Why the Optoma UHD35 PS5 120Hz Not Working Issue Happens
If your Optoma UHD35 PS5 120Hz not working problem is keeping you stuck at 60Hz, the cause is usually a settings mismatch rather than a hardware failure.
The PS5, the projector, and the HDMI chain all need to agree on resolution, refresh rate, and HDMI mode before 120Hz will appear.
The UHD35 is a 4K-capable DLP projector that can accept high refresh rates at lower resolutions, but console output is limited by cable quality, game support, and the projector’s input configuration.
That makes this issue look complicated even when the fix is straightforward.
What 120Hz means on the PS5 and UHD35
The PlayStation 5 can output 120 frames per second in supported games, but it does not always do so at 4K.
Many titles switch to 1080p or dynamic resolutions to enable higher refresh rates, which is important when testing the Optoma UHD35.
The UHD35 supports fast input for gaming, but the PS5 must send a compatible signal.
If the console is outputting 4K at 60Hz, or if the projector is receiving a restricted HDMI signal, 120Hz will not be available.
- PS5 output: 1080p/120Hz or 1440p/120Hz in supported scenarios
- Projector input: HDMI signal must be accepted at the selected resolution
- Game support: the title must include a 120Hz mode or performance mode
Check the PS5 video settings first
Start with the PS5 because its video menu determines what the console tries to send.
A single setting can prevent the system from offering a 120Hz option.
Recommended PS5 settings
- Set Resolution to Automatic
- Set 120Hz Output to Automatic
- Set Performance Mode or Resolution Mode based on your game test
- Turn on Game Preset if available, and choose Performance Mode
After changing these options, fully restart the PS5 instead of using Rest Mode.
A full reboot helps the console renegotiate the HDMI signal with the projector.
Use the right HDMI port, cable, and signal path
Many 120Hz failures are caused by the connection path, not the projector itself.
The PS5 should be connected directly to the UHD35 with a certified high-speed HDMI cable whenever possible.
Connection checks
- Use the HDMI cable included with the PS5 or an equivalent certified cable
- Connect the PS5 directly to the projector, not through a receiver or switch
- Avoid older AV receivers, HDMI splitters, and capture devices during testing
- Replace any long or damaged cable, especially if it exceeds typical gaming-length runs
If you must use an AV receiver or soundbar, confirm that it supports the same HDMI bandwidth and refresh-rate handling as the PS5 output.
Some devices pass 4K/60Hz but fail to pass 1080p/120Hz correctly.
Adjust the Optoma UHD35 settings for gaming
The Optoma UHD35 has input and image settings that can affect how it handles console signals.
For best results, put the projector into a gaming-friendly configuration before testing 120Hz.
Projector settings to review
- Set the input to the correct HDMI port
- Enable the projector’s low-latency or gaming mode if available
- Turn off unnecessary image processing features
- Check for any HDMI range or color mode mismatch
Image-enhancement features can add processing overhead or complicate handshake behavior.
For troubleshooting, keep picture settings simple and focus on signal stability first.
Does the game actually support 120Hz?
One of the most common reasons for Optoma UHD35 PS5 120Hz not working reports is that the game itself does not support 120Hz.
The PS5 will only offer the higher refresh rate in titles that include a performance or 120fps mode.
Examples of games that often support a higher refresh mode include competitive shooters, racers, and action titles with performance presets.
Story-driven games frequently stay at 60Hz or below, even on capable hardware.
Look for in-game options such as:
- Performance Mode
- 120Hz Mode
- High Frame Rate Mode
- Unlocked Frame Rate
If these options do not appear, consult the game’s settings menu or official documentation.
The console can only output what the game engine is designed to request.
Why the projector may still show 60Hz
Even when 120Hz is active, some on-screen status displays or system menus may not clearly confirm it.
That can make the projector appear to be stuck at 60Hz when the issue is actually happening earlier in the chain.
Common causes include a resolution fallback, HDMI handshake problem, or a temporary EDID communication error between the PS5 and the UHD35.
In some cases, changing inputs, power cycling both devices, and reconnecting the cable will force a fresh handshake.
Signs of a handshake issue
- Blank screen after switching to a game
- Signal briefly appears and disappears
- PS5 menu works, but the game does not
- 120Hz option disappears after a restart or input change
Update firmware and restart both devices
Firmware updates can improve HDMI compatibility, stability, and gaming performance.
Check for updates on both the PS5 and the Optoma UHD35 if the refresh rate issue persists.
After updating, power down both devices completely, unplug them for a minute, and reconnect them.
This clears temporary HDMI negotiation errors that a normal restart may not resolve.
- Update the PS5 system software
- Check whether the Optoma UHD35 firmware is current
- Restart the projector and console after updates
Test with 1080p first, then move upward
If 120Hz still does not work, test the simplest supported setup first: 1080p at 120Hz.
This reduces bandwidth demands and makes it easier to identify whether the issue is resolution-related.
Once 1080p/120Hz works, try increasing settings gradually.
If 120Hz disappears at higher resolutions, the limitation is likely bandwidth, cable quality, or an intermediary device rather than the projector panel itself.
When an AV receiver is the problem
Home theater receivers can introduce HDMI compatibility limits even when they advertise 4K support.
Some models handle 4K video but do not reliably pass 120Hz gaming signals from a PS5 to a projector.
If the Optoma UHD35 works directly with the PS5 but fails through a receiver, the receiver is the bottleneck.
In that case, route video directly to the projector and send audio separately to the receiver if needed.
Practical checklist for fixing Optoma UHD35 PS5 120Hz not working
Use this quick checklist to isolate the issue efficiently.
- Confirm the game supports 120Hz or performance mode
- Set PS5 120Hz Output to Automatic
- Use the PS5 HDMI cable or a certified high-speed replacement
- Connect the PS5 directly to the UHD35
- Enable low-latency or gaming settings on the projector
- Restart both devices after changes
- Test at 1080p/120Hz before higher settings
- Bypass receivers, splitters, and capture devices during troubleshooting
When to suspect a hardware limitation
If you have verified the cable, settings, and game support, and 120Hz still will not appear, the issue may be related to unsupported HDMI routing or a faulty cable or port.
True projector hardware failure is less common than signal negotiation problems, but it can happen.
Try another HDMI port if the projector offers one, test with a different PS5 title known to support 120Hz, and compare behavior with another source device if available.
That will tell you whether the issue follows the console, the projector, or the connection path.
How to get the best gaming setup on the UHD35
For the smoothest PS5 experience, keep the signal path short and simple.
The Optoma UHD35 is best used with a direct console connection, minimal processing, and a game that explicitly supports high refresh output.
That approach not only helps solve the Optoma UHD35 PS5 120Hz not working issue, but also delivers lower latency and more consistent image behavior overall.