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To change PS4 resolution when you can see the picture, open Settings > Sound and Screen > Video Output Settings > Resolution and select a mode your monitor supports. If the screen is blank, start the console in Safe Mode and choose Change Resolution; the PS4 restarts at 480p so you can restore a picture and select a suitable setting.
Change resolution when the PS4 picture is visible
- Turn on the monitor and select the HDMI input connected to the PS4. PlayStation’s PS4 setup guidance specifies connecting the console’s HDMI OUT port to the display’s HDMI input.
- On the PS4 home screen, open Settings > Sound and Screen > Video Output Settings.
- Select Resolution, then choose a mode supported by your monitor. If you are unsure which mode to use, try Automatic if that option is available. PlayStation documents how Automatic works for PS4 Pro, but does not specify the full set of choices for every base PS4 revision.
- Check that the picture remains stable. If you need to adjust scaling, aspect ratio, or overscan, consult your monitor’s on-screen display and manual; the PS4 settings do not provide universal steps for those monitor-specific controls.
Recover from a PS4 black screen after changing resolution
If the monitor stays blank after you change the setting, use Safe Mode’s display recovery option. Follow these steps in order:
- Turn off the PS4 by holding its power button for about three seconds, until the console shuts down.
- With the console off, press and hold the power button again. Release it after the second beep, which occurs about seven seconds after the first.
- Connect the controller to the console with a USB cable and press the PS button.
- Select Change Resolution. The console restarts with its output set to 480p.
- When the picture returns, open Settings > Sound and Screen > Video Output Settings > Resolution and select a mode the monitor can display.
Choose the Safe Mode option named Change Resolution, not an initialization or reset option. Other Safe Mode options may erase user data. See PlayStation’s Safe Mode instructions for the entry procedure and option details.
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What to check if the PS4 monitor has no signal
A resolution is usable only if the console, display, and the connected HDMI path can handle it. Check the relevant parts rather than assuming the monitor itself is at fault:
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- Monitor: Confirm the selected resolution is supported by its specifications.
- Console model: 4K output is available only on PS4 Pro; a base PS4 cannot use the Pro’s 4K output modes.
- HDMI input and path: Use the correct HDMI input on the monitor. If the signal passes through a receiver or other equipment, that device and the HDMI cable also affect compatibility. PlayStation’s PS4 Pro 4K and HDR guide advises checking the complete connection chain.
If you suspect a damaged or unreliable cable, testing another known-working cable can help isolate the problem. A new cable is not a general upgrade for changing resolution; the connection must simply support the chosen setup.
PS4 Pro resolution and 4K limits
On PS4 Pro, the resolution controls are at Settings > Sound and Screen > Video Output Settings. PlayStation lists 2160P – YUV420 and 2160p – RGB among the available choices. With Automatic, PS4 Pro selects the highest resolution available for the display and content. Options can appear greyed out when the connected display does not support them.
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For the intended 4K setup, PlayStation says the display should support 4K/60Hz. If it does not, the image may be scaled down to 2K/60Hz. Check that the monitor is connected to its 4K-capable HDMI input, and verify that any receiver or other device in the HDMI chain supports the signal too.
When HDCP causes a picture problem
For a PS4 Pro connected to a 4K display that shows no image, PlayStation describes a Safe Mode workaround: choose Set HDCP Mode > HDCP 1.4 Only. This may restore the picture, but can limit output to 1080p. 4K requires HDCP 2.2 support across the connected setup, including the display and HDMI cables and any receiver or home-cinema equipment. This is a specific PS4 Pro compatibility workaround, not a routine resolution setting for every PS4 monitor problem.
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