Key takeaways
- PS5 Pro Video Output information and Test 1440p Output: free built-in diagnostics; use these to identify the negotiated display capability and test 1440p/120 Hz where applicable.
- Console’s included HDMI cable: already supplied with the system, so no purchase is normally needed; use it for a direct-connection A/B test before blaming accessories.
- TV or monitor manual and input-signal information overlay: normally free; check exact HDMI-port timings, enhanced-signal settings, and the actual incoming signal during a supported game.
PS5 Pro 120Hz not working? Start at Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. Set 120 Hz Output to Automatic, leave Resolution and Video Transfer Rate on Automatic for the first test, and launch a game with a confirmed 120 Hz mode. If the screen still reports 60 Hz, connect the console directly to the TV or monitor with its included HDMI cable and check that the input itself accepts 120 Hz. Those checks separate a display-handshake problem from a game that simply runs at 60 frames per second.
This guide covers PS5 Pro (the CFI-7000 model group) in US gaming setups. Menu names below follow PlayStation’s published PS5 guidance, which also applies to the Pro; TV menus vary by manufacturer and exact model. A 120 Hz video signal, 120 actual rendered frames per second, 4K resolution, HDR, and variable refresh rate (VRR) are different capabilities. Fix them in that order instead of switching everything at once.
Quick diagnosis: identify what is actually failing
| Symptom | Most useful first check | What the result means |
|---|---|---|
| Home screen says 60 Hz | Run a game with a documented 120 Hz mode, then read the display’s signal information | The home-screen readout alone does not establish that 120 Hz is broken |
| Game still says 60 Hz | Check 120 Hz Output and the game’s own performance/120 fps option | The title or mode may not be requesting a 120 Hz signal |
| 4K60 works, 4K120 fails | Use the correct 120 Hz HDMI input, included cable, and a direct connection | An input-mode, cable, or intermediate-device bottleneck is plausible |
| 120 Hz works at 1080p, not 4K | Check display’s exact 4K120 support and HDMI signal format | Resolution and refresh support may differ by port or input mode |
| Screen goes black when 120 Hz starts | Return to a known working mode, then bypass the soundbar/receiver/capture card | Often indicates a signal-path or compatibility issue, not a failed console |
| 1440p 120 Hz is missing | Run the PS5’s Test 1440p Output and read the 120 Hz result | Separates 1440p compatibility from 4K120 capability |
How to read the outcome: If one game negotiates 120 Hz but another does not, investigate game support and per-game settings first. If no compatible game can negotiate 120 Hz on a direct connection, investigate the HDMI input, display firmware, and cable. If the signal is 120 Hz but motion still looks uneven, look at actual game frame rate and VRR separately; refresh rate is not an FPS meter.
Check the PS5 Pro video output settings first
Enable 120 Hz Output and inspect the connected HDMI device
- From the PS5 Pro home screen, open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output.
- Set 120 Hz Output to Automatic. This permits supported games to request 120 Hz; it does not force all software to run at 120 fps.
- Set Resolution to Automatic initially. For a proven 4K display, you can later test 2160p; do not select it to diagnose a 1080p-only monitor.
- Keep Video Transfer Rate on Automatic for the baseline test. Record the previous values of HDR and VRR rather than changing them immediately.
- Open Information for the Connected HDMI Device where available and note the display capabilities shown. Also check Current Video Output Signal while your test game is running.
Expected result: the connected display recognizes the mode needed by a supported game, and its own signal-information panel can show a 120 Hz input during gameplay. The console settings enable the possibility of 120 Hz; the game must request it and the HDMI path must accept it. The names displayed on the TV’s information overlay are manufacturer-specific, so compare the actual input signal, not a marketing phrase such as “motion 240.”
If 120 Hz Output appears unavailable or the screen still shows 60 Hz: do not repeatedly toggle it. Continue with a known compatible game and the physical HDMI checks below. An unsupported current input, an adapter, or a display mode restriction cannot be repaired by repeatedly changing this option.
Do not confuse the PS5 home screen with a 120 fps test
A TV may display a 60 Hz signal in the console interface and switch modes when a supported game enters gameplay. This is why checking only the dashboard can produce a false failure report. Make the test repeatable: use the same TV input, one known 120 Hz-capable title and its specific high-frame-rate mode, and the display’s information overlay. Write down the result after entering an actual match or level, not only the game’s title screen.
