The powerful PS5 console is capable of a 4K display with HDR support and plays up to 120fps. However, some gamers aren’t quite getting the graphics they were hoping for; sometimes they even appear blurry or dark. So, how can you get the best graphics from your PS5?
If your PS5 video is a little blurry, first try fixing it on your TV by turning on ‘Deep Color’ or ‘Enhanced HDMI’ in the video settings. This may also be called ‘Cinema mode’. Next, you can try to redo the HDR calibration on your PS5. Past that, you may need to contact Sony support.
Overall, the PlayStation 5 has a pretty great graphics to offer. However, several other factors contribute to the visuals you actually see on your screen. So if you’re having problems, it could be due to your TV, cables, or even the game itself. Let’s take a detailed look at each element and figure out how to fix your PS5 graphics.
Why Does the PS5 Look Blurry?
HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, and it’s the feature that makes graphics look more lifelike. You get a wide range of colors and better contrast, making for a more immersive experience. PS5 is fully capable of HDR. In fact, it’s one of the most important selling points.
However, the display output of PS5 largely depends on the TV you’re using. If your TV/monitor isn’t HDR-compatible, the PS5 will automatically downscale the graphics to fit your TV, which results in blurry or washed-out images.
Other factors that can affect the quality of the graphics include the type of cable you’re using, how it’s connected, and the graphic settings on your PS5. Skim through our Ultimate PS5 Owner’s guide for more background, and watch out for other issues like crashing/freezing of the PS5 console or lag during gameplay, but for now let’s talk graphics.
In some cases, we find that overheating is what’s causing the issue, so, if this guide doesn’t help you be sure to read through our larger piece on handling PS5 overheating.
How Do You Fix PS5 Graphics?
Good graphics aren’t just about the hardware; every element has to work in tandem for the best results. Here are both TV and console-related settings you can alter to try to improve the graphics on your PS5.
HDR Settings
When you first connect your PlayStation 5 console to your TV, it runs an automated calibration. The console examines the device’s capabilities and sets up the video output accordingly.
If everything is in order, you’ll notice a little HDR logo in the upper right corner of the screen; if you don’t see that, go to the TV information center and check whether it’s turned on or not.
If your TV has HDR support, but you aren’t getting the full benefit, try the following three methods to adjust a few settings.
1. Recalibrate HDR
Sometimes, additional TV settings interfere with the process, the automatic calibration doesn’t work as expected, and you don’t get the best results.
That’s why it’s suggested that you manually repeat the calibration from the PS5 console. This can help you adjust the bright highlights and dark shadows according to TV capabilities.
Follow the below steps to recalibrate HDR from your PS5:
- Go to ‘Settings.’
- Select ‘Sound and Screen.’
- Click on ‘Adjust HDR.’
- You should arrive to a screen with a sun symbol; use your console’s up and down buttons and adjust the image brightness.
- Once you’ve found the perfect setting, press the ‘Next’ button and restart your PS5 to check if the problem is solved.
2. Selective HDR Support
Older games, such as WRC 9, don’t have native HDR support; to compensate for that, the PS5 quickly switches to SDR whenever you start any such titles. However, user-made changes to HDR are preserved — and those aren’t applicable with SDR. As a result, you lose image quality, despite all of the optimized settings.
The easiest way to solve the problem is to set the HDR mode to ‘On When Supported.’ This way, your PS5 will only use HDR for the games that support it.
The trade-off is that you won’t have those user-made changes to image quality. But at least you’ll be able to enjoy every game in its intended state! To do this, follow the steps below:
- On your PS5 console, go to ‘Settings.’
- Select ‘Sound and Screen.’
- Click on ‘Video Output Settings.’
- Under the ‘HDR’ section, set the mode to ‘On When Supported.’
3. Lower the Transfer Rate
The transfer rate is the number of bits per second transferred from the PS5 to your TV. A higher transfer rate means more information is delivered in a shorter amount of time, resulting in better image quality.
However, if any part of your hardware isn’t up to the task, a higher transfer rate could mean losing data and worse image quality. It could be due to a slow HDMI cable, a low-end TV, or an AV receiver that can’t handle the data.
Lowering the transfer rate will compress the image and make it easier to handle for your TV. Surprisingly, the difference in quality may not be that noticeable, and it could solve the problem.
To lower the transfer rate, go to your PS5 ‘Settings.’
- Select ‘Sound and Screen.’
- Click on ‘Video Output Settings.’
- Under the ‘4K Video Transfer Rate’ section, select either ‘-1’ or ‘-2.’ Try each one to see which works better for you.
TV/Monitor Settings
Your TV/monitor is the biggest factor determining the graphics quality, and several display-related settings are directly affected by it.
We’ll go over a few general settings on your TV; however, before you start tinkering with it, we recommend reading the TV manual or looking up the model online. Doing so will help you navigate the menus more easily.
1. Optimize TV Display Settings
Usually, when an HDR-compatible TV is connected to a PS5 console, it automatically optimizes the display for HDR gaming. This includes turning on features like Ultra Deep color, backlight dimming, and other post-processing effects.
All these optimizations are linked with the specific HDR-capable HDMI ports and often placed under enhanced or HDR mode.
If your TV doesn’t enable the feature automatically or if you’re not getting the expected results, go to your TV’s picture settings and look for modes like HDR, HDR+, Ultra HD Deep Color, or Enhanced HDMI. Enable the feature and restart your PS5.
2. Check HDMI Connections
On most TVs, the HDMI ports that support 4K/HDR are usually labeled as such. Make sure you’re using the right port on your TV. The cable you’re using makes a difference too, so always go for the HDMI that comes with your PS5, as it’s specifically designed to deliver the best results.
If you’re running the cables through secondary accessories like a soundbar or AV receiver, bypass them and connect the PS5 directly to your TV. If that’s not possible, make sure you use a high-quality HDMI 2.1 cable, like the Maximm Gaming HDMI Cable (on Amazon).
Opt for trusted brands that certify at least 18Gbps bandwidth to prevent data loss.
3. Select the Right Mode on a Non-HDR TV
Even if your TV doesn’t say HDR in the ports or display settings, it may still support 4K resolution. Many current models feature sufficient processing capability to handle HDR signals.
To get those advantages, put your TV in Movie or Cinema mode, which are often better calibrated to adjust to contrast and backlighting used in gaming.
On the other hand, if your TV is from 2021/22, it most likely has HGIG and Dynamic Tone Mapping features. Enabling these enhanced features ensures that your TV doesn’t alter HDR pro qualities on its own and always displays the graphics in the best possible way on your screen.
Tips and Tricks
- Your internet connection speed makes a huge difference in image quality. If you’re playing on a 4K TV, aim for at least 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload speeds. Use an Ethernet cable (on Amazon) instead of WiFi to get the most stable connection possible.
- Know what your TV/Monitor is capable of. If it doesn’t support 4K or HDR, there’s no point in forcing those settings on your PS5. Check the ‘Video Out Information’ of your TV to ensure it’s compatible with the PS5.
- Some games have internal visual controls that can change the graphics quality. If you’re not getting the desired results, try adjusting those settings as well.
- Game size also plays a role in graphics quality. If you’re playing a very large game, like Red Dead Redemption 2, it’s going to take up more resources, need better resolution, and generally take more toll if any part of your hardware isn’t top-tier.