Crimson Desert’s Blurry Graphics on PS5? Disable 120Hz to Restore Sharpness

When Pearl Abyss released Crimson Desert, fans were thrilled by its sweeping landscapes, intricate lore, and fluid combat. Yet a sizable portion of the PlayStation 5 community has reported a frustrating visual issue: the game appears washed out, blurry, and almost unrecognizable on their TVs. The problem isn’t a bug in the game itself but a compatibility quirk between the PS5’s 120‑Hz output and certain displays. Below, we break down why this happens, how to fix it in just a few clicks, and what you can do if the simple solution doesn’t solve the problem.

What’s Causing the Blur?

The PS5 can output at 120 Hz, which means the console sends 120 frames per second to the display. This high refresh rate is great for fast‑action titles, but it requires the TV or monitor to support 4K resolution at 120 Hz (4K120). Many mainstream TVs, especially those released before 2023, only support 4K at 60 Hz. When the console forces a 120‑Hz signal onto a display that can’t handle it, the PS5 automatically falls back to a lower resolution—often 1080p or 720p—to maintain the high frame rate. The result is a loss of detail and a blurry, “melting” visual experience.

Players on Twitter and Reddit have shared screenshots that confirm this: the once‑vibrant deserts and crystal‑clear skies look pixelated, and enemies blur together during combat. The issue is most noticeable in fast‑moving scenes where the lack of sharpness makes it difficult to track objectives or dodge attacks.

How to Disable 120‑Hz Output on PS5

Fortunately, the fix is straightforward and doesn’t require any hardware changes. By turning off the 120‑Hz output, the PS5 will default to 60 Hz, which most TVs can display at full 4K resolution. Follow these steps:

1. Press the PS button on your controller to open the quick menu.
2. Navigate to Settings (the gear icon) and select it.
3. In the Settings menu, choose Screen and Video.
4. Click on Video Output Settings.
5. Locate the option labeled Enable 120Hz Output and toggle it to Off.
6. Confirm any prompts and restart the game.

After disabling 120‑Hz, Crimson Desert should render at 60 Hz, restoring the intended sharpness and color fidelity. Many players have reported that the game now looks as beautiful as the developers intended.

Why Pearl Abyss’s Team Endorsed This Fix

Will Powers, Pearl Abyss’s PR and marketing director, publicly confirmed the solution on X (formerly Twitter). In a recent post, he explained that TVs lacking 120‑Hz support are the root cause of the visual degradation. By disabling the high refresh rate, the console can output at the highest resolution the display can handle, eliminating the blur.

GameSpot’s coverage of the issue also highlighted that the fix is a “quick and easy” adjustment for most users. The article includes screenshots of the settings menu and a direct link to the PS5 support page for further guidance.

Other Troubleshooting Tips If the Problem Persists

While turning off 120‑Hz usually resolves the issue, some users may still experience visual artifacts. Try the following additional steps:

• Check the HDMI cable: Ensure you’re using a high‑speed HDMI 2.1 cable, which is required for 4K120. A lower‑grade cable can cause signal degradation.
• Update your TV firmware: Manufacturers often release updates that improve compatibility with new consoles.
• Adjust TV picture settings: Disable any “motion smoothing” or “enhancement” features that might interfere with the console’s output.
• Verify game