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To enable 120Hz on an Xbox Series X or Series S, open Profile & system > Settings > General > TV & display options, check 4K TV details, choose a resolution that your display supports at 120Hz, select Refresh rate > 120 Hz, and confirm Keep this refresh rate? The Xbox will then output a 120Hz signal, provided the television or monitor, HDMI input, cable and any device between the console and screen can carry it.
A 120Hz output does not automatically make every game run at 120 frames per second. Each game must include a suitable performance or 120 FPS mode, and some games offer that mode only at 1080p or 1440p rather than 4K.
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How do I turn on 120Hz on an Xbox Series X or Series S?
The setting is available on both current Xbox Series consoles. Keep the television or monitor powered on while you change it so the Xbox can read the display’s capabilities.
- Turn on the Xbox and the connected display. If the console is connected through a receiver or soundbar, leave that equipment on as well for the initial capability check.
- Press the Xbox button on the controller to open the guide.
- Open Profile & system > Settings.
- Choose General > TV & display options.
- Select 4K TV details. Read the capability list and its green checks before changing anything. This screen reflects what the Xbox can negotiate through the complete HDMI connection, not merely what the television advertises in a brochure.
- Return to TV & display options.
- Under Display, choose a resolution that the screen supports at 120Hz. If 4K is not available at that refresh rate, try 1440p or 1080p, especially on Series S.
- Select Refresh rate, then choose 120 Hz.
- When the console asks Keep this refresh rate?, confirm it. The picture should briefly refresh and then return to the Xbox interface.
If 120 Hz is not listed, do not repeatedly confirm the prompt. First correct the display, input, cable or intermediary-device issue described below, then reopen 4K TV details and check again.
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What does the Xbox 120Hz setting change?
This setting controls how often the console sends a new video signal to the display. At 120Hz, the Xbox can refresh the output twice as often as a 60Hz setting, which gives compatible games a path to present up to 120 frames per second and can make camera movement and controls feel more immediate.
It is an output option, not a universal frame-rate switch. The console cannot force a title that is coded for 30 or 60 frames per second to render at 120. A game may still run at its normal cap while the dashboard and video signal remain set to 120Hz. Some games also offer a choice between a high-resolution mode and a performance mode; the latter is usually where a 120 FPS option appears.
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How can I use 4K TV details to diagnose compatibility?
4K TV details is the Xbox’s built-in capability report. It is the quickest way to determine why a menu option is absent because it evaluates the connected screen and the HDMI route together.
Read the report before changing resolution
Green checks indicate capabilities that the Xbox has detected. Missing checks or explanatory text can point to a resolution, refresh-rate, HDR, cable or input limitation. A television may be marketed as a 120Hz model but expose 120Hz only at selected resolutions or only on particular HDMI sockets. The Xbox shows the result of the connection you are actually using.
Check again after every hardware change
Move the console to another HDMI socket, enable an enhanced input format or replace a cable, then return to 4K TV details. The capability list can change because the Xbox is negotiating with a different input or a different device in the chain. Checking only the television’s specifications will not reveal a bandwidth limit imposed by a soundbar, receiver, switch or older cable.
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What equipment is required for 120Hz?
You need a display that accepts a 120Hz signal at the resolution you intend to use, an HDMI connection with enough bandwidth, and a cable suitable for that mode. The exact requirement depends on whether you want 4K, 1440p or 1080p at 120Hz.
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Display support at the target resolution
A 120Hz label alone does not guarantee 4K at 120Hz. Some displays reach 120Hz only at certain resolutions, and some expose the high refresh rate through only one or two HDMI inputs. Confirm the specification for the exact resolution and input you plan to use.
High-bandwidth HDMI input
For 4K at 120Hz, use the socket identified by the manufacturer for 4K 120Hz, 8K or an equivalent high-bandwidth mode. Many televisions ship with that input disabled until you select an Enhanced, 4K120, 8K or similar format in the television’s settings. The wording differs by manufacturer, so inspect the input or HDMI signal-format menu rather than assuming every socket behaves the same way.
Cable choice
For 4K 120Hz, Sony recommends using the cable included with the console or an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. A cable that works at 4K 60Hz can still fail when bandwidth demand increases. Connect the cable directly to the high-bandwidth television input while diagnosing the setup, and avoid relying on a cable’s marketing label without checking whether the Xbox reports the required capability.
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Series X and Series S resolution choices
Series X owners commonly target 4K at 120Hz when the display and HDMI path support it. Series S is primarily designed around resolutions up to 1440p, so 1440p or 1080p at 120Hz may be the practical choice when 4K 120Hz is unavailable. A missing 120Hz option at one resolution does not necessarily mean the console cannot output 120Hz at another.
