Why PS5 120Hz Not Working Happens
If your PS5 120Hz not working issue is keeping games locked to 60Hz, the problem usually comes from a settings mismatch, HDMI bandwidth limit, or a TV or monitor feature that is not enabled.
The PS5 can output 120Hz only when the console, display, cable, and game all support it at the same time.
This makes the issue confusing because the console may look set up correctly while one hidden display setting is blocking the higher refresh rate.
The good news is that most 120Hz problems can be diagnosed with a structured checklist.
What 120Hz on PS5 Actually Requires
Before changing settings, it helps to understand the requirements.
A PS5 can only run 120 frames per second when the connected display accepts a 120Hz signal over HDMI and the game offers a 120fps mode.
- PS5 console: Standard PS5 and PS5 Slim support 120Hz output.
- Display: TV or monitor must support 120Hz, often at 1080p, 1440p, or 4K depending on the panel.
- HDMI connection: Use a cable and port that support the needed bandwidth.
- Game support: The title must include a performance or 120fps mode.
- System settings: PS5 must be configured to allow 120Hz output.
Check PS5 System Settings First
Start with the console itself.
Incorrect system settings are one of the most common reasons PS5 120Hz not working reports appear.
Enable performance mode
Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets and set Performance Mode.
Many games use this preset as a default behavior when choosing between resolution and frame rate.
Turn on 120Hz output
Open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output.
Check the following:
- 120Hz Output: Set to Automatic
- Resolution: Leave on Automatic unless troubleshooting requires a manual test
- VRR: Optional, but some setups benefit from it when supported by the display and game
- HDR: Usually not the cause, but occasionally a display-specific issue can appear when HDR is enabled
If you changed these settings recently, restart the console afterward so the HDMI handshake refreshes.
Verify That the Game Supports 120fps
Not every PS5 game can run at 120Hz.
Some titles offer a 120fps mode, while others only support 60fps or lower regardless of console settings.
Look for terms such as:
- Performance Mode
- 120Hz Mode
- High Frame Rate Mode
- Unlocked Frame Rate
Popular games sometimes require you to enable the mode inside the game settings, not just in the PS5 system menu.
If the game has no 120fps option, the console will remain at 60Hz output behavior.
Confirm Your TV or Monitor Supports 120Hz
Display compatibility is another major factor.
Many TVs advertise 120Hz support but only on specific HDMI ports or at certain resolutions.
Some monitors support 120Hz only over DisplayPort on PC, not HDMI on consoles.
Check the HDMI port
Some TVs reserve 120Hz support for HDMI 2.1 ports, while older HDMI 2.0 ports may support 120Hz only at lower resolutions.
Move the PS5 cable to the port labeled for gaming, 4K/120, or enhanced format if your TV includes those labels.
Enable enhanced input settings
TV manufacturers often require special input modes before 120Hz works.
Common names include:
- Enhanced Format
- HDMI Ultra HD Deep Color
- Input Signal Plus
- 4K120 Mode
- Game Optimizer
If this feature is off, the TV may still display an image but cap refresh rate at 60Hz.
Use the Right HDMI Cable
The PS5 includes a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, and that is the best choice for troubleshooting.
A lower-grade or damaged cable can prevent a 120Hz signal from negotiating correctly.
Check for these cable issues:
- Using an older HDMI cable from a PS4 or media device
- Loose connection at the console or display
- Visible cable damage or bent connectors
- Very long third-party HDMI runs that reduce signal quality
If possible, test with the original PS5 cable directly connected to the TV or monitor, without splitters, capture cards, AV receivers, or adapters.
Rule Out Receiver, Splitter, or Adapter Problems
External devices often interrupt 120Hz support even when the PS5 and display are both compatible.
AV receivers, HDMI switches, and capture cards may pass 4K60 but fail at 4K120 or 1440p120.
For troubleshooting, connect the PS5 directly to the display.
If 120Hz starts working, the issue is in the intermediate device or its HDMI specification.
Many home theater receivers require a specific 8K or HDMI 2.1 input mode to pass high-bandwidth signals.
Try Different Resolution and Output Combinations
Sometimes 120Hz only works at certain resolutions.
This depends on the TV or monitor’s bandwidth limits and the PS5’s output negotiation.
Test these combinations in Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output:
- Automatic resolution first
- 1080p if automatic fails
- 1440p if your display supports it
- 4K only if the TV or monitor clearly supports 4K120
If your display supports 120Hz at 1080p but not 4K, that is not a console problem.
It is a bandwidth limitation of the display or HDMI path.
Check TV Game Mode and Motion Settings
Some televisions hide high-refresh behavior behind picture processing features.
Game Mode is usually necessary because it reduces input lag and may unlock the full HDMI path.
Disable or test these options if 120Hz is not appearing:
- Motion smoothing
- Frame interpolation
- Cinema or video processing modes
- Dynamic contrast features
Many TVs automatically restrict advanced refresh behavior unless Game Mode or PC Mode is active.
On some monitors, switching to a PC input label can also help expose 120Hz options.
How to Tell Whether the PS5 Is Actually Outputting 120Hz
Not all displays show the refresh rate clearly, so it helps to verify the signal directly.
Open the PS5 video output information screen or check your display’s information menu if available.
You can also test in-game responsiveness.
A true 120fps mode should feel noticeably smoother in fast camera movement, aiming, and menu transitions.
Still, the best confirmation is the display information page showing a 120Hz input signal.
Common PS5 120Hz Troubleshooting Steps
If the issue continues, use this quick checklist in order:
- Restart the PS5 and display.
- Use the original PS5 HDMI cable.
- Connect directly to the TV or monitor.
- Switch to the correct HDMI 2.1 or enhanced port.
- Enable the TV’s enhanced input or game mode setting.
- Set PS5 120Hz Output to Automatic.
- Set the game to Performance Mode or 120fps mode.
- Lower resolution to 1080p as a test.
This sequence isolates the most common failure points without changing too many variables at once.
When the Problem Is the TV or Monitor
If PS5 120Hz not working remains unresolved after all console checks, the display may simply not support the combination you want.
Some common limitations include:
- 120Hz supported only at 1080p, not 4K
- 120Hz supported on one HDMI port only
- VRR support present, but not 120Hz at the same time in every mode
- 120Hz available only with specific picture presets
Display manuals often include a chart showing the exact resolution and refresh rate combinations supported on each HDMI input.
That chart is often more accurate than the marketing label on the box.
What to Do If Everything Looks Correct
If the PS5 settings are right, the cable is proper, the game supports 120fps, and the display is compatible, the issue may be a firmware or handshake bug.
In that case, update the PS5 system software and check for a TV or monitor firmware update from the manufacturer.
Also try resetting video output on the PS5 by turning the console off, then booting into Safe Mode and selecting the option to change resolution or rebuild video settings if needed.
This can clear a bad handshake that persists after normal restarts.
Fast Checklist for PS5 120Hz Not Working
- Use the PS5’s original HDMI cable
- Connect directly to a supported HDMI port
- Enable 120Hz Output in PS5 settings
- Set Performance Mode as the game preset
- Enable enhanced input or Game Mode on the display
- Confirm the game has a 120fps option
- Test 1080p output if 4K120 fails
- Update PS5 and display firmware