony would have put in a startup script to auto detect video settings. Lazy programmers! Cheers Mate!

Cant play Lost

On March 1st, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

HEY GUYS UMM IC ANT PLAY THE GAME LOST ON MY PS3 IT KEEPS COMING UP WITH A MESAGE SAYING THAT THE CURRENT VIDEO OUTPUT SETTING CANNOT PLAY THIS GAME

i done tried everything and

On March 3rd, 2008 pse wont show picture (not verified) said:

i done tried everything and my ps3 still wont show picture.....i get sound but nothing else....and everything is in tight....

My dad said i broke the PS3

On March 13th, 2008 WOW THANKYOUUU (not verified) said:

My dad said i broke the PS3 and then i read this and it worked! thanks

guys plz help i turn on my

On March 25th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

guys plz help i turn on my system and it doesnt show tthe menu screen i hear the start up sound and all i see is the little wave at the back

Does it freeze up after the

On March 25th, 2008 Purazar said:

Does it freeze up after the wave screen? Try resetting it like the instructions suggest above. If its' still not working, try it on a different TV. Worst case, you might have to take it back to the store to see what's happening. I hope it's still under warranty. Good luck.

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!

On April 4th, 2008 Navy SAR swimmer (not verified) said:

Thanks for saving me hours of super stress. I was back up and running on ow time...

But did this happen when you plugged in your ethernet cable?

On April 11th, 2008 SGT:ROCK (not verified) said:

Guys?? I have tried everything you are suggesting and nothing happens. This all started the other weekend when we all got together to ROCK OUT TO ROCKBAND!!! *grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr* I so miss my ROCKBAND!!! LOL Anyways, so here's 6 grown adults rockin out and i decide to try this new ethernet cable my bud gave me, so I plug it in o the ps3 and then all of a sudden I get a BLACK FREAKIN SCREEN on my BIG ASS TV....grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....tried uncableing everything and still nada...tested to make sure the Wii still worked (check) tested Cable (check) tried your solution (check) but nothing happened...I'm even trying the ol lift a leg then grab your nads while holding down the power button while you cough to the right.......grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.............what's a gamer with addictions to do??? Help me o b 1 help me...........

HAHA.. This has goto to be

On April 11th, 2008 Purazar said:

HAHA.. This has goto to be the funniest comment on my blog so far. With regards to your problem, I've never heard of that... so no clue as to how you will solve it. But here are some suggestions that might do the trick. Not sure if you've tried them already. Try unplugging the main power cord for a few minutes and then plugging it back in - see what happens. Plugging in the ethernet cord might have caused a power surged the PS3, and could have tripped the power supply. Turning it off might reset it? Have you tried to plug the PS3 to a different TV, using a different cable? Different power outlet.. I know these are dediculous suggestion, but sometimes they work. Power surges can short wires and cables anywhere... Can't think of other suggestions. Hope it works for you, or call Sony Tech Support.

Hey i have had the same

On April 24th, 2008 Roy (not verified) said:

Hey i have had the same problem and i tryed what you said to do but the wierd thing is it always worked than one day it was blank but could hear sound,and i tryed the hold the power button for 5 to6 secs and still nothing same problem and the 3 is new so idk but yeah i have SDTV and thats never been a problem befor

You saved my day!!

On April 26th, 2008 JC Asch (not verified) said:

You saved my day, great tip :)

THNX

On May 7th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

thnx for the help now my ps3 is back and running

No picture to game

On May 7th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

I bought a PS3 from the U.S. but I live in Hungary. I bought a game in Hungary because I heard the PS3 is region free but the game I bought when I put it in the PS3 the screen was black and no sound either. It displayed with the output video settings this game with not play. I tried the trick I read about but it didn't work at all. If I have the PS3 turned off though I don't understand how is that trick even suppose to work though?

Make sure you have the

On May 7th, 2008 Purazar said:

Make sure you have the main power on from the back. There should be a red light in front of the player. Then try the trick mention in my post... it works because the power button(on the front of the console) on the PS3 is not a hard button, it's a soft button, and it knows when you're holding it down.

