How Many HDMI Ports are on an LG TV?
By Trae Jacobs,
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You know you want an LG Smart TV, but before you decide which model you’ll purchase, you need to know some important specifications. One of the most important things is whether you’ll have enough HDMI ports to connect your favorite devices.
How Many HDMI Ports Do LG TVs Have?
The number of HDMI ports you’ll find on your LG TV depends on which model you own. Most have at least two, but some models have as many as five.
The number of HDMI ports you’ll have available to connect streaming devices, soundbars, and more to your LG TV simply depends on the TV’s design. The table below will highlight how many HDMI ports are on the most popular LG TV models.
| LG TV Model | Number of HDMI Ports |
| LG OLED evo G3 77” | 4 |
| LG QNED UQA 75” | 4 |
| LG UHD UQ7570 50” | 2 |
| LG QNED80 86” | 4 |
| LG UHD UG7590 43” | 2 |
| LG NANO75 65” | 3 |
To learn exactly how many HDMI ports you’ll get on the LG TV you’re considering, look under “Connectivity” in the “Specs” section of the product listing.
Where Are My LG TV’s HDMI Ports?
Another thing to consider before purchasing a new LG TV is where exactly the HDMI ports are located. Like the number of HDMI ports you’ll find on your new LG TV, the answer is, it depends.
Some LG TVs have their HDMI ports located on the back of the frame, while you’ll find them on the left or right side of other models. They’ll be clearly marked as “HDMI” and have a trapezoid-like shape.
Whether you should choose an LG TV with HDMI ports on the side or back depends on how many devices you want to connect.
If you just want to connect your Apple TV, having the cord sticking out of the side probably won’t be that much of an eyesore.
However, if you want to connect a soundbar, streaming stick, and your Xbox to your LG TV all at the same time, I recommend choosing a TV with the ports on the back of the frame.
Different Types of HDMI Ports
When you start looking into HDMI ports, you’ll notice that there are a lot of different types. Some of the names you might notice include:
- HDMI 2.1
- HDMI-ARC
- HDMI-eARC
- Micro HDMI
Although all these different names can get confusing, it’s easy to tell which HDMI-connected devices should be plugged into which port.
What is HDMI 2.1?
HDMI 2.1 is the latest version of HDMI technology. Compared to its predecessor, HDMI 2.0, it supports higher resolutions and refresh rates, as well as Dynamic HDR.
Only select LG TV models include HDMI 2.1 technology. Some of the TVs you’ll find this port on include:
- LG NANO85
- LG NANO90
- LG UN8500
- LG B9 OLED
- LG C9 OLED
Any HDMI-connected device that does not send an audio signal back to the device, like a streaming stick, Blu-Ray player, or gaming console, can be connected to this type of HDMI port.
For best results, connect your device to your TV using an HDMI cable that supports HDMI 2.1.
What Are HDMI-ARC and HDMI-eARC?
ARC stands for “Audio Return Channel,” while eARC stands for “Enhanced Audio Return Channel.”
Most LG TVs purchased after 2009 include at least one HDMI-ARC port, while most purchased after 2018 include at least one HDMI-eARC port.
This type of HDMI port not only allows the connected device to send an audio signal to your LG TV, but also allows the TV to send an audio signal back to the device.
If you’re connecting a speaker or soundbar to your LG TV, it’s essential to use an HDMI-ARC or HDMI-eARC port. Otherwise, you won’t hear any sound from your speaker.
These two types of ports are very similar. The main difference is that an eARC HDMI port allows for a stronger, better audio signal due to its increased bandwidth and speed.
For this reason, you can use a standard HDMI cable to connect to an HDMI-ARC port. However, if you’re connecting to an HDMI-eARC port, it’s best to use an ultra high-speed HDMI cable with ethernet.
What is a Micro HDMI Port?
You usually won’t find a micro HDMI port on an LG TV, but they’re still worth learning about. Micro HDMI ports are just what they sound like — a smaller HDMI port you can use with a micro HDMI cable.
Usually, you’ll find these types of connectors on devices like tablets and cameras. If you need to connect a device with a micro HDMI port to your LG TV, use a micro HDMI to HDMI adapter.
What is HDMI-CEC?
You probably won’t see a dedicated HDMI-CEC port on your LG TV, but you may come across the term while researching information about HDMI ports.
CEC stands for “Consumer Electronics Control” and allows you to control all your devices with a single remote control.
Different TV manufacturers have different names for this function. On LG TVs, however, it’s called “SIMPLINK.”
If you want to use your LG TV remote control to control all the devices connected to your TV, you’ll need to activate and configure SIMPLINK in your settings.
- Push the Home button on your remote.
- Press the Settings icon.
- Select “General,” then “SIMPLINK.”
- Toggle SIMPLINK on.
- Turn Auto Power Sync on. This will allow you to turn your TV on at the same time you turn a device on.
How Many HDMI Ports Do I Need?
At the end of the day, the number of HDMI ports you need simply depends on how many devices you want to connect to your TV.
If you only want to connect your Xbox and use your LG TV’s smart features for watching TV, you can get away with a model with only two HDMI ports.
However, if you want to connect a lot of different devices without plugging and unplugging cords constantly, try to choose one with four, or even five, HDMI ports.
How to Maximize Your Available HDMI Ports
So, what if your LG TV only has three HDMI ports, but you have five devices you want to connect?
You don’t have to pick and choose — there are ways to maximize the ports you have available.
Check if Some Devices Can Connect Another Way
Although it’s usually easiest to connect a device to your LG TV through an HDMI port, it’s not always the only way.
You’re pretty much stuck with an HDMI connection when it comes to things like gaming consoles and streaming devices. But soundbars and speakers are sometimes another story.
Most modern soundbars offer several ways to connect to your LG TV. Depending on which type you own, you might be able to connect it through:
- Bluetooth
- AUX
- Optical
If possible, connect your soundbar or speaker to one of these inputs instead to conserve an HDMI port for something that really needs it.
Use an HDMI Switch
An HDMI switch works similarly to an extension cord or power strip. You can plug multiple HDMI cords into the female connector on the switch, then connect the switch’s male connector to your TV’s HDMI port.
HDMI switches are good in a pinch, but there are some drawbacks to using them. Using any intermediary creates the possibility for things like input lag and lower quality, especially if you’re using it for a gaming console.
Test all your HDMI-connected devices and see which ones respond best to the switch. Leave those plugged into the switch, and connect any underperforming devices directly to your TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
My HDMI Port isn’t Working
If one or more of the HDMI ports on your LG TV isn’t working or you get a “No Signal” message, there are a few ways to troubleshoot it.
- Reconnect the device
- Power cycle your TV
- Power cycle the device
- Replace your HDMI cable
- Use a different HDMI port
- Clean debris out of the port
Can You Repair or Replace an HDMI Port?
It is possible to repair or replace a broken HDMI port.
However, unless you have experience with TV repair, it’s best to have it done by a professional to ensure you don’t cause further damage to your TV.
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