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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 & 11If your PS5 picture flickers, start by checking the HDMI connection, cable, screen input and port. Then connect the console directly to the display, check its firmware and video capabilities, and try Sony’s Video Transfer Rate setting at -1 or -2. These steps help isolate common signal-path and compatibility issues, but no single adjustment is guaranteed to fix every cause.
Try these nine PS5 screen-flicker checks in order
Change one thing at a time and check whether the picture improves. This makes it easier to identify whether the issue follows a cable, port, intermediary device or video setting.
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1. Reseat the HDMI cable and check the screen input
Make sure the cable is firmly connected at both the PS5 and the screen, and confirm the screen is showing the HDMI input the console is plugged into. Sony’s picture and sound troubleshooting guide recommends checking the connection and input first.
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2. Test another HDMI cable
If you have another compatible HDMI cable, try it. Sony recommends the HDMI 2.1 cable included with the console for its high-performance features, but says older HDMI cables can also be used. A cable swap is a test, not a guarantee that a replacement will stop flickering.
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3. Switch to a different HDMI port
If your TV or monitor has more than one HDMI port, connect the PS5 to another one and select that input. Ports on the same display may not support identical features. For 4K at 120 Hz, check the screen manual to find a port that supports that signal.
4. Connect the PS5 directly to the display
Temporarily take receivers, sound bars, capture devices and other equipment out of the HDMI path. Connect the console straight to the screen and test the picture. If flickering stops, you have narrowed down where to investigate; this test alone does not prove that a removed device is defective.
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5. Fully power down and disconnect both devices
- Turn off the PS5 and the display.
- Disconnect the power cables from both devices.
- Wait 20 minutes, as Sony’s troubleshooting instructions specify.
- Reconnect the power cables, turn the devices back on and check the image.
Follow the steps in Sony’s picture and sound troubleshooting guide.
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Look for firmware updates using the TV or monitor maker’s instructions. Also consult the display manual for settings or port requirements needed to accept high-resolution signals. Firmware and input settings can affect compatibility with the signal the PS5 is sending.
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7. Try Video Transfer Rate -1 or -2
On the PS5, open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. Select Video Transfer Rate and try -1; if flickering continues, test -2. Sony’s resolution settings guide specifically recommends this when the screen flickers: “If you experience flickering on the screen, try selecting -1 or -2 to limit output.”
These options limit certain output modes and may improve picture quality, but can also reduce which modes are available. Treat them as troubleshooting settings rather than the best choice for every display.
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8. Check the output signal against your display
In Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output, review Current Video Output Signal and the connected HDMI device information. Check that the selected resolution and refresh rate are supported by both the display and the specific HDMI port in use.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteSony says the PS5 supports HDMI 2.1 and 4K at 120 Hz, but whether you can use a particular output depends on the connected equipment. For 4K 120 Hz, Sony advises using the included cable or an appropriately rated Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. A new cable or display is not required simply because flickering occurs; consider equipment changes only if your current setup cannot support the signal you want or a cable test points to a cable issue. See Sony’s 4K resolution guide.
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9. Contact PlayStation Repairs if flickering persists
If the image still flickers after these checks, use PlayStation Repairs for diagnosis. The cited troubleshooting guidance does not establish a universal cause, and it does not support opening the console or attempting board-level HDMI repairs as a home fix.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Test VRR only if it fits the symptoms
If your display supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and flickering happens only in particular games or visual modes, try turning VRR off as a controlled test. On PS5, go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output and adjust the VRR setting. Sony describes VRR as syncing a compatible display’s refresh rate with PS5 graphical output and notes that results vary by TV, game and visual mode. Its guidance does not identify VRR as a general cause of flickering.
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