To enable 4K HDR gaming on a PS4 Pro, first use a TV input that supports 4K and HDR10, enable that input’s enhanced or HDR mode, then set the console’s video output options to Automatic. Confirm the TV is detected as HDR-capable in Video Output Information and launch a game that supports the features you want. Only PS4 Pro supports 4K output; other PS4 consoles can support HDR, but not 4K output.
What do you need for 4K HDR gaming on PS4 Pro?
You need a PS4 Pro, a compatible 4K display and HDMI input, and a game that supports the output features you want. HDR also requires an HDR10-capable display, a suitable HDMI connection, and PS4 system software 7.0 or later. The display’s settings matter: a TV can support 4K or HDR overall while a particular HDMI input has those features turned off.
- For 4K: Check that the TV’s specific HDMI input supports 4K/60Hz. Sony says a display without 4K/60Hz support may scale the picture down to 2K/60Hz.
- For HDR: Confirm HDR10 support and identify the TV setting that enables HDR or an enhanced signal for the input you will use.
- For the game: Check that the PS4 version supports 4K or HDR. Some games also require you to turn the feature on in the game’s own display or graphics menu.
- For the cable: Start with the HDMI cable supplied with the PS4 Pro. Sony says it is suitable; a replacement is not automatically necessary.
Check the TV manual for the capabilities of the chosen port and the manufacturer’s name for its enhanced HDMI setting. Labels differ between TVs and can include HDR, Wide Color Mode, HDMI Enhanced Mode, UHD Color Mode, or Ultra HD deep color.
It helps to check the requirements feature by feature instead of treating “4K HDR” as one all-or-nothing setting. A display can accept 4K without HDR, or HDR without having the 4K/60Hz capability needed for the desired output. The PS4 Pro, TV port, connection path, and game all have to support the particular feature you want to use.
If you have a standard PS4, it can provide HDR when the software, display, connection, and content support it, but it does not provide 4K output. A 4K TV alone does not change that console limitation. If 4K output is essential, PS4 Pro is the PS4-family console to look for.
How do you enable 4K HDR on PS4 Pro?
Set up the TV input first, connect the console, then configure and verify the PS4 Pro. This order helps distinguish a TV-input issue from a console or game setting.
- Choose the right TV input. Use the TV manual to find an HDMI port that supports 4K/60Hz and HDR10, if you want both. Connect the PS4 Pro to that port.
- Enable the TV’s enhanced format for that input. Open the TV’s HDMI, external-input, or picture settings and turn on the relevant enhanced, UHD, deep-color, or HDR mode for the port the console is actually using. If a receiver or switch is in the signal path, confirm that its ports and settings support the desired connection too.
- Connect the console directly to the TV for HDR setup. Sony’s HDR setup guidance calls for a direct PS4-to-TV connection. This is the most reliable configuration to start with and a useful troubleshooting test if HDR is not detected; it does not establish that every receiver or switch is incompatible.
- Use a suitable HDMI cable. Try the supplied PS4 Pro cable first. If you need a replacement or a longer cable, choose a certified Premium High Speed HDMI cable. The HDMI Licensing Administrator describes Premium High Speed certification as testing for 18Gbps and an authentication label; that certification figure is not a measured speed for any particular cable.
- Set the PS4 Pro’s video output. On the console, open Settings > Sound and Screen > Video Output Settings. Set Resolution to Automatic to let the console select the highest supported detected output. If the display supports them, you can instead choose 2160p – YUV420 or 2160p – RGB. Set HDR and Deep Color Output to Automatic.
- Check what the console detects. In the same settings area, open Video Output Information. An HDR-capable display should show Supported beside HDR. If you want to calibrate the display, select Adjust HDR and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Enable the feature in the game if needed. Launch a supported PS4 game and check its display, graphics, or video options. Some games have an in-game setting for HDR, resolution, or a choice between resolution and performance.
Automatic is a practical starting point because it uses the capabilities the console detects. Manual 2160p options are alternatives when the display supports them; neither option guarantees that a game renders internally at native 4K or supports HDR.
