Yes, an Xbox One HDMI-In port can pass video from a second console to the TV through the Xbox One. Connect the second console to HDMI-In, connect Xbox One HDMI-Out to the display, then open the Xbox TV or OneGuide view. This is basic video passthrough: the Xbox One forwards the signal, but it does not control, enhance or integrate the other console.
Using that port as a general-purpose PC monitor input is different. Microsoft support has described the relevant Xbox One S PC-passthrough arrangement as unavailable because of system limitations. For PC recording, streaming or preview, a capture card with HDMI passthrough is the dependable approach.
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What the Xbox One HDMI-In port actually does
The HDMI-In socket accepts an HDMI signal from an external video device. The Xbox One then sends that signal from its HDMI-Out port to the television or monitor. The original design target was a cable or satellite box, and Microsoft’s Xbox One guide describes HDMI-In as best suited to devices that only play video.
The port is therefore a pass-through input, not an extra HDMI output. The incoming console remains a separate device with its own controller, menus, audio and game processing. The Xbox One does not add Xbox features to it, make its games compatible with Xbox services, or let you operate it with an Xbox dashboard controller.
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The signal path
The complete path is:
- Second console, set-top box or other HDMI source HDMI-Out → Xbox One HDMI-In.
- Xbox One HDMI-Out → an HDMI input on the TV or monitor.
- Xbox One powered on and displaying the TV or OneGuide view → incoming source shown on the screen.
Because the Xbox One sits between the source and display, every device in the chain must agree on resolution, refresh mode, color format and copy-protection requirements. A cable that works when the console is connected directly to the TV can still fail when the Xbox One is inserted into the chain.
How to connect a second console
- Turn off the devices. This is not always required, but it makes HDMI handshakes more reliable while you change the wiring.
- Connect the source. Plug the second console’s HDMI output into the Xbox One HDMI-In socket. Do not use the Xbox One’s HDMI-Out for this connection.
- Connect the display. Run a second HDMI cable from Xbox One HDMI-Out to the TV or monitor.
- Power the display and both consoles. Let the TV select the HDMI input connected to the Xbox One.
- Open the TV/OneGuide view. From the Xbox One dashboard, select the TV or OneGuide experience. The external console’s picture should appear there.
- Start the second console. Leave its video output on a mode the TV and Xbox One can accept. If the screen stays blank, use the source console’s recovery or low-resolution mode and try again.
The Xbox One does not need to be running a game for passthrough. It does need to remain powered on and connected, and the external source must continue sending a compatible HDMI signal.
Will a PS4, Switch or another Xbox work?
Users commonly report displaying another console through HDMI-In, including a PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch or another Xbox. Those reports demonstrate that the wiring can work, but they are not a universal compatibility guarantee from Microsoft. Results depend on the exact Xbox One model, source-console video settings, TV or monitor and any intermediate equipment.
| Source | What to expect | Important caveat |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 4 | Often displays as ordinary HDMI video. | HDCP and the selected resolution can prevent a picture; compatibility is not guaranteed for every display chain. |
| Nintendo Switch | Can be passed through when the dock supplies a compatible HDMI signal. | The console must be docked, and the dock, Xbox One and display must complete a compatible HDMI handshake. |
| Another Xbox console | May appear through the same TV/OneGuide path. | It remains an independent console; the Xbox One does not provide controls, game integration or an additional Xbox output. |
| Set-top box or other video player | Closest to the port’s original intended use. | Protected or unusual video formats can still be rejected. |
Do not promise a particular frame rate, HDR mode, 4K output or input latency without testing the exact combination. A successful 1080p connection says nothing conclusive about a 4K HDR connection using different cables or a different display.
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Can you run a PC through Xbox One HDMI-In?
For a PC, HDMI-In is not a dependable substitute for a monitor input. A Microsoft Q&A response addressing PC passthrough on Xbox One S states that the requested arrangement was unavailable because of system limitations and recommends using a TV for that setup. That means you should not plan on connecting a laptop or desktop to HDMI-In and treating the Xbox One as a normal PC monitor.
Even when a PC produces a picture, the arrangement has practical drawbacks:
- The Xbox One TV/OneGuide interface is required to view the signal.
- PCs can switch resolutions, refresh rates and color formats more frequently than set-top boxes, causing intermittent handshakes.
- HDCP-protected desktop or playback content may be blocked.
- Any delay introduced by the passthrough path can make mouse movement or competitive games feel unsuitable.
- The Xbox One does not expose the PC signal as a normal Windows display, so it cannot replace a direct HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C monitor connection.
If the goal is simply to use a larger screen for a PC, connect the PC directly to the TV or monitor. If the goal is to record, stream or view the PC signal inside software, use a capture device designed for that purpose.
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A capture card separates the jobs of displaying and capturing. Its HDMI output passes a signal to the TV with minimal extra setup, while its USB or other data connection sends a captured feed to the PC. Elgato’s official setup, for example, says: “Connect your Xbox One to the HDMI In of Elgato Game Capture HD60 via an HDMI cable.” The HD60 then provides HDMI passthrough to a TV while sending capture to the computer.
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Typical capture-card wiring
- Connect the console’s HDMI-Out to the capture card’s HDMI-In.
