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If your PS5 picture looks wrong or performance seems worse after a system update, first check the video signal and display settings. A problem appearing after an update does not by itself prove that the update caused it: blank screens, flicker, incompatible TV settings, system-feature problems, and an incomplete update need different fixes.
Start by identifying the problem
If you can reach the home screen, check what the console is sending to the display before changing system software or resetting the PS5.
- Blank screen or unsupported display mode: troubleshoot the video output in Safe Mode.
- Flicker, unexpected resolution, HDR, VRR, or refresh-rate behavior: inspect video output settings and the HDMI/display connection.
- System features or performance drops: consider the relevant Safe Mode maintenance options.
- An update failed or did not complete: retry the system software update, then use Sony’s manual update process if necessary.
Check the PS5 video output settings
On the console, open Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. The PS5 detects the connected TV’s capabilities and selects the best available resolution automatically. This screen also shows information about the connected HDMI device, including resolution, VRR, and HDR; you can inspect the signal or change the resolution here. See PlayStation’s guide to changing PS5 resolution.
If the image flickers
Sony recommends trying Video Transfer Rate set to -1 or -2 when the screen flickers. These settings limit some higher-bandwidth output modes and may improve picture quality. Change one setting at a time so you can tell whether it affects the symptom; this is a troubleshooting step, not a guaranteed fix for every image or performance complaint.
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If 120 Hz or VRR behaves unexpectedly
If you encounter unexpected behavior at 120 Hz, Sony advises turning 120 Hz Output off in Video Output settings. VRR behavior depends on the TV. If a problem occurs while playing a game, try turning off Apply to Unsupported Games for VRR. These changes test whether a display feature is involved; they do not establish that the system update caused the behavior.
Use Safe Mode for a blank screen or system issue
Safe Mode starts the PS5 with basic functions active. Its video options can help if the display is blank or cannot handle the current output mode. Sony’s instructions are on its Safe Mode support page.
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- Turn the PS5 off.
- Press and hold the power button. Release it after the second beep.
- Connect the controller to the console with a USB cable, then press the PS button.
- For a blank-screen problem, choose Change Video Output, then try Change Resolution or Change HDCP Mode.
For system-feature problems or performance drops
From Safe Mode, Clear System Software Cache is Sony’s recommended option for system-feature issues or performance drops. Rebuild Database scans the drive and creates a new database of content; Sony lists it for system-feature issues or when a deleted game icon remains on the Home screen. It is not described as a guaranteed graphics fix. Follow the on-screen instructions and do not interrupt the console while an operation is running.
Check the TV, HDMI port, cable, and intermediary equipment
A display symptom can come from the signal path, not just the console. For a 4K/120 Hz issue, Sony’s checklist includes the TV’s support for that mode and firmware status, the HDMI port in use, whether the console is connected through a receiver or other intermediary, and the PS5’s resolution and Video Transfer Rate settings. Consult Sony’s PS5 resolution guidance while checking those settings.
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- Confirm the TV supports the resolution and refresh rate you want, and that it is using current firmware.
- Try connecting the PS5 directly to the TV rather than through a receiver, soundbar, or switch.
- Check that the cable is plugged into the TV’s HDMI port that supports the target mode.
- Test the HDMI cable supplied with the PS5 if you have it. If it is unavailable, damaged, or unsuitable for the mode, Sony recommends an Ultra High-Speed HDMI cable rated for 4K/120 Hz.
Retry a failed or incomplete system update
If the console reaches the home screen, use Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings to check for and install a system software update. If the update failed or the console cannot complete the normal route, Sony documents retrying in Safe Mode and manually updating with a USB drive. See Sony’s system software update instructions.
Manual USB update requirements
Sony’s manual procedure requires a USB drive formatted as FAT32 or exFAT. Create the folders PS5/UPDATE on the drive and save the official update file there as PS5UPDATE.PUP. Then follow Sony’s current Safe Mode update instructions exactly. Use the update file and procedure linked above rather than a file from an unofficial source.
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Understand the data risk before resetting or reinstalling
Reset and reinstall options are not interchangeable with routine settings changes. Check the exact Safe Mode option and its effects before selecting it.
| Option | What it changes | Data effect |
|---|---|---|
| Restore Default Settings | Restores settings to their defaults. | Sony says it does not erase user or game data. Details: restore default settings. |
| Reset PS5 | Resets the console. | Deletes all user data, according to Sony’s Safe Mode guidance. |
| Reinstall PS5 system software | Reinstalls system software. | Deletes all console data. Back up data first if possible; see Sony’s update and reinstall guidance. |
Because reset and reinstall erase data, reserve them for later recovery steps rather than trying them first for a display-mode or flicker problem.
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Contact PlayStation Support if the problem persists
If the issue remains after the relevant checks and recovery steps, use PlayStation Repairs for support. When you contact support, note any error code, whether the issue affects a particular game or also appears in the PS5 menus, and which steps you have already tried. A symptom that began after an update does not automatically mean the console needs hardware repair.
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