Why Is My 165Hz Monitor Only Showing 60Hz on PS5?

If you’ve recently hooked up your shiny new PlayStation 5 to your 165Hz gaming monitor and are staring at a disappointing 60Hz refresh rate, you’re not alone. This is a common issue, and the good news is that it’s usually fixable. The primary reason your 165Hz monitor is displaying only 60Hz on your PS5 is a combination of factors, not just one single culprit. These factors can be broadly categorized into incorrect console settings, display limitations, or hardware constraints. Let’s break down the main causes:

• PS5 Video Output Settings: The most common culprit is that your PS5’s video output settings aren’t configured to allow for higher refresh rates. The ‘120Hz Output’ setting needs to be enabled, and your output resolution should be set to a resolution that supports 120Hz, such as 1080p or 1440p when aiming for those refresh rates. If it’s on “Automatic”, sometimes the console may misidentify your monitor.

• HDMI Cable Limitations: While your monitor might be capable of 165Hz, your HDMI cable might not support the necessary bandwidth for high refresh rates and higher resolutions. Standard HDMI cables, often those included with older devices, may be limited to 60Hz at 4K resolution. For a PS5 to output 120Hz at 1080p or 1440p, you need a high-speed HDMI cable, preferably an HDMI 2.1 cable. The cable that came with your PS5 is certified HDMI 2.1 and is ideal.

• Monitor Compatibility: Although your monitor boasts a 165Hz refresh rate, it needs to explicitly support 120Hz input via HDMI. Some monitors, while capable of 165Hz using DisplayPort, might have a lower refresh rate limit over HDMI. Check your monitor’s manual or specifications to confirm its maximum refresh rate over HDMI. Some monitors will list different refresh rate specifications for different input ports. Some older 165Hz monitors might not support the exact specifications for HDMI 2.1.

• Game Support: Not all PS5 games support 120Hz. Even if your console and monitor are correctly set, the game itself must have a 120fps mode for you to experience the higher refresh rate. Games often have specific options within their settings to enable performance or fidelity modes.

• Monitor’s Refresh Rate Setting: Although less likely, it’s possible that your monitor’s own settings are limiting the refresh rate. Ensure that you’ve selected the highest available refresh rate in your monitor’s on-screen display (OSD) menu.

Diving Deeper into the Issue

The interplay between resolution, refresh rate, and bandwidth is crucial to understand. Higher resolutions and refresh rates require more bandwidth. HDMI 2.1 provides the highest bandwidth to support 4K resolution at 120Hz, while older HDMI 2.0 is capped at 4K at 60Hz.

Even with a 165Hz monitor, you must ensure that all components in your setup can handle the demands of higher refresh rates. For example, simply plugging into the wrong port on your monitor might cause it to show a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz. The console must output at the same refresh rate as the monitor.

Steps to Resolve the 60Hz Lock

To troubleshoot and fix the 60Hz lock on your PS5 and 165Hz monitor, follow these steps:

1. Check the HDMI Cable: Ensure you are using an HDMI 2.1 cable. Try the cable that came with your PS5 first.
2. Verify PS5 Settings:
   • Go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output.
   • Set the Resolution to 1080p or 1440p for 120Hz. (4K is likely limited to 60Hz)
   • Make sure the 120Hz Output is set to ‘Automatic’ or ‘Enabled.’
   • Check Video Output Information to see what your PS5 is detecting about your display capabilities.
3. Check the Game Settings: Look for options to enable performance mode or a 120fps setting within the game itself.
4. Verify Monitor Settings: Access your monitor’s OSD menu and check if the refresh rate is set to the maximum value it supports. Also, check which HDMI port you’re using on the monitor.
5. Update Drivers (if applicable): Even though PS5 uses its own software, consider updating your monitor’s drivers if available, although this is not usually the problem.
6. Experiment: Try different HDMI ports on both the console and the monitor.

By carefully checking all these points, you should be able to achieve the desired 120Hz or higher refresh rate on your PS5 with your 165Hz monitor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I get 120Hz on a 165Hz monitor with a PS5?

Yes, absolutely. A 165Hz monitor can display 120Hz as monitors can generally run at any frame rate below their maximum. Ensure the correct settings are configured on both the PS5 and monitor, and that the game you are playing supports 120fps.

2. Why is my 144Hz monitor also running at 60Hz on PS5?

The reasons are the same as those mentioned for a 165Hz monitor – check console settings, cable quality, monitor compatibility, and game support.

3. Do I need a specific HDMI cable for 120Hz on PS5?

Yes. A high-speed HDMI 2.1 cable is recommended to achieve 120Hz output. Older HDMI cables might limit you to 60Hz, especially at higher resolutions.

4. Does the PS5 support 165Hz monitors?

The PS5 supports 4K games at up to 120Hz with HDMI 2.1. While a 165Hz monitor is not specifically listed as supported, it can certainly display content output at 120Hz. The key lies in your monitor supporting 120Hz over HDMI.

5. How do I enable 120Hz output on my PS5?

Go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > 120Hz Output, then select ‘Automatic’ or ‘Enabled’.

6. Why don’t I see the 120Hz Output option on my PS5?

This means your display does not support 120Hz or there are issues with the cable or monitor settings. If you know that your monitor does support 120Hz, double-check the previous steps, especially the cable.

7. Is 60Hz too slow for PS5 gaming?

While the PS5 can output more than 60Hz, 60Hz is perfectly fine for many games. 120Hz offers a smoother experience, but it’s not a necessity for most games.

8. Can the PS5 run 4K at 120fps?

Yes, the PS5 can output 4K at 120fps, but this is game-dependent and requires an HDMI 2.1 connection. Usually it’s one or the other, as some games will prioritize 4K resolution with a lower refresh rate, or lower resolution with a higher refresh rate.

9. Is HDMI locked at 60Hz?

HDMI 2.0 is limited to 4K at 60fps, while HDMI 2.1 can achieve 4K at 120fps.

10. What is the best Hz for PS5 gaming?

For optimal performance, a 144Hz monitor is a good choice for PS5 users as the console can push 120fps.

11. How do I get more than 60Hz on my PS5?

Enable the ‘120Hz Output’ setting in your PS5’s video output settings and ensure that your display and cable are compatible, and that the game you are playing has a performance mode.

12. My monitor is stuck at 60Hz, what could be the problem?

Check for outdated drivers (if on PC), a faulty cable, or the resolution set in console settings.

13. Why is my 165Hz monitor only going to 144Hz?

Check the advanced graphics settings in your computer (if applicable), and make sure the monitor settings are set to 165Hz (some monitors might require you to select this manually). Also, not all monitors support 165Hz over HDMI. The PS5 will not output more than 120Hz, but a 165Hz monitor will generally display 120Hz content without issue.

14. Do all PS5 games support 120Hz?

No, most PS5 games do not support 120Hz. Typically only first-person shooters, or fast-paced games may have this option, but many games also use fidelity modes which lock the refresh rate to 60Hz for better graphics.

15. What if I have tried everything and my 165Hz monitor is still running at 60Hz?

Try a different HDMI cable, or a different monitor to narrow the problem down. If those options don’t work, then there might be a hardware issue with the console, or your monitor, that you may want to take up with the store you bought it from. Sometimes, it’s also worth resetting the monitor to factory settings.