HDR and 120 Hz on a PS5 Pro come down to what the TV, the cable and the Video Output settings agree on. Sony's checks for a missing 4K 120 Hz picture are the TV's claimed support, its firmware, the included or an Ultra High Speed cable, a direct connection with no receiver, an HDMI 2.1 port with any TV setting changed, and Resolution set to Auto or 2160p with Video Transfer Rate on Auto. The Pro adds 8K output, PSSR image enhancement and PS4 image enhancement, each with limits.
Differential
Likely causes of “PlayStation 5 Pro HDR, 4K, 120 Hz or VRR is not available”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The TV or its HDMI port does not support 4K 120 Hz
What separates it The console shows 1080p at 120 Hz or blanks when 120 Hz is on
How to confirm Check the TV claims 4K 120 Hz, use its HDMI 2.1 port and any TV setting it needs, and update the TV firmware
- 2
A cable that cannot carry the signal
What separates it The picture flickers or drops at 4K 120 Hz or with 8K on
How to confirm Use the cable that came with the console or an Ultra High Speed cable rated for 4K 120 Hz
- 3
An AV receiver or switch in the path
What separates it The signal is limited to a lower resolution or refresh rate through the receiver
How to confirm Connect the console directly to the TV, as Sony asks, then bring the receiver back
- 4
Video Output settings limiting the signal
What separates it HDR or 120 Hz is grayed out or a setting was left on Video Transfer Rate -1 or -2
How to confirm Set Resolution to Auto or 2160p and Video Transfer Rate to Auto, and check 120 Hz Output, VRR and HDR
- 5
8K, PSSR or PS4 image options the display cannot use
What separates it The picture goes black in one game after turning on Allow 8K Output or Enhance Image Quality for PS4 Games
How to confirm Turn off Allow 8K Output and Enhance Image Quality for PS4 Games, which need a suitable 8K or 2160p or 1440p 60 Hz screen
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The TV brand and model, its HDMI port number and its firmware version
- The cable and any receiver in the path
- The Resolution, 120 Hz Output, VRR, HDR and Video Transfer Rate settings
- Whether the problem is in one game or everywhere
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedCheck the TV's claim and firmware
ReversibleConfirm the TV says it supports 4K at 120 Hz and update its firmware. Sony's 4K 120 Hz checklist starts here, because not every TV that accepts 4K accepts 120 Hz.
Use the right cable and port
ReversibleUse the HDMI cable in the box or an Ultra High Speed cable rated for 4K 120 Hz. Plug it into a port on the TV that supports HDMI 2.1, and check the TV's manual because HDMI 2.1 may need a setting turned on.
Connect directly to the TV
ReversibleRemove any receiver or intermediate device and connect the console straight to the TV. Sony lists this as a check, since equipment in the chain can limit the signal.
Set Resolution and Video Transfer Rate
ReversibleIn Settings, Screen and Video, Video Output set Resolution to Auto or 2160p and Video Transfer Rate to Auto. Values of -1 or -2 limit 4K 120 Hz.
Turn on HDR the way Sony describes
ReversibleIn Video Output choose HDR. Always On converts even non-HDR games to HDR; On When Supported shows non-HDR games in SDR. Open Adjust HDR to tune the brightness for your TV.
Test 120 Hz Output and VRR
ReversibleTurn on 120 Hz Output for games that support it, and turn it off if a monitor or display has trouble. VRR adjusts the refresh rate in real time on supporting TVs; results vary by TV.
Set up 8K only if your screen supports it
ReversibleAllow 8K Output needs an 8K TV that supports 60 Hz with Display Stream Compression. VRR is disabled during 8K output, and PlayStation VR and VR2 limit it, so turn 8K off if these matter.
Use Enhance Image Quality for PS4 Games and PSSR sensibly
ReversibleBoth are Pro options. Enhance Image Quality for PS4 Games needs a 2160p or 1440p 60 Hz screen; turn either off if you get unexpected behavior in a game.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Pro-only video options
- Sony says Allow 8K Output, Enhance Image Quality for PS4 Games and Enhance PSSR Image Quality are available only on consoles in the CFI-7000 model group.
- 8K limits
- Sony lists games as up to 8K, the system and media apps as up to 4K, screenshots and the media gallery as up to 8K and gameplay clips up to 4K on the PS5 Pro.
- Tools and supplies
- An Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, the TV manual and remote, and a notepad to log settings as you change them.
- What to tell Sony
- The TV model, the cable and the settings you tried, with the console model number CFI-7000 series; a part number is not needed.
- Repair cost
- For this fault an HDMI port replacement is about $189, and $249 or more if the HDMI chip is damaged. These are BadgerLayer's 2026 PS5 independent-shop prices; Sony's own out-of-warranty service is a higher flat fee with a longer wait.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the PlayStation 5 (launch, Slim and Digital models), PlayStation 5 launch disc model, PlayStation 5 launch Digital Edition.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the picture is unstable with the included cable connected directly to a TV that claims 4K 120 Hz, contact PlayStation Repairs with the model number
- !If 8K output cuts VR or capture features you need, turn it off; that is a documented limit and not a fault
- !If HDR still fails on a known-good TV and cable, contact Sony repair
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The other PS5 models share the HDR and 120 Hz settings but not the Pro-only options.
Video Output settings, 4K 120 Hz troubleshooting and 8K limits.
HDR modes and the Adjust HDR screen.
8K feature limits and Pro accessory compatibility.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is my PS5 Pro not outputting 4K 120 Hz?+
Check the TV supports it and has the latest firmware, use the included or an Ultra High Speed cable, connect directly to an HDMI 2.1 port, and set Resolution to Auto or 2160p with Video Transfer Rate on Auto.
How do I turn on HDR on the PS5?+
Go to Settings, Screen and Video, Video Output, HDR. Always On converts every game to HDR; On When Supported leaves non-HDR games in SDR.
What does Video Transfer Rate -1 do?+
Sony says it limits 4K 120 Hz, 4K 60 Hz RGB or YUV444 Deep Color and 8K 60 Hz output to reduce flicker. Leave it on Auto unless the picture flickers.
What is 8K on the PS5 Pro?+
Sony says 8K output needs a screen that supports 8K at 60 Hz with Display Stream Compression, works only on the CFI-7000 model group, and disables VRR while it is active.
Can I use VR with 8K output?+
No. Sony says you cannot use 8K output while PlayStation VR is connected, and with PlayStation VR2 connected and the TV on 8K, the headset cannot display video.
What is Enhance PSSR Image Quality?+
A Pro setting that improves image quality in games that support PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution. It is on by default and can be turned off in Video Output.
What does Enhance Image Quality for PS4 Games need?+
A screen that supports 2160p or 1440p at 60 Hz, and it applies only to PS4 games on CFI-7000 consoles. Sony says to turn it off if a game behaves unexpectedly.
Do the other PS5 models have this problem?+
The HDR and 120 Hz settings are on every PS5. The 8K, PSSR and PS4 enhancement options exist only on the Pro.