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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11For the smoothest 60 fps experience on Xbox Series S, put the television in Game Mode, select a stable 60 Hz output on the console, use the TV’s enhanced HDMI setting when required, and choose a game’s Performance mode when it offers one. Turn on ALLM and VRR when the display, HDMI port and game support them. A 120 Hz setting is worthwhile only when a title provides a 120 fps mode and the entire HDMI path can carry it; it does not make a 30 fps or 60 fps game render more frames.
The best baseline settings for 60 fps
Start with this configuration before experimenting with 120 Hz, HDR or VRR:
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- TV picture mode: Game Mode or Game Optimizer.
- Xbox refresh rate: 60 Hz for a display that is limited to 60 Hz, or whenever a 120 Hz/VRR combination is unstable.
- Xbox resolution: the highest resolution the television can sustain reliably. A stable 1440p or 1080p signal is preferable to an intermittent 4K signal.
- ALLM: enabled on the TV, or left available so the Xbox can switch the set into its low-latency mode automatically.
- VRR: enabled when the TV and the game support it and the connection remains stable.
- Motion smoothing: disabled for gaming. Interpolation adds processing and does not increase the game’s rendered frame rate.
- HDR: enabled only after the TV displays HDR correctly and you have completed the Xbox HDR calibration tool in the gaming picture mode.
- Game graphics mode: Performance mode when the title offers a Quality/Resolution choice and your priority is a steadier 60 fps.
These settings address different parts of the chain. The game determines how many frames it renders, the Xbox determines what signal it sends, and the TV determines how quickly and accurately that signal is displayed. Changing one cannot remove a frame-rate cap imposed by another.
How 60 fps, 60 Hz, 120 Hz and VRR relate
Frame rate is produced by the game
A game running at 60 frames per second creates a new image about every 16.7 milliseconds. A 30 fps mode creates one about every 33.3 milliseconds. The console’s output setting cannot turn the latter into 60 fps. Many games expose separate Performance and Quality (or Resolution) modes; the Performance option usually lowers or changes visual settings to target a higher frame rate, but its exact cap is title- and patch-specific.
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Refresh rate is a display timing
A 60 Hz television refreshes its panel 60 times per second. A 120 Hz television can refresh every 8.3 milliseconds and can accept 120 Hz output, but a 120 Hz signal alone does not force a game to render at 120 fps. Microsoft documents up to 120 Hz output for Xbox Series X|S, while its current Series family specification lists capability up to 120 fps. Whether Series S reaches that rate depends on the individual game, its graphics mode and the display path.
VRR changes when the display refreshes
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) lets a compatible TV adjust its refresh timing to the console’s changing frame delivery. That can reduce visible tearing and make brief frame-time fluctuations less distracting. VRR cannot create missing frames: a game that renders below its target remains below it, although the transition can look less abrupt within the TV’s supported VRR range.
Configure the Xbox Series S for a reliable 60 fps signal
1. Open the display controls
- Press the Xbox button and open Profile & system > Settings.
- Choose General > TV & display options.
- Use Resolution to select the highest setting your TV and HDMI path can sustain without dropouts.
- Use Refresh rate and select 60 Hz when the TV is a 60 Hz model, when you are targeting conventional 60 fps modes, or when higher-rate output causes compatibility problems.
Microsoft’s Xbox guidance identifies 60 Hz as the fallback when a VRR and 120 Hz combination produces display problems. A clean, continuous 60 Hz image is more useful than a nominally faster setting that blanks, flickers or repeatedly renegotiates.
2. Check what the console actually sees
On the same screen, open 4K TV details. The capability panel shows which combinations of resolution, refresh rate, HDR and VRR the current connection reports as supported. If a desired option is greyed out, this screen is the quickest way to determine whether the limitation is the TV, the selected HDMI port, an intermediary device or the cable.
3. Select the game’s performance option
Open the game’s own video or graphics settings. When both Quality/Resolution and Performance are available, choose Performance for the best chance of a steadier 60 fps. Do not assume that every Performance mode is identical: some titles use dynamic resolution, some target 60 fps with occasional dips, and some offer a separate 120 fps mode only when the console is outputting 120 Hz and the TV reports the required capability.
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4. Test at the resolution you intend to use
After changing resolution or refresh rate, play an actual game rather than relying only on the dashboard. Watch for signal dropouts, black screens, sparkles, audio interruptions and sudden returns to the dashboard. If any occur, step down to the highest stable resolution or return to 60 Hz, then retest before changing additional options.