PlayStation describes its 120 Hz Output control as enabling video output for TVs and games that support the 120 Hz frame rate. That qualifier matters. Even if a game supports a 120 Hz signal, the game may render fewer than 120 distinct frames because of workload, graphics settings, or a frame-rate cap. A refresh-rate label does not prove stable 120 fps performance.
Make sure the HDMI path really supports 120 Hz
Use the right TV port, not just any HDMI socket
Read the display’s exact model number and manual. Some 4K TVs accept 120 Hz only on selected HDMI inputs, and some require an enhanced-signal setting for that input. Connect the PS5 Pro to the specified 4K120-capable port rather than assuming every port supports the same bandwidth. Sony’s BRAVIA support tables, for example, show that port capability differs across TV families and years; those port numbers should not be copied to a Samsung, LG, or other model.
For compatible BRAVIA models, Sony documents menus such as Channels & Inputs > External Inputs > HDMI signal format, with choices that can include Enhanced format or an enhanced VRR/4K120 option. This is a brand-specific example, not a universal path. On other TVs, consult the input’s gaming or HDMI-signal page in the exact model manual. After changing that TV setting, retest the same game and note whether its input-signal readout changes.
Trade-off: enhanced modes can alter which formats are available, and some TV models pair certain features differently. If changing the input format removes a feature you value, return to the previous setting and check the manufacturer’s support table rather than assuming the console is defective.
Connect the PS5 Pro directly and test a known-good cable
Sony recommends the HDMI cable supplied with the console or an appropriate Ultra High Speed HDMI cable for 4K at 120 Hz. For diagnosis, connect PS5 Pro HDMI OUT directly to the display’s compatible HDMI input. Temporarily remove any HDMI switch, AV receiver, soundbar passthrough, capture card, or converter from the video path. These devices may accept 4K60 while failing to pass a 4K120 signal.
- Finish the current game, turn off the affected devices, and disconnect the intermediary HDMI equipment. Avoid pulling connectors while equipment is under strain.
- Connect the console directly to the documented 120 Hz-capable input with the included HDMI cable or a verified equivalent.
- Turn the display and console back on. Restore 120 Hz Output: Automatic and Video Transfer Rate: Automatic, then run the same game and mode.
- If direct 120 Hz output works, reconnect intermediate equipment one device at a time. The first device that makes the issue return is the next compatibility point to investigate.
Expected result: a direct connection either restores the high-refresh mode or rules out a common signal-path limitation. If a direct cable does not help, move to the display’s input capabilities and firmware. Do not buy a new cable until you have checked the included cable, the display port and the game mode; replacing an already suitable cable will not create game support.
Confirm your game actually has a 120 Hz mode
Choose a compatible game’s performance setting
From the PS5 Pro home screen, open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets. Under Performance Mode or Resolution Mode, choose Performance Mode when it suits the title. Sony explicitly notes that this preset applies only to games offering the relevant modes. It is a preference, not a master “120 fps for every game” switch.
Next, open the game itself and inspect its graphics, video, or display settings for a high-frame-rate or 120 fps option. This in-game path is intentionally not presented as an exact universal menu: developers label and place it differently, and some games apply their own quality/performance choice instead of using the console’s preset. Confirm support in the current game version’s official documentation, then restart or reload the game if its on-screen instructions require it.
If a game supports only 30 or 60 fps on PS5 Pro, an HDMI 2.1 cable and 120 Hz TV cannot make it a native 120 fps game. Likewise, a game’s “PS5 Pro Enhanced” designation does not by itself promise a 120 fps mode. The enhancement may target image quality, ray tracing or a different performance balance. This is especially important when you compare the Pro with a standard PS5 using the same game.
Use an A/B test to separate a game issue from a display issue
Test Game A, for which you have independently confirmed a 120 Hz mode, then Game B, the title showing the problem. Use one HDMI input and cable, the same console output settings, and each title’s documented high-frame-rate mode. If Game A produces a 120 Hz signal while Game B does not, the display path has demonstrated basic 120 Hz capability. Focus on Game B’s update, its selected graphics mode, and whether the relevant game build supports 120 Hz.