For a clean first test, keep the setup simple: one PS4 Pro, one suitable cable, and the TV’s capable HDMI input. This makes it easier to tell which device is affecting the detected signal. After the console reports the display correctly and a supported game displays as expected, add any receiver or switch back one device at a time and check whether the console still detects the desired output.
The TV setting is per input on many displays, so changing the enhanced format for one HDMI port may not affect another. If you move the PS4 Pro to a different port, repeat the input check. Also confirm the source selected on the TV is the port where the console is connected; otherwise, an apparently correct setting may apply to a different device.
Which PS4 Pro resolution setting should you choose?
Use Automatic unless you have a reason to select a supported 2160p mode manually. The available resolution describes the console’s output signal, not necessarily the game’s internal rendering resolution.
| Setting | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic | Selects the highest supported detected output. | As the default setup or when you want the console to follow the display’s reported capabilities. |
| 2160p – YUV420 | Sets the console’s output to a supported 2160p YUV420 mode. | When the display supports it and you need to select a 2160p output manually. |
| 2160p – RGB | Sets the console’s output to a supported 2160p RGB mode. | When the display supports it and you need to select a 2160p output manually. |
There is no universally best manual option established for every TV and game. If a 2160p choice is greyed out, the connected display may not be reporting support for it. Recheck the TV input, its enhanced-format setting, and any equipment between the console and display before treating the console as the problem.
Choose between YUV420 and RGB based on what the connected display supports, not on a promise that one will fix HDR or make every game look better. Both are output choices; the available options depend on the setup the console detects. If Automatic works and the console reports the expected capabilities, there is no requirement to switch to a manual mode.
Also distinguish the console’s output resolution from a game’s rendering resolution. A PS4 Pro can send a 2160p signal while a game uses a different internal rendering resolution, including a dynamic resolution. The TV’s signal information or the PS4 Pro’s output menu tells you about the signal sent to the display; it does not independently establish how the game creates its image.
How can you tell whether a PS4 game supports 4K or HDR?
Check the specific PS4 edition of the game rather than assuming that the console’s 4K output means every game uses 4K rendering or HDR. Support can differ by title, and some games offer a choice between resolution and frame-rate-oriented modes.
For example, Sony’s documentation describes Horizon Zero Dawn as supporting dynamic 4K and HDR on PS4 Pro, with a choice related to resolution or performance. That example does not mean every PS4 game has the same options. For the game you are playing, check its PS4 Pro feature information and inspect its in-game display settings.
When comparing games, look for three separate details: whether the PS4 edition is enhanced for PS4 Pro, whether that edition supports HDR, and whether it offers a resolution-versus-performance choice. One supported feature does not imply the others. A game might offer HDR without a particular resolution mode, or provide a PS4 Pro enhancement without HDR.
Keep these terms separate:
- 4K output: The resolution of the signal sent from the console to the TV.
- Native 4K rendering: The game renders each frame at 4K internally. A 4K output signal by itself does not prove this.
- HDR: High-dynamic-range output, which requires a compatible display and content that supports it.
Game-specific options are worth checking after the console setup is complete. If a title provides an HDR or display toggle, use that title’s menu rather than assuming the console-wide output setting turns on every feature in every game. If the game has separate image-quality or performance modes, those are title-specific choices; there is no single PS4 Pro setting that guarantees the same mode or result across all games.
4K gaming is also distinct from 4K streaming and 4K disc playback. The console’s ability to output a supported game signal does not mean every other kind of 4K content is supported. In particular, PS4 Pro does not play 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs.
Why does PS4 Pro say HDR is unsupported?
If HDR is not detected, check the display, the exact HDMI input, and the connection path before changing console settings. The PS4 Pro can only report HDR support when the connected setup exposes a compatible display and signal path.
- Check the TV’s HDR capability. Confirm that the display supports HDR10, not just 4K.
