Why is my 4K TV not supporting PS4 Pro?
Getting the most out of your PS4 Pro requires having a compatible 4K TV and the proper setup. If you are running into issues using your PS4 Pro with a 4K TV, such as unsupported resolutions or HDR not working, this guide will help you troubleshoot and optimize your setup.
Use the Correct HDMI Port
First, ensure you are using the correct HDMI input port on your 4K TV. Most 4K TVs have specific HDMI ports that support 4K/HDR signals, usually labeled as "HDMI 2.0" or similar. Consult your TV manual to identify the correct 4K HDMI port.
Check Your HDMI Cable
The HDMI cable between your PS4 Pro and 4K TV needs to be a Premium High Speed HDMI cable, capable of carrying 4K 60Hz and HDR signals. Standard HDMI cables may not work properly. Try swapping for a certified Premium HDMI cable if you are having issues.
Update PS4 System Software
Sony regularly updates the PS4 system software to improve compatibility with 4K displays. Go to Settings > System Software Update and install the latest system update. You may need to enable HDCP and enhance HDMI signal format options after updating.
Update Your TV Firmware
Likewise, check your TV manufacturer‘s website for any firmware updates for your 4K TV model. These can also improve compatibility with devices like the PS4 Pro. Install the latest firmware update on your TV.
Enable Enhanced HDMI Signal Format
Navigate to your TV‘s settings and find the HDMI, HDCP or signal format options. Enable the "Enhanced" HDMI signal format or HDMI 2.0 mode. This allows the higher bandwidth needed for 4K HDR signals.
Set PS4 Pro Video Output Resolution
On your PS4 Pro, go to Settings > Sound and Screen > Video Output Settings. Set the Resolution to Automatic or 2160p YUV420/RGB to manually enable 4K output to your TV.
Enable HDR on Your PS4 Pro
Under Video Output Settings, go to HDR and select On. Also enable Deep Color Output. Your TV will need to support HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 for HDR to work properly with your PS4 Pro.
Use a Different HDMI Port
If you are still seeing an unsupported resolution error or other issues, try connecting your PS4 Pro to a different HDMI port on your TV. Continue adjusting the outlined settings on both the TV and PS4 as needed.
Understanding 4K vs 4K HDR
It‘s important to note the difference between plain 4K and 4K HDR. 4K resolution is 3840 x 2160 pixels. 4K HDR builds upon the 4K image with a wider color gamut, deeper contrast and increased brightness. Your TV and content source need to support HDR to take advantage of it.
HDMI 2.0/2.1 Cables Required
To enable 4K 60Hz video and HDR from your PS4 Pro, an HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 2.1 certified cable is required. HDMI 2.0 supports 4K 60Hz video while HDMI 2.1 can go up to 4K 120Hz. Use Premium High Speed HDMI cables for best performance.
Optimal Gaming Settings for PS4 Pro
For enhanced gaming visuals, set your 4K TV picture mode to Game. Turn off any extra processing like motion smoothing. Set brightness/contrast to your liking. For sharpness and color, 50% is ideal to avoid distortion. Enable HDR when supported.
Gaming Monitor Benefits
4K HDR gaming monitors offer benefits over TVs like lower input lag, faster response time, variable refresh rate support and smaller screen sizes. Consider a monitor for more competitive and desktop focused PS4 Pro gaming.
Further Troubleshooting Tips
– Unplug HDMI connections and power cycle devices
– Try a different Premium HDMI cable
– Confirm game/video content supports 4K and HDR
– Reset PS4 video settings to default
– Check TV for firmware update notes about fixed issues
When to Contact Support
If you still cannot resolve 4K or HDR related problems after trying these tips, contact Sony PS4 support and your TV manufacturer‘s support team. Provide details on your setup and troubleshooting steps tried. They can help identify any compatibility problems.Getting your PS4 Pro fully up and running with your new 4K HDR TV can certainly be tricky. There are a lot of settings to tweak and specifications to keep in mind. Don‘t worry – with this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, I‘ll help you get it sorted out step-by-step.
