Best PS5 Settings for PS5 and PS5 Pro

Best PS5 settings for a balanced setup

For most players, the best PS5 settings are Automatic resolution, 120 Hz Output on Automatic, HDR on On When Supported, VRR on Automatic when the display supports it, and Deep Color Output, RGB Range and Video Transfer Rate left on Automatic. Audio, controller, accessibility and game-preset choices should then match the connected equipment and personal preferences.

These defaults let PS5 and PS5 Pro use the capabilities reported by the connected display and audio system. Treat them as a safe baseline rather than universal calibration values.

Menu names and available options can change with system software updates. Some features depend on the console model, display, HDMI path, audio equipment, game support and region.

Best PS5 settings at a glance

Resolution: Automatic.
120 Hz Output: Automatic when the display supports it.
HDR: On When Supported.
VRR: Automatic on a compatible display.
Apply to Unsupported Games: Optional; test documented game support first and turn it off if a game behaves unexpectedly.
ALLM: Automatic when supported by the display.
Deep Color Output: Automatic.
RGB Range: Automatic.
Video Transfer Rate: Automatic.
Game Preset: Performance Mode or Resolution Mode according to your usual priority.
Audio: Match Output Device, HDMI Device Type and Audio Format to the actual TV, soundbar, receiver or headset.
Controller and accessibility: Adjust for comfort, resistance, hearing, vision and control needs.
Network: Use wired LAN when practical; otherwise use the strongest stable Wi-Fi connection and keep advanced values on Automatic.

The sections below explain which choices depend on bandwidth, hardware support or personal preference.

PS5 console connected to a display with controller, headset and network equipment in a balanced home gaming setup

Best PS5 settings for video output, HDR, VRR and HDMI

Open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. Leave Resolution on Automatic for most setups because PS5 detects the connected display and selects the highest supported output resolution.

Output resolution is not internal rendering resolution

The resolution shown under Current Video Output Signal describes the HDMI signal sent to the display. It does not necessarily show the game’s internal rendering resolution. A game can render at a lower or dynamic resolution, reconstruct or upscale the image, and still output a 2160p signal.

Use Information for the Connected HDMI Device to check the resolutions, HDR modes and VRR capabilities reported by the display. This screen confirms the active signal path, but it does not measure a game’s frame rate or prove that a game renders natively at the output resolution.

HDMI bandwidth and 4K at 120Hz

Set 120 Hz Output to Automatic when the display supports it. This allows compatible games to use a 120Hz output; it does not add a 120fps mode to games that do not provide one.

HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable are especially relevant for 4K at 120Hz. For that combination, use the supplied cable or another certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable and an input that supports the intended resolution, refresh rate, HDR and VRR features. Lower-bandwidth modes may work with other suitable cables.

If the PS5 video signal passes through a receiver, soundbar, HDMI switch or capture device, temporarily connect the console directly to the display during troubleshooting. A soundbar connected separately through ARC or eARC is not necessarily part of the video path. PlayStation’s video output guide lists the relevant 4K120 checks.

HDR, RGB Range, Deep Color Output and Video Transfer Rate

Set HDR to On When Supported for most users. HDR-compatible games and apps can then use HDR, while other content remains in SDR. Always On converts non-HDR content into an HDR output, which may look less natural on some displays. Run Adjust HDR after changing the display, picture mode or major image settings, following PlayStation’s HDR setup guidance.

Leave RGB Range and Deep Color Output on Automatic unless a specific device is reporting color information incorrectly. Forcing mismatched limited or full-range settings can create crushed blacks or washed-out images.

Leave Video Transfer Rate on Automatic normally. Use -1 or -2 only when troubleshooting 4K flicker, signal loss or compatibility problems. These settings reduce output bandwidth and can limit 4K120 and some higher-quality 4K color-output combinations, so they are not general image-quality upgrades.

VRR and ALLM

Leave VRR on Automatic when the display supports it. Apply to Unsupported Games is optional: test a game with documented VRR support first, then disable the option if an unsupported title shows flicker or other unexpected behavior. The dedicated PS5 VRR setup guide covers compatibility and troubleshooting in detail.

ALLM is normally safest on Automatic. A compatible television may enter low-latency mode during VRR output even when ALLM is set to Off, and PS5 does not send the ALLM signal while a media app is running. Display behavior can still vary, so check the television’s own input and game-mode settings when latency or picture processing seems incorrect.

