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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFor the most reliable 4K/120Hz, HDR and VRR setup, connect the PS5 or Xbox directly to the Samsung OLED HDMI input identified for 4K/120Hz, use the console’s supplied Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, enable Game Mode and Input Signal Plus, then verify the console’s video diagnostics. Connect a soundbar or receiver to the TV’s ARC/eARC port rather than placing it between the console and TV.
Before you connect anything
Samsung OLED televisions do not all expose the same HDMI capabilities or menu names. Settings and screenshots can vary by model, software version and country, so start by recording the full model number from the TV information panel or its label. Open that model’s manual or support page and identify which HDMI input supports 4K at 120Hz. Samsung often marks the appropriate input with a gaming-controller icon, but the port number is not universal.
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A Samsung S90C specification sheet, for example, lists four HDMI ports, HDMI 2.1 features, FreeSync Premium and Auto Game Mode (ALLM). Those specifications describe that cited model and year; they should not be treated as specifications for every Samsung OLED television.
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| Item | What to use | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Console | PS5, Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S | These consoles can negotiate high-refresh-rate output, but the available resolution and refresh rate still depend on the game and display. |
| Video cable | The HDMI cable supplied with the console | Sony recommends the cable included with PS5, and Xbox supplies an Ultra High Speed cable with Series X for the full HDMI 2.1 feature set. |
| TV input | The Samsung HDMI input specified for 4K/120Hz | Other inputs may have lower bandwidth even when they look physically identical. |
| Audio cable | HDMI from the TV’s ARC/eARC port to the soundbar or receiver | This keeps the console’s video path direct and avoids an audio device limiting 4K/120Hz, VRR or HDR. |
| Firmware | Current TV and console software | Updates can correct HDMI-handshake and compatibility problems; exact update controls vary by model. |
Connect the console directly to the correct HDMI port
- Turn off the TV and console. Disconnect any existing HDMI switch, receiver or soundbar from the console’s video path.
- Find the HDMI input identified in the Samsung manual for 4K/120Hz. If the TV has a gaming-controller icon, that is commonly the appropriate socket, but verify it for your exact model.
- Connect the PS5 or Xbox directly to that input. Do not use the ARC/eARC socket for video unless the manual identifies it as the high-bandwidth gaming input; ARC/eARC is primarily the audio return connection.
- Use the cable included with the console. Sony states that the HDMI cable included with PS5 is recommended. Xbox says the included Ultra High Speed HDMI cable is intended to provide the full HDMI 2.1 benefits of Series X.
- Power on the TV first, select the connected HDMI source, and then start the console. A direct connection establishes a known-good baseline before you add audio equipment.
If you need a replacement cable, choose one explicitly certified as Ultra High Speed HDMI and rated for 4K/120Hz. Compare certification, stated capability, length and return coverage rather than choosing on branding alone. An unknown or excessively long cable can produce a blank screen, intermittent signal or flicker even when the TV and console are compatible.
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Enable Samsung’s gaming features
Turn on Game Mode
Open Quick Settings or All Settings on the Samsung TV and select Game Mode. Samsung support says, “Game Mode should automatically turn on when your game consoles are connected to your Samsung TV,” in guidance updated June 17, 2026. Automatic detection can fail with some consoles, HDMI devices or unusual startup orders, so check the setting instead of assuming it is active.
Game Mode changes the TV’s processing for interactive content and works with Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) on supported models. It does not force every game to render at 120 frames per second; the console, game and selected performance mode still determine the actual output.
Enable Input Signal Plus for the console input
- Open the TV’s settings.
- Go to Connection > External Device Manager > Input Signal Plus.
- Select the HDMI input used by the PS5 or Xbox and enable the option.
- Accept any warning, then allow the TV and console to renegotiate the signal.
Samsung describes Input Signal Plus as expanding the HDMI input range and enabling HDMI 2.1 features for the connected device. If the option is unavailable, the selected input may not support it, the TV may be in a different source mode, or the model may use a different label. Consult the exact manual rather than enabling a setting on a random port.
Leave VRR available
When the model exposes a VRR or FreeSync setting, leave it enabled for the gaming input. Samsung describes VRR as reducing screen tearing by matching the display’s refresh behavior to changing frame output. VRR is active only when the console, TV, cable and game all negotiate it; enabling the menu option alone does not make every title variable-refresh.
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Set up a PS5
Use the PS5 video-output menu
On the PS5, open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. Use these starting values:
| PS5 option | Recommended value | Purpose or qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Auto or 2160p | Auto lets the console negotiate the TV’s supported mode; 2160p requests 4K output when available. |
| 120 Hz Output | Automatic | Allows compatible games and displays to use 120Hz. |
| VRR | Automatic, when supported | Enables variable refresh after the TV and console complete a compatible handshake. |
| HDR | On When Supported | Prevents SDR titles or displays without HDR support from being forced into HDR. |
| Video Transfer Rate | Auto | Uses the negotiated bandwidth under normal conditions. |
Select Adjust HDR and follow all three brightness screens. Perform this calibration after the TV is in the intended Game Mode picture configuration, because changing the picture mode later can alter the appearance of highlights and shadows.
