Best Smart TV Settings for PS5 Gaming: 4K, 120Hz, VRR & HDR

Getting the best picture quality from your PS5 is not only about owning a powerful console. Your Smart TV settings can make a major difference to image quality, smoothness, responsiveness, HDR, and overall gaming performance.

With the right setup, compatible TVs can take advantage of features such as 4K resolution, 120Hz output, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), HDR, and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).

In this guide, we'll explain the best Smart TV settings for PS5 gaming and show you which options to enable for smoother gameplay and better picture quality.

Quick Best PS5 TV Settings

1. Turn On Game Mode

Game Mode is one of the most important settings for console gaming.

Modern televisions use image processing to improve movies and TV shows, but some of those effects can add extra delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen.

Game Mode reduces unnecessary processing and is designed to provide a more responsive gaming experience.

Depending on your television, the setting may be called:

• Game Mode
• Game Optimizer
• Gaming Mode
• Game Picture Mode

2. Use the Correct HDMI Port

Not every HDMI port on a Smart TV necessarily supports the same features.

If your television supports 4K at 120Hz, check its manual to identify which HDMI port supports the highest gaming bandwidth.

Some TVs label compatible ports with terms such as:

• 4K 120Hz
• HDMI 2.1
• 120Hz
• Gaming

Connect the PS5 directly to the appropriate HDMI port whenever possible.

3. Set PS5 Resolution to Automatic

On your PS5, go to:

Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output

For most users, setting the resolution to Automatic is the easiest option because the PS5 detects the capabilities of the connected television.

If your television supports 4K, the console can output up to 2160p when the game and display configuration support it.

4. Enable 120Hz Output

Some PS5 games support frame rates up to 120 frames per second.

To allow supported games to use a 120Hz signal, open:

Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > 120 Hz Output

Set it to Automatic.

You also need a compatible television, the correct HDMI connection, and a game that supports 120Hz output.

5. Enable VRR

Variable Refresh Rate, or VRR, allows a compatible television to adjust its refresh rate dynamically to better match the game's frame rate.

This can help reduce visible screen tearing and make frame-rate changes feel smoother in supported games.

On PS5, go to:

Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > VRR

Set VRR to Automatic if your television supports it.

6. Use ALLM When Available

ALLM stands for Auto Low Latency Mode.

When supported by both the TV and console, ALLM can automatically switch the television into a low-latency gaming mode.

This reduces the need to manually change picture modes every time you start playing.

7. Set HDR to On When Supported

HDR can provide brighter highlights, deeper contrast, and a wider range of colors when used with a compatible television and game.

On PS5, open:

Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > HDR

A useful option is On When Supported.

With this setting, HDR-compatible games use HDR while non-HDR content can remain in SDR instead of being automatically converted.

8. Adjust HDR Calibration

After enabling HDR, use the PS5's built-in HDR calibration tool.

Go to:

Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Adjust HDR

Follow the on-screen instructions carefully.

Avoid copying another person's exact HDR values because brightness capabilities differ significantly between television models.

9. Keep RGB Range on Automatic

For most Smart TV setups, the safest option is to leave the PS5 RGB Range setting on Automatic.

Changing RGB range manually when the television is configured differently can result in crushed blacks or a washed-out image.

Only change this setting if you understand how your particular television handles HDMI black levels.

10. Keep Video Transfer Rate on Automatic

The PS5 includes a Video Transfer Rate option.

For a normal working setup, leave this on Automatic.

The alternative settings are mainly useful when troubleshooting display problems such as flickering or compatibility issues.

11. Turn Off Unnecessary TV Picture Processing

Many Smart TVs include extra picture-processing features designed mainly for movies and television.

When Game Mode is active, many of these may already be reduced or disabled.

Depending on your TV, you may want to check features such as:

• Motion smoothing
• Noise reduction
• MPEG noise reduction
• Artificial sharpness enhancement
• Dynamic picture processing

For gaming, excessive processing can change the picture and may increase latency.

12. Be Careful With Sharpness

Turning Sharpness very high does not create extra game detail.

Instead, excessive sharpening can add artificial outlines around objects.

A neutral or relatively low sharpness setting usually produces a cleaner image, although the correct value depends on how each television manufacturer defines its scale.

13. Choose the Right Color Temperature

Many TVs offer color-temperature presets such as:

• Cool
• Standard
• Warm
• Warm 1
• Warm 2

There is no single setting that will look identical on every TV.

If the default Game Mode picture looks excessively blue, try a warmer option and choose the setting that gives you a natural-looking image.

14. Do Not Max Out Brightness Just for HDR

HDR setup depends heavily on the television.

OLED, QLED, Mini-LED, and standard LED televisions have very different brightness characteristics.

Use the TV's gaming HDR mode where available and complete the PS5 HDR calibration instead of copying random settings from another television model.

15. Check Your Current PS5 Video Signal

The PS5 can show information about the signal currently being sent to your TV.

Go to:

Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output

Check the information for your connected HDMI device.

