USB-C to HDMI Not Working on Android? Fix It Step by Step

If your USB-C to HDMI cable is not working on Android, the most common cause is that your phone does not support DisplayPort Alt Mode, the feature that sends video out of the USB-C port. If your phone does support it, the problem is almost always the wrong type of adapter, the wrong HDMI input on the TV, or a plug that is not fully seated. Work through the checks below in order, from most likely to least likely.

1. Check whether your phone can output video at all

This is the step everyone skips, and it explains most "not working" reports. USB-C ports all look identical, but only some of them are wired for video. The feature is called DisplayPort Alternate Mode, usually shortened to DP Alt Mode. Without it, no cable, adapter, or app can make your phone send a picture to a TV.

Phones that generally support it: Samsung Galaxy S8 and later S, Note, and Z Fold flagships, Google Pixel 8 and later, OnePlus 12, 13, and Open, Motorola Edge models with Ready For, Sony Xperia 1 and 5 series, Huawei Mate and P Pro models, Asus ROG and Zenfone, and the Fairphone 5.

Phones that generally do not: most Samsung Galaxy A series, Pixel 7 and older, most Xiaomi, Redmi, and Realme phones, most Moto G phones, and Nothing phones.

The fastest way to confirm is to look your model up in the phone compatibility database or run the built-in checker in the app. If your phone is on the "no" list, skip straight to the last section, because nothing in between will help.

2. Make sure you have the right kind of cable or adapter

Not everything with a USB-C plug on one end and an HDMI plug on the other works the same way.

• A standard USB-C to HDMI cable or adapter relies on DP Alt Mode. It contains a small chip that converts the DisplayPort signal to HDMI, but it cannot create a video signal on its own. This is the type you want for a phone that supports video output.
• A DisplayLink adapter works over plain USB data and needs a driver or app on the source device. These are built for laptops. On Android they are unreliable and usually not worth the trouble.
• A USB-C to USB-C cable plugged into a TV's USB port does nothing. TV USB ports are for flash drives, not video input.
• An MHL adapter is for older micro-USB phones and does not apply to USB-C phones. More on that below.

If you bought a cable labelled "for laptop and phone" and it is a normal DP Alt Mode cable, it should work on any supported phone. See the cable buying guide for what to look for and what to avoid.

3. Select the correct HDMI input on the TV

It sounds obvious, but this catches a lot of people, especially on TVs with three or four HDMI ports. Press Source or Input on the remote and pick the HDMI number printed next to the port you used. On some TVs the input list only shows ports that have detected a signal, so if HDMI 3 is missing from the list, the TV is not seeing anything from the phone yet.

If you are using a hotel TV, the ports are often on the side or behind a panel, and the remote may have a dedicated Source button. Give the TV five to ten seconds after plugging in before deciding it has failed.

4. Restart and reseat

1. Unplug the cable from both ends.
2. Restart the phone.
3. Turn the TV off and on at the power button, not just standby.
4. Plug the HDMI end into the TV first, then the USB-C end into the phone.
5. Unlock the phone. Some phones will not start video output while the screen is locked.

5. Try a different port, cable, and TV

The goal here is to isolate the failing part.

• Try another HDMI port on the TV. Ports do fail, and some TVs reserve one port for ARC or a specific feature.
• Try a different HDMI cable if you are using an adapter plus a separate cable.
• Try the phone on a different TV or a monitor. If it works there, the first TV is the problem.
• Try a different USB-C to HDMI cable if you can borrow one. Cheap cables are a common failure point.

If a known-good cable fails on a phone that is confirmed to support DP Alt Mode, check the phone's USB-C port for lint. Pocket fluff packed into the bottom of the port is enough to block the high-speed pins while charging still works.

Things that do not matter

• USB debugging and Developer Options. Video output is a hardware feature, and toggling debugging does nothing for it.
• OTG settings. Some phones have an OTG toggle for accessories like flash drives. It does not affect DP Alt Mode.
• Screen mirroring or Smart View settings. Those control wireless casting, not the cable.

MHL is not what you have

Search results still mention MHL, and cable listings sometimes borrow the name. MHL was a standard for micro-USB phones from roughly 2011 to 2016 that needed a powered adapter. It is not part of USB-C, and modern phones do not support it. If your cable's box says "MHL required" or "MHL compatible", it is aimed at old phones and will not help you.

Remove the phone case

Thick cases can stop the USB-C plug from seating fully. Charging only needs the outer pins, so it can work with a partially inserted plug while the video pins deeper in the port never make contact. Take the case off, push the plug all the way in, and try again.

Power delivery and hubs

A plain cable does not charge the phone while it outputs video, which is fine for a short session. If you want charging at the same time, use a USB-C hub with an HDMI port and a Power Delivery input. Two things to know:

• Plug the charger into the hub, not the phone.
• Some hubs share bandwidth between their USB 3 ports and the display, so 4K may drop to 30Hz. That is normal.

If a hub does not work but a plain cable does, the hub is the issue. If neither works, go back to step 1.

When to stop and use Browser Cast

If your phone is on the "no" list, or you have tried two cables and two TVs without a picture, the phone almost certainly lacks DP Alt Mode. No software update or app will add it.

You can still get your photos and videos onto the TV. The app includes Browser Cast, which sends media over your home Wi-Fi to the TV's built-in web browser. It works on any Android phone and any smart TV with a browser, and it does not need a cable at all. Learn more on the app page, and if you are unsure whether it is a phone problem or a cable problem, read phone charging but no video.

Quick checklist

1. Phone supports DP Alt Mode. Check the compatibility database if unsure.
2. Standard USB-C to HDMI cable or adapter, not DisplayLink, not MHL.
3. Correct HDMI input selected on the TV.
4. Restart the phone, power cycle the TV, reseat the cable, unlock the phone.
5. Try another port, cable, and TV.
6. Case off, port clean.
7. Still nothing? Use Browser Cast.