If your Samsung TV displays a “resolution not supported” error, this means that it does not support the resolution of the input video source.
The error can happen if you input a video source whose resolution is higher than what your TV’s resolution supports. It can also be caused by cabling (video) issues or glitches in the Samsung TV’s firmware or video input ports.
Below is a look at how you can troubleshoot this error and fix it so you can play the video you want on your Samsung TV.
Basic troubleshooting guide
You can fix the “resolution not supported” error message on your Samsung TV with the following simple troubleshooting tips:
- Check that your HDMI or VGA video cables are properly connected (not loose) on your source device and Samsung TV.
- Try using another HDMI or VGA cable to connect your device.
- Switch to a HDMI cable if you are connecting your device to your TV using VGA.
- If using a HDMI cable, switch to another HDMI port.
If none of these solutions works, try the advanced solutions below:
1. Check that your video cables or damaged
Cabling issues are one of the top reasons for the “resolution not supported” error on Samsung TVs. This is especially true if you connect a device to your TV using an HDMI cable.
Therefore, you should first examine your HDMI cable and replace it if you notice any signs of physical damage.
You can also get a “resolution not supported” error if you are using a HDMI cable that is too long.
A long cable experiences signal loss, which can cause several display issues; therefore, you should switch to a shorter cable and see if the issue resolves.
2. Adjust the resolution on your TV
If your video cables are not the problem, your source device could be outputting a video with a too-high resolution, causing the error.
You can fix this issue by increasing the supported resolution on your Samsung TV.
To adjust the resolution settings on your Samsung TV:
- Go to Menu > Settings > Display
- Under “Display, ” search for a video resolution option, enter the highest resolution possible, or set it to “Auto.”
- If selecting resolution manually, you should also enter the highest refresh rate possible: older Samsung TVs have 50Hz or 60Hz refresh rates, while newer models support up to 240Hz.
The settings menu on some Samsung TV models does not support adjusting the resolution. Therefore, you can activate the secret menu (also known as the service menu) to adjust the resolution.
To activate the secret menu:
- Power off your TV with the remote control.
- With the TV off, press the “Mute” + “1” + “8” + “2” + “Power” buttons to turn on the TV and display the service menu.
- Under the service menu, go to Option > MRT > Resolution and press the “OK” button.
- Use the “UP” and “Down” buttons to increase your TV’s resolution then check if the error will clear.
Note: Messing with the settings in the service menu is risky, as you can inadvertently change something that causes severe or permanent damage to your TV.
3. Adjust the resolution on your source device
In addition to increasing the resolution on your Samsung TV, you can also fix the “resolution not supported” error by reducing the resolution on your source device.
To do this, you will need to go to the display settings of your source device and reduce the current resolution. For example, if connecting a computer to your TV, you can go to the “Graphic properties” or “Display” settings on your device and select a lower resolution.
If the error was caused by a high resolution, reducing the output resolution in the source device should help fix the issue.
4. Power cycle your TV
Resolution issues can also be caused by bugs and glitches in your Samsung TV settings and software. Fortunately, many such glitches are usually temporary, and you can clear them by power cycling your TV.
To do this:
- Turn off your TV and unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet.
- Press and hold the power button on your TV for about 15-30 seconds.
- Let your TV rest for 1-2 minutes, then plug it back in and turn it on.
Power cycling will reset most of your TV’s settings, clearing any glitches that could be causing resolution issues.
Note: the resolution issues might also originate from your source device. Therefore, you can fix the problem by restarting, power cycling, or hard resetting the connected device.
5. Update your TV firmware
Out-of-date firmware is another reason you can get a “resolution not supported” error on your Samsung TV. Therefore, updating your TV’s firmware is another top solution you can try to fix the issue.
To update your Samsung TV:
- Ensure you are connected to a stable network.
- Go to Menu > Settings > Support > Software Update > Update Now and press the “OK” button.
- Keep your TV turned on until the updates are downloaded and installed, after which it restarts.
- You can also turn on the “Auto Update” feature to ensure that your TV automatically updates itself when new updates become available.
If your TV is older (without internet connectivity), you can update it using a USB device. To do this:
- Go to www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/ on your computer browser.
- Enter your TV model number in the search button (or browse the available TVs until you find yours).
- Once you locate your TV, download the latest firmware file.
- Unzip the files and copy them to a formatted USB drive’s root directory (without folders).
- Insert the drive into your TV’s USB port.
- On your TV menu, go to Settings > Support > Software Update > Update Now and press the “OK” button.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to initiate and complete the update process.
Once your TV is updated, any glitches caused by outdated software will be fixed, potentially resolving the resolution issue.
6. Factory reset your Samsung TV
If you still get a “resolution not supported” error, you can try factory resetting your TV. This will erase all the settings and restore your device to factory mode, which can clear up the issue.
To perform a factory reset:
- Press the Home button to bring up the menu and go to “Settings.”
- Under settings, go to General > Reset.
- Enter your TV PIN code (the default code is 0000), then select “Yes” to confirm the remote. Your TV will reset to factory mode and then turn off.
- Turn on your TV and follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.
If none of these solutions work, you might be dealing with a complex issue. Therefore, you should contact Samsung Customer Support for advanced troubleshooting or take your TV to an authorized repair centre for servicing.
It is also possible that your TV model cannot support the input video resolution, so you should consider purchasing a newer model.