This is useful for confirming whether your television is detecting features such as 4K resolution, HDR, VRR, and supported refresh rates.

Best PS5 Settings for 4K 120Hz Gaming

For a compatible 4K 120Hz Smart TV, a good starting configuration is:

• Resolution: Automatic
• 120 Hz Output: Automatic
• VRR: Automatic
• ALLM: Automatic where supported
• HDR: On When Supported
• RGB Range: Automatic
• Video Transfer Rate: Automatic
• TV Game Mode: On

Best Samsung TV Settings for PS5

On a compatible Samsung TV, connect the console to an HDMI port that supports the gaming features you want to use.

Enable the television's gaming mode or Game Mode and check that advanced HDMI features are enabled for the PS5 input when required by your model.

Then confirm 4K, HDR, VRR, and 120Hz support from the PS5 Video Output screen.

Best LG TV Settings for PS5

Compatible LG TVs often include a Game Optimizer or dedicated gaming picture mode.

Enable the gaming mode, connect the PS5 to a compatible HDMI input, and check whether VRR and 120Hz are available for that port.

For OLED models, avoid copying exact brightness or color values from a different TV because panel and model differences can affect the best settings.

Best Google TV Settings for PS5

Sony, TCL, Hisense, and other manufacturers use Google TV on many models, but their picture menus can differ significantly.

Look for:

• Game picture mode
• Enhanced HDMI format
• VRR support
• 120Hz support
• Low-latency settings

The exact names depend on the TV manufacturer and model.

4K 120Hz Not Working on PS5?

If your PS5 is not displaying 4K at 120Hz, check these items:

• Make sure the TV supports 4K 120Hz.
• Use the correct HDMI port.
• Use an appropriate Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.
• Check that the TV's enhanced HDMI mode is enabled if required.
• Set PS5 resolution to Automatic.
• Set 120 Hz Output to Automatic.
• Update the TV firmware.
• Try connecting the PS5 directly to the television.

VRR Not Working on PS5?

First confirm that your television supports VRR through the HDMI connection being used.

Then check:

• PS5 VRR is set to Automatic.
• The TV's VRR or gaming feature is enabled.
• The PS5 is connected to the correct HDMI port.
• The television firmware is up to date.

PS5 Performance Mode vs Resolution Mode

Many PS5 games offer their own graphics options.

A Performance Mode generally prioritizes higher frame rates, while a Resolution or Quality Mode may prioritize image quality and visual effects.

Some newer games also offer additional modes for 120Hz or VRR-capable displays.

The best option depends on the game and whether you prefer smoother motion or maximum visual detail.

Should You Use 120Hz for Every PS5 Game?

Enabling 120Hz output on the console does not force every game to run at 120 fps.

The game itself must support the relevant high-frame-rate mode.

For supported competitive and fast-action games, a higher refresh rate can make motion appear smoother and controls feel more responsive.

Do You Need HDMI 2.1 for PS5?

You do not need HDMI 2.1 simply to use a PS5.

However, advanced combinations such as 4K resolution at 120Hz typically require a compatible television, HDMI port, and connection capable of the necessary bandwidth.

Always check the specifications of your exact television model.

Best TV Settings for PS5 Input Lag

For lower input latency, start with:

• Enable Game Mode.
• Use ALLM where available.
• Avoid unnecessary motion processing.
• Connect the console directly to a suitable HDMI input.
• Use 120Hz in games that support it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should PS5 HDR be Always On?

For many users, On When Supported is a good choice because HDR-compatible content uses HDR while non-HDR games and apps can remain in SDR.

Should VRR be on or off for PS5?

If your television supports VRR correctly, setting it to Automatic is a good starting point. If a particular game behaves unexpectedly, you can test it with VRR disabled.

Does 120Hz improve PS5 gaming?

For games that offer a 120Hz or high-frame-rate mode, a compatible 120Hz television can provide smoother motion and potentially more responsive gameplay.

Should Game Mode always be on for PS5?

Game Mode is normally recommended while gaming because it is designed to reduce display processing and latency.

Does PS5 automatically detect 4K?

The PS5 can detect the capabilities of the connected display and automatically select an appropriate output resolution when Resolution is set to Automatic.

Why does my PS5 only show 60Hz?

Possible reasons include the game not supporting 120Hz, using an incompatible HDMI port, TV settings, cable limitations, or the television itself not supporting the required mode.

Final Thoughts

The best Smart TV settings for PS5 depend on your exact television, but a strong starting point is simple: enable Game Mode, use the correct HDMI port, leave most PS5 video settings on Automatic, enable VRR and 120Hz when supported, and calibrate HDR properly.

Avoid copying exact brightness and color settings from a completely different TV model. Instead, use your television's gaming features and the PS5's built-in output and HDR tools.

If your Smart TV is running slowly, read our guide to speeding up a slow Smart TV .

If your television has connection problems, see our Smart TV Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide .

For more articles, visit our Smart Tv and Gaming sections.