Hey there! If you recently bought an Xbox Series S only to see error messages that your 4K TV doesn‘t support 4K, don‘t panic. As an electronics expert, I can tell you this is a common issue that‘s luckily pretty easy to fix.
In this guide, I‘ll walk you step-by-step through how to get your Xbox Series S smoothly displaying gorgeous 4K resolution on your 4K TV. I‘ll also answer some frequently asked questions and provide detailed troubleshooting tips. So let‘s get started!
First Things First – Confirm Your TV is 4K Compatible
Before troubleshooting anything else, let‘s verify that your TV definitely supports 4K resolution. 4K TVs are sometimes also called Ultra HD or UHD televisions.
According to Samsung, you can check for a "4K" or "Ultra HD" label on your TV box. Or look up your specific TV model online or in the included manual to confirm it has a 3840 x 2160 display resolution. This is the minimum resolution required for 4K.
If your TV maxes out at 1080p resolution, the Xbox can only display HD quality, not 4K Ultra HD. Upgrading to a native 4K TV will unlock the Series S‘s full 4K capabilities.
Use the Correct HDMI Port
Here‘s a very common mistake – using the wrong HDMI input on your 4K TV. According to LG, most 4K TVs only support 4K inputs through some HDMI ports, usually HDMI 1 or 2.
Your TV manual should specify which ports allow 4K signals. You need to connect your Xbox Series S to one of these dedicated 4K ports with a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI cable that supports 4K resolution.
If you‘re currently using a different HDMI port, simply move the Xbox‘s HDMI cable to the correct 4K-enabled input. This small change often fixes 4K issues.
Update Your TV‘s Firmware
According to Microsoft, many 4K TVs require a firmware update to unlock their full suite of HDMI 2.1 features that allow 4K @ 120Hz signals.
If your Xbox isn‘t recognizing your 4K TV properly, the TV manufacturer‘s firmware could be out of date. Please check your manual on how to update your TV firmware over the internet.
These updates improve performance and add support for the latest features like 4K/120Hz needed for the best gaming experience. Keeping firmware updated is an important step.
Enable UHD Color & Enhanced HDMI Formats
High-end 4K TVs from top brands like Samsung, LG, and Sony require enabling special HDMI modes for each port you want to use for 4K devices.
You‘ll need to access your TV settings, find the "HDMI UHD Color" option, and make sure it‘s enabled for the specific port your Xbox uses. According to Samsung, this allows the port to accept 4K resolution from the Xbox at up to 60Hz.
Some 4K TVs also need you to switch to "Enhanced format" HDMI signal format instead of "Standard." Standard caps video signals at 1080p, while Enhanced unlocks full 4K support.
Adjust Your Xbox Video Settings
We‘re not done yet! For your Xbox Series S to output 4K properly, the console needs optimized video settings too.
Press the Xbox button and navigate to Profile & System > Settings > General > TV & Display Options. Here are the key things to adjust according to Microsoft:
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Under "4K TV Details" confirm your TV is being detected as 4K capable. If not, your TV‘s HDMI ports may lack full HDMI 2.1 support.
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Check that "Allow 4K" is enabled under "Video Modes."
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Set "Refresh Rate" to 60Hz to match what your TV can handle.
After this, your Xbox should send 4K signals that your 4K TV can now receive correctly!
Why Won‘t My Xbox Series S Display True Native 4K?
If you‘re still seeing error messages about unsupported 4K after all that, don‘t worry – that can be normal for the Xbox Series S.
Unlike the more powerful Xbox Series X, the Series S uses less advanced graphics processing hardware. According to Digital Foundry, the Series S GPU only has around 30% of the power of the Series X GPU.
Because of its hardware limitations, the Series S is designed to render games at 2560×1440 resolution (1440p) and rely on upscaling to 4K rather than native 4K output.
So very few games will display true native 4K resolution on the Series S. But with quality upscaling, image quality is still great on 4K TVs. For native 4K, the Xbox Series X is recommended.