Why is 120Hz missing from my Xbox?
When 120 Hz does not appear under Refresh rate, the Xbox has not detected a valid 120Hz mode for the current resolution and HDMI path. Work through these checks in order; each one removes a common point of failure without changing unrelated settings.
1. Use the correct HDMI socket
Look for a port labeled 4K 120Hz, 8K, HDMI 2.1 or a manufacturer-specific high-bandwidth designation. If the display has several ports, move the console to the one intended for gaming at the highest refresh rate. Reopen 4K TV details after moving the cable.
2. Enable the display’s enhanced format
Open the television or monitor’s HDMI signal-format menu and enable its Enhanced, 4K120, 8K or equivalent option for the port in use. Some screens also require a dedicated gaming input mode before they expose high-refresh capabilities. Apply the setting, wait for the picture to return, and check the Xbox capability report again.
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3. Try a lower resolution
Return to TV & display options and select 1440p, then 1080p if necessary. Recheck Refresh rate after each change. This is especially important for Series S and for monitors that support 120Hz only at selected resolutions.
4. Replace or simplify the HDMI path
Use the console’s included cable or an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. Temporarily remove HDMI switches, capture devices, soundbars and AV receivers by connecting the Xbox directly to the display. Every device in the path must pass the target resolution and refresh rate; one older component can make the capability disappear even when the television itself supports it.
5. Update firmware and select gaming mode
Install available firmware updates for the television or monitor. If the manufacturer provides a gaming or enhanced HDMI mode, enable it for the console’s input. Firmware can affect which combinations of resolution, 120Hz, VRR and HDMI signaling the display advertises to the Xbox.
6. Recheck after the display has fully synchronized
After changing an input format or reconnecting a cable, allow the screen to finish switching modes before opening the Xbox menus. Then inspect 4K TV details again. The report is the authoritative check for the current physical connection; a specification for a different port or a different cable does not substitute for it.
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HDMI 2.1 or equivalent high-bandwidth support is generally needed for 4K at 120Hz, but it is not an absolute requirement for every 120Hz setup. A display and HDMI path may support 120Hz at 1440p or 1080p without offering 4K 120Hz. The relevant question is whether the specific input, cable and resolution combination appears as supported in 4K TV details.
When comparing displays, check the number and location of high-bandwidth inputs rather than assuming all HDMI ports are identical. Also verify whether the manufacturer requires an Enhanced input setting. A television with one compatible port can still work, but connecting another device to that port may force you to move cables whenever you want the Xbox’s highest mode.
How do I get 120 FPS in Fortnite?
First enable 120Hz on the Xbox using the console steps above. Epic Games states that Fortnite’s 120 FPS option requires the Xbox Series X|S console to be set to 120Hz.
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- With the console output already set to 120Hz, launch Fortnite.
- Open Settings.
- Choose the Video tab.
- Set 120 FPS mode to On.
- Apply the change when the game requests confirmation.
If the in-game switch is absent, return to the Xbox’s 4K TV details page and confirm that 120Hz is detected at the selected resolution. The game option depends on the console output and display capability; enabling a television’s marketing “120Hz” mode alone does not satisfy that requirement.
How do I set up 120 FPS in Rocket League?
Rocket League’s support instructions also begin with the Xbox-level 120Hz setting. Once the console is outputting 120Hz, open the game’s video or display options and choose the frame-rate option that matches the connected display.
If Rocket League offers more than one performance choice, select the 120 FPS or equivalent high-frame-rate option rather than a quality mode capped at a lower rate. If the option cannot be selected, verify the Xbox refresh rate first; game-level settings cannot create a mode that the console and HDMI connection have not exposed.
Which resolution should I choose for 120Hz?
Choose the highest resolution that the display and HDMI path explicitly support at 120Hz, not necessarily the highest resolution shown in the Xbox menu. The following guide describes the decision rather than promising a particular result for every model.
| Target mode | When it makes sense | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| 4K at 120Hz | Use with a Series X and a television or monitor designed for 4K 120Hz gaming. | A compatible high-bandwidth HDMI input, the display’s Enhanced/4K120 or equivalent setting, a suitable cable and a green capability check in 4K TV details. |
| 1440p at 120Hz | Often a practical compromise for Series S or a display that cannot carry 4K at 120Hz. | That the screen supports 1440p at 120Hz and that the Xbox reports the combination after selecting 1440p. |
| 1080p at 120Hz | Useful when the display or HDMI path exposes 120Hz only at a lower resolution. | That 1080p 120Hz is listed as supported and that the game’s performance mode accepts the setting. |
Changing to 1440p or 1080p is not a failure if it is the mode your screen can sustain. A stable high-refresh signal is more useful than selecting 4K and losing the 120Hz option or receiving an unstable picture.
