For the longest time, I thought 120 FPS was a total gimmick. I’d hear my PC gaming friends talking about their high frame rates, and I’d just think, “Yeah, right. It can’t make that much of a difference.” Then I got my hands on an Xbox Series S. One night, I was getting absolutely wrecked in Warzone, and my buddy, who’s a total tech geek, walked me through setting up 120 FPS mode. My aim felt glued to targets, my reaction time felt faster, and I was actually winning gunfights. That’s when it clicked. Figuring out how to get 120 FPS on Xbox Series S isn’t just some weird flex; it’s a real, actual advantage.
The Series S is a beast of a little console, but getting the most out of it isn’t always as simple as just plugging it in. You need the right TV, the right settings, and you need to know which games can even pull it off. This guide is me being that tech geek friend for you—I’m going to walk you through all of it, no confusing jargon, and get you playing in that super-smooth 120 FPS world.
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Why Should I Even Care About Getting 120 FPS?
This is the big question, right? If you’ve been playing games at 30 or 60 frames a second your whole life, 120 sounds like overkill. But I’m telling you, once you try it, you can’t go back. It’s not just about making things look slick; it completely changes the way the game feels to play.
Basically, a higher frame rate just means your console is drawing twice as many pictures on the screen every second compared to 60 FPS. This makes everything look incredibly fluid, which has some huge benefits, especially in games where speed matters.
How to Get 120 FPS on Xbox Series S and Does 120 FPS Really Give You a Competitive Advantage?
One hundred percent. It’s not just in your head. The advantage comes from two main things: less delay and more information.
- Snappier Controls: At 120 FPS, the delay between when you move your controller’s stick and when your character moves on screen is literally cut in half. This makes everything you do feel instant. Your aim becomes more precise because there’s less lag between your brain, your hands, and the game.
- Seeing More, Faster: Think about a fast-paced shooter. An enemy might pop out from behind a wall for a split second. Since your screen is updating twice as often at 120 FPS, you have a better chance of catching that movement and reacting first. It makes tracking moving targets way easier because everything is clearer and less of a blur.
What’s the Difference Between 60Hz and 120Hz?
This is where the jargon can get a little confusing, but it’s pretty simple. FPS and Hz are basically a team.
- FPS (Frames Per Second) is what your Xbox is doing. It’s how many frames it’s pumping out every second.
- Hz (Hertz) is what your TV or monitor is doing. It’s how many times the screen can actually refresh itself per second.
To actually see and feel 120 FPS, you need a screen that can keep up—one that has a 120Hz refresh rate. You can have the most powerful console in the world, but if you plug it into a 60Hz TV, you’re only ever going to see 60 frames per second. They have to match up.
What Kind of Display Do I Need for 120 FPS?
Okay, here’s the first catch. You can mess with all the settings you want on your Xbox, but if your screen isn’t up to the task, you’re not getting 120 FPS. The good news is that 120Hz TVs and monitors are way more common now. You just have to know what to look for.
Can My TV Handle 120Hz? How to Check.
Figuring this out can be a little annoying because TV companies love using confusing marketing terms. The main thing you’re looking for is an HDMI 2.1 port. Some older TVs with HDMI 2.0 can do 120Hz at 1080p, but HDMI 2.1 is the one that really guarantees it’ll work properly.
Here’s how to figure it out:
- Look at the back of your TV: Sometimes, the ports are actually labeled. See if one says “HDMI 2.1” or “120Hz.”
- Google your TV’s model number: This is the best way. Find the model number on the sticker on the back of your TV and look it up online. Check the official specs for “Refresh Rate.”
- Look for buzzwords: Marketing terms like “Game Mode Pro” or “VRR” are usually a good sign that your TV is a 120Hz panel.
What is the Best HDMI Cable for 120 FPS on Xbox Series S?
This is the easy part! The Xbox Series S comes with the right cable right in the box. It’s called an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable. As long as you’re using that one, you’re good to go. If you lost it or need a longer one, don’t waste your money on expensive cables with fancy packaging. Just make sure the box says “Ultra High Speed.”
How to Get 120 FPS on Xbox Series S by Changing System Settings?
So you’ve got a 120Hz screen and the right cable. Now you just have to tell your Xbox it’s okay to go full throttle. You have to manually turn on the 120Hz output in the settings.
Step-by-Step Guide to Enabling 120Hz on Your Xbox
This will take you less than a minute.
- Press the Xbox button on your controller.
- Tab all the way over to “Profile & system.”
- Go into “Settings.”
- Under “General,” pick “TV & display options.”
