How to Easily Get Your Xbox Series X/S to Switch on and off Your LG OLED Using Symplink (HDMI-CEC)

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Do you want to have fewer clicks and button presses to get into a game after booting up your Xbox Series X or S? Well this is the purpose of HDMI-CEC or Consumer Electronics Control. In this video I’ll explain what HDMI-CEC does, the requirements you need before setting it up and take you through the settings including the most recent update to HDMI-CEC on Xbox from earlier this year.
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About:
Do you want to have fewer clicks and button presses to get into a game after booting up your Xbox Series X or S? Well this is the purpose of HDMI-CEC or Consumer Electronics Control. In this video I’ll explain what HDMI-CEC does, the requirements you need before setting it up and take you through the settings including the most recent update to HDMI-CEC on Xbox from earlier this year.
First off, what does HDMI-CEC Do?
HDMI-CEC allows your console to control other devices like your TV so that for example when the xbox turns on, the TV switches on and switches to the input for the console. The small but handy feature saves you having to bring up the TV input menu to find the one that matches your console.
So what is required to get this up and running?
Firstly you’ll need an Xbox Series X or S with the latest updates installed
Secondly you’ll need to have a TV that supports HDMI-CEC so check your TV or AV Receiver’s manual to confirm.
Next I’ll take you through the settings on my tv and on the XBOX so you can follow along and set this up yourself.
Your first step will be to enable CEC on the TV itself. In my case I’m using an LG CX OLED and for whatever reason LG chose to invent their own creative name for CEC and refer to it as Symplink.
Navigate the menu as follows and enable Simplink and head over to the xbox settings to enable it there.
Once you’ve enabled HDMI CEC on your display or AV Receiver head over to the Xbox settings to enable it there.
Check?? You’ll find this under Settings - General -TV & Display Options - Device Control.
The following individual CEC settings can be turned on or off by checking or unchecking the box next to each setting:
Console turns on other devices: Turning on your Xbox console will also turn on your TV or AVR.
Console turns off other devices: Turning off your Xbox console will also turn off your TV or AVR.
Other devices can turn console off: Turning off your TV or AVR will also turn off your Xbox console.
Console sends volume commands: The console can control the volume on your TV, AVR, or soundbar.
Last but not least is the
Switch TV input using controller option (this option was only added earlier this year and is super handy) :Pressing the Xbox button on your controller switches your TV input to your Xbox console (this allows you to quickly switch your TV back to console video without using your TV remote).
Once you have picked the options you want you’ll need to restart the Xbox for the changes to take effect.
Now that you’ve set up CEC you’ll save yourself a bit of time and frustration. If you’re interested in knowing more about the rest of my living room gaming setup check out the video here by clicking or tapping the screen and I’ll see you in the next one.
Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) is a feature of HDMI designed to control HDMI connected devices[1][2] by using only one remote controller; so, individual CEC enabled devices can command and control each other without user intervention, for up to 15 devices.[3]: §CEC-3.1  For example, a television set remote controller can also control a set-top box and a DVD player.
It is a one-wire bidirectional serial bus that is based on the CENELEC standard AV.link protocol to perform remote control functions.[4] CEC wiring is mandatory, although implementation of CEC in a product is optional.[3]: §8.1  It was defined in HDMI Specification 1.0 and updated in HDMI 1.2, HDMI 1.2a and HDMI 1.3a (which added timer and audio commands to the bus).[3]: §§CEC-1.2,CEC-1.3,CEC-3.1,CEC-5  USB to CEC adapters exist that allow a computer to control CEC-enabled devices.[5][6]
The Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S (collectively, the Xbox Series X/S[b]) are home video game consoles developed by Microsoft.

[@TheKlinea]

This tutorial was so helpful and informative! I’ve been wondering why my Switch will turn on my TV, but not my Xbox. Thank you!!

[@LovingTechLife]

Hey Alex! You’re welcome, glad it was helpful. 👍🏻👊🏻

[@jasone7423]

My Xbox one turned my monitor off and on when turning on the console but with my series x it doesn’t

[@LovingTechLife]

Hey Jason! That’s strange, even with all the settings in the video?

[@jasone7423]

@@LovingTechLife yup, even with the settings.

[@LovingTechLife]

Is there a CEC option in your monitor?

[@thecapone45]

Are you still having the issue?

[@JVC.1255]

I have the same problem

[@Unbound_Selrahc]

Fantastic tutorial, I was wondering why my switch, and ps4 pro could turn on my tv but my new Xbox series x wouldn’t.

[@LovingTechLife]

Hey @Unbound_Selrahc! Thank you, glad you figured it out.👍🏻👊🏻

[@KingToGamer15]

Thank you so much this was very helpful ❤

[@LovingTechLife]

Hey @@KingToGamer15 ! You’re welcome, glad it helped you out 👍🏻

[@kyledipasquale2908]

Very helpful and informative 👍 Thank you !

[@LovingTechLife]

Hey Kyle! You’re welcome, glad it was helpful. What games you playing at the moment?

[@jimstuntman897]

Great tips!

[@LovingTechLife]

Thanks for watching Mr Stuntman!!

