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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →On your PS5, open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. Leave Resolution on Automatic so the console selects the highest mode your television reports, choose On When Supported for HDR if you want non-HDR games to remain in SDR, and run Adjust HDR after enabling HDR. Choose 2160p manually only when you specifically need to force 4K. The TV, HDMI port, cable, firmware and any receiver in the signal path still determine whether 4K, HDR or 4K/120 Hz is actually available.
Where the PS5 resolution and HDR controls are located
All of the relevant controls are in one menu:
- From the PS5 home screen, select Settings.
- Open Screen and Video.
- Select Video Output.
This screen also shows Current Video Output Signal. Use it to see what the connected HDMI device has reported and what the console is outputting now. That readout is more useful than assuming the TV is receiving 4K or HDR simply because those features are enabled in the menu.
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Check the signal readout after each significant change, such as moving the console to another HDMI input, inserting a receiver, changing the TV’s HDMI mode or switching the transfer rate. It gives you a concrete way to confirm whether the new arrangement was actually negotiated.
Sony says the PS5 detects the television’s capabilities and selects the best available resolution automatically. A setting on the console cannot add a capability that the TV or the rest of the home-entertainment setup does not support.
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Choose the right resolution
Automatic: the sensible default
Automatic instructs the PS5 to select the highest resolution supported by the connected TV. It is the best starting point when you regularly use different displays, change HDMI ports or do not know which mode the television is reporting.
Automatic is also useful while troubleshooting because it avoids locking the console to a mode that a particular port, receiver or cable cannot carry. After selecting Automatic, check Current Video Output Signal. The reported result tells you whether the current connection negotiated the mode you expected. If it does not, troubleshoot the TV input, cable and signal path before repeatedly changing the resolution value.
2160p: the PS5’s 4K option
Sony identifies 2160p as the PS5’s 4K resolution setting. Select it manually when you want to request 4K and your TV is a compatible 4K display. If the television or connection cannot support that mode, forcing 2160p will not create a 4K picture; use Automatic while you diagnose the limitation.
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Manual 2160p is therefore a verification and troubleshooting choice, not a substitute for a 4K-capable display and signal path. If the setting is unavailable or the resulting signal is downgraded, note which HDMI input is being used and return to the connection checks rather than assuming the console is defective.
1440p: test the display before committing
Compatible televisions can be checked with Test 1440p Output. The test covers SDR and HDR, 60 Hz and 120 Hz, and VRR. To use 1440p after testing, set Resolution to 1440p. This is a separate choice from 2160p and is not a universal option for every television.
Run the test from the Video Output area whenever you are unsure whether a particular display handles 1440p correctly. Passing the test does not make 1440p available on another TV or another HDMI input; those connections must be evaluated separately.
8K is a model-specific exception
The 8K option is limited to PS5 consoles in the CFI-7000 model group. It also requires a television that supports 8K/60 Hz and DSC. Do not treat 8K as a standard setting available on every PS5 or every 8K television. If your console is outside that model group, the absence of an 8K option is expected.
Set HDR behavior and calibrate it
On When Supported
Choose On When Supported when you want HDR-compatible games and apps to use HDR while non-HDR-compatible content remains in standard dynamic range (SDR). This preserves the original SDR output for content that was not authored for HDR.
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This mode can make the output change between HDR and SDR as you switch applications. That change is normal: the PS5 is following the content’s compatibility rather than converting every application to the same format.
Always On
Always On converts games and apps that are not HDR-compatible to HDR output as well. It is available if you prefer the PS5 to send HDR output continuously, but conversion does not mean that the original content contained HDR data.
Always On is a preference, not a required step for an HDR television. If converted SDR content looks less natural on your display, return to On When Supported. Conversely, if you specifically want the console to keep sending HDR output when an application is not HDR-compatible, Always On is the relevant option.
Run Adjust HDR
After enabling HDR, select Video Output > Adjust HDR and follow the on-screen procedure. Sony describes HDR as providing a greater range of contrast, color and brightness than SDR; the adjustment procedure lets the PS5 set brightness levels for optimized HDR rendering on your display.
Complete all of the prompts while viewing the TV in its normal gaming setup. If you later change the TV, HDMI input or the TV’s picture configuration, run Adjust HDR again so the console’s brightness adjustment matches the display you are actually using.
A practical starting configuration is Resolution: Automatic and HDR: On When Supported, followed by Adjust HDR. This is a neutral setup recommendation based on how Sony describes the modes, not a guarantee that it will look best on every television. If you prefer conversion of SDR games and apps, change HDR to Always On and run the adjustment again when needed.
