Technician helping fix Sony Bravia not discovering HDMI devices

Steve H.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: Sony Bravia & Android/Google TV, HDMI & eARC/ARC, Bravia Sync (HDMI-CEC), PS5 / Xbox / Fire Stick setup, Wi-Fi & home theater

Sony Bravia not discovering HDMI devices — Bravia Sync, input and “No signal” fixes

Technician avatar Technician
Hey! Let’s figure out why your Sony Bravia is not discovering devices and get HDMI and ARC working again. A few quick questions so we don’t guess:
• Exact TV model and year (e.g. X80J, X90K, A80J, older Bravia)?
• Which devices are not detected: PS5, Xbox, Blu-ray, Apple TV, Fire Stick, soundbar/AVR, set-top box, something else?
• Do you see “No signal”, “No devices found. Please check connections.” in Bravia Sync, or does the input tile stay greyed out?
• Are the devices connected directly to the TV, or daisy-chained through a soundbar/AV receiver?
The more detail we have, the easier it is to fix Sony Bravia not detecting HDMI devices instead of randomly swapping cables.
Customer
It’s a Sony Bravia X90J. My PS5 and a Fire TV Stick are plugged into different HDMI ports. The TV used to show them under External Inputs and Bravia Sync, but now it just says “No signal” or “No devices found, please check connections”. It feels like the Bravia TV stopped discovering HDMI devices overnight. Cables haven’t changed.
Technician avatar Technician
Got it — that’s a classic “Sony Bravia not discovering devices” pattern.
Typical causes:
• A glitch in the HDMI handshake or Bravia Sync / HDMI-CEC service after a software update or power cut.
• The TV is on the wrong input or the input was renamed / disabled in the Bravia settings, so it looks like nothing is connected.
• Control for HDMI / CEC is off on the TV or on the console, so Bravia Sync shows no devices even though HDMI works.
• A flaky HDMI cable or port, especially if it’s an older cable with a 4K console like PS5.
• In some Android/Google TV models, a stuck system app called ExternalInputServices stops updating the HDMI device list.

We’ll first make sure the TV is actually seeing the HDMI signal, then we’ll tackle Bravia Sync not showing connected devices.
Customer
I already tried turning the TV off and on with the remote and unplugging/replugging the HDMI cables. Still “No signal” on HDMI 1 for the PS5 and the Bravia Sync menu says no compatible device found. The PS5 works fine on another TV so it’s definitely something with this Bravia not detecting devices.
Technician avatar Technician
Remote off/on is just a sleep/wake. Bravia sometimes needs a full power reset before it will rediscover HDMI devices.
Step 1 — Power reset the Sony Bravia
1) Turn the TV off.
2) Unplug it from the wall for at least 2 minutes (more than a quick yank).
3) While unplugged, hold the TV’s physical power button (if it has one) for 10–15 seconds to drain residual power.
4) Plug it back in, turn it on, and wait until the home screen fully loads.

Step 2 — Confirm HDMI input and test ports
• Using the INPUT / SOURCE button, cycle through inputs until you’re on the exact HDMI port where the PS5 is connected (e.g. HDMI 1, HDMI 3/eARC).
• Try that same HDMI cable and device on another HDMI port of the Bravia (e.g. move PS5 from HDMI 1 to HDMI 2).
• If one port shows the PS5 and another still says “No signal”, we’ve narrowed it down to a specific input.
Let me know if at least one port starts showing a picture — then we’ll fix why the Bravia still isn’t discovering devices properly in the menus.
Customer
After unplugging for a couple of minutes and swapping ports, HDMI 2 finally shows the PS5 picture again. But Bravia Sync still lists zero devices and I can’t control the PS5 or soundbar with the TV remote. It still feels like the Sony Bravia isn’t discovering HDMI-CEC devices.
Technician avatar Technician
Good — HDMI video is back, so now we fix the “Bravia Sync not showing connected devices” part.
Step 3 — Check Control for HDMI / Bravia Sync settings
1) On the Sony remote, press HOME → Settings → Channels & Inputs / Watching TV → External Inputs → Bravia Sync Settings (wording can vary by model).
2) Make sure Bravia Sync control (or “Control for HDMI”) is set to On.
3) Run “Device list” or “Bravia Sync device list” so the TV searches for HDMI-CEC devices on each port.

Step 4 — Enable HDMI-CEC on the devices
• On PS5: Settings → System → HDMI → enable “HDMI Device Link”.
• On many soundbars/AVRs: look for HDMI-CEC / Control for HDMI / BRAVIA Sync options and turn them on.