Confirm what the PS5 is actually outputting
The PS5 supports HDMI 2.1 and 4K/120Hz, but the result depends on the TV model, selected HDMI input, cable, firmware and game. A game may offer a 120Hz performance mode while another title remains at 60Hz. Check the PS5 Video Output screen after changing settings and use the game’s own graphics or performance selector where one is provided.
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Set up an Xbox Series X or Series S
Read the 4K TV details screen first
- Open Settings > General > TV & Display Options.
- Select 4K TV details. The capability grid should show green checks for the features supported by the TV, cable and current connection.
- Choose 4K UHD for the display resolution when the TV supports it.
- Enable Allow 4K, Allow HDR10 and Allow Variable Refresh Rate when those options are available and supported.
- Keep display detection on Auto-detect. Xbox warns that manually choosing HDMI or DVI can prevent 4K from appearing.
Xbox Series X|S consoles support up to 120Hz, ALLM and VRR, but a game can still run at 60Hz or use a performance mode that changes resolution. Series X is designed for 4K output in supported titles; Series S has a lower typical rendering target and may use dynamic resolution, so a 120Hz check does not mean every Series S game renders at native 4K.
Configure HDR formats carefully
HDR10 is the baseline HDR format to verify on a Samsung TV. Enable the Xbox HDR options only after the 4K TV details screen confirms support. Xbox also documents Dolby Vision gaming, but Samsung’s supported HDR formats are model-specific. Do not assume Dolby Vision gaming works on a particular Samsung OLED without checking that model’s specifications and firmware.
When an HDR game looks washed out or excessively dark, first confirm that Allow HDR10 is enabled, that the TV input is using Game Mode, and that the game is not applying its own incorrect brightness preset. Unlike a universal calibration value, the correct in-game HDR slider depends on the title and room lighting.
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Once the direct video connection works, connect the soundbar or AV receiver to the Samsung HDMI port labeled ARC or eARC. The console remains connected to the TV’s 4K/120Hz input, and the TV sends audio back over ARC/eARC. Xbox’s official guidance is to route the console directly to the TV whenever possible and use ARC/eARC for the receiver or home-theater system.
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- ULTIMATE GAMING PACK*: Conquer the competition with ultra-smooth, tear-free, low-latency gameplay and real-time responsiveness. Unlock the ultimate gaming experience with the powerful combination of Motion Xcelerator 165Hz with NVIDIA G-SYNC or AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.*
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A receiver or soundbar placed between the console and TV must support every video feature you want to use: HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM and the HDR formats involved. If even one device in that chain lacks a required capability, the Xbox 4K TV details screen may lose green checks, the PS5 may fall back to 60Hz, or the image may flicker. Direct-to-TV video with ARC/eARC audio avoids that bottleneck.
Choose Xbox audio output
On Xbox, open Profile & system > Settings > General > Volume & audio output. For a compatible audio system, choose HDMI audio: Bitstream out, then select the Dolby Atmos or DTS:X format that the soundbar or receiver actually supports. If the device does not support the selected format, use an available compatible format rather than forcing an unsupported bitstream.
On PS5, leave the console connected directly to the TV for video and configure the TV’s audio output to ARC/eARC according to the Samsung model’s sound settings. The names of passthrough, digital-output and eARC controls vary by firmware, so use the model manual if the soundbar receives no signal.
Verify 4K, 120Hz, HDR and VRR in a sensible order
- Confirm the TV is on the exact HDMI input specified for 4K/120Hz.
- Check that Game Mode is on and Input Signal Plus is enabled for that input.
- On PS5, revisit Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. On Xbox, open Settings > General > TV & Display Options > 4K TV details.
- Start a game known to offer a 120Hz or performance mode and select that mode in the game’s settings. A console menu alone cannot make a 60Hz-only game run at 120Hz.
- Check HDR with an HDR title or the console’s HDR test. On PS5, rerun Adjust HDR if the TV picture mode or room setup changed.
- Check VRR only after the basic image is stable. The feature requires a compatible game frame-rate range; it is not continuously active in every menu or title.
- Add the soundbar or receiver through ARC/eARC only after video is confirmed. Recheck the console diagnostics if adding audio changes the video signal.
