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How to Connect a PS5 or Xbox Series X to a 4K TV

Get 4K working on PS5 or Xbox Series X: connect directly, check the TV’s HDMI port and input mode, then verify the features the console detects.
Length5 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Connect the console straight to a suitable HDMI port on the TV, select that input, and check what the console detects. Start with the HDMI cable included with the console; you usually do not need to buy another one. A TV’s 4K label alone does not guarantee that every HDMI port supports 4K at 120 Hz, HDR, VRR, or ALLM.

Connect the console and check its detected signal

  1. Connect the console’s HDMI output directly to the TV’s HDMI input, then select that input on the TV. Start with the cable included with the console. For high-bandwidth features, use a suitable cable and a port that supports them.
  2. Check the TV manual for the exact HDMI port’s capabilities. If the TV requires an enhanced or full-bandwidth input setting, enable it for that port. Update the TV firmware if an update is available.
  3. Check the console’s capability screen. This helps distinguish a console setting from a limitation in the TV port, cable, or connection path.

On PS5

Open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. Review Current Video Output Signal and the connected HDMI device information for the reported resolution, HDR, and VRR support. Resolution set to Automatic selects the highest resolution the TV supports; 2160p is the 4K option. Sony’s PS5 resolution and video-output guide covers these settings and troubleshooting.

On Xbox Series X

Open Profile & system > Settings > General > TV & Display Options > 4K TV details. The screen reports which 4K and related capabilities the connected setup supports. The TV & Display Options area also includes Setup > Calibrate TV and Calibrate HDR for Games; those tools guide calibration but cannot add support that the TV input lacks. See Microsoft’s Xbox TV-readiness guide.

Enable the gaming features your setup supports

4K resolution, 120 Hz output, HDR, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) are separate capabilities. Availability depends on the console, TV, specific HDMI port, connection path, software, and—in some cases—the game. Check both the console’s detected capabilities and the manual for your TV model rather than assuming all features are available on every 4K input.

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PS5 settings

  • 120 Hz Output: Enables 120 Hz output when the TV and game support it.
  • VRR: Adjusts the refresh rate in real time on supported TVs and games. Sony notes that results vary by TV.
  • ALLM: Can switch a compatible TV to low-latency mode during gameplay. PS5 does not send an ALLM signal while a media app is running. Sony also notes that VRR output may trigger low-latency mode even if the ALLM setting is Off.
  • HDR: Use the on-screen HDR setup to adjust the picture. On When Supported keeps non-HDR content in SDR; Always On converts unsupported content to HDR output.

Xbox Series X settings

Microsoft lists support for up to 120 FPS, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, and Auto Low Latency Mode for Xbox Series X. The actual output depends on the TV and connection. Use 4K TV details to check what the connected setup reports, and consult the TV manual for the particular HDMI input. Microsoft’s Xbox Series X specifications describe the console’s headline capabilities.

What the features do

VRR can reduce or eliminate lag, stutter, and tearing by varying the display’s refresh rate to match output; ALLM automatically switches a compatible display to a low-latency mode. These are HDMI feature descriptions, not guarantees that a particular TV or port supports them. See the HDMI Licensing Administrator’s feature overview.

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Check the TV’s HDMI port and input mode

Some TVs require an enhanced, full-bandwidth, or manufacturer-specific HDMI setting before 4K, HDR, or advanced gaming signals work. Microsoft’s 2020 guide gives examples such as HDMI UHD Color, Enhanced format, or HDMI mode 2.1 on certain TVs. These labels and menu paths vary by model, so use the TV manual rather than applying an example blindly. The guide also notes that some TVs expose advanced features only on particular ports, and firmware updates may add capabilities.

HDMI 2.1 labeling by itself does not establish that a port supports every gaming feature. When comparing TVs, check native 4K resolution, whether the particular port supports 4K at 120 Hz, HDR, VRR support and range, ALLM, and how many ports provide those features.

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Troubleshoot missing 4K, HDR, or 120 Hz

Symptom What to check
4K cannot be selected Check that the selected TV input is in its enhanced mode if required, that the specific port supports 4K, and that the console is connected directly. Update TV firmware and review the console capability screen. On PS5, set Resolution to Automatic or 2160p. Sony’s guide and Microsoft’s guide cover these checks.
4K at 120 Hz is blank or falls to 1080p at 120 Hz Confirm that both the TV and selected port support 4K at 120 Hz; update TV firmware; use the included cable or a suitable Ultra High Speed HDMI cable; and connect directly to the TV. On PS5, confirm Video Transfer Rate is set to Auto unless you are troubleshooting flicker. Sony’s troubleshooting guidance provides the PS5-specific checks.
HDR is unavailable Verify HDR support on the TV’s specific HDMI input, enable its enhanced mode if required, and update firmware. Check the TV’s reported HDMI-device information on PS5 or 4K TV details on Xbox. Sony and Microsoft outline the console-side checks.
PS5 flickers during 4K output As a troubleshooting measure, Sony suggests setting Video Transfer Rate to -1 or -2. These settings limit some output formats; return to Auto if the workaround is not needed. See Sony’s PS5 guide.
A receiver or HDMI switch may be blocking features Temporarily connect the console directly to the TV with the console’s cable and compare the detected capabilities. If the features return, check whether the receiver or switch supports the required format before putting it back in the signal path. Microsoft recommends direct connection when troubleshooting in its TV-readiness guide.
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Do you need a new HDMI cable?

Not if the included cable works for the features you want. Sony recommends using the included cable or an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable for relevant features; Microsoft recommends the included cable during troubleshooting. Replace it if it is missing or damaged, or if a longer run is needed and the current cable cannot carry the required signal. In that case, choose a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.

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