Hide PlayStation TV Cables (Mounting Bracket)
To hide PlayStation and TV cables, mount the console on a bracket rated for its weight, keep its vents clear, and route signal cables through a separate low-voltage pathway. For power, use a listed in-wall power-relocation kit or a nearby outlet. Never run the console’s factory power cord, an extension cord, or a power strip inside a wall.
A wall-mounted TV can look tidy until the PlayStation, HDMI lead, and power cords come into view. I’ve seen homeowners plan a neat console bracket, then pause at the same question: which cables can safely disappear behind the wall? The answer depends on separating power from signal wiring and leaving the console room to breathe.
Choose the right cable-hiding method
A cable pathway is a route that holds and protects wires between the TV and console. For a clean installation, plan one route for low-voltage signal cables and a separate, approved solution for power. The right choice depends on your wall, outlet location, and whether you can make permanent changes.
| Method | Best for | Key limits |
|---|---|---|
| Listed in-wall power-relocation kit plus separate low-voltage pathway | Finished look with power and signal cables concealed | Follow the kit’s listing and instructions; keep components accessible |
| Surface raceway | Renters, finished walls, or routes that avoid cutting drywall | Raceway remains visible, though it can be painted if its manufacturer allows |
| Nearby outlet and short, visible factory power cord | Simple setup with minimal wall work | Do not route the cord through the wall |
| In-wall low-voltage pathway alone | HDMI and other signal cables | It does not make a power cord safe for in-wall use |
An in-wall power-relocation kit is a listed assembly designed to carry power through the wall in the way its instructions specify. A low-voltage pathway is a separate route for signal cables, such as HDMI. Do not assume a plastic cable pass-through, empty conduit, or ordinary wall plate can carry a TV or console power cord.
A TV’s factory cord is a flexible cord, not building wiring. NEC 400.12 generally prohibits using flexible cords as a substitute for fixed wiring or running them through walls, ceilings, floors, or similar openings. If you cannot install a listed power kit, use a nearby outlet and keep the factory cord outside the wall, secured in a suitable surface raceway if needed.
Check the wall, bracket, and console before cutting
A site survey is a check of the wall, wiring, equipment, and route before installation. It helps prevent cuts in the wrong place and catches clearance or reach problems early. Measure first, and confirm the instructions for your exact TV, PlayStation model, mount, and cable kit.
Check these items before laying out openings:
- Wall structure: Find the studs and check for signs of existing wiring or plumbing. A stud finder can help, but it does not confirm that a planned cut is clear. If you cannot verify the route, stop and get qualified help.
- Equipment and bracket weights: Check the TV and console weights, then compare each with the published rating for its own mount or bracket. Include any accessories supported by that bracket. There is no universal safe load rating.
- Fastening points: Follow the bracket instructions for the wall type and fasteners. Do not mount a TV or console bracket to drywall alone unless the product’s instructions specifically allow that installation.
- Cable reach: Measure the route and allow enough length to connect devices without pulling on plugs. A tight cable can strain connectors or prevent you from moving the TV for service.
- Console ventilation: Sony specifies at least 10 cm (4 in.) of free space at the sides of the PS5. Check the requirements for your exact model and do not block vents.
- Outlet and kit placement: Make sure kit parts, outlets, and connections will remain accessible after the TV and console are mounted.
NEC 314.29 requires covered electrical boxes to remain accessible without removing building finish or structural parts. Do not bury an outlet, splice, or power-kit component behind drywall. A removable TV or bracket does not make an otherwise inaccessible box acceptable.
Plan separate, serviceable routes
A serviceable route lets you reach and replace a cable without damaging the wall. Mark the TV and console positions, cable openings, and the intended path between them. Before cutting, check the path for framing conflicts and keep every connection point accessible.
- Mark the layout. Locate the TV’s connection area and the console’s ports. Set openings where cables can reach without tension and where the power kit’s parts fit as intended. Avoid placing a console in a tight pocket behind the TV.
- Check framing and obstructions. Confirm where the studs are and inspect the proposed route for likely wiring or plumbing. Do not cut until you are confident the opening is clear. If the route crosses framing, plan the correct protection before making the hole.
- Protect cable penetrations. NEC 300.4(A)(1) calls for protection when a cable passes through framing less than 1¼ inches from the nearest framing-member edge. Use an approved steel plate or equivalent protection where required.
- Keep power and signal wiring separate. Use the listed power kit for power and a distinct low-voltage pathway for HDMI and other signal cables. Follow the kit instructions and applicable local code for separation and routing. Do not treat a low-voltage opening as a power route.
- Keep connections reachable. Leave outlets, kit components, and any splices accessible. Avoid burying connectors behind fixed finishes or trapping them where a bracket must be removed to reach them.
The locally adopted NEC edition and local rules govern the installation. Product listings and manufacturer instructions also matter. If you are unsure whether a proposed route or kit meets those requirements, ask your local building department or a qualified electrician before cutting or wiring.
Mount the console and hide cables safely
The mount supports the TV or console; the cable route does not. Install each bracket according to its instructions, use the specified fasteners and attachment points, then fit the cable pathway without pinching wires. Once connected, confirm that the console remains ventilated and that cables can be serviced.
