For a strong starting point, leave PS5 Resolution on Automatic, enable 120 Hz Output and VRR only when your display and game support them, and set HDR to On When Supported. These console options control the signal sent to your screen; they do not choose a game’s rendering resolution or frame-rate target. For that tradeoff, use the graphics mode inside each game.
Start with these PS5 display settings
Open Settings > Screen and Video to review the console’s output options. Sony’s PS5 resolution and video support guide describes what the settings do and what to check when a display does not behave as expected.
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| Setting | Recommended starting point | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Automatic | The PS5 detects the connected screen’s capabilities and selects the best available resolution. Set a fixed resolution only to troubleshoot or meet a particular display need. |
| 120 Hz Output | Automatic/on when supported | Allows 120 Hz output for compatible displays and games. It does not make every game run at 120 frames per second. |
| VRR | Automatic/on when supported | Variable Refresh Rate synchronizes the display refresh with the console’s graphical output, which can reduce screen tearing and frame-pacing issues. Results depend on the display, game, and selected visual mode. |
| Apply to Unsupported Games | Off unless you want to test it | Applies VRR to games that do not identify themselves as VRR-compatible. If it causes unexpected behavior, turn it off. |
| ALLM | Automatic | On a compatible TV, Auto Low Latency Mode switches the screen to a low-latency mode for gaming. VRR output can trigger this behavior even when ALLM is set to Off; to fully disable it, turn VRR off too. |
| HDR | On When Supported | HDR-capable games and apps use HDR, while non-HDR content remains SDR. Always On converts non-HDR content to HDR output. Use Adjust HDR to calibrate brightness. |
| Video Transfer Rate | Automatic | Leave this at Auto normally. If the image flickers, try -1 or -2 as troubleshooting options; they limit some high-bandwidth output formats. |
| RGB Range | Automatic | Change it only if the connected HDMI device reports the range incorrectly. |
Choose a graphics mode inside each game
Console output settings and game graphics modes solve different problems. Resolution, refresh rate, HDR, and VRR settings govern the signal the PS5 sends. A game’s own Fidelity, Quality, or Performance option governs how that title renders and balances image detail against responsiveness or frame rate.
There is no universal best mode. Read the game’s description of its options and choose the tradeoff that suits you:
#1 Best Overall
- Heighten Your Senses. Discover Deeper, highly immersive gaming experiences.
- Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback
- Chat online through the built-in microphone or connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Play on more devices Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth wireless technology so you can easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile phones.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range titles
- Choose a quality-focused mode if you prefer the game’s higher image detail or visual effects.
- Choose a performance-focused mode if you prefer a higher or steadier frame-rate target.
- If the game offers a 120 Hz or VRR-specific option, confirm the display and console output support the required mode.
Exact resolution, frame-rate targets, and effects vary by title. Sony notes that VRR results can also vary with the selected game visual mode; its documentation does not establish a cross-game performance ranking. Check the game’s own settings or official documentation for its specific targets.
Check 1440p and model-specific options
1440p output
If you use a 1440p monitor, run the PS5’s Test 1440p Output option. The test checks SDR and HDR at 60 Hz and 120 Hz, as well as VRR. Sony announced VRR support at 1440p for compatible HDMI 2.1 displays and games in its January 2023 PS5 update. Verify the result with your actual monitor and the game you intend to play.
Rank #2
- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
8K and Enhance PSSR Image Quality
Sony documents these options for the CFI-7000 model group, not as universal settings for every PS5. 8K output requires an 8K/60 Hz display with DSC and a compatible game. If you do not have that model and the required display setup, these are not settings to use as a general image-quality fix.
Troubleshoot blank screens, flicker, or unexpected resolution
A display label such as “HDMI 2.1” alone does not guarantee that every 4K/120 Hz signal combination will work. Sony says PS5 consoles support HDMI 2.1 and 4K/120 Hz output, while also noting that issues can arise as the technology transitions across the market. Check the complete setup—screen, port, TV settings, firmware, cable, game, and signal—rather than assuming one PS5 setting is at fault.
Rank #3
- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
- Confirm the screen and port. Check that the TV or monitor supports the resolution and refresh rate you want, and connect to the HDMI input that supports it. Some TVs require enabling a specific HDMI mode in their own settings.
- Update the TV firmware. Install available updates, then test the connection again.
- Check the cable. Start with the cable supplied with the PS5 or use a suitable Ultra High Speed HDMI cable for 4K/120 Hz. A replacement is not necessary if the existing cable and connection work correctly.
- Review PS5 output settings. In Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output, check Resolution and Video Transfer Rate. Keep Resolution on Automatic unless you are troubleshooting a specific compatibility issue.
- For flicker at 4K, test Video Transfer Rate -1 or -2. These settings can help with output problems but limit some available formats, so return to Auto if they do not solve the issue or if you need the full output options.
For a 120 Hz image, the display’s capability is only one part of the chain: the game must offer a suitable mode, the connected HDMI input must support the signal, and the console must be using a compatible cable and output configuration.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why these settings balance image quality and performance
Automatic resolution and Video Transfer Rate avoid needlessly restricting the console’s output. HDR On When Supported preserves SDR presentation for non-HDR content instead of converting everything to HDR. VRR and 120 Hz can make supported games feel smoother, but neither creates a mode the game does not offer. The remaining image-quality-versus-performance choice belongs to the game’s own graphics menu.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Enjoy precise, comfortable control over 10,000+ supported Steam games.
- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
Rank #4
- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
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