If you’ve ever attempted to connect your Android phone or tablet to your Samsung TV via HDMI cable and encountered the pesky error message “Mode Not Supported” on your TV screen, then chances are you’re scouring the internet to remedy the issue.
This article will delve into the common causes of this error message and provide solutions to fix it. The “Mode Not Supported” error message can prove to be a genuine nuisance when attempting to watch content on your Samsung TV.
Although the only guaranteed solution appears to be resetting the TV to its factory settings, this approach can be unappealing as it risks wiping your personal settings and data unless you’ve backed it up beforehand.
To avoid this, we’ll present you with some alternatives that you can try before resorting to a full factory reset. So, let’s say you’ve connected an external device, such as a gaming console, projector, or computer, to your Samsung TV.
However, instead of the external device’s display appearing on your Samsung TV, you’re presented with the “mode not supported” error message. This implies that you’re unable to play video games or access your computer screen via your Samsung TV.
So, why does this problem occur, and what’s the solution? The “mode not supported” error message arises when you connect an external device that possesses a resolution distinct from that of your Samsung TV.
In simpler terms, if the external device outputs a resolution that’s incompatible with your Samsung TV, you’ll encounter the error message. This discrepancy in screen resolution hampers your TV’s ability to read the incoming signal, leading to the error message’s display.
Why does the “mode not supported” error occur on Samsung TV?
When you connect an HDMI device to your TV via an HDMI cable, you’re essentially establishing a connection between the two devices. If the connection is successful, it allows the TV and HDMI device to communicate with each other. This seamless communication enables you to view sounds, images, and videos that are being streamed or generated on the HDMI device on your TV. Gaming consoles like PS4 and Xbox are some common examples of HDMI devices.
However, encountering the “Mode not supported” error message indicates that the TV and device are having difficulty communicating and sharing data with each other. The TV is unable to process the data sent by the device. This issue is typically caused by miscommunication between the two devices or due to images with excessively high or low resolutions.
How to fix the “mode not supported” error on Samsung TV
- Check that the external device is outputting a supported resolution
Samsung TV is equipped to support four distinct resolutions, which are 480i/p (640 x 480), 720p (1280 x 720), 1080i/p (1920 x 1080), and 2160p (3840/4096 x 2160). Thus, it’s imperative to ensure that your external device is compatible with the TV’s resolution. If not, you’ll need to adjust it accordingly.
For instance, if you’re attempting to connect your PC and encounter the “Mode not supported” error message, follow these simple steps:
- Click on Start.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Choose System, then Display if you’re using Windows 11.
- Select a resolution that matches your Samsung TV under the Display resolution category.
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Update your Samsung TV
Updating your Samsung TV is an effective solution for rectifying errors and introducing new functionalities.
To update your TV, adhere to the following guidelines:
- On your TV remote, locate the Settings button.
- Select “Support.”
- Click on “Software Update.”
- Tap “Update Now.“
- If an update is available, your TV will update accordingly. Ensure that your TV is connected to a Wi-Fi network before updating.
After the update process, proceed to connect your external device. The error should be eradicated, providing an optimal viewing experience.
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Power cycle your Samsung TV and external device
A crucial procedure to verify the HDMI handshake between your Samsung TV and external device is to initiate a power cycle. This process also serves to affirm the precision of the resolution configuration.
Moreover, upon establishing an HDMI link, the external device is required to communicate with your Samsung TV to identify its functionalities.
To execute the power cycle, adhere to the following guidelines:
- Switch off both your Samsung TV and the external device.
- Power on your Samsung TV first.
- Allow approximately 15 seconds to elapse.
- Activate the external device.
- The occurrence of the “mode not supported error” should be eradicated, enabling you to view the device’s screen on your TV.
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Set your device to a fixed output resolution
To mitigate the “resolution not supported” error message, modify the resolution settings of your external device by eliminating the auto-detect default setting if it exists.
Subsequently, proceed to resolve the error by selecting the highest resolution supported by your device. Lastly, ensure that the resolution of your external device is identical to that of your Samsung TV for seamless output.
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Restart the device
If resetting your Samsung TV fails to resolve the issue, attempt restarting the external device you are connecting to your TV. As mentioned earlier, this technique eradicates minor errors that hinder the device’s optimal performance.
To reset the device, adhere to the following guidelines:
- Locate the power button of the device and press it to switch off the device.
- Disconnect the device from the socket.
- Reconnect the device to the socket.
- Press the power button to switch on the device.
- Wait for a few minutes.
- Your device has now been restarted. Attempt to use it again and check if the problem persists. This method resolves the problem in most cases. However, if the issue persists, do not fret. We have a few more solutions to try.
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Use a shorter HDMI cable
The utilization of an extensive HDMI cable can lead to several setbacks, including loss of brightness, low refresh rate, input lag, and resolution incompatibility.
To resolve this issue, it is advisable to employ a shorter HDMI cable, preferably six feet in length. However, if the requirement demands a lengthier cable of over 12 feet, it should bear the ISF rating to avoid hindrances.
Using a longer HDMI cable often leads to signal-drop resulting in the complications you are presently encountering. Thus, obtaining a shorter HDMI cable would be a plausible solution. Subsequently, attempt to connect your device to the TV using the shorter HDMI cable and observe if it resolves the problem.