LG OLED HDR Gaming Setup for PS5, Xbox and Windows

Correct order in one minute

For HDR10 games, put the LG OLED in Game Optimizer, choose HGiG on the TV, and only then run the source's HDR calibration. Configure each game's HDR controls last. Re-run calibration when you change tone mapping or another setting that materially changes HDR output.

HGiG is normally a TV tone-mapping choice, not a universal console switch. Menus and availability vary by LG model, firmware and active signal.

Prepare the television

1. Connect the source to a port that supports the intended resolution and refresh mode on your model.
2. Enable the LG input option required for enhanced HDMI signals if the TV presents one.
3. Start an HDR game or calibration screen so HDR settings are active.
4. Select Game Optimizer.
5. Choose HGiG for a source-led HDR10 calibration, or deliberately choose Dynamic Tone Mapping as a different preference.

Do not adjust white balance or color-management controls from internet values. Game calibration is not panel calibration.

PS5

In PS5 settings, enable HDR according to your use preference and run Adjust HDR while the TV remains in the intended Game Optimizer/HGiG state. Follow Sony's on-screen visibility instructions rather than copying a fixed number of button presses: display capabilities and firmware differ.

Set 120 Hz Output and VRR according to the game and television support. The PS5 can request these modes, but each title determines whether it renders a compatible performance mode. Confirm the active state through the console and TV rather than assuming the home screen proves the game output.

PS5 HDR calibration does not configure every game's independent HDR sliders. Use game-provided reference screens afterward.

Xbox Series X|S

Use the Xbox 4K TV details page to see which features the complete chain reports. Then run Calibrate HDR for Games with the LG in the chosen HDR gaming mode.

Enable Allow 4K, HDR, VRR and high-refresh modes only where supported by the TV, port and title. Dolby Vision for Gaming is a separate output path from HDR10 HGiG. If you enable Dolby Vision gaming, configure and evaluate that mode separately instead of assuming the HDR10 HGiG selection governs it.

If a mode disappears, check resolution, refresh rate, video format and the selected TV input configuration before replacing hardware.

Windows 11

1. Select the correct display and enable HDR in Windows.
2. Set resolution and refresh rate in Advanced Display.
3. Enable the intended VRR technology in Windows/GPU settings where supported.
4. Keep the LG in Game Optimizer and HGiG.
5. Run the official Windows HDR Calibration app.
6. Configure each game's HDR controls last.

Windows desktop SDR brightness inside HDR mode is a separate comfort control; it should not be used as a substitute for HDR calibration. Auto HDR and native HDR are also different rendering paths.

HGiG versus Dynamic Tone Mapping

HGiG guidance lets the source render to a known display limit while the TV avoids an additional dynamic roll-off. Dynamic Tone Mapping asks the TV to adapt the HDR10 signal and may look brighter in ambient light. Neither option repairs a game's poor HDR implementation.

If HGiG looks unexpectedly dim, verify that the source was calibrated after HGiG was selected, the game has HDR enabled, and room light is not overwhelming the display. Do not immediately raise near-black controls; that can change shadow relationships and VRR behavior.

Troubleshooting

• No HDR: verify the game supports HDR, enhanced HDMI mode is active and the source reports HDR capability.
• No 120 Hz: check the title's performance mode, console setting, TV port and cable path.
• No VRR: confirm model/source support and disable conflicting output combinations one at a time.
• Raised or crushed blacks: match source and display range instead of forcing one side.
• Controls are greyed out: Game Optimizer, VRR, input type or the active format may intentionally restrict them.

OLED Control can help inspect or change supported TV settings after pairing. It cannot run console calibration, change a game's renderer or force a GPU signal.

Sources

• HGiG — For Better HDR Gaming
• PlayStation — Enable and adjust HDR on PS5
• Xbox — Configure 4K gaming at 120 Hz
• Microsoft — Windows HDR Calibration
• HDMI Licensing Administrator — HDMI 2.1 gaming features

Verify the HDMI foundation

Connect directly while establishing the baseline. Enable the LG input's enhanced/Deep Color state, confirm 4K60 HDR, then add 120 Hz and VRR. Xbox 4K TV Details, PS5 Video Output Information and Windows Advanced Display provide evidence. A receiver that passes 4K60 may not pass 4K120 VRR.

A brief black interval during format switching can be normal. Permanent No Signal, reconnect loops or colored sparkles require cable/format diagnosis before HDR calibration.

PS5 workflow

Select HDR Game Optimizer and the final HGiG/DTM choice. Open PS5 Adjust HDR and follow Sony's symbols rather than universal click counts. Verify the game is in its HDR mode and configure title-specific controls last.

PS5 VRR is separate from HDR. Enable it only after fixed output is stable. A title can render 60/120 fps modes differently; choose performance mode in the game when required.

Xbox workflow

Read 4K TV Details and resolve missing capabilities first. Select the TV tone-map path, then run Calibrate HDR for Games. Xbox supports multiple audio/video combinations; direct TV video with eARC audio may be needed if an older receiver blocks 4K120.

Dolby Vision gaming uses a different path from HDR10 HGiG. On C1/G1 it depends on suitable firmware; do not assume the HGiG selection controls Dolby Vision.

Windows workflow

Confirm active resolution/refresh, RGB/YCbCr, bit depth and matching range. Enable HDR on the intended display and run Windows HDR Calibration after the TV mode is final. Auto HDR for SDR games differs from native HDR.

Use one frame limiter and cap below the VRR ceiling. Driver overlays, shader compilation and CPU bottlenecks can cause pacing/flicker unrelated to HDR clipping.

Common HDR symptoms

Gray blacks suggest range mismatch. HGiG too dark suggests missing recalibration, room reflections or game implementation. Blown highlights require checking source/game peak controls. VRR near-black pulsing requires timing diagnosis, not repeated HDR calibration.

Test a second known title before rebuilding the TV around one game.

HDR gaming FAQ

HGiG or DTM?

HGiG is repeatable source-led mapping; DTM is adaptive/brighter preference. Calibrate after choosing.

Are PS5 and Xbox calibration screens interchangeable?

No. Follow each platform's own instructions.

Does 120 Hz improve HDR brightness?

No. Refresh and tone mapping are independent.

Why is Dolby Vision different?

It uses Dolby's metadata/rendering path rather than HDR10 HGiG.

Additional sources

• Xbox — 4K gaming at 120 Hz
• Xbox — HDR TV settings
• HDMI — gaming features