[@shamekarenee]

Awesome tutorial

[@LovingTechLife]

Appreciate the feedback Shameka! Thanks for watching.

[@bmacma1]

Good to know, thanks

[@LovingTechLife]

Thanks for watching Brian!

[@sbell2571]

What device is he using for his TV that seems to simulate mouse on a PC?

[@LovingTechLife]

Hey S B, it’s the LG CX TV remote control. You just point it at the screen and works like a laser pointer.

[@stephenkevindalton]

Thanks! 👍🏼

[@LovingTechLife]

Thanks for watching Steve!

[@nialldemarshwell5566]

Hi what size is your tv? Also where did you get the tv bench it’s sat on?

[@LovingTechLife]

Hey Niall! 65” and it’s an IKEA “LACK” shelf. Here’s a short vid: Perfect Hack - Raise your LG OLED height above a Sonos Arc Soundbar kzbin.infoXBUfYaBHE_Y?feature=share

[@nialldemarshwell5566]

@@LovingTechLife Hey 👋 I actually meant the entire unit that it’s all sat on. Will need to get a lack shelf myself also.

[@LovingTechLife]

@nialldemarshwell5566 Ahhhh! 😅 I don’t recall what it’s called but it’s in this video and there’s a link in the description. It’s an IKEA tv stand. I got a second one recently for another room. They allow you to customise them a lot right there on the site too. My Minimalist Gaming Setup 2022 - LG CX OLED, Xbox Series X, Sonos Arc and more! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYjPoXqQqM-Vl5I

[@enriqueFelix2000]

Turning hdmi cec on…. Gaming feels weird compared to when it’s off on my lg CX and Xbox… same with ps5 and Nintendo switch… must be some kind of input lag

[@Frogdoddofficial]

Its driving me crazy. It works for my dvd player but not my series s all through the same tv.

[@LovingTechLife]

That’s pretty weird Justin and you went through all the settings in the video? Not sure if this is a thing but do you need to set CEC per source/input?

[@Frogdoddofficial]

@@LovingTechLife yeah i tried all the steps. I appreciate the video. I think its something weird on my end.

[@LovingTechLife]

Good luck with it!

[@corymcginley]

Xbox one s. When I click device control I don't get the same next screen as you do. It doesn't show me an enable cec option

[@LovingTechLife]

Hey Corey! What kind of TV you have?

[@JaytheP]

When you turn off your XBOX, does the TV turn off or does it go to that screensaver with paintings and whatnot playing?

[@LovingTechLife]

Yes your TV turns off! You just need to choose that setting in the Xbox menu. Switches on the tv off the tv, switches over to the Xbox input if you turn it on while watching TV. Really handy!

[@JaytheP]

@@LovingTechLife is it possible to get this function also on the PS5? Have the PS5 turn on the tv when it turns on, turn off the TV when it turns off

[@LovingTechLife]

For the PS5, HDMI-CEC comes into effect in three main ways: When you turn on your PS5, your TV will automatically turn on and switch to its HDMI input so you don't have to do so manually. If you switch to your PS5's input on your TV and your PlayStation is in Rest Mode, it will wake up. If you turn off your TV while your PS5 is on, it will go into Rest Mode. Turn on your PS5, then select the Settings cog from the top-right corner. From there, go to Settings > System > HDMI. There are two sub-options to consider, however. Enable One-Touch Play controls whether your TV turns on when you boot up your PS5. Enable Power Off Link is the option that makes your PS5 go into Rest Mode when you turn off your TV. You can disable one but not the other if you like.

[@JaytheP]

@@LovingTechLife right, you’ve perfectly described how the PS5s CEC functionality works. However, it is poor that unlike the XBOX Series X, the PS5 cannot send a CEC off signal to the TV, meaning that having the LG remote within reach is a must. Disappointed in Sony for not including sending CEC off functionality

[@LovingTechLife]

Yeah, at least for now! Both Sony and Microsoft have added various functionality since launch. But as you say yes it is a bummer that you can’t do it now.

[@Nightmerez]

I want my tv remote to turn on my Xbox anyway around this?

[@LovingTechLife]

Hey @kamnewt! I hear what your saying however I can’t see how I can do this unfortunately!

[@Dirrtysouth1]

Can you the Xbox remote to switch it back to the TV?

[@RetroHappyFace]

thank you sir

[@LovingTechLife]

Hey Retro HF! You’re welcome, glad it was helpful.

[@TheyCallMeNoName34]

Is this a good or bad thing for the longevity of your Xbox Series X and TV/Monitor?

[@LovingTechLife]

Not sure it would have any affect on this. CEC just means there is a way for the devices to talk to each other.

[@TheyCallMeNoName34]

@@LovingTechLife Thanks buddy

[@christianyi3067]

@@TheyCallMeNoName34 Does your xbox turn up and down the volume?

[@fazegenji0078]

Hon do you do it on lg web os tv?

[@LovingTechLife]

Hello thanks for watching! Can you clarify what you mean? There is a part of the video showing what you need to adjust in the webOS LG tv menu.