Troubleshoot by symptom
| Symptom | Most likely checks | Corrective action |
|---|---|---|
| 4K is missing on Xbox | Wrong HDMI input, Input Signal Plus off, manual HDMI/DVI detection, unsuitable cable or passthrough device | Use the model’s designated 4K/120Hz input, enable Input Signal Plus, set Xbox detection to Auto-detect, replace the cable with the supplied Ultra High Speed cable and connect directly to the TV. |
| PS5 shows 60Hz only | 120 Hz Output not Automatic, unsupported game mode, wrong port or handshake failure | Set 120 Hz Output to Automatic, choose the game’s performance mode, verify the direct connection and check the TV’s model-specific 4K/120Hz port. |
| Blank screen or intermittent signal | Uncertified cable, marginal cable length, receiver or soundbar in the video path, stale HDMI handshake | Power off both devices, reconnect with the supplied cable directly to the TV, select the correct source and test before reconnecting audio equipment. |
| 4K/120Hz flickers on PS5 | Bandwidth or handshake instability | Confirm firmware and cable first, then temporarily set Video Transfer Rate to -1 or -2. Restore Auto after testing. |
| VRR is unavailable | TV feature disabled, incompatible HDMI input, game not using a variable frame rate, or an intermediate device blocking VRR | Enable the TV’s VRR/FreeSync option where offered, use the designated input, connect directly and test with a game that supports VRR. |
| HDR looks washed out or too dark | HDR mode not enabled, incorrect console calibration, unsupported format assumption or game-specific slider | Verify HDR10 support and console options, rerun PS5 Adjust HDR when applicable, and recalibrate the game’s HDR controls. |
| No sound through the soundbar | Wrong TV HDMI socket, ARC/eARC disabled, incompatible bitstream format or cable issue | Move the soundbar to the TV’s ARC/eARC port, enable the relevant Samsung audio-return setting, and select a format the audio device supports. |
A reliable isolation sequence
- Confirm the exact Samsung model’s supported 4K/120Hz input and update the TV firmware using its built-in software-update control or the model’s documented procedure.
- Replace an unknown HDMI cable with the PS5 or Xbox supplied cable, or with a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI replacement.
- Remove every switch, receiver and soundbar from the video path.
- Enable Game Mode and Input Signal Plus on the console’s input.
- Recheck the PS5 Video Output page or Xbox 4K TV details screen.
- If the image remains blank or flickers, temporarily disable VRR. On PS5, also test Video Transfer Rate -1 and -2 to identify a bandwidth or handshake issue.
- After the picture is stable, restore VRR and Auto transfer settings, then reconnect audio over ARC/eARC.
Direct-to-TV versus receiver passthrough
Both arrangements can work, but they are not equivalent. Use the direct route when you want the fewest compatibility variables or when the receiver’s HDMI specification is uncertain.
| Consideration | Console directly to Samsung TV | Console through receiver or soundbar |
|---|---|---|
| 4K/120Hz bandwidth | Depends on the TV input and cable only | Every device and cable in the chain must support the required bandwidth |
| VRR and ALLM | Usually the simplest negotiation path | Requires confirmed VRR/ALLM passthrough on the intermediate device |
| HDR formats | Limited by the TV and console | Limited by the least-capable device, including HDR passthrough support |
| Audio | TV sends sound to the system over ARC/eARC | Audio can be decoded directly, but video compatibility must be verified |
| Troubleshooting | Fewer possible failure points | More handshakes, firmware dependencies and cable variables |
Model, region and firmware qualifications
Do not infer port numbers, refresh-rate ceilings or HDR formats from another Samsung OLED model. Even within one product family, regional variants and firmware revisions can change menu labels or supported functions. Samsung’s S90C sheet is useful as a concrete example of a four-HDMI, HDMI 2.1-equipped model with FreeSync Premium and ALLM, not as a universal specification.
The same qualification applies to console output. “4K” means 3,840 × 2,160, but a game may use dynamic resolution, a 60Hz quality mode or a 120Hz performance mode. A green check in Xbox 4K TV details confirms a capability in the current connection; it does not promise that every game uses that mode. Similarly, PS5 support for 4K/120Hz does not override a TV port, cable, firmware or title that cannot sustain it.
Quick Recap
Final setup checklist
- Exact Samsung model checked and its 4K/120Hz HDMI input identified.
- PS5 or Xbox connected directly with the supplied or certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.
- Game Mode enabled for the console input.
- Input Signal Plus enabled at Connection > External Device Manager > Input Signal Plus.
- PS5 set to Auto or 2160p, 120 Hz Output Automatic, VRR Automatic when supported, HDR On When Supported and Video Transfer Rate Auto.
- Xbox set to 4K UHD with Allow 4K, Allow HDR10 and Allow Variable Refresh Rate enabled when supported, while display detection remains Auto-detect.
- HDR calibrated on the PS5 with Adjust HDR and checked in the Xbox 4K TV details screen.
- Soundbar or receiver connected to the TV’s ARC/eARC port, not between the console and TV, unless its complete HDMI 2.1 feature set has been verified.
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