Samsung's Game Mode articles give the setup. Game Mode improves image quality and cuts input lag, giving an experience without motion blur or stutter, and on recent models it switches on automatically when a console is detected (Auto Game Mode, and on 2024 TVs AI Auto Game Mode). To use 4K at 120 Hz, connect the console to the HDMI port marked with a game controller icon, which is the HDMI 2.1 port, using an HDMI 2.1 cable, and confirm the console outputs 4K 120 Hz.
The checks in more detail
Variable Refresh Rate removes tearing, and works with Fixed Rate Link and Display Stream Compression to carry high resolutions and frame rates. Turn on Input Signal Plus for that port under Settings, General, External Device Manager so that the TV accepts the signal. If Game Mode is not working as expected, check the cable is in the gaming port, that the device supports HDMI 2.1 features like VRR and ALLM, and update the TV software.
Samsung's Game Bar shows refresh rate, VRR and other information and appears when Game Mode is on and a console is connected; the 2023 and 2024 Game Bars add a Minimap Zoom and virtual aim point, and 2024 adds AI Auto Game mode and Minimap Auto Detection. If Game Mode keeps switching on for a laptop or PC, set Game Mode to off for that input. If VRR causes flicker on some games, turn VRR off in the console or TV.
Samsung TVs also have a Game Mode for low latency Bluetooth controllers. Test one game at a time and note the frame rate the Game Bar reports. If the rate is what you expect in menus but drops in play, the console or game is the limit, not the TV, and no TV setting will fix it. Keep the console's own HDMI settings visible while you test, since the console decides what it sends, and the TV can only accept it.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung TV line game mode, 120 Hz or VRR is not working”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The wrong HDMI port
What separates it The console shows no 120 Hz option because it is on the wrong HDMI port
How to confirm Use the port that has the game icon next to it, for the console
- 2
A cable that cannot carry 120 Hz
What separates it The refresh rate is limited because the cable cannot carry 120 Hz
How to confirm Use an HDMI 2.1 cable, which can carry 4K at 120 Hz
- 3
Input Signal Plus off
What separates it There are signal issues because Input Signal Plus is off for the port
How to confirm Enable Input Signal Plus on the port that the console uses
- 4
VRR or ALLM unsupported
What separates it There is no tearing fix because VRR or ALLM is not supported by the device
How to confirm Check the device, and its settings, to see whether it supports VRR and ALLM
- 5
Game Mode switching on for a PC
What separates it The picture looks odd because Game Mode switches on for a PC input
How to confirm Turn Game Mode off for that input, so the PC picture looks normal
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The console or PC and its output
- Game Mode and Input Signal Plus states
- Whether the Game Bar appears when you start a game
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedUse the gaming HDMI port
ReversibleUse the gaming HDMI port on the TV, with an HDMI 2.1 cable, to get the full features.
Enable Input Signal Plus
ReversibleEnable Input Signal Plus for that port, so that it accepts high bandwidth signals, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Set the console to 4K 120 Hz
ReversibleSet the console to 4K at 120 Hz, and enable VRR in the console's video settings.
Check Game Mode
ReversibleCheck Game Mode, and set it to Auto or on, in the general settings of the TV.
Open the Game Bar
ReversibleOpen the Game Bar if a console is connected, to see the game information it shows.
Update the software
ReversibleUpdate the software on the TV, and then retest the game mode and the refresh rate.
Turn off VRR
ReversibleTurn off VRR if the picture flickers, and see whether the flicker stops after that.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Ports
- Premium Neo QLED and OLED models have four HDMI 2.1 ports; the CU8000 has fewer.
- Game Bar
- The 2024 Game Bar applies to 2024 models such as the QN90D and S95D.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models CU8000, Q80C, Q90T, QN90B, QN90C, QN95D, S90C, S90D, S95C, S95D, LS03D.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If 4K 120 Hz fails on the marked port with an HDMI 2.1 cable, contact Samsung
- !If VRR flickers, turn it off in the game
- !If the Game Bar is missing, check that a console is connected
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Game Mode, Input Signal Plus and HDMI 2.1.
Game Mode and Game Bar on 2023 and 2024 TVs.
Automatic, internet and USB updates.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
What is VRR?+
VRR is variable refresh rate, which matches the TV's refresh rate to the game.
What is the Game Bar?+
An on-screen panel with game information.
Can Game Mode switch on for a PC?+
Yes, turn it off for that input.
Does 2024 add AI Auto Game mode?+
Yes, the 2024 models add AI Auto Game mode, which picks game settings for you.