How to Fix Denon Receiver HDMI Problems? (Easy Fixes!)

Struggling with Denon receiver HDMI problems may be incredibly frustrating, especially when your setup was working just fine the other day.

Whether the HDMI problems have led to a blank screen, no sound, or complete signal loss, these issues appear at the worst possible time.

So, stay with us until the end of this guide to discover all solutions!

Best Ways To Instantly Fix Denon Receiver HDMI Problems

Note: Have you tried rebooting the Denon receiver using the remote control?

1. Reconnect the HDMI to a Different Input

The HDMI problems are often a result of an incompatible HDMI input on your TV or receiver, leading to a persistent disruption of the video/audio signal.

Hence, unplug the HDMI from the current input on your Denon receiver and reconnect it to a different input on the TV or monitor. 

Then, select the new input in the source menu of the TV or monitor and check if the live feed of the receiver will be restored.

If the video feed is clearly visible, without any disruptions or losses in synchronization, there could be a problem with the HDMI input on the monitor/viewing device. 

2. Power Cycle the Monitoring Equipment

A quick power cycle is a highly effective way to address any video or audio-related HDMI issues with the Denon receiver.

The power cycle (or drain) works by discharging the electricity of your device, in this case, the receiver and monitor, leading to a full refresh of the system.

2.1 How to Power Cycle the Denon Receiver:

• Unplug the Denon receiver from the power source.
• Wait for about 5 minutes to ensure a full discharge.
• Reconnect the receiver back into the power supply.

2.2 How to Power Cycle the Monitor or TV:

• Disconnect your TV or monitor from the power outlet.
• Wait approximately 60 seconds for a complete drain.
• Reconnect the TV or monitor to the electrical supply.

If the Denon interface is still not viewable, then the issue is probably related to the HDMI-CEC function specific for TVs…

Tip: ZontSound recommends reseating the HDMI cable right after power cycle completion to determine if the issue is still there. 

3. Disable the HDMI-CEC Function (TV Only)

The HDMI-CEC function can be quite problematic for your Denon receiver, as it requires a different type of technology to conduct power transfer during the startup.

The feature can be found in the settings of both your viewing device (TV) and the Denon receiver.

On your Denon receiver, navigate to Video → HDMI Setup → TV Audio Switching and make sure the feature is set to “Off”.

Register the changes, then proceed to also deactivate the HDMI-CEC on your connected viewing TV. 

Here’s how to disable the HDMI-CEC on the most popular TV brands:

Brand	HDMI-CEC	How to Disable:
Samsung	Anynet+	Go to Settings → General → External Device Manager → Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) → Off
Sony	Bravia Sync	Go to Settings → System → Bravia Sync → Off
LG	SimpLink	Go to Settings → General → SimpLink (HDMI-CEC) → Off
TCL	CEC	Go to Settings → System → Control Other Devices (CEC) → Off
Vizio	CEC	Go to Menu → System → CEC → Disable

Note: Some “smart” monitors might also have an HDMI-CEC function in the system menu.

4. Bypass the Receiver to Test your Monitor/TV

Another possible reason why the Denon receiver is not recognizing the HDMI input could be a fault with the TV or viewing device.

Bypassing the receiver involves connecting your source TV or monitor directly to another device to test the audio and video transmission. 

Connect your viewing device directly to the HDMI input of another source device (a DVD player, for example), then test if the TV displays the source output properly.

If your TV or monitor works on the replacement source, then the fault is guaranteed to be with the Denon receiver…

5. Update the Denon Receiver OS Version

As established earlier, the issue is more than likely to be with the interface or OS of your Denon receiver, rather than the HDMI of the monitor or TV.

So, updating the firmware can resolve this issue by ensuring the receiver operates with the latest software.

Follow these steps to update the Denon receiver OS:

• On your Denon, go to Setup → General → Firmware → Check for Update.
• Ensure the Denon receiver is connected to the internet via a stable network.
• Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install any available updates.

Now, wait for several seconds until the Denon receiver initiates the firmware update and cease all interactions for at least 2–3 minutes.

A potential network disruption could prevent the Denon receiver from finalizing the update, so do not interact with the Wi-Fi router either. 

6. Test with an Alternative High-Speed HDMI

If the Denon receiver is not recognized by your TV or monitor’s HDMI at all, there could be a fault with the HDMI cable.

Replacing the current cable with a high-speed HDMI that preferably supports 4K and HDR can ensure the video streaming bandwidth requirements are met. 

Test the new cable by connecting your viewing TV or monitor to the Denon receiver, and make sure the cable is secured on both ends.

Don’t forget to check the new input selection after replacing the HDMI cable.

Warning: Avoid Third-Party Equipment!

Using third-party HDMI splitters or extenders can cause a variety of compatibility-related issues, as they may not meet the Denon receiver streaming specifications.

This could lead to permanent signal loss until the incompatible equipment is uninstalled from the setup.

Note: Always connect the viewing device (TV or monitor) directly to the Denon receiver!

7. Use an Alternative Viewing Device (TV or Monitor)

If the fault is still there, the problem might be with the TV or monitor, failing to display the Denon receiver’s live feed.

Testing with a different viewing device can help isolate the problem and determine if the fault is with the Denon equipment or your TV/monitor.

Connect your Denon receiver to an alternative TV or monitor using the same HDMI cable, and check if the live feed appears on the new display.

As long as the replacement monitor is compatible with the resolution of the Denon receiver, you can check if the problem persists.

8. Adjust the Denon Receiver Video Settings

If you can view the broadcast of your Denon receiver, with or without disruptions, configuring settings such as HDMI output, video mode, and i/p scaler could resolve the problem.

Here’s how to access and adjust each video setting!

HDMI Output Connector

Navigate to Setup → Video → HDMI Setup on your Denon receiver, choose the HDMI monitor connector (Auto, Monitor 1, or Monitor 2) to match your TV setup.

Ensure the resolution is compatible with your TV by checking the HDMI Monitor settings.

Video Processing Mode

In the video settings, select a mode (Auto, Game, or Movie) to match your content and register the changes.

This optimizes video processing, reducing delays or compatibility issues that might cause HDMI signal disruptions.

i/p Scaler & Resolution

Now, adjust the i/p Scaler to Analog & HDMI to convert input signals, then adjust the Resolution (e.g., 1080p or 4K) to match your TV’s.

This prevents signal disruptions by optimizing the receiver’s output with your TV’s supported resolution.

Note: Power cycle the Denon receiver after each video setting is adjusted.

9. Reset the Denon Receiver to Defaults

Most of the Denon receiver’s HDMI problems can be resolved by performing a factory reset.

All content and data will be erased from your Denon receiver, but that includes any underlying functionality errors, impacting the video or audio feed.

Here’s how to factory reset the Denon receiver easily:

• Press Power while holding the Tuner Preset CH+ and Tuner Preset CH- buttons.
• Release the buttons once the front display starts flashing and the reset has begun.
• Wait for the receiver to reboot and restore the default settings automatically shortly.

Now, reconfigure your settings and test the HDMI connection after reconnecting the HDMI.

If you are still experiencing difficulties, get in touch with Denon customer support.