Resolution and HDR choices at a glance
| Control | Option | What the PS5 does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Automatic | Selects the highest resolution the TV reports as supported. | Default choice, especially when displays or HDMI inputs change. |
| Resolution | 2160p | Requests the PS5’s named 4K output mode. | When a compatible 4K TV and signal path are confirmed. |
| Resolution | 1440p | Outputs 1440p after the display passes the available test. | When a compatible display is intended to run at 1440p. |
| HDR | On When Supported | Uses HDR for compatible content and leaves non-HDR content in SDR. | When you want SDR content to remain SDR. |
| HDR | Always On | Converts non-HDR-compatible games and apps to HDR output. | When you prefer continuous HDR output and accept conversion. |
How to get 4K working on a PS5
Use this sequence instead of changing several options at once:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems- Connect the PS5 to a compatible 4K television and open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output.
- Set Resolution to Automatic. If you need to force the mode for troubleshooting, select 2160p.
- Check Current Video Output Signal to confirm what the console and TV negotiated.
- If HDR is supported, choose your preferred HDR mode and run Adjust HDR.
- If the signal is still below 4K, work through the cable, HDMI-port, firmware and intermediary-equipment checks in the next section.
Check the TV’s input label and documentation rather than relying only on the panel’s overall specification. A television can have several HDMI inputs with different capabilities, and a receiver or switch can report fewer capabilities than the TV itself.
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The console setting alone cannot overcome a TV, cable, port or receiver that does not pass the required signal. A 4K panel is necessary, but the complete HDMI chain must also report and carry the desired mode.
Why 4K at 120 Hz may not appear
4K/120 Hz is especially dependent on the entire connection. Sony notes that support is not consistent across the market and that users may encounter problems even when a television is advertised with high refresh rates. Check each part of the chain.
Confirm TV support and firmware
- Verify that the exact TV model supports 4K/120 Hz, not merely 4K or a lower refresh rate.
- Install the TV’s current firmware. Sony includes up-to-date TV software in its checklist.
- Use the television’s appropriate high-bandwidth HDMI input. Some sets reserve 4K/120 Hz for a particular HDMI 2.1 port.
- Review the TV’s HDMI input settings. The television may require an HDMI mode or enhanced-bandwidth option to be enabled before the port accepts the signal.
After changing a TV-side HDMI setting, switch back to the PS5’s Video Output screen and inspect Current Video Output Signal again. This separates a port-configuration problem from a console-resolution problem.
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Use the HDMI cable supplied with the PS5, or an Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable rated for 4K/120 Hz. A replacement is relevant when the existing cable is unsuitable or damaged; it is not automatically required when the supplied cable and current setup work correctly.
When testing a replacement, connect it directly from the PS5 to the TV and change only one part of the setup at a time. That makes it possible to tell whether the cable fixed the issue or whether another change, such as using the correct HDMI 2.1 port, was responsible.
Remove signal-path complications
Connect the PS5 directly to the television while testing. A receiver, switch, soundbar or other intervening device can affect the negotiated bandwidth or supported modes. Once direct connection works, add equipment back one item at a time and verify its specifications and settings.
If the signal disappears only after an intermediary is reconnected, that device or its configuration is limiting the available mode. Keep the direct connection for diagnosis; do not assume that a device supporting ordinary 4K will also pass 4K/120 Hz.
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- Open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output.
- Set Resolution to Automatic or 2160p.
- Set Video Transfer Rate to Automatic.
- Check Current Video Output Signal again.
If the TV supports the mode, its firmware is current, the correct HDMI 2.1 input and cable are in use, and no intermediary equipment is limiting the signal, the expected 4K/120 Hz mode should be available for that setup. If it remains absent, the television’s documented compatibility and HDMI settings are the next points to verify.
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Fix flicker while outputting 4K
If a 4K picture flickers, Sony recommends changing Video Transfer Rate to -1 or -2 to limit the output. This can improve picture stability on a problematic connection. The available color formats and modes vary with the selected transfer-rate setting, so treat -1 or -2 as a troubleshooting adjustment rather than a general image-quality upgrade.
- Go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output.
- Locate Video Transfer Rate.
- Try -1 and check the picture.
- If flicker continues, try -2.
- Recheck the image and the Current Video Output Signal readout.
If limiting the transfer rate resolves the flicker, leave the stable value in place while you check the cable, HDMI port, TV firmware and any equipment between the console and display. Restore Automatic after correcting the underlying connection if you want the console to negotiate the normal transfer rate again.