Close-up of a PS5 console and HDMI-connected gaming display illustrating 4K, HDR, VRR and 120Hz setup — Resolution, HDR, VRR, 120Hz and HDMI bandwidth should match the capabilities of the connected display and signal path.

Performance Mode, Resolution Mode and game presets

Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets > Performance Mode or Resolution Mode. These are system preferences that supported games may use as a starting choice.

Performance Mode generally prioritizes higher frame rates, while Resolution Mode generally prioritizes image quality. Individual games can override the preset, use different names or offer several combinations involving ray tracing, 40fps modes and 120Hz output. Check the in-game graphics menu whenever the available choices matter.

The system preset should reflect your usual preference rather than an assumption that one mode is always better. The canonical PS5 graphics modes guide explains game-level Performance, Fidelity, ray-tracing and 40fps options without turning this setup pillar into a game-by-game comparison.

Best PS5 audio settings for the connected system

Open Settings > Sound > Audio Output. The correct configuration depends on whether sound goes to a television, soundbar, AV receiver or headset, and whether the PS5 connects directly to that device or passes audio through the television.

Match HDMI Device Type to the audio path

Select the Output Device you actually use, then set HDMI Device Type to match the connected television, soundbar or AV amplifier. If you select AV Amplifier, choose the actual number of speakers and check their positions rather than selecting a larger layout that is not physically present.

If PS5 connects to a television that passes sound through ARC or eARC, check the formats supported across the entire path. PlayStation’s audio-output guide explains device type, channel count and Audio Format (Priority).

Choose Linear PCM or Dolby Atmos for the connected system

No single audio format is universally best. Dolby Atmos suits compatible HDMI televisions, soundbars and home-theater systems. Linear PCM depends on the complete HDMI, ARC or eARC path carrying the intended channels.

Check television passthrough and the formats accepted by the soundbar or receiver. Disc playback and some apps can use separate audio settings.

Personalized 3D Audio and Audio Focus

Headphone users can create a personalized profile under Settings > Sound > 3D Audio (Headphones). Compare the profile with the available presets and keep the result that sounds most natural; PlayStation also supports 3D Audio measurement for compatible TV-speaker setups. The official 3D Audio guide covers both paths.

Audio Focus can emphasize voices, higher-pitched cues, lower frequencies or quiet sounds. It is intended for supported headphones or headsets connected through USB or the analog headset jack. It does not change HDMI output to a television, soundbar or AV receiver. PlayStation introduced the feature in its 2025 system software update.

Controller, accessibility and power settings

Adjust DualSense feedback for comfort and control

Under Settings > Accessories > Controller, set Vibration Intensity and Trigger Effect Intensity according to comfort, resistance and personal preference. Standard preserves the strongest supported effects, while Weak or Off may suit longer sessions, competitive play, reduced hand fatigue or accessibility needs. The best choice depends on the player and the game.

Set a sensible controller shutoff time under Settings > System > Power Saving. On supported slimmer PS5 models and PS5 Pro, adaptive charging can adjust how long power is supplied to supported controllers in rest mode.

Configure accessibility around the player

Open Settings > Accessibility to review options that can be more important than any graphics preset. PS5 supports custom DualSense button assignments, a second controller used for assistance, display and text adjustments, zoom, a screen reader, closed captions, chat transcription, mono headphone audio and haptic feedback during console navigation.

These are personal configuration tools rather than universal defaults. Select only the features that improve control, readability, hearing or navigation for the player, and review the official PS5 accessibility settings for current menu paths and limitations.

Choose power-saving options deliberately

Automatic rest-mode timing, controller shutoff and adaptive charging can reduce unnecessary power use without changing gameplay. Power Saver for Games is different: it is an optional mode for supported games that can reduce consumption by allowing performance to scale back.

Do not treat Power Saver for Games as a universal default. VR mode is unavailable while it is active, and other gameplay features may be limited. Use it only when lower power consumption matters more than maximum performance, following PlayStation’s power-saving guidance.

PS5 controller, headset and charging setup arranged to represent accessibility, audio and power-saving preferences — Controller feedback, accessibility, audio and power-saving options should be adjusted around the player and connected equipment.

Storage, captures and automatic updates

Use Settings > Storage to review console, USB extended and M.2 SSD storage. PS5 games can run from compatible M.2 storage, while USB extended storage serves a different role. The PS5 storage options guide explains the differences.

