The Xbox One S plays 4K movies and streams and supports HDR, but it renders games at up to 1080p, so a game that looks upscaled rather than native 4K is the hardware tier, not a fault. Microsoft says the One S upscales games to 4K on a 4K TV, plays 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, and can output HDR10 or Dolby Vision. Set Display to Auto-detect, tick Allow 4K and Allow HDR10, use the supplied High Speed cable in the TV's 4K port, and remember a limited number of 4K Blu-ray films may not play on the One S.
Differential
Likely causes of “Xbox One S HDR, 4K, 120 Hz or VRR is not available”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The One S upscales games to 4K by design
What separates it Games look sharper than 1080p but not native 4K on a 4K TV
How to confirm This is the hardware tier; only the One X renders enhanced games in native 4K
- 2
Display set manually or 4K not allowed
What separates it 4K UHD will not select or 4K content stays at 1080p
How to confirm Set Display to Auto-detect and tick Allow 4K under Video modes
- 3
The TV or its port lacks 4K at 60 Hz
What separates it Choosing 4K UHD shows That didn't work because the TV or its port lacks 4K at 60 Hz
How to confirm Try a different HDMI port, check the TV's settings for a 60 Hz 4K mode and use the supplied cable
- 4
HDR formats not allowed
What separates it HDR content does not show as HDR because HDR formats are not allowed on the console
How to confirm Turn on Allow HDR10 and Allow Dolby Vision as your TV supports them
- 5
A 4K Blu-ray that this console may not play
What separates it One 4K film disc will not play while others do
How to confirm Microsoft says the One S meets the Ultra HD Blu-ray requirements but a limited number of discs may not play
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The TV model and the HDMI port used
- Whether it is the One S with a disc drive or the All-Digital Edition
- The Display, Allow 4K and Allow HDR10 settings
- Whether the problem is games, streaming or a Blu-ray disc
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedConfirm the console and TV
ReversibleCheck the sticker for Xbox One S. The One S supports 4K and HDR video, but not native 4K gaming. Confirm the TV supports 4K and HDR10 or Dolby Vision.
Read 4K TV details
ReversibleOpen Profile and system, Settings, General, TV and display options, 4K TV details to see what the console detects, including 4K UHD at 60 Hz and HDR.
Set Auto-detect and allow 4K
ReversibleUnder Video fidelity and overscan choose Auto-detect (Recommended), and under Video modes tick Allow 4K.
Allow the HDR formats
ReversibleSelect Allow HDR10 and, if your TV supports it, Allow Dolby Vision. The TV must support HDR10 or the latest Dolby Vision.
Use the supplied cable and the 4K port
ReversibleUse the High Speed HDMI cable that came with the One S in the TV port that supports 4K, connected directly to the TV rather than through a receiver.
Understand the 1080p games
ReversibleGames on the One S render at up to 1080p and are upscaled to 4K, so do not expect native 4K. 4K movies and streams play at 4K.
Test a 4K Blu-ray on another player
ReversibleMicrosoft says a limited number of 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray films may not play on the One S. If one disc fails, test it on another player before blaming the console.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- One S video
- Microsoft's model note: the slim standard Xbox One with 1080p gaming with HDR on supported titles, 4K video streaming and 4K UHD Blu-ray playback, but not 4K gaming.
- One S All-Digital
- The All-Digital Edition has no disc drive; use Xbox and Pair for the low resolution reset instead of Xbox and Eject.
- Tools and supplies
- The supplied HDMI cable, the TV manual and remote and a notepad.
- What to tell the TV maker
- The TV model, HDMI port and settings tried with the console model number 1681; not a part number.
- Repair cost
- For this fault an Xbox One S HDMI port replacement is $120 to $140. These are BadgerLayer's 2026 Xbox independent-shop prices; Microsoft's own service is a higher flat fee.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Xbox One.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If 4K or HDR fails with the supplied cable straight into a 4K port on a TV that claims support, contact the TV maker
- !If the picture is lost and the low resolution reset does not restore it, request service where eligible
- !If only one 4K Blu-ray disc fails, replace or try it on another player
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Microsoft does not list which 4K Blu-ray discs fail on the One S, so this page gives the warning without naming any. The One X has its own page for native 4K.
Exact questions
Common questions
Does the Xbox One S do 4K?+
It plays 4K movies and streams and upscales games to 4K, but it renders games at up to 1080p; native 4K gaming is the One X.
Does the One S support HDR?+
Yes. Microsoft says the One S can display HDR content with a 4K TV that supports HDR10 or Dolby Vision.
Why won't 4K UHD select?+
Check Display is on Auto-detect, Allow 4K is ticked and the TV supports 4K at 60 Hz; Microsoft says 4K is unavailable when HDMI or DVI is manually chosen.
Can the One S play 4K Blu-ray discs?+
Yes. Microsoft says it meets Ultra HD Blu-ray requirements, though a limited number of 4K film discs may not play.
Does the One S do 120 Hz?+
Microsoft's resolution guide says an Xbox One S with a TV that supports 120 Hz over HDMI can change the refresh rate to 120 Hz at 1080p.
What cable does the One S use?+
The High Speed HDMI cable included with the console; a longer High Speed cable can be substituted.
Does the All-Digital One S have HDR?+
Yes, it has the same video hardware; it has no disc drive so the Blu-ray notes do not apply.
How is this different from the One X?+
The One X renders enhanced games in native 4K. The One S upscales them.
What if HDR looks washed out on my TV?+
Check the TV's HDR mode is on, that the HDMI port supports it and that the console's Allow HDR10 is ticked, and turn off the TV's energy saving mode, which can dim HDR content.
Do 4K streaming apps need anything special?+
The app must offer 4K content and your TV must support 4K at a refresh rate the app uses. Microsoft's 4K details screen tests which 4K and HDR modes your TV can show.