How to Fix Input Lag on Gaming TV, Step by Step Guide

[Hardon Williams]

Experiencing delays between your controller and what you see on screen? That’s input lag, and it can seriously mess up your gameplay—especially in competitive titles like Call of Duty, FIFA, or Fortnite.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to fix input lag on a gaming TV, covering everything from TV settings and HDMI cables to console and PC tweaks. Whether you game on PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC, these tips can help.

What Is Input Lag?​

Input lag is the delay between pressing a button on your controller and seeing the result on screen. It's measured in milliseconds (ms), and even a 20-30ms delay can feel noticeable during fast-paced games.

Common causes of input lag on a gaming TV include:

• TV image processing settings
• Wrong picture mode
• Low-quality HDMI cables
• High-latency wireless controllers
• Display refresh rate mismatch

How to Fix Input Lag on Gaming TV: Step-by-Step​

Here’s a complete checklist to reduce or eliminate input lag:

1. Enable Game Mode on Your TV​

Most modern TVs have a Game Mode that disables post-processing effects to reduce latency.

How to turn on Game Mode:​

• Samsung TV: Settings > General > External Device Manager > Game Mode
• LG TV: Settings > Picture > Picture Mode > Game
• Sony TV: Settings > Watching TV > External Inputs > HDMI Signal Format > Game
• TCL/Roku TV: Settings > Picture Settings > Game Mode

Pro Tip: Game Mode often cuts input lag in half (from 50ms to 15-20ms on average).

hdmi-cable-2-0-or-2-1" >2. Use a High-Speed HDMI Cable (2.0 or 2.1)​

Outdated or low-quality HDMI cables can throttle signal transmission.

• For 4K gaming at 60Hz or 120Hz, use HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 2.1.
• Avoid third-party cheap cables. Use certified cables from known brands.

HDMI 2.1 supports Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)—both reduce lag and screen tearing.

3. Connect Directly to the TV (Avoid Soundbars or AVRs)​

If your console or PC is connected through a receiver or soundbar, it may add processing delay.

• Plug your gaming device directly into the TV using HDMI.
• Use eARC or optical audio for sound if needed.

4. Turn Off Motion Smoothing and Image Enhancements​

TVs often have motion features like:

• Motion Smoothing / TruMotion / MotionFlow
• Noise Reduction
• Sharpness Enhancers
• Dynamic Contrast

Turn these off to reduce input lag.

These features make movies look smoother but hurt gaming performance.

5. Check Your Refresh Rate and Resolution Settings​

Match your gaming system's output to what your TV supports:

• On PS5 / Xbox Series X: Enable 120Hz and VRR if your TV supports it.
• On PC: Go to Display Settings > Advanced Display Settings > Set to 120Hz or 144Hz if supported.

A mismatch in refresh rate or resolution can cause lag and screen latency.

6. Update TV Firmware and Console/PC Drivers​

Sometimes input lag is caused by bugs or outdated software.

• Check for the latest TV firmware update in settings.
• Update your graphics drivers (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) on PC.
• Keep your console software up to date.

7. Switch to a Wired Controller or Keyboard​

Wireless controllers can sometimes introduce latency.

• Try using a wired USB controller.
• If gaming on PC, a wired mechanical keyboard often provides better response.

Especially useful in FPS or competitive multiplayer games.

8. Use Low Latency Mode on Consoles (Auto or Manual)​

New-gen consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X support Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM):

• Ensure your TV and console both have ALLM enabled.
• This automatically switches your TV into Game Mode when you launch a game.

Bonus: Advanced Tips for Competitive Gamers​

• Lower your TV resolution to 1080p if 4K introduces too much lag.
• Use gaming monitors instead of TVs if you're ultra-competitive (some offer <1ms input lag).
• Disable CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) if it’s causing handshake issues.

FAQ: Fixing Input Lag on Gaming TV​

1. What is considered good input lag for a gaming TV?​

Less than 20ms is ideal. TVs with Game Mode often achieve this.

2. Can input lag be fixed completely?​

You can’t eliminate it 100%, but you can get it low enough to feel seamless.

3. Are OLED TVs better for gaming input lag?​

Yes, many OLEDs (like LG C2/C3) offer super low input lag and support ALLM + VRR.

Final Thoughts: Say Goodbye to Input Lag​

Knowing how to fix input lag on your gaming TV is key to elevating your gaming experience. Just enabling Game Mode, upgrading to a high-speed HDMI cable, and tweaking your TV settings can drastically improve responsiveness.

Whether you’re casually gaming or grinding ranked matches, every millisecond counts—and now you know how to reclaim them.