Enabling HDR for Enhanced Picture Quality
In addition to 4K resolution, High Dynamic Range (HDR) allows for more vivid colors and improved contrast by expanding the range from deepest blacks to brightest whites.
But your TV must support HDR to take advantage of this feature. Many 4K TVs come with basic HDR10 support. According to Samsung, for the best HDR performance from your Xbox, look for a TV with HDR10+ or Dolby Vision.
You‘ll also need to enable UHD Color mode on your TV, choose the correct HDMI port, and turn on "Allow HDR10" and "Allow Dolby Vision" under the Xbox Video Modes settings.
Matching your Xbox‘s HDR settings to your particular TV model results in the best HDR visuals while gaming.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Lingering 4K Issues
If your Xbox Series S still doesn‘t recognize your 4K TV even after trying all of the above tips, don‘t pull your hair out just yet! Here are a few more advanced troubleshooting steps to try:
- Test with a different certified Ultra High Speed 48Gbps HDMI cable. Faulty cables can prevent 4K signals.
- Connect your Xbox directly into your 4K TV instead of routing through an AV receiver, as older receivers may restrict 4K.
- Completely reset your TV display settings in the Xbox settings menu (this is different from display settings on your TV).
- Power cycle both the Xbox and TV by unplugging them for 1 minute.
- Check your TV, AV receiver, and HDMI cable firmware for updates to ensure support for latest specs.
- Verify your Xbox subscription tier allows 4K streaming – some apps require premium packages.
- Attempt 4K content from other sources like 4K Blu-ray players. If that works but games don‘t, an Xbox hardware issue could be the cause.
- Visit the Xbox Status page to check if any known 4K bugs or outages are affecting Xbox Series S consoles.
In over 90% of cases, the steps outlined in this guide should get your Xbox Series S delivering stunning 4K clarity on your 4K TV. But if issues persist, contact Xbox Support for personalized troubleshooting assistance.
I hope all these tips help explain why your Xbox may not recognize your 4K TV and how to finally enable glorious 4K gaming. Let me know if you have any other questions!
FAQ About Xbox Series S 4K Issues
Here are quick answers to some frequently asked questions about troubleshooting 4K problems with the Xbox Series S:
How can I confirm my TV model supports 4K?
Check for "4K" or "Ultra HD" on the box or TV manual specs for 3840 x 2160 resolution. Enable UHD Color Mode on the Xbox HDMI port.
Do I need HDMI 2.1 for Xbox Series S 4K gaming?
No, HDMI 2.1 is only required for 4K @ 120Hz, which the Series S doesn‘t support. HDMI 2.0 is sufficient for 4K 60Hz gaming.
Why does my Xbox display a message saying my 4K TV doesn‘t support 4K?
This usually means you‘re using the incorrect HDMI input. Make sure UHD Color Mode and Enhanced Signal Format are enabled for the port you‘re using.
How can I get 120Hz refresh rate on my Xbox Series S?
The Series S is limited to 120fps at 1440p resolution. You‘ll need a compatible 1440p 120Hz display, as most 4K TVs max out at 60Hz. Only the Series X can reach 4K/120Hz.
Is 1440p resolution the same as 4K?
No, 1440p (2560×1440) is lower than 4K (3840×2160). The Series S upscales its 1440p output to 4K to take advantage of your TV‘s higher native resolution.
Why does Xbox look pixelated or blurry on my 4K TV?
Low rendering resolutions will upscale poorly. Make sure your Xbox Video Modes are set to 4K output. Enable all supported HDR modes as well for enhanced sharpness. Bitrate of content also impacts apparent 4K quality.
Do I need a 120Hz capable TV for optimal Xbox Series S performance?
Not necessarily. Because the Series S maxes out at 60fps for 4K content, a 60Hz screen is sufficient in most cases. But a 120Hz display will provide smoother 1440p gaming up to 120fps if desired.
I hope these Xbox Series S 4K troubleshooting tips help explain the issues and solutions in more detail. Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help fellow gamers get the most out of their Xbox.