Therefore if you follow the instructions, you should be able to reset the PS3. The console is region free, so your US bought PS3 should work on any TV in the world, as long as it has an HDMI input or you follow my instructions to connnect to the monitor which are here.

Good luck.

UR GREAT!

On May 13th, 2008 Webdesignguy (not verified) said:

Thanks man, i changed my settings to the wrong thing and didnt no what to do. What a great help.

Cheers Mate. It saved my

On May 17th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

Cheers Mate. It saved my hooking up to the TV downstairs again!!

Thank you for saving my life

On May 22nd, 2008 Naca (not verified) said:

WOOOW thanks for saving my daaaaaaaaay!!!!!!

Thankyou so much dude, i was

On May 25th, 2008 No name Jack said:

Thankyou so much dude, i was pretty pissed when it changed it's setting but thanks to this smart dude it worls thanks mate!

Black screen

On May 25th, 2008 TJ (not verified) said:

When i go to turn on my playstation 3 The green light comes on but nothing turns on. I checked the cords and everything that has to do with the video input, but i am still getting no audio/video and the tv remains black. What can I do?

TJ, You might not be

On May 26th, 2008 Purazar said:

TJ,

You might not be holding the power button down long enough. You might simple be turning on the PS3 without actualy resetting the video - Hold the button down until you hear a beep. This should reset your video and you should definitely see something on the screen.

If you don't, you might want to check whether your TV or Monitor is HDCP compatable. Check out this post for more info.

Same problem - useful tip.

On June 13th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

Same problem - useful tip. Thanks

Very helpful, thanks!!

On June 15th, 2008 john air force 1 (not verified) said:

Very helpful, thanks!!

Thanks

On June 17th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

Thanks dude. This helped me alot. I thought i had broken my ps3 when this happened when I accidentally hit it with my foot. You saved me alot of trouble so thanks.

oh my god man...thank you so

On June 22nd, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

oh my god man...thank you so much!!!! I just switched from my HDTV to my computers monitor and I never would have figured this out...until you came along!

can someone help me i have

On June 22nd, 2008 singh (not verified) said:

can someone help me i have a hd samsing tv. i had to reset my playstation and when i turn on my playstation it detects my hdmi cable but when i select change setting to hdmi i get a blank screen on the av channel and the hdmi channel aswell. my output resolution on the playstation is being picked up at 576i and hd doesnt work with this. i do not know how to chnage the output resoltuion and when i slect the hdmi cable my screen on the av channel and the hd channel goes blank agian can anybody help

conect cables right at the

On June 29th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

conect cables right at the setting screen. plug them in then swithc av cable at the same time. should switch to picture immediately. if not try steps again be sure you have the setting ready right before you plug in hdmi and switch the setting

conect cables right at the

On June 29th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

Thank you!

On June 28th, 2008 Jebus (not verified) said:

Thank you, my friend! I was getting worried there for a little bit!

Thank you!

On June 28th, 2008 Jebus (not verified) said:

Thank you, my friend! I was getting worried there for a little bit!

what if you cant get that

On June 29th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

what if you cant get that second beep what if it just froze while playing? and you try unplugging it and resettting it and turning it off in the back over and over. Just cant get that second beep?? then what?

i need help in resetting

On June 29th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

i need help in resetting ps3. i tried to reset it sevaral times. i cannot get that second beep instead it turns itself off? i tried unplugging it for 5 minutes, tried switching the onn/off switch in back. it just keeps switching itself off. i hold the button down, it beeps once turns on and while im holding it 5 more seconds it shuts itself off???

hey wats goin on, ive treid

On July 6th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

hey wats goin on, ive treid the 2nd beep thing a few times. my ps3 has always been fine but it just froze up before and when i tried switing it back on there was no video. i got component cables and a hdmi cable plugged in. i found my component cables are getting me better sound and i can still run at 1080i so i decided to use those, but i left my hdmi cable in there. anyways i cant see shit when i turn on my ps3 and set my tv and i tried using the 6 second restart heaps of times but nothin happend. any ideas?