Getting to Know HDMI
First, a quick HDMI refresher. HDMI has gone through several iterations, each building upon the last to support higher resolutions, faster refresh rates, and advanced features like HDR.
| HDMI Version | Maximum Resolution | Features |
| 1.4 | 4K 30Hz | 3D Video |
| 2.0 | 4K 60Hz | HDR, Wide Color Gamut |
| 2.1 | 4K 120Hz, 8K 60Hz | Dynamic HDR, eARC |
As you can see, HDMI 2.0 brought key enhancements like 4K 60Hz and HDR support that are needed for ideal PS4 Pro performance. HDMI 2.1 pushes this even further.
It‘s All About the Cables
HDMI cables themselves are backwards compatible, but you need an HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 cable to handle the full throughput of those specifications. Look for cables certified as Premium High Speed HDMI. These can reliably transmit up to 18 Gbps, which supports 4K HDR at 60Hz.
Standard HDMI cables may work to some extent, but can cause issues like blank screens or unsupported signal messages. Spending a bit more on a proper Premium HDMI cable is worth it.
The Chroma Subsampling Conundrum
Here‘s a tricky one – chroma subsampling. This refers to the compression of color information in a video signal. 4:4:4 provides full color quality, but requires more bandwidth. 4:2:2 and 4:2:0 compress the color signal while maintaining full luminance.
For PS4 Pro, a setting called YUV420 will enable 4:2:0 chroma subsampling. This allows 4K 60Hz HDR over HDMI 2.0. Some TVs only support the full 4:4:4 chroma signal though, meaning 4K is limited to 30Hz. Try switching YUV420 on/off in the PS4 video settings to test this.
HDR – More Than Just 4K
High Dynamic Range (HDR) is arguably more impactful than 4K resolution alone. HDR increases color depth, contrast ratio and luminance compared to standard dynamic range video. This makes images pop with vivid colors and increased realism.
There are a few competing HDR standards to be aware of:
- HDR10 – Open standard, baseline HDR support
- HDR10+ – Enhanced dynamic metadata for scene-by-scene adjustments
- Dolby Vision – High quality HDR with 12-bit color and dynamic metadata
All PS4 models support baseline HDR10. Some TVs also support HDR10+ and Dolby Vision for improved performance.
HDMI 2.1 – The Latest & Greatest
While not required, upgrading to HDMI 2.1 brings a few cutting-edge features:
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) – Eliminates screen tearing without lag-inducing V-Sync
- Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) – Reduced input lag for gaming
- Quick Frame Transport (QFT) – Decreased latency by synchronizing display & GPU frame output
These will further optimize your PS4 Pro experience, especially VRR for smooth tearing-free gameplay.
Get Your Settings Right
With the correct cabling sorted out, let‘s move onto the optimal settings. On your TV, make sure HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 are enabled for the input you are using. Also enable Enhanced signal format.
In the PS4 Pro video settings, choose Automatic or 2160 YUV420/RGB resolution. Turn HDR and Deep Color output to On. With these settings, your PS4 Pro can take full advantage of your TV‘s capabilities.
Consider a Gaming Monitor
Gaming monitors offer some advantages over TVs for PS4 Pro:
- Lower input lag – 5ms vs 15ms+ for most TVs
- Faster response time – better motion clarity
- Variable refresh rate support on some models
- Smaller screen size allows higher PPI 4K
Monitors from ASUS, LG, BenQ and others are optimized for console gaming. Look for 4K, HDR, low input lag and VRR support.
The Bottom Line
Getting that buttery smooth 4K HDR image from your PS4 Pro requires using the right cables and ports, up to date firmware, and dialing in your settings correctly on both devices. Take the time to experiment with the tips provided here. Patience and attention to detail will pay off with a stellar gaming experience. Let me know if you have any other questions!
