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The Xbox Series S supports up to 120 frames per second (FPS). That is a ceiling, not a promise that every game runs at 120 FPS. The game must offer a 120-FPS mode (or supported FPS Boost), and your TV or monitor must support a compatible 120Hz signal.
Xbox Series S FPS limit
Microsoft lists the Series S performance capability as up to 120 FPS with supported content and a compatible display. Its primary gaming target is 1440p, while 4K output is available through upscaling. See Microsoft’s specifications at xbox.com.
“Up to” matters: the console can output a game at 120 FPS when the title and selected mode support it, but it does not raise a game’s built-in frame-rate limit.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat frame rates should you expect?
| Frame rate | What it usually means on Series S |
|---|---|
| 30 FPS | Quality-focused mode with higher resolution, ray tracing, shadows, or other effects. |
| 60 FPS | The common performance target for current-generation games and often the best balance of clarity and responsiveness. |
| 120 FPS | Available only in selected games or modes, commonly with reduced or dynamic resolution and fewer visual effects. |
Microsoft’s original hardware fact sheet described a 1440p-at-60-FPS target while supporting frame rates up to 120 FPS: Xbox Series X|S fact sheet.
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Does every Series S game support 120 FPS?
No. Frame-rate support is decided title by title. A game needs a developer-provided 120-FPS performance mode, and it may require the Xbox Series X|S version or a specific update. Some games remain capped at 30 or 60 FPS regardless of your console settings.
Performance modes are game-specific
A quality mode may prioritize resolution, lighting, ray tracing, or detail at 30 or 60 FPS. A performance mode may lower or dynamically adjust resolution and effects to target 60 or 120 FPS. A 120-FPS target is not automatically a locked 120 FPS; demanding scenes can cause the rate to fluctuate unless the developer explicitly confirms a locked result.
FPS Boost is a limited backward-compatibility feature
Microsoft’s FPS Boost program applies only to selected backward-compatible games. It can raise the frame rate without a full current-generation patch, but it is not a universal setting. Microsoft gave New Super Lucky’s Tale as an example that could reach 120 FPS, while UFC 4 received a Series S-specific increase to 60 FPS. Details and supported titles are listed by Xbox Wire at the FPS Boost announcement and the FPS Boost games list.
FPS versus Hz: what is the difference?
FPS is how many frames the game renders each second. Hz is how many times the display refreshes each second.
- A 60-FPS game remains 60 FPS on a 120Hz display.
- A 120-FPS game needs a display capable of 120Hz to show all of those frames.
- A 144Hz or 165Hz monitor does not raise the Series S ceiling above 120 FPS.
- Variable refresh rate (VRR) can synchronize the screen with changing frame delivery, but it cannot turn a 60-FPS game into a 120-FPS game.
Microsoft lists HDMI Variable Refresh Rate and AMD FreeSync among the Series S features. A compatible display and signal path are still required: Series S specifications.
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- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FP.
- HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
What TV or monitor do you need?
For 120-FPS gaming, choose a screen with a native 120Hz (or higher) mode over a compatible HDMI input. Also check low-latency game mode and, if desired, VRR support. The display must support the particular resolution-and-refresh combination that the Xbox is sending; a “120Hz” label alone does not guarantee every mode works.
You do not need a 4K screen specifically for 120 FPS. A 1080p or 1440p 120Hz display can be a practical match for the Series S. Avoid assuming that HDMI 2.1 is always required: the decisive issue is whether the console, display, cable, and any intermediary device pass the required signal. The Series S has one HDMI 2.1 port, but the appropriate connection standard depends on the selected mode.
Can Series S do 1440p at 120 FPS?
1440p is the console’s stated gaming-resolution target, but no universal 1440p/120-FPS result exists. Each game chooses its rendering resolution and performance target. A title may use dynamic resolution, lower effects, or a separate 120-FPS mode to stay near its target. Treat 1440p at 120 FPS as a possible game-specific combination, not a guaranteed console-wide specification.
Can Series S do 4K at 120 FPS?
Do not buy the Series S expecting native 4K at 120 FPS. Microsoft positions it around 1440p gaming with 4K upscaling. A 4K television can accept the console’s output and remain useful, but the game’s internal rendering resolution, the console’s output setting, and the display’s refresh rate are separate matters. The available combination depends on the title and the display’s supported HDMI modes.
How to enable 120Hz output
Dashboard wording can change with system updates, but the current Xbox route is:
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- Open Settings.
- Select General, then TV & display options.
- Set Refresh rate to 120 Hz if the connected screen offers it.
- Open 4K TV details to see which resolution and refresh-rate combinations Xbox detects.
- Open the game’s video or graphics settings and select Performance, 120 FPS, or equivalent when available.
- For a supported backward-compatible title, open its management/settings area and check Compatibility options for FPS Boost.
Xbox Support’s 120Hz guidance explains the compatibility screen and signal requirements: 4K gaming at 120Hz.
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Why 120 FPS may not work
The 120Hz option is missing
- The screen may be limited to 60Hz at the selected resolution.
- The Xbox may be connected through an AVR, soundbar, switch, capture device, or adapter that cannot pass the mode.
- You may be using the wrong HDMI input, or the display’s enhanced/gaming HDMI mode may be disabled.
- The cable or adapter may not support the required signal.
- The display may support 120Hz only at a different resolution.
- Xbox may not have detected the display correctly.
Check Settings > General > TV & display options > 4K TV details and, for testing, connect the console directly to the display.
Xbox reports 120Hz but the game stays at 60 FPS
This is normal when the game has no 120-FPS mode, is in Quality mode, is capped at 60 FPS, lacks its Series X|S update, or has no applicable FPS Boost. The 120Hz setting establishes the output capability; it does not remove a game’s cap.
The game dips below 120 FPS
Dynamic resolution, demanding effects, a game-specific cap, or an inconsistent performance target can all produce a rate below 120. VRR may make those changes look smoother, but it does not guarantee a locked frame rate. Use “targets” or “up to” unless the developer or a reliable test confirms sustained 120 FPS.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is 120 FPS worth prioritizing?
Competitive and fast-action games
In competitive shooters, racing games, and other fast-action titles, 120 FPS can improve motion clarity and reduce input latency when the mode is well implemented. A compatible 120Hz screen is most valuable if these are the games you play.
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- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
Cinematic single-player games
A stable 60 FPS or a higher-quality 30-FPS mode may be preferable when resolution, lighting, and visual detail matter more than maximum responsiveness. Select the mode that suits the game rather than treating 120 FPS as mandatory.
Buying guidance for a display or console
If your current screen is 60Hz and you regularly play games with 120-FPS modes, prioritize a display with native 120Hz, suitable HDMI compatibility, low input lag, and optional VRR. Verify the exact combination in the Xbox 4K TV details screen. A higher PC refresh rating such as 165Hz or 240Hz provides no extra Series S frame-rate headroom.
The Series S is a sensible all-digital choice for up-to-120-FPS gaming, but it is a poor fit if you require a disc drive, native-4K-focused gaming, or the highest sustained graphical settings. Microsoft’s buying page lists current configurations and retailer availability; prices vary and should be checked at publication: Microsoft Store Xbox Series S.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum FPS of Xbox Series S?
Its maximum supported output is up to 120 FPS in compatible games and modes.
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No. You need a compatible 120Hz mode; 1080p or 1440p 120Hz displays can be appropriate.
Why does my 120Hz setting not make every game 120 FPS?
Refresh rate is a display capability. The game must separately include a 120-FPS mode or supported FPS Boost.
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