- Connect the capture card’s HDMI-Out or passthrough port to the TV or monitor.
- Connect the capture card to the PC using its specified USB or other data cable.
- Install the manufacturer’s capture application or configure the device in your streaming software.
- Select the captured video source in the software and verify that the TV receives the passthrough signal.
This arrangement is appropriate when you need recording, livestreaming, commentary, PC preview or gameplay footage. It is not necessary merely to show a second console on a TV; direct console-to-TV wiring or an HDMI switch is simpler for that job.
Passthrough, capture card or HDMI switch?
| Option | Intended purpose | Number of sources | PC receives a captured signal? | Format and HDCP considerations | Cable complexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox One HDMI-In | View one external video source through an Xbox One. | One source at a time. | No. | Depends on Xbox One, source and display support; protected content can fail. | Two HDMI links plus the Xbox One. |
| Capture card with passthrough | Record, stream or preview video while also displaying it. | Usually one source per capture input. | Yes. | Capture device, source and display must support the required resolution and HDCP behavior. | Source-to-card, card-to-display and card-to-PC connections. |
| HDMI switch | Select between multiple consoles on one display input. | Several sources, depending on the switch. | No. | The switch must support the desired resolution, HDR and HDCP version. | One cable per source, plus switch-to-display. |
Choose the Xbox One path when you already have the console in the chain and only need occasional viewing. Choose a capture card when a PC must receive video. Choose an HDMI switch when the real problem is too few TV inputs and you do not need Xbox One processing or PC capture.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.HDCP, resolution and HDR limitations
HDCP can block the signal
HDCP is copy protection carried through HDMI. A protected source may refuse to pass through an intermediary, show a black screen or produce an error. This is especially relevant to commercial video playback and capture. A console’s game output may work while a protected movie or streaming application does not.
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Xbox Wire notes that every device in a 4K passthrough chain must support the required 4K and HDCP capabilities, and that suitable certified HDMI cables should be used. The same principle applies to HDR, high refresh rates and newer color formats: the source, Xbox One model, cables, intermediary device and display must all support the mode. If any link supports less, the chain may fall back to a lower mode or fail entirely.
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- Analog Audio In: Capture in-game chat or commentary with 3.5mm input
- Start with a standard resolution such as 1080p when troubleshooting.
- Disable HDR temporarily if the display goes black after the console starts.
- Use short, known-good HDMI cables and remove splitters or receivers during testing.
- Restore advanced video features one at a time after basic passthrough works.
Troubleshooting a blank or unstable picture
No picture at all
- Confirm the source is connected to HDMI-In, not HDMI-Out.
- Confirm the TV is on the HDMI input connected to the Xbox One.
- Open the Xbox TV/OneGuide view rather than staying on the dashboard.
- Power-cycle the source, Xbox One and display, then reconnect the cables firmly.
- Connect the source directly to the TV. If it also fails there, the source or cable is the likely cause.
Picture appears, then disappears
- Lower the source resolution or refresh rate.
- Turn off HDR or other advanced video options temporarily.
- Replace the HDMI cable between the source and Xbox One, then test the Xbox One-to-TV cable separately.
- Remove an AV receiver, splitter or switch to isolate the failing handshake.
- Check whether the content is HDCP-protected; protected playback may not pass through.
Audio is missing
Set the source to a basic HDMI audio format such as stereo PCM while testing. Verify that the TV is receiving audio from the Xbox One input and that the source console is not routing sound to a headset or optical output. Once audio works, re-enable surround formats only if every device in the chain supports them.
Delay makes games uncomfortable
Passthrough can add processing delay, especially when the TV is not in its low-latency or game picture mode. Test the second console directly on the display. If direct wiring feels more responsive, use the Xbox One path only for convenience or switch to a direct HDMI input.
Using one TV input for two consoles
HDMI-In can let two consoles share a screen, but it does not turn the Xbox One into a true HDMI switch. You must power the Xbox One and enter its TV/OneGuide view whenever you want to see the external source. An HDMI switch is generally cleaner when the display lacks enough inputs: connect both consoles to the switch and the switch to the TV, then select the active source. The switch still needs to support the resolution, HDR and HDCP requirements of the consoles and display.
HDMI-In is not Xbox game streaming
Xbox game streaming is a separate network feature. Microsoft’s support instructions require enabling Allow game streaming to other devices and using the Xbox app. Streaming sends gameplay over a network; HDMI-In carries a physical HDMI signal. One does not replace the other, and enabling game streaming will not make a PC connected to HDMI-In appear as a Windows display.
Quick Recap
Practical decision guide
- Want to watch a second console on the same TV? Try Xbox One HDMI-In with the wiring above, provided you can tolerate powering the Xbox One and using TV/OneGuide.
- Want the simplest way to change between consoles? Use separate TV inputs or an HDMI switch.
- Want to record or livestream console video on a PC? Use a capture card with HDMI passthrough.
- Want to use a PC as the source for an Xbox One display? Do not rely on HDMI-In as a monitor workflow; connect the PC directly to a display instead.
- Seeing black screens or missing HDR? Check HDCP, resolution, cables and support at every point in the chain.
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