What if the screen goes blank after selecting 120Hz?
A blank or flickering picture usually means that one part of the chain cannot sustain the selected combination. Wait for the console’s confirmation period to finish rather than repeatedly pressing buttons, then reconnect directly to the display if the picture does not return.
- Move the cable to the display’s designated 4K 120Hz, 8K or enhanced port.
- Use the included Xbox cable or an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.
- Disable the intermediary receiver, soundbar, switch or capture device temporarily.
- Try 1440p or 1080p, then set 120Hz again.
- Confirm the display’s Enhanced or gaming input mode and update its firmware.
Once the image is stable, open 4K TV details to verify what the Xbox actually detects. Do not infer support from the display’s maximum refresh-rate headline; the report must show the selected path and resolution as compatible.
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How should I compare a TV or monitor for Xbox 120Hz?
Use the specifications that affect the entire signal path. A display with a high native refresh rate can still be a poor Xbox choice if its compatible HDMI input is limited or if 120Hz works only at an unsuitable resolution.
| Comparison point | Why it matters | Question to ask before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution at 120Hz | Determines whether you can use 4K, 1440p or 1080p while retaining the high refresh rate. | “At which resolutions does this model accept 120Hz from a console?” |
| HDMI bandwidth | Controls whether the signal can carry the chosen resolution and refresh rate together. | “Which input supports the highest-bandwidth mode?” |
| Number and location of compatible inputs | A single high-bandwidth port may be inconvenient if other devices also need it. | “How many ports support 4K 120Hz or the equivalent enhanced format?” |
| VRR support | Variable refresh rate can help the display follow changing game frame rates when both devices support it. | “Does VRR work at the resolution and refresh rate I plan to use?” |
| ALLM or gaming mode | Some displays require a gaming-oriented mode to expose or optimize console features. | “Does the gaming mode enable high refresh automatically, or must Enhanced HDMI be selected manually?” |
Check the exact model documentation and then confirm the result in the Xbox menu after installation. The console’s capability screen remains the practical test because it includes the cable and any devices between the Xbox and display.
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- Assuming every HDMI port is equal: many displays reserve their highest bandwidth for specific sockets.
- Leaving Enhanced format disabled: the port may default to a lower-bandwidth mode until the setting is enabled.
- Testing only at 4K: 120Hz may work immediately at 1440p or 1080p, particularly on Series S.
- Ignoring intermediary equipment: a soundbar or receiver can limit the signal even when the TV and console both support 120Hz.
- Confusing refresh rate with game frame rate: the Xbox can output 120Hz while a title remains capped at 60 or 30 FPS.
- Changing only the game setting: Fortnite and Rocket League require the Xbox-level refresh-rate configuration first.
- Using an unverified cable: a cable that handles 4K 60Hz may not provide the bandwidth needed for 4K 120Hz.
How do I confirm the setup is working?
Start with the Xbox interface: TV & display options should show Refresh rate: 120 Hz without an error prompt. Then open 4K TV details and verify that the selected resolution and high-refresh capability are checked. Finally, open a game that explicitly offers a 120 FPS or performance mode and enable that option inside the game.
If the Xbox setting is correct but a particular title still does not offer 120 FPS, the limitation is probably the game’s own mode or resolution support rather than the console output. Try another title known to expose a 120 FPS option, but keep the same display and cable configuration so you are testing the game setting rather than changing several variables at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will setting the Xbox to 120Hz make the dashboard run at 120 frames per second?
The setting establishes a 120Hz output signal, but it does not guarantee that every interface animation or game is rendered at 120 frames per second. Rendering remains controlled by the software running on the console.
Can an Xbox Series S use 120Hz without a 4K television?
Yes. A compatible 1440p or 1080p display can provide a 120Hz path even when 4K at 120Hz is unavailable. Select the supported lower resolution and confirm it in 4K TV details.
Why does my television advertise 120Hz but Xbox still lists only 60Hz?
The television may reserve 120Hz for a particular HDMI socket, resolution or enhanced signal format. Check the port label, enable the manufacturer’s Enhanced or 4K120 mode, and test with a suitable cable connected directly to that input.
Does a receiver or soundbar have to support 120Hz too?
Yes, if the Xbox signal passes through it. Every device in the HDMI chain must pass the chosen resolution and refresh rate; connecting the console directly to the display is the fastest way to isolate an intermediary limitation.
Why is a 120 FPS option available in one game but not another?
Games decide independently whether to provide a 120 FPS or performance mode, and they may restrict it to a particular resolution. The Xbox can supply the 120Hz signal, but it cannot add a frame-rate mode that the game does not implement.
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