To check a game update, highlight it on the PS5 home screen, press the controller’s Options button, and choose Check for Update. Install an available update, then retest. This exact PS5 path is documented by PlayStation. It is safer and more useful than reinstalling the whole game or resetting your console at the beginning of troubleshooting.
Fix 4K 120 Hz falling back to 1080p or 60 Hz
If 1080p120 works but 2160p120 does not, you have learned something specific: the display/HDMI chain may support a high refresh rate at lower bandwidth but not the higher-resolution combination. Check the TV’s support matrix for the exact HDMI input, firmware, and the enhanced 4K120 signal mode. A sticker saying “120 Hz panel” does not automatically establish 4K at 120 Hz from the console on every input.
- Check the manual for 3840 × 2160 at 120 Hz input support on the port you are using. Do not substitute the TV’s panel motion rate for HDMI input timing.
- Set the input’s documented enhanced or 4K120 signal mode, if required; on some displays this is already automatic.
- On PS5 Pro, revisit Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. Start with Resolution: Automatic and Video Transfer Rate: Automatic, then use a compatible game to test.
- If the monitor supports 1440p but not 4K120, run the 1440p test described below instead of insisting on 2160p.
PlayStation notes that 4K120 may encounter interoperability problems despite HDMI 2.1 support. A receiver or capture card can also advertise partial support. If you can obtain 4K120 through a direct console-to-display connection but not through the receiver, check the receiver’s exact 4K120 input/output and firmware specifications. Do not generalize from “HDMI 2.1” in its product name: supported timings and passthrough behavior still matter.
Test 1440p 120 Hz on a gaming monitor
For a monitor whose documented HDMI input accepts 2560 × 1440 at 120 Hz, use the PS5 Pro’s built-in compatibility test. Navigate to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Test 1440p Output. PlayStation says this tests SDR and HDR at 60 Hz and 120 Hz, plus VRR when supported by the display. Follow the prompts, then examine which combinations pass.
If 1440p at 120 Hz passes, set Resolution to 1440p and try the supported game again. If 60 Hz passes but 120 Hz fails, investigate the monitor’s HDMI input specification and OSD input mode. Many high-refresh PC monitors advertise a higher refresh rate over DisplayPort than over HDMI, so the monitor’s maximum headline Hz rating is not enough. PS5 Pro uses HDMI for this video connection; a monitor’s DisplayPort-only high-refresh feature is not proof of HDMI 120 Hz compatibility.
If the 1440p test does not pass, return Resolution to Automatic to restore a dependable baseline. A failed 1440p test does not establish that the console is damaged: you may still be able to use 1080p120, 4K60, or another supported combination depending on the display. Record the test results so you can compare them against the monitor manufacturer’s specifications.
Resolve black screens, flicker, and signal dropouts
Start with reversible video-setting changes
When the screen goes black only as 120 Hz activates, first return to a setting that gives you a usable picture. For a visible menu, set 120 Hz Output to Off temporarily, confirm stable video, and then re-enable Automatic after fixing the cable/port/input format. That isolates 120 Hz negotiation without erasing settings or data.
PlayStation also offers Video Transfer Rate adjustments of -1 or -2 for certain 4K flicker problems. Treat these as diagnostic fallbacks, not guaranteed full-quality 4K120 fixes: Sony documents limitations to the available output/color formats at these values. Test -1 only after the direct-connection checks; if it helps, record the trade-off, and try returning to Automatic once the root cause is addressed. Do not use these settings to claim that every display can output full 4K120 HDR.
For a one-variable-at-a-time test, you can temporarily disable VRR in Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output, then retest the same game. If the issue disappears, examine the display’s VRR support and firmware before restoring it. VRR is not a prerequisite for a fixed 120 Hz output. Likewise, change HDR only as a diagnostic step and restore the prior value if it makes no difference. Avoid toggling VRR, HDR, resolution, and cable simultaneously because you will lose the ability to identify what fixed the problem.