Set up the television for low-latency 60 fps play
Game Mode or Game Optimizer
Select the picture preset named Game Mode, Game Optimizer or the equivalent low-latency mode on the HDMI input used by the Xbox. This bypasses processing that can add input delay. Picture presets are often stored per input, so setting a different source does not necessarily configure the Xbox port.
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Enable Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) if the TV offers it. With ALLM, the console can signal the set to enter its low-latency picture mode when a game starts and return to the normal mode for video playback. If the television has a manual “allow automatic game mode” switch, leave that enabled as well.
VRR, FreeSync or Adaptive Sync
Enable the TV’s VRR, FreeSync or Adaptive Sync control when it is available and stable, then enable VRR in the Xbox display options if the console exposes it. The naming differs by manufacturer, and some sets enable VRR only on particular HDMI inputs. A stable 60 Hz connection is the better choice if enabling VRR produces flicker, repeated black screens or lost audio.
Enhanced HDMI bandwidth
Many televisions ship with a standard HDMI mode that protects compatibility but limits bandwidth. Look in the TV’s input, external-device or HDMI settings for a control labelled Enhanced, HDMI 2.0, HDMI 2.1, 4K Enhanced or similar, and enable it on the Xbox input when the model requires that step for 4K at 60 Hz, 1440p at 120 Hz or VRR. The label is model-specific; the principle is the same: the port must be permitted to accept the signal you selected on the Xbox.
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Motion processing
Turn off motion smoothing, interpolation, “clearness” modes and similar processing for competitive play. These features synthesize intermediate frames after the game has rendered its image. They can add latency, create halos around moving objects and introduce a television-made motion cadence; they do not change the game’s true fps.
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Enable HDR only if the TV’s HDR mode is accurate and usable in its gaming preset. Then open the Xbox HDR calibration tool and follow its black-level and peak-brightness screens. HDR changes brightness, contrast and color volume, not frame rate. If HDR makes the image washed out, clipped or excessively dim, correct the TV’s HDR picture settings or disable HDR rather than changing the refresh rate.
Choosing 60 Hz or 120 Hz
| Situation | Recommended Xbox setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| TV is limited to 60 Hz | 60 Hz | Matches the panel and avoids an unsupported output mode. |
| Game targets 60 fps and offers no 120 fps mode | 60 Hz, or 120 Hz if the TV requires it for a specific VRR implementation | 120 Hz output does not make a 30 or 60 fps game render faster. |
| Game exposes a 120 fps mode; TV and HDMI path accept 120 Hz | 120 Hz | Allows the title to use its higher-frame-rate mode. |
| 120 Hz or VRR causes flicker, dropouts or negotiation errors | 60 Hz | Microsoft documents 60 Hz as the compatibility fallback. |
Choose 120 Hz only when all three conditions are true: the game offers a 120 fps mode, the TV’s native panel and input support the required signal, and the HDMI path remains stable. Epic’s Rocket League support specifically advises checking the Xbox display details before enabling 120 Hz and notes that Series S does not include an HDMI 2.1 cable. A certified cable and a capable port may be necessary, but neither one raises a game’s frame-rate limit.
Some supported titles expose only 30 fps and 60 fps choices unless the display is running 120 Hz with VRR. Bethesda’s display guidance also explains the trade-off: disabling VRR can permit tearing, while a 120 Hz VRR display can provide the conditions for additional frame-rate options. The game’s own menu remains the authority for its available modes.
HDMI cable and connection requirements
Microsoft recommends High Speed HDMI or Premium High Speed HDMI cabling for Series S connections. Use a certified cable of one of those types, connect the console directly to the television when diagnosing a problem, and make sure any switch, soundbar or receiver in the middle supports the same resolution, refresh rate, HDR and VRR combination.
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- Direct connection for testing: Xbox to the TV’s high-bandwidth HDMI port, with no splitter, capture device or receiver in between.
- Use the TV’s correct port: high-refresh and VRR features are often limited to one or two inputs.
- Do not expect a cable upgrade to add fps: a better cable can carry a signal the old cable could not, but it cannot change the game’s rendering mode.
- Remember the included cable: Series S does not ship with an HDMI 2.1 cable, so a 120 Hz setup may require a separately certified cable depending on the TV’s specification.
Once the direct connection works, reconnect intermediary equipment one piece at a time. If the signal fails only after adding a receiver or soundbar, that device is the bottleneck even if the television itself supports the desired mode.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot a Series S that is stuck at 60 Hz
120 Hz, VRR or 4K is greyed out
- Open Settings > General > TV & display options > 4K TV details and read the checked capabilities.