- Check the selected HDMI port. Some TVs have different capabilities by port, and enhanced modes may need to be enabled separately for each input.
- Check the input’s enhanced or HDR setting. Turn on the TV’s relevant HDMI Enhanced, HDR, UHD Color, or similar mode for the port in use.
- Connect the PS4 Pro directly to the TV. Temporarily remove a receiver or switch from the path as a diagnostic step. If HDR is then detected, check the intermediate device’s supported inputs and settings.
- Try a suitable cable. Start with the supplied cable. If replacing it, use a certified Premium High Speed HDMI cable.
- Confirm system software and game support. Sony’s HDR guidance specifies PS4 system software 7.0 or later; the game must also support HDR for HDR gaming.
After correcting the connection, return to Settings > Sound and Screen > Video Output Settings > Video Output Information and check the HDR status again.
If the console still reports HDR as unsupported, change one part of the setup at a time. First verify the TV’s HDR10 specification and the chosen input’s enhanced setting. Then test the included cable directly between the console and that TV input. This avoids changing several variables at once and helps isolate whether the issue is the TV configuration, cable, or an intermediate device.
A TV may advertise HDR support while requiring a specific input mode before it accepts the HDR signal. A menu label such as “UHD Color” or “HDMI Enhanced Mode” may control that capability even if it does not contain the word HDR. Use the TV’s own manual to identify the matching setting rather than relying on the label used by another brand.
What should you do if PS4 Pro is stuck at 1080p or has no signal?
If the picture works but the console does not offer 4K or HDR, recheck the TV input and the entire connection chain. If changing output settings leaves the screen blank, use Safe Mode to recover the picture rather than guessing at settings while you cannot see the menu.
Picture works, but 4K or HDR is missing
- Verify that the PS4 Pro is connected to the TV’s capable 4K/HDR input, and that the input’s enhanced mode is enabled.
- Check the cable and any receiver or switch in the chain. For HDR troubleshooting, test a direct console-to-TV connection.
- Check that the game supports the feature and whether it has a separate in-game option.
- Remember that a 2160p console output is not proof of native-4K game rendering.
If your TV supports 4K but the PS4 Pro only offers a lower resolution, check whether the selected port supports 4K/60Hz. Sony says a display without 4K/60Hz support may scale the image down to 2K/60Hz. Also check whether the 2160p choices are unavailable or greyed out in Video Output Settings; that can indicate that the connected display is not reporting support.
For a multi-device chain, check every link, not just the TV and console. A receiver or switch must support the intended 4K connection on the ports being used, and its own settings may matter. For HDR, make a direct connection the baseline test because Sony’s setup guidance calls for connecting the PS4 directly to the TV. Treat the direct setup as a way to identify the source of the problem, not as evidence that every intermediate device is incompatible.
Blank screen after changing output
- Start the PS4 Pro in Safe Mode and choose Set HDCP Mode > HDCP 1.4 Only to regain an image if needed.
- Once you can see the display, use Safe Mode’s Change Resolution option and, after restart, choose 2160p – YUV420 if that mode is appropriate for the connected display.
- Return the HDCP mode to Automatic after recovery.
HDCP 1.4 Only is a recovery step, not a permanent 4K fix. Sony warns that it can prevent 4K or HDR for some content or apps. PlayStation’s US support guidance also warns that if HDCP 2.2 support is missing from the connection chain, HDCP 1.4 Only may limit output to 1080p.
Once the picture is back, return to the regular video-output settings and verify the detected information instead of leaving HDCP set to 1.4 Only. That mode is useful for recovery when a display loses the picture after a change, but it can restrict the output features you are trying to use. If the 2160p mode is still unavailable, revisit the display input and connection chain rather than repeatedly forcing a setting the display does not report as supported.
Can PS VR or Game Mode affect HDR?
They can, depending on the equipment. Sony’s historical PS VR FAQ says the PS VR processor unit does not pass HDR through, so bypass that unit when HDR is needed. That guidance applies to the PS VR processor unit covered by the FAQ; it should not be generalized to other VR hardware.
