Sony's gaming support centers on the HDMI signal format and the Game mode picture setting. For 4K at 120 Hz or VRR, connect the console to an HDMI port that supports it, using an HDMI 2.1 Ultra High Speed cable; on many XR models only HDMI 3 and HDMI 4 carry the full HDMI 2.1 feature set, so check your manual. Set HDMI signal format for that input to Enhanced format, or Enhanced format (VRR) where the menu lists it, under Settings, Channels and Inputs, External inputs, HDMI signal format.
Turn on the console's own settings: 120 Hz and VRR in the console's video settings. Select Game mode in the picture mode, or leave Auto Low Latency Mode on so the TV switches by itself, which lowers input lag but limits some picture settings.
The checks in more detail
Sony added VRR on supported BRAVIA XR models through a software update when PS5 VRR arrived, so update the TV software with Automatic Software Update on, and the console. If VRR causes flicker in dark scenes, turn VRR off for that input. If a game shows tearing, check VRR is on in both places. If the picture drops out, set the format back to Standard and retry, since a marginal cable fails at full bandwidth.
Sony's PS5 features such as Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode work on supported models. If Game mode keeps switching on for a PC, set the picture mode to Custom for that input. Test one game at a time. If frame rates are good in menus but drop in play, the console or game is the limit, not the TV. Keep the console's video settings visible while testing, since the console decides what it sends.
Differential
Likely causes of “Sony BRAVIA TV line game mode, 120 Hz or VRR is not working”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The wrong port or cable
What separates it There is no 120 Hz or VRR because of the wrong port or cable
How to confirm Use a 4K 120 Hz port and HDMI 2.1 cable
- 2
HDMI signal format on Standard
What separates it There is no VRR because the HDMI signal format is on Standard
How to confirm Set the Enhanced format for that port, which enables VRR where it is listed
- 3
VRR off on the console
What separates it There is tearing because VRR is off on the console
How to confirm Enable VRR on both the TV and the console, and check the tearing
- 4
Old software
What separates it VRR is missing because the TV software is old
How to confirm Update the TV software, to get the VRR support that Sony added
- 5
Game mode on for a PC
What separates it The picture looks odd because Game mode is on for a computer input
How to confirm Use the Custom picture mode for that input, so the computer picture looks normal
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The console or the computer that you are connecting
- The signal format and Game mode
- Whether you see any flicker in games
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedUse the 4K 120 Hz port
ReversibleUse the 4K 120 Hz port on the TV, with an HDMI 2.1 cable, for the full features.
Set Enhanced format
ReversibleSet the Enhanced format, using the VRR option where it is listed for the port.
Enable 120 Hz and VRR
ReversibleEnable 120 Hz and VRR on the console, in its video output settings, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Use Game mode
ReversibleUse Game mode, or Auto low latency, so the TV switches to game settings, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Update the TV
ReversibleUpdate the TV and the console, since new versions add and fix game features, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Turn off VRR
ReversibleTurn off VRR if the picture flickers, and see whether the flicker stops, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check the manual
ReversibleCheck the manual for port support, since not every port carries 4K at 120 Hz.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Ports
- Check the manual for how many HDMI 2.1 ports your model has.
- PS5
- BRAVIA XR models support PS5 features such as Auto HDR Tone Mapping.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models A80L, A90J, A95L, BRAVIA 5 Mini LED TV, BRAVIA 7 Mini LED TV, BRAVIA 8 II QD-OLED TV, BRAVIA 9 Mini LED TV, X85K, X900H, X90L, X95L.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If 4K 120 Hz fails on a supported port with a good cable, contact Sony
- !If VRR flickers, turn it off for that input
- !If VRR is missing on a supported model, update the software
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Index of Google TV help articles.
Restart, reset settings, update, Safe Mode and Clear data.
Google TV help topics.
Power cord, reset, TV button and external devices.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Which ports do 4K 120 Hz?+
Check your manual; often HDMI 3 and 4.
Did Sony add VRR by update?+
Yes, Sony added VRR by a software update on the supported XR models.
What is Game mode?+
Game mode is a low latency picture mode, for playing games with less delay.
Can ALLM switch it on?+
Yes, ALLM can switch Game mode on automatically, when a console starts.
Can VRR flicker?+
Sometimes, VRR can cause flicker, so turn it off to test.