Review Settings > Captures and Broadcasts if automatic trophy screenshots or videos are filling the Media Gallery. Reduce or disable captures you do not use instead of deleting games unnecessarily.

Keep system and game updates enabled unless data limits or storage constraints require manual control. System software settings are under Settings > System > System Software, while game-update behavior is under Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Automatic Updates.

Best PS5 network settings for a stable connection

Use wired LAN when practical. For Wi-Fi, prioritize the strongest stable connection at the console’s location rather than assuming one frequency band is always superior.

Leave IP address, DHCP, DNS, MTU and proxy settings on Automatic unless you are solving a defined problem or following instructions from the internet provider or network administrator. Custom DNS values are not a universal speed upgrade and incorrect manual values can create new connection problems.

After changes, run Test Internet Connection. For sudden failures, check PlayStation Network status, restart the console and router, and compare wired and wireless behavior. PlayStation’s connectivity support hub provides current troubleshooting paths.

Best PS5 Pro settings to check

PS5 Pro owners should review Enhance PSSR Image Quality under Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. It applies only to supported PSSR games. Leave it enabled when it improves the result, but disable it if a compatible title shows unexpected visual behavior.

PlayStation announced an upgraded PSSR implementation in February 2026, adding current context to the setting without changing its basic purpose: supported games can use reconstruction and upscaling to improve effective image quality. The official upgraded-PSSR announcement provides the technical background. Read our comprehensive guide on pssr for your ps5 pro.

Enhance Image Quality for PS4 Games applies to compatible PS4 games on CFI-7000-series PS5 Pro consoles and requires a 1440p or 2160p 60Hz display. Turn it off if a game behaves unexpectedly. PlayStation documents the requirement in its PS4 image-enhancement guide.

Allow 8K Output is a specialist option, not a default recommendation. It requires a compatible 8K60 display with DSC, and VRR is disabled during 8K output. For most setups, correctly configured 4K, HDR, VRR and supported 120Hz modes will be more broadly useful.

Troubleshooting and escalation

When a setting stops working, change one variable at a time and confirm what PS5 reports before applying manual overrides. Restart the console and display, install current system and device firmware, verify the active input, and test a direct HDMI or network path when relevant.

If the Home screen, Game Library or stored-content index remains incorrect after ordinary restarts and updates, use the dedicated PS5 Safe Mode comparison to choose between clearing the system software cache and rebuilding the database. Do not duplicate those procedures or jump directly to destructive reset options from this general setup guide.

Final recommendations

Start with Automatic video settings, On When Supported HDR and hardware-appropriate audio output. Then choose game presets, controller feedback, accessibility tools, power use, storage behavior and network options around the actual equipment and player. Use the narrower linked guides when VRR, graphics modes, storage or Safe Mode needs more detailed troubleshooting.

Frequently asked questions

Should I use Performance Mode or Resolution Mode on PS5?

Use the preset that matches your usual priority, then check each game’s own graphics menu. Performance Mode generally favors frame rate, while Resolution Mode generally favors image quality, but available modes and tradeoffs vary by game.

Should HDR be Always On or On When Supported?

On When Supported is the safer choice for most players because HDR-compatible content uses HDR while other content remains in SDR. Always On converts non-HDR content into an HDR output.

Does VRR work with every PS5 game?

No. VRR depends on the display, the game and the selected output mode. Apply to Unsupported Games is optional and should be disabled if a title shows unexpected behavior.

Is 120Hz worth enabling on PS5?

Set 120 Hz Output to Automatic when the display supports it. The setting allows compatible game modes to use a 120Hz signal but does not create a 120fps mode in unsupported games.

Which PS5 audio format is best?

There is no universal winner. Match Audio Format (Priority), HDMI Device Type and channel settings to the actual television, soundbar, receiver or headset and to the formats supported across the full connection path.

What PS5 Pro settings should I check first?

Check Enhance PSSR Image Quality, Enhance Image Quality for PS4 Games, HDR, VRR and 120 Hz Output. Use each option only when the display and game support it, and disable an enhancement if it causes unexpected behavior.

Should I change DNS or MTU settings on PS5?

Not as a general optimization. Keep IP address, DHCP, DNS, MTU and proxy settings on Automatic unless you are troubleshooting a defined issue or following reliable network-specific instructions.