- Find the dropdown for “Refresh rate” and change it from 60Hz to 120Hz.
Your screen will flash for a second while it makes the change. Just confirm you want to keep the setting, and you’re done. Your Xbox is now in 120Hz mode.
What if the 120Hz Option is Greyed Out?
If you can’t select the 120Hz option, don’t worry. It’s a common problem and usually an easy fix.
Run through this checklist:
- Check the cable: Are you positive you’re using the Ultra High Speed cable?
- Check the port: Is it plugged into the right HDMI 2.1 port on your TV? Sometimes only one or two of the ports are the high-speed ones.
- Check the TV’s own settings: Go into your TV’s menu and look for a “Game Mode” or something called “Enhanced Format.” You often have to turn this on for the specific HDMI port your Xbox is using.
Should I Choose 1080p or 1440p for 120 FPS?
This is a big one. The Series S is a powerful little machine, but it’s not magic. To hit that super-high 120 FPS target, games almost always have to lower the resolution. In your Xbox’s display settings, you’ll also see a “Resolution” option. To give your console the best chance of hitting a stable 120 FPS, setting this to 1080p is usually your best bet.
How Do I Enable 120 FPS in My Favorite Games?
This is the last and most important step, and it’s the one people forget all the time. Just because your console is set to 120Hz doesn’t mean games will automatically run at 120 FPS. The game itself has to support it, and you usually have to turn it on inside the game’s own settings menu.
Why Don’t All Games Support 120 FPS on the Series S?
It’s all about trade-offs. Pushing 120 frames every second is tough work for the hardware. To do it, game developers have to cut back on other things, like graphical detail and resolution. Some developers decide they’d rather have a stunning-looking game that runs at a locked 60 FPS than a less pretty one that runs at 120.
How to Find and Enable “Performance Mode” in Games?
When a game does support 120 FPS, you’ll usually find the option in the video or graphics settings. It’s almost always called “Performance Mode,” while the prettier 60 FPS option will be called “Quality Mode” or “Fidelity Mode.”
For example, in Fortnite:
- Launch the game and go to “Settings.”
- Go to the “Video” tab.
- You’ll see a switch for “120 FPS Mode.” Just turn it on.
You have to do this for every compatible game.
Where Can I Find a List of All 120 FPS Games on Xbox Series S?
The list of games that can run at 120 FPS is always changing. The best way to keep up is to just search online for “Xbox Series S 120 FPS games list.” You’ll find a bunch of great, up-to-date lists from gaming websites. If you really want to geek out on the science behind why it all feels so much better, check out the articles on Blur Busters. They are the experts on display tech.
Is It Worth Buying a New Monitor Just for 120 FPS?
For me, it was a no-brainer. If you play a lot of competitive multiplayer games, the jump from 60Hz to 120Hz is a bigger deal than going from 1080p to 4K. The responsiveness and smoothness give you a real edge. It makes everything more fun and immersive. Learning how to get 120 FPS on Xbox Series S takes a few steps, but it unlocks the real power of that console. Once you try it, you won’t ever want to go back.
Frequently Asked Question
How can I verify if 120Hz is active and working correctly on my Xbox Series S?
You can verify it by navigating to the ‘4K TV details’ in the TV & display options menu, where a report will show if your TV setup supports up to 120Hz with a green checkmark indicating proper support.
What steps should I follow to enable 120Hz in Xbox Series S settings?
You should open Xbox Settings, go to TV & display options, set the refresh rate to 120Hz, and select a compatible resolution such as 1080p or 1440p. Confirm the changes and ensure your display supports 120Hz to enjoy smoother gameplay.
How can I check if my TV supports a 120Hz refresh rate?
To check if your TV supports a 120Hz refresh rate, look up your TV’s model specifications online or consult the manual to find the ‘Refresh Rate’ information, ensuring it lists 120Hz or higher. Be cautious of marketing terms like ‘Motion Rate’ which may not indicate true 120Hz support.
Is the included HDMI cable sufficient for 120 FPS gameplay on Xbox Series S?
The included High Speed HDMI cable is generally sufficient for most uses, supporting 120 FPS at 1080p or 1440p. However, for optimal performance and to ensure all features work correctly with 120Hz, using an Ultra High Speed HDMI (HDMI 2.1) cable is recommended.
What are the benefits of playing games at 120 FPS on Xbox Series S?
Playing games at 120 FPS on Xbox Series S results in smoother gameplay and reduced input lag, which can improve reaction times and the overall gaming experience, especially in fast-paced and competitive games.
