Replacing a Broken HDMI Cable Connector

An HDMI cable, abbreviated from "high definition multimedia interface" cable, is used to translate high-bandwidth digital signals and carry them to your television screen in a manner that the set will display for you as a clear, stunning picture.

The most common type of HDMI cable is the “Type A” cable, which has 19 individual pins that plug into your TV in order to transmit 19 distinct channels of information. One of the most common causes of these HDMI cables failing to work or provide a quality display is an interruption in the cable’s connector component.

While whole replacement cables aren't as expensive as they once were, unique items like exceptionally long cables or high-performance cords do merit repair over replacement in terms of being cost-effective. It is possible to replace the connector component without sacrificing the entire cable, and here’s how.

Step 1 – Make Sure the Connector is the Issue

Before you can conclude that your lack of a picture or fuzzy display is really due to the cable’s connector, inspect some of the other components of your cable and devices.

Check for things like bent pins or poor connections, meaning that the pins are fine but not fully or securely inserted into their inputs. Tiny things like the cable just being bent or coiled too tightly can also cause intermittent picture display and quality issues.

Step 2 - Cut the Connector

Once you've ruled out other possible causes, unplug the cable from the receiver or whatever device you are using to receive your signal (game system, cable box, etc).

Take a pair of wire cutters and cut the connector off at the tip of the cable. Make sure you leave yourself some room to work with so that you can splice a new connector on easily.

To be clear, this refers to the end of the cable that connects to the receiver, not the end of the cable that attaches to the television or display device.

Step 3 – Acquire Replacement Connector

You will need to obtain a replacement cable connector for your current HDMI cable. You can go to an electronics store or use an older cable that is not being used.

• Warning: If you use an older, still functional cable and amputate its connector, then that HDMI will be unusable. If it turns out that the connector was never the issue or if you splice the new one on incorrectly, you will have destroyed the usability of two different HDMI cables.

The old high definition multimedia interface cable that you use should have a good connector that can be salvaged. You can use an electrical current tester to determine if the connector is still viable for use with the broken HDMI. If it is not any good, go to an electronics parts store to purchase a new connector.

Step 4 - Splice the New Connector onto the HDMI Cable

Take the replacement connector and connect it, splicing the wires together. Work carefully and thoughtfully. You need to match all of the corresponding wires precisely, as any interruption will cause the signal to appear damaged when you plug the HDMI cable back into the receiver and try your TV. Use the electrician's tape to tightly cover the exposed wiring before moving to the final step in this repair process.

Step 5 - Connect the Cable to the HDMI Receiver

Once you have completed the repair of the broken high definition multimedia interface cable, connect the cable to your receiver. Turn the television set on and check the picture quality to make sure that the picture quality problems you were having earlier have in fact been fixed.