What to check when HDR is missing or looks wrong
The TV must support HDR
HDR output depends on the connected TV and the rest of the home-entertainment setup. If the display does not report HDR support, selecting Always On or On When Supported cannot supply the missing capability.
Use the correct menu path
HDR is under Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > HDR. Confirm that you changed the PS5 setting rather than only enabling a picture mode on the television.
Check content behavior
With On When Supported, an SDR result is expected for a game or app that is not HDR-compatible. Switch to Always On only if you want the PS5 to convert that content to HDR output.
Run the calibration again
Select Adjust HDR and complete every on-screen step. The procedure is the PS5’s own calibration control for HDR brightness; skipping it can leave the output less suitable for the connected display.
Inspect the signal chain
Use Current Video Output Signal to see what the PS5 believes the HDMI device supports. If HDR disappears when a receiver, switch or soundbar is inserted, test a direct PS5-to-TV connection and then check the intermediary device’s supported modes and firmware.
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A quick decision guide
- You want the highest mode the TV can reliably use: select Resolution Automatic.
- You need to verify or request PS5 4K: check the signal readout, then try 2160p on a compatible 4K display.
- You want SDR games to stay SDR: select HDR On When Supported.
- You want every game or app converted to HDR output: select HDR Always On.
- You see 4K flicker: try Video Transfer Rate -1, then -2, and inspect the HDMI chain.
- You cannot obtain 4K/120 Hz: verify TV support and firmware, the correct HDMI 2.1 port, the supplied or Ultra High-Speed cable, direct connection, Resolution Automatic or 2160p, and Video Transfer Rate Automatic.
- You are considering 1440p: run Test 1440p Output first, then select Resolution 1440p if the display passes.
- You are looking for 8K: confirm that the console is in the CFI-7000 model group and that the TV supports 8K/60 Hz with DSC.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Forcing 2160p on an incompatible chain: manual selection does not upgrade a non-4K display or a limiting HDMI device.
- Assuming Always On is native HDR: that mode converts non-HDR-compatible content; it does not change the source game’s authoring.
- Replacing a working cable unnecessarily: check the supplied PS5 cable and the port first; use an Ultra High-Speed cable when 4K/120 Hz troubleshooting shows the existing cable is the problem.
- Testing only through a receiver or switch: direct connection isolates whether an intermediary is preventing the expected mode.
- Ignoring the TV input’s enhanced mode: the correct HDMI port may still need a TV-side HDMI setting enabled.
- Treating 1440p or 8K as universal: both options depend on display compatibility, and 8K is limited to the specified CFI-7000 model group.
- Changing several variables at once: alter one setting or cable, then check Current Video Output Signal so you know which change affected the result.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get 4K on my PS5?
Open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output, set Resolution to Automatic or 2160p, and check Current Video Output Signal. The TV, HDMI input, cable and any intermediary equipment must also support the desired 4K mode.
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Should PS5 HDR be Always On or On When Supported?
Use On When Supported to keep non-HDR-compatible games and apps in SDR. Choose Always On only if you want the PS5 to convert that content to HDR output; conversion does not make the original content native HDR.
Why won’t my PS5 output 4K at 120 Hz?
Confirm exact TV support and current firmware, use the appropriate HDMI 2.1 input, connect with the supplied PS5 cable or an Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable rated for 4K/120 Hz, test directly to the TV, and set Resolution to Automatic or 2160p with Video Transfer Rate on Automatic.
What does Adjust HDR do on PS5?
Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Adjust HDR runs the PS5’s on-screen brightness calibration so HDR rendering is optimized for the connected display.
Why is my 4K PS5 picture flickering?
Try Video Transfer Rate -1 and then -2 under Video Output. These settings limit output and may improve stability, but the available color formats and modes can change. Also check the cable, HDMI port, firmware and any receiver or switch.
Can every PS5 use 1440p or 8K?
1440p requires a compatible display that passes Test 1440p Output, after which you select Resolution 1440p. The 8K option is limited to consoles in the CFI-7000 model group and requires an 8K/60 Hz TV with DSC.
Do I need to buy a new HDMI cable for 4K/120 Hz?
Not necessarily. First try the HDMI cable supplied with the PS5. A replacement matters when that cable is unsuitable or damaged; choose an Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable rated for 4K/120 Hz when troubleshooting shows the existing cable is limiting the signal.
The Bottom Line
Start at Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output with Resolution on Automatic, HDR on On When Supported, and Adjust HDR completed. Use 2160p when you need to request 4K, and verify the result through Current Video Output Signal. For missing 4K/120 Hz or flicker, check the TV’s support and firmware, the correct HDMI port, cable, direct connection and Video Transfer Rate before replacing equipment.
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