On a PS4 Pro, 4K and HDR need three things to agree: the display, the cable and the console settings. Sony's guides say to enable 4K on the display and on every device in the chain, use Premium HDMI cables, connect directly to the TV for HDR, set Resolution to Automatic, 2160p - YUV420 or 2160p - RGB, and set HDR and Deep Color to Automatic. There is no 120 Hz or variable refresh rate on the PS4 in Sony's pages: the 4K guide refers to 60 Hz, and those two features belong to the PS5.
Differential
Likely causes of “PlayStation 4 Pro HDR, 4K, 120 Hz or VRR is not available”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
4K is not enabled on the display or another device in the chain
What separates it The Pro is set to 2160p but the picture stays at 1080p
How to confirm Enable 4K in the TV's own settings and on any AV receiver between the Pro and the TV, as Sony says
- 2
A cable that is not Premium certified
What separates it The picture flickers or drops at 4K or HDR
How to confirm Use the cable supplied with the PS4 Pro or a Premium HDMI cable for every device in the chain
- 3
The HDMI input does not support 4K or HDR
What separates it 4K works on one HDMI input and not another
How to confirm Check the TV manual for which HDMI port supports 4K and HDR, and turn on the TV's UHD Color or HDMI Enhanced Mode setting
- 4
An HDCP handshake failure with a 4K TV
What separates it The Pro shows no image on the 4K TV but works on another display
How to confirm In Safe Mode set HDCP Mode to HDCP 1.4 Only to get a picture, then set it back to Automatic afterwards
- 5
A receiver or switch in the path for HDR
What separates it HDR works when the Pro goes straight to the TV and not through a receiver
How to confirm Sony says the console must be connected directly to the TV to output HDR; it cannot go through a receiver or switch box
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The TV model, its HDMI port and whether that port supports 4K and HDR
- The cable used and any receiver in the chain
- The Resolution, HDR and Deep Color settings and the system software version
- Whether the problem is in one game or everywhere
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedCheck the display and its manual
ReversibleConfirm the TV supports 4K at 60 Hz. Sony says if it does not, the picture may be scaled down to 2K at 60 Hz. Find which HDMI port supports 4K and HDR.
Enable 4K everywhere in the chain
ReversibleOpen the TV's picture settings and enable 4K or its HDMI Enhanced Mode, and repeat on any AV receiver between the Pro and the TV. The Pro turns 4K on automatically if it detects a 4K device.
Use the right cable
ReversibleUse the HDMI cable supplied with the PS4 Pro or a Premium certified cable for every device in the chain.
Set the Pro's video output
ReversibleFrom the home screen go to Settings, Sound and Screen, Video Output Settings. Set Resolution to Automatic, or to 2160p - YUV420 or 2160p - RGB. Automatic uses the highest resolution the display and content support.
Set HDR and Deep Color
ReversibleIn Video Output Settings set HDR and Deep Color Output to Automatic. Under Video Output Information the console shows Supported beside HDR if the display can do it. Use Adjust HDR to calibrate.
Connect directly for HDR
ReversibleSony says the console must be connected directly to the TV to output HDR. Take out the receiver or switch box while testing.
Use Safe Mode if the picture is blank
ReversibleHold the power button until the second beep, connect the controller by USB and press the PS button. Choose option 8, Set HDCP Mode, then HDCP 1.4 Only; if that fails use option 2, Change Resolution, to select 2160p - YUV420, then set HDCP back to Automatic.
Try Boost Mode and Supersampling Mode
ReversibleBoost Mode, under Settings, System, may improve the frame rate of some older games; Supersampling Mode, under Video Output Settings, improves resolution on a 1080p or lower HDTV and cannot be enabled on a 4K display.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- What only the Pro does
- Sony says you can enjoy 4K only on the PS4 Pro. The Slim (CUH-2000 series) outputs up to 1080p with HDR, and Supersampling Mode and Boost Mode are Pro options.
- HDR requirements
- A 2K or 4K HDR10 TV, a Premium HDMI cable, HDR content and system software 7.0 or later, per Sony's HDR article.
- Tools and supplies
- A Premium HDMI cable, a USB cable for the controller in Safe Mode, the TV manual and remote, and a notepad for the settings.
- What to tell Sony or the TV maker
- The TV model, HDMI port, the cable, the resolution and HDCP settings you tried and the console model number; a part number is not needed.
- Repair cost
- For this fault an HDMI port replacement is typically $100 to $150 per VideoGame911 and $80 to $130 per iFixScreens.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the PlayStation 4 (Slim and Pro).
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If you still have no picture after the Safe Mode HDCP steps, contact your TV manufacturer as Sony advises, then PlayStation Repairs
- !If HDR still fails on a known-good TV and cable, contact Sony
- !If you see a resolution issue on the Pro's own output, visit the PlayStation Repairs diagnostic tool
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Sony writes the 4K guide for the PS4 Pro only and does not list TVs that work with it. Sony's PS4 pages do not mention 120 Hz or variable refresh rate, so this page says only that.
Enabling 4K, HDCP and Safe Mode steps.
HDR requirements and calibration.
Boost Mode and Supersampling Mode.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I turn on 4K on a PS4 Pro?+
Enable 4K on the display and on any device in the chain, use Premium HDMI cables and set Resolution under Settings, Sound and Screen, Video Output Settings to Automatic or 2160p.
Does the PS4 Slim do 4K?+
No. Sony says you can enjoy 4K only with the PS4 Pro, though all PS4 consoles have HDR capability.
What do I need for PS4 HDR?+
A 2K or 4K HDR10 TV, a Premium HDMI cable, HDR content and system software 7.0 or later, with the console connected directly to the TV.
How do I check my TV supports HDR?+
Go to Settings, Sound and Screen, Video Output Settings, Video Output Information; Supported appears under HDR if your display supports it.
Does the PS4 do 120 Hz or VRR?+
Sony's PS4 guides do not describe either; its 4K guide refers to 60 Hz. Those features are documented for the PS5.
What is Boost Mode?+
A PS4 Pro setting that may improve the frame rate of some games released before the Pro launched on 10 November 2016. Turn it off if a game behaves unexpectedly.
What is Supersampling Mode?+
A PS4 Pro option for HDTVs at 1080p or lower that improves image resolution in certain games; it cannot be enabled on a 4K display.
Why is there no picture on my 4K TV?+
It may be a compatibility limit of some 4K TVs. Sony's fix is Safe Mode, HDCP 1.4 Only, then Change Resolution to 2160p - YUV420, then HDCP back to Automatic.