After both the TV and devices have HDMI-CEC enabled, the Sony Bravia should start discovering devices automatically and show them by name instead of “Unknown” or “No devices found”.
Customer
Control for HDMI is on for the TV and PS5, but the Bravia Sync device list still says “No devices found. Please check connections.” The PS5 picture is there on HDMI 2, but the TV acts like there are no HDMI devices registered.
Technician avatar Technician
On Android/Google TV Bravia models there’s a known quirk: the system app that tracks HDMI devices gets stuck. Clearing it usually fixes Bravia not discovering HDMI devices even when picture works.
Step 5 — Clear ExternalInputServices app data (Android/Google TV)
1) With the TV on, press HOME → Settings → Apps (or Apps → See all apps).
2) From the menu, show System apps, then find ExternalInputServices (name can be External Input Services / External inputs).
3) Open it and choose Clear cache, then Clear data → OK.
4) Restart the TV from Settings → System → Restart, or hold the power button and choose Restart.
5) After reboot, disconnect all HDMI cables, wait 30 seconds, then reconnect them firmly and re-run the Bravia Sync Device list.

This “HDMI refresh” forces Bravia to rebuild its list and often brings back PS5, Blu-ray, and soundbars that weren’t being discovered.
Customer
After clearing ExternalInputServices and rebooting, the TV finally shows the PS5 under Bravia Sync, but my soundbar that goes through an AV receiver still doesn’t appear. If I connect the console directly it’s fine, but when it goes through the AVR the Bravia doesn’t discover that device chain.
Technician avatar Technician
That points to the HDMI chain rather than the TV itself. When Sony Bravia doesn’t discover devices through an AV receiver, it’s usually because CEC isn’t passing through cleanly or the AVR isn’t acting as a proper HDMI repeater.
Step 6 — Simplify and rebuild the HDMI chain
• For testing, connect the PS5 directly to the Bravia’s HDMI 1 or HDMI 2 and the soundbar/AVR to the eARC/ARC HDMI port on the TV.
• In Bravia settings, ensure eARC/ARC is enabled and the TV sound output is set to Audio System, not TV speakers.
• On the receiver and soundbar, enable their HDMI-CEC / ARC options and set TV audio input to the ARC port.
• Avoid very long or cheap HDMI cables; use High-Speed or Ultra High-Speed HDMI for 4K120/4K60 gaming.

If the TV discovers the soundbar when it’s directly on the ARC port but not when devices are chained differently, we’ll keep it in the configuration Bravia handles best and let the receiver pass audio only.
Customer
That makes sense for HDMI. I’ve also noticed my phone sometimes can’t cast to this Sony anymore, and Bluetooth headphones don’t always show up. Is that related to this Bravia not finding devices problem or separate?
Technician avatar Technician
It can be related in the sense that it’s all “device discovery”, but the fixes are a bit different.
For Chromecast / casting to Sony Bravia
• Make sure the TV and phone are on the same Wi-Fi network (same SSID, not guest vs main).
• Restart the router and the TV if the cast icon doesn’t show your Bravia.
• On Google/Android TV Bravia, check Settings → Apps → See all apps → Show system apps → Google Play Services / Chromecast built-in, and ensure they’re enabled and updated.

For Bluetooth headphones or controllers not discovered
• Put the headphones/controller into pairing mode until their LED flashes rapidly.
• On the TV, go to Settings → Remotes & Accessories / Bluetooth, then “Add device” and wait; sometimes it takes 20–30 seconds for the Sony Bravia to discover Bluetooth devices.
• If pairing fails, delete old entries for that device on the TV and try again closer to the screen.
So yes, it’s the same pattern: refresh radio services, restart, and re-scan so the Bravia can discover devices cleanly.
Customer
Once everything is finally working, how do I stop my Sony Bravia from losing devices again? I don’t want to fix HDMI and Bravia Sync every month.
Technician avatar Technician
Totally fair — let’s “future-proof” things so your Sony Bravia keeps discovering devices reliably.
Prevention tips for Bravia HDMI & device discovery
• Use good-quality, reasonably short High-Speed or Ultra High-Speed HDMI cables, especially for 4K consoles and eARC.
• Avoid hot-plugging (yanking HDMI cables while everything is on). If you must move a cable, power the TV and device off first.
• Keep TV firmware up to date via automatic updates, but don’t interrupt the TV during an update.
• Every week or two, restart the TV properly (Settings → System → Restart) instead of only using standby, so HDMI and Bravia Sync services refresh.
• Keep the number of CEC devices reasonable (TV + sound system + a few players). Too many devices on one chain can confuse HDMI-CEC.
• If Bravia Sync acts up, toggling Control for HDMI Off → Restart → On again often refreshes the Bravia device list without a full factory reset.
These small habits make “not discovering devices” errors much rarer.
Customer
After the power reset, clearing ExternalInputServices and re-enabling Bravia Sync, my PS5 and Fire Stick both show up and the soundbar is working on ARC. The TV now discovers everything automatically. I’ll remember these steps next time my Sony Bravia stops finding devices.
Technician avatar Technician
Perfect, glad it’s all talking again.

