Phone Charging but No Video Over USB-C to HDMI? Here Is Why

If your phone charges through a USB-C to HDMI hub or cable but the TV shows no picture, the cable and the port are physically working; what is missing is the video signal. This almost always means one of three things: the phone does not support DisplayPort Alt Mode, the adapter is not a DisplayPort Alt Mode adapter, or the plug is not fully seated so the high-speed pins are not touching. Here is how to tell which one you have.

Why charging proves less than you think

A USB-C port has 24 pins, but they do different jobs.

• Power and ground pins carry charging current.
• The CC pins negotiate how much power to deliver.
• Four USB 2.0 pins carry basic data.
• The remaining high-speed pins carry USB 3.x data, or a DisplayPort video signal when the phone supports DP Alt Mode.

Charging needs only the first two groups. Every USB-C phone has them. Video needs the last group, and that is the part manufacturers leave out on cheaper phones. So a phone that charges through your hub has proved that the hub's power passthrough works and nothing more.

The decision tree

Follow these in order and stop at the first one that applies.

Step 1: Does the phone support DP Alt Mode?

Look your exact model up in the compatibility database. If it says no, you are done. No cable, hub, setting, or app will produce a picture. Jump to the last section for the wireless alternative.

Common charge-only phones: Samsung Galaxy A series, Google Pixel 7 and older, most Xiaomi, Redmi, Realme, and POCO phones, Moto G phones, Nothing phones.

Common phones that do output video: Galaxy S8 and later, Galaxy Note and Z Fold, Pixel 8 and later, OnePlus 12, 13, and Open, Motorola Edge with Ready For, Sony Xperia 1 and 5, Huawei Mate and P Pro.

Step 2: Is the adapter the right type?

Read the box or the listing. You want a USB-C to HDMI cable, adapter, or hub that mentions DisplayPort Alt Mode, DP Alt Mode, or "Thunderbolt 3 compatible". Those all use the phone's native video signal.

Wrong types that charge fine but never show video on Android:

• DisplayLink docks and adapters, which need a driver and are aimed at laptops.
• MHL adapters, made for old micro-USB phones.
• Charging-only USB-C cables sold with a picture of a TV on the box.

The cable guide has a checklist for spotting the difference.

Step 3: Is the plug fully inserted?

Take the phone out of its case. Push the USB-C plug in until it stops. Look into the port with a torch; if you can see compacted grey fluff at the bottom, the plug has been stopping short. Clean it gently with a wooden or plastic toothpick, never metal, then try again.

Step 4: Does the phone react to the display?

Plug in and unlock the phone. Within a few seconds, a supported phone normally does something visible:

• Samsung shows a DeX prompt or a "Samsung DeX" notification.
• Pixel 8 and later show a notification about the connected display.
• Motorola Edge phones show a Ready For or Smart Connect prompt.
• Other phones may show a "HDMI connected" or "Display connected" notification.

If you see one of these, the phone is outputting video and the problem is on the TV side: go to step 5. If you see nothing, the phone is not outputting video: recheck steps 1 to 3.

Step 5: Is the TV on the right input?

Press Source or Input on the remote and pick the HDMI number printed beside the port you used. Some TVs hide inputs with no signal, and some rename them. Try every HDMI port in the list. If you have an adapter plus a separate HDMI cable, swap the HDMI cable too.

Step 6: Does the hub want power first?

Some hubs are picky about order. Try this sequence:

1. Plug the charger into the hub's Power Delivery port.
2. Plug the HDMI cable into the TV.
3. Plug the hub into the phone last.
4. Unlock the phone.

If the hub only shows video when a charger is attached, that is a hub quirk, not a phone fault. And if a plain USB-C to HDMI cable works but the hub does not, the hub is the problem.

Phone families and what to expect

• Galaxy A series: charge only on nearly every model. See the Samsung page.
• Pixel 7 and older: charge only, even on models with USB 3.x. Pixel 8 and later output video. See the Google page.
• Xiaomi, Redmi, Realme: charge only on most models.
• Moto G: charge only. Motorola Edge with Ready For: video works.
• OnePlus 12, 13, and Open: video works. Earlier OnePlus phones mostly charge only.

If the phone is supported and it still fails

At this point you have a supported phone, a DP Alt Mode adapter, a clean port, and the right input. Two more things to try:

• Borrow a different USB-C to HDMI cable. Cheap cables fail on the high-speed pins while continuing to charge.
• Connect to a different TV or a monitor. Occasionally one HDMI input on a TV is faulty.

If the phone shows video on one TV and not another, the TV is the issue. If it shows nothing anywhere with two different cables, the port's high-speed pins may be damaged; charging can survive damage that kills video.

The wireless alternative

If step 1 said no, you can still get photos and videos onto the TV. The app's Browser Cast feature sends your media over your home Wi-Fi to the TV's built-in browser. It works on any Android phone, including every charge-only model above. Details are on the app page.

What to do next

Run the check in the compatibility database first, before buying another cable. If your phone is supported, focus on the plug and adapter type. If it is not, skip the cable and use Browser Cast.