You Can Finally Use VRR on PlayStation 5
After a recent system update, PlayStation 5 finally supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate). VRR is a video setting that dynamically adjusts the refresh rate of your TV or monitor according to the in-game FPS (frames per second). This prevents annoying graphical issues such as dropped frames, stuttering, and screen tearing that occur when the display’s refresh rate doesn’t match the in-game FPS. Check out our VRR explanation to learn more about the technology and why it’s important to gaming.
VRR requirements for PlayStation 5
VRR is a pretty cool feature, but there are a couple of requirements to use it on PS5. First, you need a PS5 and games that support VRR. At the time of release, only three PS5 games support this feature:
- Marvel Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Marvel’s remastering of Spider-Man
- Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
Support for more games will be added in the future, but it won’t be available for all PS5 games as VRR only works on higher framerate games in the 60-120fps range. Games with a maximum frame rate of 30 or 48 fps cannot use VRR.
Second, you need a TV or monitor that supports both high refresh rates and the PS5’s dedicated VRR technology. There are many VRR formats, including Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync, but the PS5 provides VRR over HDMI 2.1. HDMI 2.1 is a newer version of the HDMI output standard used by most TVs and brings many new features such as VRR, high refresh rates, and even 8K resolution. So obviously your TV or monitor will need HDMI 2.1 to use the PS5’s VRR setting. You’ll also need a dedicated HDMI 2.1 cable to use features like VRR, but luckily the PS5 comes with one.
HDMI 2.1 was first introduced in 2017, and new TVs and monitors often have at least one HDMI 2.1 port. However, there is one annoying drawback here: not all HDMI 2.1 ports support the same features. This means that some displays may have HDMI 2.1 ports but not support VRR (or high refresh rate, ARC, or other HDMI 2.1 benefits), even if you have the appropriate hardware and play VRR-enabled games.
Luckily, it’s pretty easy to see if your display supports PS5 VRR by simply enabling the setting in the PS5 menu.
How to enable VRR on PlayStation 5
- Press the PS button on your DualSense controller to open the home screen.
- Scroll and select Settings > Display & Video > Video.
- Scroll down to the VRR option and select Automatic from the drop-down menu.
If your TV supports VRR, the setting will turn on and you can exit the settings menu. Download one of the VRR-enabled games and you will hopefully notice a smoother gaming experience. If your TV does not support VRR PS5, you will receive a pop-up notification.
If you don’t see the VRR option listed at all, try updating your system software from the Settings menu under System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings > Update System Software. Select Update PS5 Software Online. Wait for the update to download and install, then return to the Video Output menu to enable VRR.
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