Summary: when a Sony Bravia is not discovering devices, start with a full power reset, confirm the correct HDMI input, and test each port with a known-good cable. Then enable Control for HDMI / Bravia Sync on both TV and devices, clear the ExternalInputServices app if it’s an Android/Google TV, and rebuild the HDMI chain so eARC/ARC and CEC can work properly. For stubborn cases, a factory reset is the nuclear option. Not sure which menu your exact Bravia model has? Open the chat and an expert will walk through it step by step.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when Sony Bravia is not discovering devices: perform a full power reset of the TV (unplug for 2 minutes, then restart), confirm the correct HDMI input, and test each port with a known-good cable. Turn Control for HDMI / Bravia Sync on, enable HDMI-CEC on connected devices, then clear and restart the ExternalInputServices/HDMI service if you have an Android/Google TV model. Finally, reconnect devices one by one and let Bravia Sync refresh the device list so PS5, streaming sticks and soundbars appear again.

Why Sony Bravia stops discovering devices — real causes

Most cases of Sony Bravia not discovering devices come down to a few things: a temporary HDMI handshake glitch after a power event or update, Control for HDMI / Bravia Sync being off, outdated TV firmware, a stuck ExternalInputServices process, or a bad cable/port. When this happens, you may see “No signal” on a specific HDMI input, an empty Bravia Sync device list, or the External Inputs icon not listing your console or Blu-ray. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth discovery can also fail if the TV and phone are on different networks or if Bluetooth pairing data is corrupted, making it look like the Bravia can’t find devices even though the hardware is okay.

How to test if Sony Bravia device discovery is really fixed

After applying the things you must try for Sony Bravia not discovering devices, do a quick test. Turn your PS5, streaming stick and soundbar off, then power them on one at a time. As each device boots, switch to its HDMI input and check that you get picture and sound without “No signal” messages. Open the Bravia Sync or HDMI-CEC device list and confirm that each device appears by name. Finally, test casting from your phone and pairing one Bluetooth accessory. If all of these work without errors, your Bravia’s input and device discovery are in good shape; if one type of device still doesn’t appear, focus on that connection (specific HDMI port, Wi-Fi network, or Bluetooth pairing).

Sony Bravia not discovering devices — quick troubleshooting tips

Most issues are fixed by a proper power reset, HDMI check, and refreshing Bravia Sync.

Quick path: unplug the TV for a couple of minutes, plug it back in and power reset the Sony Bravia. Verify you’re on the right HDMI input and test with a different cable and port. Turn on Control for HDMI / Bravia Sync, enable HDMI-CEC on your PS5, soundbar or set-top box, then run a device search so the TV can discover them again. On Android/Google TV models, clearing data for ExternalInputServices and restarting often brings back devices missing from the list. For stubborn problems, connecting one device directly with a short, high-quality HDMI cable is the fastest way to see whether the TV can still detect external sources correctly.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. Always follow Sony’s official instructions for your exact Bravia model, and consult a verified expert before changing advanced HDMI, CEC or service menu settings.

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FAQ

Why is my Sony Bravia not discovering HDMI devices?

Common reasons for Sony Bravia not discovering HDMI devices include an incorrect input selection, a temporary HDMI handshake glitch, Control for HDMI / Bravia Sync being disabled, outdated TV firmware, or a stuck ExternalInputServices/HDMI service. Faulty or loose HDMI cables and using very long runs through AV receivers can also prevent the TV from seeing connected devices until everything is reset and reconnected.

How do I fix Bravia Sync when it shows “No devices found”?

If Bravia Sync shows no devices, first make sure Control for HDMI / Bravia Sync is enabled in the TV’s External Inputs settings, and that HDMI-CEC is enabled on your console, Blu-ray player, or soundbar. Perform a full power reset of the TV, then re-run the Bravia Sync device search. On Android/Google TV models, clearing cache and data for the ExternalInputServices system app and restarting often restores the Bravia Sync device list.

Why do I get “No signal” on HDMI even though the device is on?

“No signal” usually means the TV is either on the wrong HDMI input, the connection is loose, or the device is outputting a resolution or refresh rate the TV can’t handle. Make sure the cable is fully inserted at both ends, use the INPUT button to select the correct HDMI port, and try a different HDMI cable or port. If the device works on another TV, update your Bravia’s firmware and try a power reset before assuming the HDMI port is bad.

When should I factory reset my Sony Bravia for device discovery issues?

A factory reset is the last step when your Sony Bravia will not discover devices after power resets, cable swaps, firmware updates, CEC settings checks, and clearing HDMI services. Because a reset removes Wi-Fi, app logins and picture settings, it’s best to try direct connections, different ports, and Bravia Sync refresh first. If multiple HDMI ports still fail with known-good devices and cables, a factory reset can clear deeper software corruption.

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