When you connect your 360 console to your TV or monitor by using the Xbox 360 Composite AV cable, you receive no video

When you connect your Xbox 360 console to a television by using the Xbox 360 Composite AV Cable, the Xbox 360 screen may not appear on your TV as expected.

This can happen when any of the following conditions are true:

• The composite cable is not firmly connected.
• The audio and video connectors are connected to different sets of inputs.
• The television is not tuned to the correct input selection.
• The cable that you are using is not the right cable.
• The TV or VCR is faulty.
• The composite cable is faulty.
• The Xbox 360 console is faulty.

The video from the Xbox 360 console may not work correctly for different reasons, so we're going to work through several different methods to troubleshoot the problem. Don't worry, the methods are pretty easy. If a method does not resolve the problem or does not fit your situation, just go to the next method.

Method 1: Check the audio and video connections

To test the audio and video connections, follow these steps:

1. Turn on the TV.
2. Make sure that the audio and video connectors are firmly connected.
3. Make sure that the audio and video connectors are connected to the same input group on the back of the TV.
4. Select the video input on the TV, or on the VCR if you connect your console to a VCR, that displays the Xbox 360 game. Video input names vary depending on the TV or VCR. These are some of the common names:
   • Input Select
   • AUX
   • Line In
   • Line
   • In
   • Input
   • Source
   • EXT
   For more information, see the manual for your TV or VCR.
5. Test to see whether the issue is resolved.

Method 2: Make sure that the cable is compatible

Next, check that the composite cable is a Microsoft-licensed or Microsoft-compatible cable. If the cable is not compatible, contact the manufacturer of the AV cable for more information, or obtain a Microsoft-licensed or Microsoft-compatible composite cable.

Method 3: Check that the Xbox console is connected correctly

If you connect your Xbox console directly to a TV, make sure that the console is connected correctly.

1. Turn off the TV and the Xbox 360 console.
2. Connect the yellow connector on the composite cable to the yellow input connections of your television. Make sure that the connections are firmly connected.

If you connect the Xbox console to a TV through a VCR, make sure that the console is connected correctly.

1. Turn off the TV, the VCR, and the Xbox 360 console.
2. Connect the yellow connector to the yellow input connections of your VCR. Make sure that the connections are firmly connected.
3. Verify that you are using the same type of connector for the VCR connection and for the TV connection. If not, you may have video problems.

Method 4: Check the status of the Ring of Light

The Ring of Light is the circle of four lights on the front of the Xbox 360 console. The status of the Ring of Light may indicate a specific problem.

• If the Ring of Light is green, go to the next method.
• If the Ring of Light is blinking red in all four quadrants, the AV connection may be faulty. For example, the composite cable may be defective.

Method 5: Check the input selection on the TV and the VCR

We need to check that the TV and the VCR are tuned to the correct input channels. This can be confusing because there are several common names that are used for input selection, including these:

• Input Select
• AUX
• Line In
• Line
• In
• Input
• Source
• EXT

You usually set the Input Select menu by using one of the following controls:

• A button that is on a hidden panel on the front of the TV or VCR.
• A button on the original remote control.
• The on-screen menu option.

Method 6: Try a different setup

If possible, try a different setup configuration. For example, try connecting the Xbox 360 console to a different TV. Or, if you connect your console through a VCR, try connecting the console directly to the TV instead.

Method 7: Test with a different disc

Try to find out if the problem happens only with one or two discs or with all discs. If the problem occurs with only one or two discs, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for known issues for that particular game disc. If no known issues exist, return the problem disc to the retailer.

Method 8: Replace the cable

The composite cable may be faulty. Replace the composite cable if it is faulty.

Additional support

If the steps in the previous section did not resolve your issue, your console may have to be repaired. For more information about how to start the online repair process, please visit one of the following Web Page links: For more information about how to contact Xbox Customer Support directly, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:Note: Do not take your Xbox 360 console or its accessories to your retailer for repair or service unless you are instructed to by an Xbox Customer Support representative.

For more information about Xbox 360 audio settings, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: