How to Fix PS5 120Hz Not Working

There’s been quite a lot of issues with monitors being able to achieve the 120Hz refresh rate on the PS5 console. Although these monitors are perfectly capable of achieving 120Hz, players cannot run PS5 games at this refresh rate.  And this is really frustrating.

The display hardware can handle that refresh rate but the console fails to deliver 120Hz.

How to Play PS5 Games at 120Hz

⇒ Important Note: There are only a few games that can run at 120FPS. Keep in mind that the default UI is set to 60FPS. Check if your game can run at 120Hz in the first place.

Enable Performance Mode

You need to enable the Performance mode in the PS5 console settings to play games at 120FPS. This will also enable the 120HZ performance setting in your games.

If you don’t enable Performance mode on your PS5, the 120Hz option will be greyed out in your game’s settings.

The game should run much more smoothly in Performance mode compared to when it’s at the default 60Hz value.

Additionally, try turning FreeSync, Ray Tracing, and HDR off. Check if you notice any improvements.

Use an HDMI converter or DisplayPort adapter

Some gamers solved this problem with the help of the HD Fury Dr HDMI converter. However, if you’re looking for a cheaper method, you can use two DisplayPort Adapters.

We’ll tell you exactly how to use them.

So, you need two DisplayPort adapters. You can use the EVanlak Hdmi EDID Emulator Passthrough (4K) device and the BENFEI HDMI to DisplayPort adapter.

Alternatively, you can use other DisplayPort adapters that support 120Hz.

Double-check that information before you get the adapters as many don’t support 120 Hz.

If you’re using a monitor with a HDMI 2.0 port

1. First, check your monitors to make sure you can get 60HZ.
2. Then, on your PS5 console, go to Settings → System → HDMI.
3. Disable HDCP.
4. Note: After you turn off HDCP, certain media apps will stop working. But you can enable HDCP back on when you’re not using 120Hz.
5. Navigate to Screen and Video. Set the Resolution to 1080p.
6. Go to Saved Data and Game/App Settings, and under Game Presets turn on Performance Mode.
7. Now, it’s time to connect the HDMI emulator to either your monitor or PS5 console. Take the HDMI cable that came with your PS5 and plug it into the emulator. The other end of the cable needs to be plugged into the monitor or your PS5 console.
8. Check if your resolution is still at 1080p. Launch your games.

If you’re using a monitor which can only achieve 60Hz+ via DisplayPort

1. Navigate to your console’s Settings. Select System and then HDMI.
2. Toggle off the Enable HDCP option.
3. Then go to Screen and Video. Set the Resolution to 1080p.
4. Go to Saved Data and Game/App Settings, and enable Performance Mode.
5. Then plug the HDMI Emulator into your PS5 console.
6. Take the HDMI end of the adapter and plug it into the Emulator.
7. Connect the DisplayPort end of the adapter to your monitor.
8. Check if your resolution is still stable at 1080p. Hit the play button.

Black screen or input timing errors

If the screen goes black or you’re getting an error message saying the input timings are not supported, set the Resolution to 10800p.

Do that while the screen is black or the error message is still visible on the screen.

Press X → UP on the DPAD and X again. This will set the resolution to 1080p.

This issue occurs as a result of the Emulator tricking your PS5 into thinking you’re connecting it to a 4K monitor.

⇒ Important note: As long as the EDID emulator is connected, you cannot access any media apps. This means no Netflix, YouTube, and so on.

Switch to HDMI 2.0

There’s been lots of discussion around the HDMI 1.4 standard. In theory, HDMI 1.4 supports 120Hz. However, in practice, many gamers noticed they can’t get 120FPS on an HDMI 1.4 connection.

As a quick reminder, HDMI 1.4 was first released in 2009. Nowadays, most monitors are at least HDMI 2.0.

So, maybe it’s time to get a new monitor and upgrade to HDMI 2.0.

⇒ Note: You need HDMI 2.1 if you want to get 120Hz at 4K. But HDMI 2.0 should be enough to get 120Hz at 1080p.

Did these methods work for you? Can you play PS5 games at 120Hz now? Let us know in the comments below.

References:

• Is anyone able to run PS5 at a refresh rate of 120hz with resolution 1080p?
• 120Hz Fix (Cheaper Method).
• 120hz on PS5 not working (ACER Predator XB3 monitor).