Sony’s FAQ also notes that a TV’s Game Mode can affect HDR on some displays. If HDR behaves unexpectedly after enabling Game Mode, consult the instructions for that specific TV rather than assuming a universal setting is best.
These are conditional checks, not settings every player needs to change. If you are not routing the console through the PS VR processor unit and your TV is handling HDR as expected, there is no need to change the connection for this reason. Likewise, Game Mode behavior differs by display; check the TV’s documentation if HDR changes when you switch that mode.
Should you buy a new cable, TV, or console?
Start by checking what you already own. Sony says the HDMI cable supplied with PS4 Pro is suitable, so a cable purchase is not a standard requirement. If that cable is missing, damaged, or you need a longer replacement, look for a certified Premium High Speed HDMI cable. Certification involves testing for 18Gbps and an authentication label, according to the HDMI Licensing Administrator; do not treat a marketing phrase alone as proof of certification.
Consider a different display only if your current one lacks a requirement you need, such as HDR10, a compatible 4K input, or 4K/60Hz support. Check the exact port specification, not just the TV’s general product description. If you already have a receiver or switch, verify its relevant input and output compatibility before deciding it must be replaced; a direct console-to-TV connection is the appropriate first HDR test.
A standard PS4 owner who specifically wants 4K output needs a PS4 Pro, while a reader seeking only HDR may be able to use another PS4 model with a compatible setup. Buying a different game is only useful if the game you want to play lacks the desired PS4 Pro enhancement or HDR support. Horizon Zero Dawn is one documented example of a PS4 Pro game with dynamic 4K and HDR, not a requirement for setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PS4 Pro play 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs?
No. PlayStation’s FAQ says PS4 Pro does not play 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. That limitation is separate from its ability to send a 4K output signal for supported games or other supported content.
Can a regular PS4 use HDR even though it cannot output 4K?
Yes. Other PS4 consoles can provide HDR when the console software, display, connection, and content meet the requirements. HDR and 4K are separate capabilities.
Will a 4K TV make every PS4 Pro game look native 4K?
No. The TV can receive a 4K signal while a game renders at a different internal resolution. The game’s own PS4 Pro support and graphics options determine what it renders.
What PS4 system software is required for HDR?
Sony’s HDR setup guidance specifies PS4 system software 7.0 or later. The TV, HDMI connection, and game must also support HDR for HDR gaming.
Why is the 2160p option greyed out on PS4 Pro?
A greyed-out 2160p option can mean the connected display is not reporting support. Check the TV’s 4K-capable HDMI port, that port’s enhanced-format setting, and any receiver or switch between the console and display.
Do I need to buy a new HDMI cable for PS4 Pro 4K HDR?
Not if the supplied cable works: Sony says the PS4 Pro cable is suitable. If you need a replacement or longer cable, choose a certified Premium High Speed HDMI cable.
What does “Supported” beside HDR mean in Video Output Information?
It indicates that the PS4 Pro detects an HDR-capable display in the connected setup. Sony’s HDR setup guide says an HDR-capable display shows “Supported” beside the HDR label; the game still needs to support HDR.
Can a receiver or switch prevent HDR from working?
It can affect the connection if its ports or settings do not support the desired signal. For setup and troubleshooting, connect the PS4 Pro directly to the TV, then check intermediate equipment if HDR works in the direct connection.
Is HDCP 1.4 Only the right setting for 4K?
No. Sony documents it as a way to recover a picture in some blank-screen situations, but warns it can prevent 4K or HDR for some content or apps. Return HDCP to Automatic after recovery.
The Bottom Line
For PS4 Pro 4K HDR gaming, use a TV input that supports 4K/60Hz and HDR10, enable its enhanced format, connect the console with the supplied suitable cable, and set Resolution, HDR, and Deep Color Output to Automatic. Verify HDR under Video Output Information, then confirm that the specific game supports and enables the feature. If detection fails, test the console directly to the TV before changing hardware.