If the PS5 Pro has no image, use Safe Mode cautiously
If the display remains blank even after choosing a known-good input and cable, stop trying blind menu changes. PlayStation’s Safe Mode includes Change Video Output > Change Resolution for blank-screen troubleshooting. To reach it, fully turn off the console, then press and hold the power button until the second beep (about seven seconds after the first); connect the controller by USB and press the PS button. Choose the video-output option rather than a reset.
Important: Safe Mode also contains destructive choices such as Reset PS5 and Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software), which remove user data. Do not select these to diagnose an ordinary 120 Hz handshake issue. If the screen is stable again at a basic resolution, recheck the connection, then reintroduce higher video modes one at a time. If even basic output fails on another known-compatible display, escalate to PlayStation hardware support.
Update the PS5 Pro, game, and display safely
Software compatibility can improve after updates, but updating is not the first remedy for a cable plugged into the wrong HDMI port. With a stable picture and reliable power, open Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings; choose Update System Software if an update is offered. Follow PlayStation’s official procedure and never interrupt a firmware installation or use third-party update files.
Next, update the affected game using Options > Check for Update on its home-screen tile. For the TV or monitor, identify the exact model and use the manufacturer’s official support instructions to check its firmware. Some displays have specific update fixes or settings for 4K120 and VRR. Follow the correct model procedure, retain the manufacturer’s recommended power precautions, and retest with the same known-good game after one update at a time.
When you contact support, share a precise symptom rather than “120 Hz doesn’t work.” Include PS5 Pro system-software status, TV/monitor model, HDMI port number, direct versus receiver/capture path, cable used, result of 1440p tests if applicable, a game known to request 120 Hz, and whether the problem is 60 Hz output, 1080p fallback, flickering, or a black screen. That evidence saves troubleshooting cycles and helps determine whether the fault is with the console or the display chain.
Tools That Help
- PS5 Pro Video Output information and Test 1440p Output: free built-in diagnostics; use these to identify the negotiated display capability and test 1440p/120 Hz where applicable.
- Console’s included HDMI cable: already supplied with the system, so no purchase is normally needed; use it for a direct-connection A/B test before blaming accessories.
- TV or monitor manual and input-signal information overlay: normally free; check exact HDMI-port timings, enhanced-signal settings, and the actual incoming signal during a supported game.
FAQ
Why does my PS5 Pro show 60 Hz on the home screen?
A 60 Hz home-screen indicator is not a definitive 120 Hz failure. Check the input signal while a game with a confirmed 120 Hz mode is actively running and after selecting that mode. If the game supports only 60 fps, it may not request a 120 Hz output regardless of the console’s capabilities.
Do I need an HDMI 2.1 TV for 120 Hz?
For 4K at 120 Hz, use a display input specifically documented for that format and an appropriate high-bandwidth HDMI connection; PlayStation recommends the included or an Ultra High Speed cable. A lower resolution such as 1080p or 1440p at 120 Hz can be supported by some monitors with different HDMI specifications. Verify the exact resolution/refresh combination, not only the HDMI version printed on the box.
Does turning on VRR unlock 120 fps?
No. VRR matches display refresh to varying game output within the supported range; it does not add a 120 fps mode to a game or make an incompatible HDMI input accept 4K120. Fix the supported 120 Hz signal first, then enable VRR if the monitor or TV and game support it.
Is a PS5 Pro Enhanced game automatically 120 fps?
No. The enhancement label is not a universal frame-rate specification. Check the developer’s current mode description for that exact title and build. Some graphics modes prioritize image quality over a 120 fps target; other games may offer a separate performance option.
Should I use a factory reset or buy an HDMI adapter?
Neither is a sensible first step. A factory reset risks data loss and cannot change a monitor’s HDMI timing support. An adapter can introduce another compatibility limitation. Test a direct connection with the included cable, correct input, and a supported game before considering purchases or invasive recovery steps.
Final thoughts
For PS5 Pro 120 Hz problems, the best next move is a controlled test: set 120 Hz Output, Resolution, and Video Transfer Rate to Automatic, connect directly to the display’s documented high-refresh HDMI port with the supplied cable, and launch one confirmed 120 Hz-compatible game in its high-frame-rate mode. Check the current input signal during gameplay. If it works, add other equipment back one piece at a time. If it fails, compare the display’s exact supported timing and firmware with the PS5’s 1440p or 4K test results before buying anything or contacting support.
