A gaming expert from AO.com has warned that millions of console owners could be unknowingly limiting their gameplay performance by plugging into the wrong HDMI port.
While most modern TVs have several HDMI sockets, only one or two may support the high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 connection needed to unlock top features like 4K at 120fps, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).
That’s because only those specific HDMI 2.1 ports have the speed to handle next-gen gaming. The others can quietly cap your console at lower frame rates.
According to Nick Bunce, Gaming and AV Expert at AO.com, it’s a simple, easily missed setup step, but fixing it can transform how smooth and responsive games feel.
He said: “It’s an easy mistake to make because HDMI ports all look the same, but not all of them deliver the same performance. Plug into the wrong one and you can quietly ruin your gaming without realising why.
“If your console isn’t in the TV’s HDMI 2.1 or ‘Game’ port, you could be capping frame rates and missing out on smoother features like 4K120 or VRR.
“The fix takes less than a minute: check your TV’s labels or settings, switch to the right port, and make sure Game Mode is on.
“It’s a quick change that can make games instantly feel sharper and a lot more responsive.
“These consoles are seriously powerful, so it’s a shame to miss out on what they can do because of one tiny setup slip.”
Visit AO.com’s guide to gifts for the avid gamer for more advice.