My monitor is 144hz but only 60hz PS5

I am using my PS5 with a 144hz monitor (BenQ ZOWIE XL2731) but when I view my resolution (Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Video Output information) it says that my resolution is 1920 x 1080 - 60 Hz. I am also using the provided HDMI cable that came in the PS5 box.

When I run the PS5 version of Cold War, on the graphics setting the '120Hz refresh rate' setting is locked, even after disabling ray tracing and enabling performance mode on my PS5.

I have also tested this monitor with my pc and it runs at 144Hz using the same HDMI cable.

Why is my PS5 not running at 120Hz?

High refresh rates monitors became the sought after displays for gamers ever since multiplayer titles took over the industry. These monitors offer a very smooth gameplay experience and can display the extremely high frame rates modern graphics cards are capable of outputting. But, after you shoved all of your good money behind one 144Hz at your local Micro Center, you find out that it is only running at 60Hz. And, that refresh rate is only as good as your five-year-old panel. 

In this article, we will list the most common fixes that will help you fix the problem of monitor stuck at 60hz on a 165hz, 144hz Monitor Stuck at 60hz, and other similar issues.

Why is My Monitor Not Running at 144Hz?

There can be a lot of reasons why your monitor is not running at 144Hz. We will list the most common ones down below, and list the fixes accordingly.

1. Set the Right FPS from Monitor Menu

Monitor menus are very inconspicuous and often just a single button (control nipples) that you can tilt in various directions to navigate the menu. Due to the single button, users may confuse the menu button with a power on and off button. It leads them to not set the monitor to the right refresh rate. Usually, monitors are set to 60 FPS by default. You need to access the monitor’s menu and set the max FPS. Once you do that, you should be able to fix the stuck at 60hz on a 165hz monitor or 144Hz.

2. Check Whether Your Monitor Supports 144Hz

Make sure your display supports 144Hz. Otherwise, you would waste a lot of time troubleshooting a non-existent problem. If your monitor is only capable of up to 60Hz, you can never push it to 144

Make a quick Google search with the exact model name of your monitor. Then open up the official documentation. All specs of your display should be listed here.

3. Check Windows Settings

Windows may default your high refresh rate monitor to 60Hz since that is the most common refresh rate in the market. In this scenario, you will have to manually set the refresh rate to the highest your monitor supports.

To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Select the start button. 
  2. Then go to the Settings app.
  3.  After that, go to System -> Display -> Advanced Display.
  4.  Then from the “Choose a refresh rate” dropdown box, choose the highest rate your display supports.
  5. You can also choose Dynamic Refresh Rate. This feature automatically increases the refresh rate while gaming or scrolling. When the screen is idling, it drops it down, thereby saving power.

4. Make Sure Your Graphics Card/Console Supports 144Hz

Some low-end graphics cards do not support high refresh rates. You can do a quick Google search with the name of your card to find out the maximum supported refresh rates at a given resolution.

 Also, the PS4, PS4 Pro, and the Xbox One family support only up to 60Hz. The latest PS5 and the Xbox Series consoles, however, can output at 120Hz. So, set your refresh rate accordingly.

5. Check Your Display Cable

You need to make sure that you have a capable cable to display content at high refresh rates. Old school VGA connectors won’t do it. You need at least an HDMI 2.0b or higher or DisplayPort 1.4 or higher cable to enjoy high refresh rates.

If you cannot figure out which ports your cable comes with, just buy a good HDMI 2.0 cable, and plug it in. A good cable will cost you barely around $10. 

These steps should help you fix your problem. If you are still facing issues, try contacting Microsoft as this will be a problem on the software’s half if your hardware supports 144Hz.

The C27JG50 doesn't have 1080p 120 Hz in its supported format list, only 1080p 60 Hz. On PC this would not be a problem since you can set custom resolutions for formats that the monitor doesn't have in its internal list, but on consoles there is no such functionality, so you can only select modes that the monitor has pre-programmed in the EDID list.

Refer to the manual here:

https://displaysolutions.samsung.com/pdf/manual/3835/CJG52-00712A-Eng.pdf#page=42

No 1080p 120 Hz, only 1440p 120 Hz.

As far as the question of refresh rate goes, the answer to the question “does PS5 support 144Hz refresh rate?” is a no. HOWEVER, if by that question you mean does PS5 support 144Hz monitors, then the answer is yes.

In other words PS5 cannot output 144 frames per second. It is limited to 120 frames per second and thus 120Hz monitor or TV would be most ideal. However, if you have a 144Hz gaming monitor, then the monitor should have absolutely no issues running the PS5 at the lower 120FPS cap.

In order to understand how this works, there are a few key points that you need to take into consideration.

As it stands, HDMI interface, version, cables and settings is all a mess particularly for PS5. There is a general sense of confusion regarding how the HDMI 2.1 interface and 120Hz refresh rate work on PS5 works.

It will be my aim to clarify why PS5 does not support 144Hz refresh rate and how you can play at 120Hz on a 144Hz gaming monitor.

  • The HDMI Interface of Sony PS5
  • So Does PS5 Support 144Hz Refresh Rate?
  • Does PS5 Support 144Hz Monitor?
  • Enabling Support for 120FPS on a 144Hz Gaming Monitor
  • Final Words

The HDMI Interface of Sony PS5

For starters, not all HDMI ports AND the cables are the same. Different consoles use different HDMI interface.

