The Problem:: Regular stuttering occurs exactly every 8 seconds in some PS5/PS5 Pro games.
Conditions:: Issue arises when VRR is active on a 120Hz display AND the in-game framerate setting is uncapped.
Onset:: Stuttering typically begins after 20-30 minutes of continuous gameplay.
Potential Cause:: Speculation points to a slight mismatch in the PS5's refresh rate output (119.88Hz vs 120Hz) causing synchronization issues with the display under VRR.
Impact:: Negates the benefits of VRR, creating a jarring visual disruption.
Status:: No official fix from Sony yet. Workarounds involve disabling VRR or capping the frame rate.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technology was introduced to PS5 to enhance visual smoothness and reduce screen tearing, similar to G-Sync and FreeSync on PCs. However, reports compiled by Digital Foundry, based on user observations and their own testing across 19 games, reveal a peculiar issue affecting both PS5 and PS5 Pro consoles connected to 120Hz VRR-capable displays.
The problem manifests as a consistent stutter or judder occurring precisely every eight seconds, but only after about 20 to 30 minutes of gameplay and specifically when VRR is enabled *and* the in-game frame rate is set to 'uncapped' or 'unlimited'.
Why this matters: This issue directly counteracts the benefits of VRR, introducing a distracting rhythmic interruption instead of providing a smoother experience. It primarily affects players aiming for the highest possible frame rates on compatible high-refresh-rate TVs.
The investigation into the cause is ongoing. Digital Foundry's analysis suggests the problem isn't tied to specific TV brands (tested on LG and Sony models) or game engines (e.g., Resident Evil 4 on RE Engine is affected, while Dragon's Dogma 2 on the same engine isn't). Interestingly, the issue doesn't appear to affect the Xbox Series X|S version of the same games, pointing towards a potential platform-specific implementation problem on the PlayStation side.
A leading theory points to a slight discrepancy in the PS5's output signal (119.88 Hz instead of 120 Hz) causing a periodic de-sync with the display when VRR is active under these specific conditions.
Affected Games Include (Examples):
Diablo 4
Elden Ring
Hogwarts Legacy
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Metaphor: Refantazio
The Last of Us Part 1 & Part 2
Unaffected Games Include (Examples):
God of War Ragnarök
Gran Turismo 7
Dragon's Dogma 2
Games running at a consistent capped frame rate (e.g., 60, 40, or 30 FPS).
What is VRR?
VRR stands for Variable Refresh Rate. It's a display technology that synchronizes the display's refresh rate with the console's frame rate output in real-time. This aims to eliminate screen tearing and provide smoother gameplay, especially when frame rates fluctuate.
What exactly is causing the stuttering on the PS5?
The exact root cause hasn't been officially confirmed by Sony. Digital Foundry speculates it might be related to the PS5 outputting a slightly lower refresh rate (119.88 Hz instead of 120 Hz) when VRR is active, leading to a de-synchronization issue that manifests as a stutter every eight seconds. However, this is still under investigation.
How can I fix or avoid this VRR stuttering issue?
Currently, the best workarounds are to either disable the VRR setting entirely in your PS5's system menu or re-enable the frame rate limit within the settings of the affected game. Restarting the game might also provide a temporary fix.
Who This Affects Most:: PS5 and PS5 Pro users with 120Hz VRR-enabled TVs or monitors who prefer playing games with uncapped frame rates for maximum performance.
Immediate Impact:: Your gaming experience in affected titles might be disrupted by rhythmic stuttering, negating the smoothness VRR aims to provide.
How to Prepare/Workaround:
Go to PS5 Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Turn off 'VRR'.
Alternatively, check the graphics/display settings within affected games and enable a frame rate cap (e.g., 60 FPS).
Outlook:: Keep an eye out for potential firmware updates from Sony or your TV manufacturer that might address this issue. Currently, user-reported fixes via TV updates are inconsistent.
Do you own a PS5 and a 120Hz VRR display? Have you experienced this stuttering issue? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
*Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!*
Source 1: connect.de - PS5 (Pro): VRR kann Probleme bereiten target="_blank"
Source 2: IT Boltwise - Sony unter Druck: VRR-Probleme auf der PS5 erfordern Handeln target="_blank"
Source 3: GameStar - PlayStation 5 (Pro): Alle acht Sekunden kommt es in Spielen mit VRR zum Stottern target="_blank"
Analysis: Digital Foundry Investigation (YouTube) target="_blank"
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