Installation sequence
- Secure the TV mount. Fasten it to the framing or use anchors specifically approved for the wall and mount. Follow the mount’s instructions and published load rating.
- Attach the PlayStation bracket. Confirm that it is made for your console model and that its rating covers the console and any supported accessories. Keep the console’s vents unobstructed.
- Install the power-relocation kit. Use the complete listed assembly as directed. Do not substitute an extension cord, ordinary power strip, or the TV’s or console’s factory cord for the kit’s in-wall components.
- Install the low-voltage pathway. Route HDMI and other signal cables through the separate pathway. Check that connectors fit through the route before closing it up.
- Dress and test the cables. Fit plates or raceway covers without squeezing the cables. Connect the devices and check for normal operation, secure bracket fasteners, and open ventilation space.
An open cable pass-through is not a ventilation solution. A recessed opening or a bracket that holds the console close behind the TV can form a warm pocket. Keep the manufacturer’s clearances, and do not enclose the console or block its vents even if the room itself feels cool.
Installation examples: match the solution to the wall
These examples show how the same safety rules apply to common layouts. They are planning scenarios, not a substitute for checking the actual wall, bracket instructions, and local requirements.
| Setup | Practical approach | Check before finishing |
|---|---|---|
| TV and PlayStation on a stud wall | Use a listed power-relocation kit and separate low-voltage pathway; mount the console on a compatible bracket | Stud location, cable reach, accessible kit parts, and PS5 side clearance |
| Rental or wall that should not be cut | Use a surface raceway for cords outside the wall, or keep the console near an existing outlet | Confirm the raceway suits the cords and does not restrict console ventilation |
| Console mounted behind the TV | Use a bracket rated for the console and place it where ports and vents remain clear | Check connector access and avoid creating a tight, enclosed pocket |
| Route blocked by framing | Reroute with an approved surface pathway or have the route assessed before cutting framing | Cable protection requirements and any local rules for the altered route |
A common planning mistake is choosing the console bracket first and discovering that the HDMI plug cannot reach the TV. Another is putting the console directly behind a recessed wall opening, where the cables fit but the ventilation clearance does not. I recommend testing cable reach and checking the console’s clearance before drilling or fixing the bracket.
Final checks before calling it finished
A final check confirms that the installation is secure, accessible, and working as intended. Look at the mount, cable path, and console together; a tidy wall is not a successful result if a cord is trapped or a vent is blocked.
- Confirm the TV and console brackets are installed with the specified fasteners and within their published ratings.
- Check that no factory power cord, extension cord, or ordinary power strip runs inside the wall.
- Verify that electrical boxes and power-kit parts remain accessible.
- Check for cable pinching, tight bends, or plugs under strain.
- Confirm the console’s required ventilation clearance and access to its ports.
- Run the PlayStation and TV, then check that they operate normally.
If a cable route requires changes to fixed wiring, or you cannot verify the wall is clear, pause and consult a qualified electrician. The cleanest finish is one you can keep safe and service later.
Frequently asked questions
These quick answers cover the main choices for concealing PlayStation and TV wiring. Always confirm the requirements for your console model, cable kit, bracket, and locally adopted code before installation.
Can I hide my PlayStation power cord inside the wall?
No. Do not run the console’s factory power cord through a wall. Use a listed in-wall power-relocation kit as directed, or keep the cord outside the wall and route it neatly to an outlet.
Can HDMI cables go inside the wall?
HDMI is a low-voltage signal cable and can use a suitable low-voltage pathway when installed according to the product instructions and local rules. Keep it separate from the in-wall power solution.
Can I use a cable pass-through for power?
Not by itself. A basic pass-through does not make a factory power cord, extension cord, or power strip suitable for in-wall use.
How much space does a PS5 need around it?
Sony specifies at least 10 cm (4 in.) of free space at the sides. Check the instructions for your exact model and keep all vents clear.
Can I mount a PlayStation behind my TV?
Yes, if the bracket is compatible and rated for the console, the installation follows its instructions, and the console has its required ventilation space. Check that ports and cables remain reachable.
Can I attach a TV or console bracket to drywall alone?
Do not do so unless the bracket’s instructions specifically approve that method. Follow its published rating and fastening instructions for your wall type.
Do electrical boxes need to stay accessible?
Yes. NEC 314.29 requires covered electrical boxes to remain accessible without removing building finish or structural parts. Do not cover an outlet or power-kit component with drywall.
When is a framing protection plate needed?
NEC 300.4(A)(1) requires protection where a cable passes through framing less than 1¼ inches from the nearest framing-member edge. Use an approved steel plate or equivalent protection where required.
What if the wall route is blocked by a stud?
Do not cut framing without checking the structure and applicable requirements. Consider a surface raceway or ask a qualified professional to assess a safe route.
Do local rules affect an in-wall cable project?
Yes. Follow the locally adopted NEC edition, local requirements, product listings, and manufacturer instructions. If you are unsure what applies, check with your local building department or a qualified electrician.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Michael Holloway. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