The following table shows the HDMI version different devices and gaming consoles use:

Every new iteration of the HDMI interface supports higher resolution and refresh rate displays.

PS5 offers the latest version of HDMI, the HDMI 2.1. The official HDMI 2.1 specs can support as much as maximum of 10K resolution at 120Hz. HDMI 2.1 can support 4K resolution at as much as 240Hz refresh rate (240 frame per second).

However, the HDMI 2.1 interface on PS5 is restricted. It does not support the breadth of all the resolution and refresh rates the HDMI 2.1 is designed to support.

Instead, PS5 supports the following display specifications STRICTLY:

  • Full HD resolution at 60Hz (60 frames per second)
  • Full HD Resolution at 120Hz
  • 4K Resolution at 60Hz
  • 4K Resolution at 120Hz

It also support 720p resolution in case you are wondering.

No, as mentioned earlier, PS5 is strictly limited to its display specs. Even the HDMI 2.1 interface can itself support the 4K@240 and all the resolutions and refresh rates in between, PS5 simply will not allow that.

In other words, PS5 does not support QHD resolution, ultrawide screen resolution or any other refresh rate including 144Hz, 165Hz or 240Hz other than those stipulated in its design.

The gist of the discussion here is that PS5 simply will NOT output more than 120 frames per second. 

Does PS5 Support 144Hz Monitor?

So what if you have a 144Hz gaming monitor, will PS5 work on it. Will you be able to get 120FPS on a 144Hz monitor?

This is where the good news comes in.

While the PS5 itself will not pushout 144 Frames Per Second, it does support monitors with 144Hz refresh rate or higher.

Your PS5 if connected to a 144Hz monitor will work just fine, HOWEVER, its max frames per second will be capped at 120FPS.

Enabling Support for 120FPS on a 144Hz Gaming Monitor

There are three key points you need to understand though in order to allow support for 120Hz refresh rate on PS5 even on a 144Hz Refresh Rate monitor.

1. You Need To Have the Right HDMI Cable for 120Hz.

If things weren’t already confusing enough with HDMI with all the ports versions and the PS5 limitations and display specs, you also have to take into consideration what HDMI cable version you have.

You see, not all HDMI cables are the same. There are different HDMI cables capable of carrying different resolution and refresh rates.

So basically,

  • For running PS5 at Full HD @ 60Hz, you need HDMI 1.4 cable (High Speed Cable).
  • For running PS5 at Full HD @ 120Hz, you need HDMI 1.4 cable (High Speed Cable)
  • For running PS5 at 4K @ 60Hz, you need HDMI 2.0 cable (Premium High Speed)
  • For running PS5 at 4K @ 120Hz, you need HDMI 2.1 cable (Ultra High Speed Cable).

In addition to that, you need to make sure that the cable you buy is a certified cable. Certified cables have a label verifying that they conform to the specs.

My monitor is 144hz but only 60hz PS5
Premium Certified HDMI Cable. Source: HDMI.org

In other words, you cannot simply get an HDMI 2.1 cable from a generic brand and expect that to work on 4K@120Hz on a PS5.

Also Read: How Many Types of HDMI Cables Are There?

2. Make Sure You Have The Right Settings on PS5

To confuse you even further, PS5 does not tell you how to make 120Hz work on your monitor or TV.

If you hooked up your PS5 to a 144Hz monitor and if your PS5 only works at a 60Hz refresh rate max, despite you having the right cable, then the problem could be with the PS5 display settings which in itself are deeply confusing.

Basically, in order to enable support for 120Hz (displaying 120 FPS) you need to set the video settings to “Performance Mode” instead of “Resolution Mode” or “Automatic”.

My monitor is 144hz but only 60hz PS5
Image Source: YouTube @Xamicon

This should unlock the 120FPS game mode.

Also Read: How to Get 120FPS on PS5?

3. The Game Must Support 120FPS

It is entirely possible that the game in question does not support 120FPS at all. Hence, that is worth checking out too.

Final Words

So does PS5 support 144Hz refresh rate? No, it does not. It only supports a native refresh rate of 120Hz meaning it can pushout out 120FPS max.

But does PS65 support 144Hz monitor? Yes, it does support 144Hz monitor, however, the FPS on this monitor will be capped at 120FPS max.

Why is my 144Hz monitor capped at 60Hz?

Your monitor might be capped at 60 Hz for one of many reasons. Firstly, it could be that your computer is set to 60 Hz by default, or the HMDI cable or port you're connected to does not support 144 Hz. Also, an outdated graphics driver or a console or computer not supporting 144 Hz could be why you are stuck at 60 Hz.

Will a 144Hz monitor work on PS5?

144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time will keep up with the PS5's high-frame HD gaming, and the excellence of the IPS panel ensures great colour, contrast and viewing angles.

How do I get 144 fps on PS5?

The simple answer is, no, the PS5 does not support a 144Hz refresh rate. At the moment, the PS5 supports a maximum of 120Hz up to a native 4K resolution.

Why won't my PS5 do 120Hz?

From the PS5's home screen, head to 'Settings', which can be found in the top right-hand corner. Select 'Screen and Video' and go to 'Video Output'. You can then select whether to enable or disable 120Hz output under 'Enable 120Hz Output'.