[@tbzombie1725]

PLEASE HELP I TURNED ON THE LAST TWO AND WHEN MY XBOX RESTARTED IT WOULD NOT TURN ON AND NOW IT WONT CONNECT TO ANY TV OR XBOX CONTROLLER PLEASE HELP I CANT GET MY XBOX TO TURN BACK ON

[@LovingTechLife]

Hey! Have you tried just holding down the power for an extended period to get the Xbox to reset?

[@tbzombie1725]

@@LovingTechLife yea ive tried putting it in low res, reset, unplugged, tried a different tv and hdmi cord, i can’t access my xbox at all and my controllers wont even connect anymore, the console turns on but i get no hdmi input and the console shuts off by itself i have a samsung qled with the cec on my tv enabled, i was playing sniper elite then was in my xbox settings saw cec and turned it on and tried restarting my console to activate it and now i have all these problems ive tried everything i can think of and all systems are okay on my xbox mobile app

[@LovingTechLife]

Seems simple but have you tried turning off the CEC on the TV?

[@tbzombie1725]

@@LovingTechLife yes i turned it off and went through my connection settings to see if anything else would fix it but nothing i cant find anyone else having this same problem either, i dont understand why my xbox controllers wont even connect to the console anymore the console wont even let me put it in sync mode, i have a series x i dont think I mentioned that I heard cec is buggy for it

[@LovingTechLife]

My CEC has always been fine but a friend recently had a HDMI issue that is either due to the port being faulty or the chip that drives the HDMI might have failed. Maybe it’s been poor timing and this chip has failed for you? Is it still under warranty? Might be worth dealing with Microsoft to fix.

[@christianyi3067]

My Xbox can turn on and off my tv but I can’t figure out how to make it control my volume

[@LovingTechLife]

Hi Christian! Have you tried the following troubleshooting tips? - Double-check that your device supports CEC, and that the feature is turned on in your device settings. Also verify that CEC is enabled on the console's TV & A/V power options settings screen. - Make sure your device's firmware is up to date. Check your device documentation to see how to update the firmware on your TV or AVR. - Make sure your HDMI cable is plugged into the correct port on your device. Some devices may support CEC only through certain ports. Check your device documentation. - If there is another device between your console and your TV, try plugging your console directly into your TV instead. Some devices will “pass-through” CEC commands from your console to your TV, but other devices may interfere with CEC data. - Make sure you are using cables certified for HDMI High Speed or HDMI Premium. - Try power cycling your device by unplugging it from its power source, waiting for a couple minutes, and then plugging it back in.

[@christianyi3067]

How do I check that the CEC supports it?

[@LovingTechLife]

Hey Christian, its sounds like you’ve got the Xbox switching the TV on and off at least so your tv supports CEC so I’d check out the other tips. By the way where on the Xbox are you adjusting the volume and are you doing it with a standard controller?

[@christianyi3067]

@@LovingTechLife Hold on let me try it one more time then I’ll let you know

[@christianyi3067]

Ok the simlink on the tv is on but the xbox is still not controlling the volume

[@CMS_GAMING25]

Not working, used all the settings but still just doesn't

[@LovingTechLife]

Hey Gaming25! What TV do you have and does it support HDMI CEC? If so have you tried updating the firmware on the TV and the Xbox? Couldn’t hurt to check if CEC is supported on specific HDMI ports. Also try some different HDMI cables in case you are using some old ones. That’s a start for some things for you to try at least. Let me know how you go.

[@CMS_GAMING25]

A JVC but not too sure how old it is, it supports HDMI CEC but I can't find a way to update it. I also don't have access to anymore cables as I re-used the same ones from my xbox one.

[@CMS_GAMING25]

Also I don't physically have room or money to upgrade tv because it is on a shelf between a wardrobe and a wall.

[@inchrys]

doesnt work for me

[@inchrys]

the setting doesnt show up it just says my tv stuff

[@LovingTechLife]

Sorry to hear, thanks for watching!

[@ohhnostra9632]

The volume control doesn’t work on Lg

[@LovingTechLife]

Hello! Thanks for watching. Are you referring to controlling the volume on the Xbox with the LG remote?

[@ohhnostra9632]

@@LovingTechLife no, I mean in the audio & music tab at the bottom right of the side bar Home Screen there’s TV volume buttons that aren’t working although I have all the settings

[@LovingTechLife]

Is there a point in the video where I refer to this that you can point me to?

[@ohhnostra9632]

@@LovingTechLife 2:13

[@LovingTechLife]

Ah yes now I know what you are referring to! Seems to be an ongoing issue with some specific TVs such as the LG unfortunately. Maybe it’ll be fixed one day 🤷‍♂️

[@tzee6217]

Simp Link 😬

[@LovingTechLife]

🤣

[@DEMON666KILLAH]

my Xbox was able to control my on/off on my tv also. With regular Xbox One I didn’t have to enable CEC on my TV previously, only had to input the television maker so I have been super confused. Thanks for the info!

[@LovingTechLife]

Hey @DEMON666KILLAH ! You’re welcome, glad it was helpful. 👍🏻

[@sydneyatutahi3927]

Very helpful thank you mate 🎉🤙🏾

[@LovingTechLife]

Hey Sydney! You’re welcome, glad it was helpful!