The Xbox One X is the one Xbox One that renders games in native 4K, and its HDR needs a 4K TV that supports HDR10 or Dolby Vision. Microsoft's checks: enable Allow 4K, Allow HDR10 and Allow Dolby Vision under Video modes, keep Display on Auto-detect because 4K is not available when HDMI or DVI is chosen manually, use the HDMI cable that came with the console, and put it in the TV port that supports 4K. A That didn't work message on 4K UHD means the TV does not support 60 Hz at 4K.
Differential
Likely causes of “Xbox One, One S and One X HDR, 4K, 120 Hz or VRR is not available”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Display set to HDMI or DVI manually
What separates it 4K UHD will not select even though the TV supports it
How to confirm Under Video fidelity and overscan set Display to Auto-detect (Recommended); Microsoft says 4K is not available when it is manual
- 2
The TV does not support 4K at 60 Hz
What separates it Choosing 4K UHD shows That didn't work because the TV does not support 4K at 60 Hz
How to confirm The console detects a 4K TV without a 60 Hz mode; you may still play 4K content at other refresh rates
- 3
The wrong HDMI port or a TV mode that is off
What separates it 4K or HDR works on one input and not another
How to confirm Check the TV manual for which port supports 4K and HDR and turn on its UHD Color or HDR setting
- 4
HDR formats not allowed on the console
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 under Video modes; the TV must support HDR10
- 5
A cable or HDCP 2.2 issue
What separates it Some content will not play or the picture drops out
How to confirm Use the cable that came with the console and make sure the TV supports HDCP 2.2 and has it turned on
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The TV model, HDMI port and whether it supports 4K at 60 Hz and HDR10
- What the 4K TV details screen shows
- The Display, Allow 4K and Allow HDR10 settings
- Whether a receiver or capture device is in the chain
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedConfirm you have a One X
ReversibleLook at the sticker on the back or underneath for Xbox One X. The One X renders enhanced games in native 4K; games encoded for 1080p are upscaled to 4K.
Check the TV's 4K and HDR support
ReversibleLook for 4K, UHD, 2160p, and HDR10 or Dolby Vision in the TV's manual, then check 4K TV details under Profile and system, Settings, General, TV and display options.
Set Auto-detect
ReversibleUnder Video fidelity and overscan set Display to Auto-detect (Recommended). 4K is not available while HDMI or DVI is manually selected.
Allow 4K and HDR
ReversibleOpen Video modes and select Allow 4K, Allow HDR10 and Allow Dolby Vision. If your TV supports Dolby Vision but not HDR10 you get HDR only in apps that use Dolby Vision.
Pick the right port and cable
ReversibleUse the HDMI cable supplied with the console in the TV port that supports 4K; TVs often support 4K fully on only one port. Connect directly to the TV.
Read the That didn't work message
ReversibleIf choosing 4K UHD fails, the console sees a 4K TV that does not support 60 Hz. Use 4K TV details to see what changes as you try each fix.
Enable HDCP 2.2 on the TV
ReversibleIf some content will not play, make sure the TV supports HDCP 2.2 and that it is turned on in the TV's settings.
Use a lower resolution that still switches to 4K
ReversibleSet Display to 1080p or 720p with Allow 4K ticked, and 4K content will switch to 4K automatically when a game or app asks for it.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- What the One X does
- Microsoft's model note: the most powerful last-generation Xbox, 4K gaming on enhanced titles and 4K UHD Blu-ray, with a 1TB hard drive and a disc drive.
- Cable
- The One X and One S use the High Speed HDMI cable included with the console; a longer High Speed cable can be substituted.
- Tools and supplies
- The supplied HDMI cable, the TV manual and remote and a notepad for settings.
- What to tell the TV maker
- The TV model, the HDMI port, the cable and the settings you tried, with the console model number 1787; not a part number.
- Repair cost
- For this fault an Xbox One X HDMI port replacement is $130 to $150. These are BadgerLayer's 2026 Xbox independent-shop prices; Microsoft's own service is a higher flat fee.
- What the One X can do
- The Xbox One X outputs 4K and HDR over HDMI 2.0 but does not support HDMI 2.1, so true 120 hertz at 4K is not available on this console. Some games run at 120 hertz at lower resolutions on supported TVs, and the console offers an option for it in Settings, TV and display options.
- Settings that matter
- Use a High Speed or Ultra High Speed cable, set the TV input to its enhanced HDMI format, and enable Allow HDR10 and 4K in the video modes. If the picture goes black, lower the mode. Keep the console and the TV updated.
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, then request service
- !If the picture is lost and Xbox and Eject low-resolution start does not restore it, request service where eligible
- !If HDR is unstable on a known-good TV, request service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Microsoft does not list TVs that pass 4K or HDR tests, so this page gives the checks and not a compatibility list. The One S has a separate page because it upscales games rather than rendering native 4K.
Allow 4K, Allow HDR10 and Dolby Vision.
Auto-detect, ports, HDCP 2.2 and cables.
The That didn't work error and its checks.
Exact questions
Common questions
Does the Xbox One X play in native 4K?+
Yes. Microsoft says 4K content is displayed in native 4K on the One X and games encoded for 1080p are upscaled.
How do I turn on HDR on Xbox One?+
Open Video modes under TV and display options and select Allow HDR10 and Allow Dolby Vision as your TV supports. The TV must support HDR10 or the latest Dolby Vision.
Why does 4K UHD say That didn't work?+
It means the console sees a 4K TV that does not support a 60 Hz refresh rate. You may still play 4K content at other refresh rates.
Why is 4K not available in my settings?+
Check Display is on Auto-detect, since Microsoft says 4K is not available when HDMI or DVI is manually selected.
Does the original Xbox One do 4K?+
No. Microsoft says the original Xbox One does not support 4K, and it has no HDR.
Does the One X do 120 Hz?+
If your TV supports 120 Hz over HDMI, choosing 1080p lets you change the refresh rate to 120 Hz, which Microsoft lists for the One S and One X.
Do I need to set 4K as the console resolution?+
No. You can leave it at 1080p and 4K content will switch to 4K automatically when a game or app asks for it and your TV supports that mode.
Is this the same on the Xbox One S?+
Not quite; the One S plays 4K video and HDR but renders games at up to 1080p, so it has its own page.
Does the One X support 4K at 120 hertz?+
No, it has no HDMI 2.1.
How do I enable HDR on the One X?+
Settings, TV and display options, Video modes.