- Confirm that the Xbox is connected to the TV input identified for enhanced or high-bandwidth operation.
- Enable the TV’s Enhanced/HDMI 2.0/HDMI 2.1 mode for that input.
- Connect the Xbox directly to the TV with a certified High Speed or Premium High Speed cable.
- Update the television firmware, power-cycle the TV and Xbox, and inspect the capability panel again.
Many televisions reserve 4K, 120 Hz or VRR for particular HDMI ports. Windows Central’s explanation of the Xbox display-details test highlights this port limitation, so moving the cable can matter more than changing the console setting.
The image flickers, goes black or loses sound
Temporarily set the Xbox to 60 Hz. If the problem disappears, re-enable features one at a time: first the enhanced HDMI mode, then VRR, then 120 Hz. This isolates whether the TV, cable or an intermediary device cannot maintain the higher-rate combination. Keep 60 Hz if the higher setting remains unreliable; it is the documented compatibility fallback, not a performance failure.
The TV says 120 Hz but the game still runs at 60 fps
Check the game’s graphics menu for a 120 fps or high-frame-rate option. A 120 Hz output can be used to present 30 or 60 fps content cleanly, but it cannot override a title that has no 120 fps mode. If a mode is available only with VRR, confirm both VRR and 120 Hz in the Xbox display details.
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Performance mode still dips below 60 fps
Performance mode is a target, not a guarantee across every scene. Dynamic resolution, heavy effects, patches and the game’s internal frame cap can produce dips. VRR may make those changes less distracting when the display supports the range, but it will not manufacture frames. If the dips are severe, compare the title’s modes, disable unnecessary TV processing and keep the output at the most stable refresh rate.
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HDR looks wrong after changing modes
Return the TV to its Game Mode HDR preset, then run the Xbox HDR calibration tool again. HDR settings are often stored separately from SDR settings. If the TV cannot produce a convincing HDR image in its gaming mode, use SDR; refresh-rate settings and HDR quality are independent.
How to evaluate a TV for Series S
A 4K/60 Hz television is adequate for games capped at 60 fps. A 120 Hz VRR television with ALLM is the better fit for titles that expose 120 fps modes and for displays that need to smooth variable frame delivery. Compare the following specifications rather than relying on a “gaming TV” label:
| Buying criterion | What to verify | Why it matters to Series S |
|---|---|---|
| Native panel refresh rate | 60 Hz or 120 Hz panel, not merely a motion-enhancement number | Determines whether the panel can display a true 120 Hz signal. |
| VRR support | Xbox-compatible VRR, its operating range and whether it works at the chosen resolution | Controls how the TV handles frame-time variation and tearing. |
| HDMI bandwidth | Which ports support 4K60, 1440p120 and VRR, and whether Enhanced mode must be enabled | A capable panel is useless if the connected port cannot accept the signal. |
| Game Mode and ALLM | Measured input lag in Game Mode and whether ALLM switches reliably | Reduces processing delay and avoids manual mode changes. |
| HDR quality | Brightness, black-level control and gaming-mode HDR behavior | Determines whether HDR is an improvement rather than a dim or clipped image. |
Do not treat a television’s motion-rate marketing number as its native refresh rate. Confirm the panel specification and the exact HDMI port capabilities in the manufacturer’s technical documentation. For a Series S used mainly with 60 fps games, spending extra for 120 Hz is justified by supported 120 fps titles, VRR behavior and input latency—not by the expectation that every game will double its frame rate.
A practical setup and testing order
- Connect the Xbox directly to the TV’s designated high-bandwidth HDMI input with a certified High Speed or Premium High Speed cable.
- Enable the input’s Enhanced/HDMI bandwidth option.
- Put the input in Game Mode and disable motion smoothing.
- Enable ALLM, then enable VRR if the TV supports it.
- On the Xbox, open Settings > General > TV & display options, choose the highest stable resolution and set 60 Hz.
- Inspect 4K TV details to confirm the capabilities you expect.
- Run the TV’s HDR mode and Xbox HDR calibration only if HDR looks correct in Game Mode.
- Launch a game, choose Performance mode, and verify that the image remains stable during play.
- Only then test 120 Hz with a title that explicitly offers a 120 fps mode. If any instability appears, return to 60 Hz and keep the rest of the stable configuration.
This order prevents a bad cable, an unconfigured HDMI port or excessive TV processing from being mistaken for a game-performance problem.
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