Sweeeeeeeeet! Thought I was

On July 9th, 2008 Jazzamatazz (not verified) said:

Sweeeeeeeeet! Thought I was gonna have to drive and hour to my mates with HDMI. Thanks.

THANKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

On July 11th, 2008 THANKS (not verified) said:

THANKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS ITS BEEN A MONTH AND YOU REPAIRED IT THANKS THANKS THANKS I LOVE YOU MANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

ps3 wont show

On July 14th, 2008 Darkman (not verified) said:

I need help, My ps3 doesn show any picture or audio when using standard tv . Took it by a friends house an it worked on his hd tv. Tried using av out on his hd but it still doesn work. drivin me mad. My system is new. Tried th reset trick lots of times an still no luck. What else can i try. all i see is a blue screen

ps3 wont show

On July 14th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

Man. You are a miracle

On July 15th, 2008 joeyjoe (not verified) said:

Man. You are a miracle worker. I was like, playstation is all that, and they made a mistake with the HDMI? I knew there had to be a way around it. Thank you for filling us in. How did you find that out?

Man. You are a miracle

On July 15th, 2008 joeyjoe (not verified) said:

You Really Are A Miracle Worker

On July 26th, 2008 Cineasta (not verified) said:

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I'll echo what everyone has already said, it's a frustrating flaw that Sony just didn't program the PS3 to automatically identify what output cable is being used. I was freaking out that my system was going to be stuck in HDMI mode (after using it at my parent's) forever. I'm sooo glad that I'm not gonna have to sit and mope around, until I buy an HDTV. Again, thanks!!

helped

On July 29th, 2008 OMFG THANK YOU (not verified) said:

Thank you for posting this as it saved me a lot of time and trouble. I love you.

Thx mate this helped alot,

On July 30th, 2008 Flying_Bullets (not verified) said:

Thx mate this helped alot, cheerz :D

still not working!

On August 4th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

after I reset my ps3 I turned it on and all I saw was a flash on the screen and then it went blank again. It wouldn't work on my HD tv so i wanted to reset the settings for regular tv. Pleas HELP!

did

On August 9th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

Did u hold the power button on the front until the second beep?? when it flashes wait and it should flash again and then its all good, hope i helped

other way around

On August 5th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

what do you do when you get a black screen, but your trying to get to hdmi from composite

nvm

On August 5th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

dude nvm i just tryied and it worked.. sorry for the noob question... thanks alot

Thanks

On August 9th, 2008 Deelon (not verified) said:

I had similair problem, this helped me a alot and saved me a lot of time. :-) thanks again

Thanks

On August 9th, 2008 Deelon (not verified) said:

I had similair problem, this helped me a alot and saved me a lot of time. :-) thanks again

black screen i tried the

On August 11th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

black screen i tried the reset trick and it didnt work the tv just flashed and it went blank

Thanks!

On August 12th, 2008 Mathijs (not verified) said:

thank u very much if i dindt find this i think we bought our os3 back to shop... haha

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!!

On August 17th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!! cheers fella...

you're the man!!!

On August 25th, 2008 mike (not verified) said:

you're the man!!!

Thanks

On August 25th, 2008 Peter (not verified) said:

Thanks Buddy, For a moment i thought my ps3 was gone.

oh christ. cheers butty,

On August 30th, 2008 boybaccchh (not verified) said:

oh christ. cheers butty, you saved my life

you practically saved my

On September 14th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

you practically saved my life with this help man. thx!

Thanks man. F'ing Sony.

On September 17th, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

Thanks man. F'ing Sony. THey tell you to do all this other crap that does not help. I dont know what the F the manual instructions are good for.

Thanks for the help! You

On September 21st, 2008 No name Jack (not verified) said:

Thanks for the help! You made my husband a very happy man.

Playstation 3 HDMI issues on my tv?

On September 22nd, 2008 Stephen (not verified) said:

When I plug my PS3 into my tv using the yellow red and white cables it works fine. However when I plug in my ps3 to the tv using the hdmi cable it comes up with the message that says the ps3 has noticed an HDMI connection, I press yes to confirm and the screen goes blank and doesn't seem to work. My playstation is from Japan and the tv is from the UK. Please advise. :(