Are you trying to play your game with a high-quality image but your PS5 won’t run at 120Hz?
The TV your console is connected to needs to support a 2.1 HDMI port, otherwise, it won’t be able to show a display at your desired resolution.
There are certain settings on your PS5 that need to be configured correctly. This includes updating your game presets, and enabling 120Fps.
Is your TV operating on the latest software version? In this simple guide, we will delve into why it is important to update your device’s firmware.
We will also provide you with everything you need to know, so you will finish reading this directory with a clear understanding on why your PS5 won’t run on 120Hz, and what you can do to rectify this issue.
What Is 120HZ On PS5?

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120Hz on your PS5 is the resolution setting that your console will display on your TV screen. To be more specific, 120Hz is the number of times your image will change every second on your screen from your PS5. The higher the hertz, the better quality display you will see.
Generally speaking, playing PS5 games in 120Hz will give you a better experience because there will be less of a blurred image, and the picture will be displayed a lot smoother than 60Hz, for example.
120Hz, otherwise known as Fps will make your gameplay feel more responsive and even improve your performance in fast-paced games such as Call of Duty.
Why Won’t 120Hz Run on PS5?

Why won’t 120Hz run on PS5?
120Hz won’t run on your PS5 if your TV does not support a 2.1 HDMI port. This port supports higher image resolutions to be displayed on your screen from your PS5. Without this port, your PS5 won’t run on 4K as it will not be accessible.
Your PS5 will include a 2.1 supported HDMI cable, so you will need to check that your TV does support an HDMI port that 2.1. If it doesn’t you will, unfortunately, be unable to run your PS5 at 120Hz.
You can try and see if a 2.0 HDMI port will suffice on your TV, as other PS5 users have reported they were able to get their PS5 to run on 120Hz with it.
Additional reasons why your PS5 won’t run on 120Hz include;
1. PS5 120Hz is Not Enabled
You need to manually enable 120Hz on your PS5. If this has not been set, your display will be configured to the default setting.
2. PS5 Game Does Not Support 120Hz
Not all PS5 games can be played with a 4K frame rate. If you are trying to enable the 120Hz resolution on your PS5 for a specific game, it won’t run if the game itself is incompatible.
3. Pending Firmware Updates
If your PlayStation as well as your smart TV is running on outdated software, this could be why your PS5 won’t run 120Hz.
Firmware updates will improve the performance of your device, and could potentially help support your TV to display a 4K image.
(Did you know; With Call of Duty being a PS5 game that supports gameplay in 120Hz, it has already had 100 million people play the game. To put this in perspective, if we had to create a country from all the individuals around the world who have played this game, the population would be bigger than Germany, the UK and France).
How Do I Get My PS5 to Run at 120Hz?

How to run 120Hz on PS5
You can get your PS5 to run at 120Hz by ensuring you have a TV that supports a 2.1 HDMI port. If your TV does not have a 2.1 port, you can attempt to try one that is 2.0. If this workaround is not successful, you will need to connect your PS5 to a different TV that does have a 2.1 HDMI port.
Have you updated the firmware on your TV? this will improve its performance, and potentially give your TV support for the PS5 2.1 HDMI cable.
Other ways you can get your PS5 to run on 120Hz include;
1. Enable PS5 120Hz Setting
Step 1. Open your PS5 settings menu
Step 2. Click on ‘Screen and Video’
Step 3. Choose ‘Video Output’
Step 4. Change ‘Enable 120Hz Output’ to ‘Automatic’
Your PS5 will automatically run at 120Hz when you launch a game that supports this setting.
2. Update PS5 Game Preset
When you launch a game on your PS5, your console will automatically choose the best resolution suited for that game. This can sometimes be quality or performance mode depending on what is supported.
If you update your game preset mode to ‘Performance’, it will always run at 120Hz for games that support this rate.
Step 1. Launch Settings
Step 2. Select ‘Saved Data and Game/App Settings’
Step 3. Choose ‘Game Presets’ from the left tabs
Step 4. Update to ‘Performance Mode’
Turn your PS5 off and switch it back on to refresh the settings. Moving forward, as long as your Sony PlayStation game is 120Hz enabled, your PS5 will run at this quality.
3. Update PS5 Firmware
Make sure your PS5 is updated to the latest available software version. This will ensure you PlayStation does not have any faulty files installed that can interfere with your Sony console’s resolution.
Your PS5 should update automatically, however, if you are unsure, and would like to do it manually, Sony PlayStation has a step by step guide for you to follow.
What PS5 Games Support 120Hz?

What PS5 games run at 120Hz?
As we know, not all PS5 games can run at 120Hz, and will be played at a lower resolution. With the PS5 game preset mode set to ‘Performance’, all compatible games will automatically play at 4K without you needing to amend the setting.
So, which PS5 games can run at 120fps?
PS5 Games 120 Fps Compatible | Edition |
Borderlands | 3 |
Call of Duty | Black Ops Cold War |
Vanguard | |
Destiny 2 | |
Devil May Cry 5 | |
DIRT 5 | |
Doom Eternal | |
F1 2021 | |
Fortnite | |
Ghostrunner | |
Jumanji | |
Knockout City | |
Monster Boy and Cursed Kingdom | |
The Nioh Collection | |
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six | |
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater | 1 and 2 |
Unchartered | Legacy of Thieves Collection |
WRC | 9 |
Keep in mind, the list of 120Hz supported games will continuously be updated.
Conclusion
Now that you have finished reading this easy to follow directory, we hope you understand why your PS5 won’t run 120Hz, and that you were able to configure your PlayStation correctly to optimize your console when you do have a compatible game to play in high resolution.
If you are having difficulty with the quality of your console’s display, we recommend you check out PlayStation Support. Here, you should be able to find a solution to any query you may have regarding the performance of your console.
(Quiz Question, How many people have already played Call of Duty? Make use of our online form to submit your answer).