How do you connect an Xbox Series X|S to your gaming monitor?
Connect Xbox Series X and S in 4 steps
It's not difficult to connect a gaming monitor to an Xbox Series X / S. To help you as much as possible, we'll list all the steps and everything you need here:
Step 1. Put the monitor and Xbox Series X / S on your desk.
Step 2. Connect the Xbox and monitor with an HDMI cable.
Step 3. Set the correct source via the OSD of your monitor.
Step 4. Set up your Xbox Series X / S.
- An Xbox Series X / S.
- A gaming monitor with an HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 connector and a refresh rate of 120Hz or more.
- An HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 cable (your PS5 comes with an HDMI 2.1 cable).
- A cup of coffee.
Step 1: put the monitor and Xbox on your desk
Before you connect the monitor and Xbox to each other, create the setup you want. Microsoft recommends placing the Xbox Series X or S in a freestanding position, with 10 to 15cm of space between the wall and console. Never place your Xbox in a closed cabinet, as it blocks the fan. You should also check where the HDMI connectors of your monitor are to prevent kinked cables. This damages the cable, which may result in a bad signal or even no signal at all
Step 2: connect the Xbox and monitor with the HDMI cable
Do you like the setup? Connect the monitor to the Xbox Series X / S. You'll find an HDMI 2.0 cable in the box of the Xbox Series S and an HDMI 2.1 cable in the box of the Series X. So you don't have to buy it separately. Put 1 end of the cable in the output of the console and the other end in your monitor. Turn on the Xbox and the image shows up on the monitor. Is the screen still black? Go to step 3.
Step 3: choose the right source via the OSD of your monitor
Doesn't the monitor work after connecting and booting your Xbox? You've probably selected the wrong source. A monitor often has more than 1 port, so you'll have to look for the right source. You can do this via the OSD of your monitor, which you can open via the buttons on your monitor. Choose the tab that allows you to select an input source, often indicated with a square with an arrow inside. Select the HDMI port you've plugged the cable into.
Step 4: set up Xbox Series X or S
You can choose the right resolution and refresh rate on your Xbox via the home screen of your console.
- Press and hold the Xbox button on your controller.
- Select 'Profile and system' and click 'Settings'.
- Go to 'General' and select 'TV and image options'.
- Select the resolution and refresh rate in the drop-down menu.
What's the difference between the Xbox Series X and S in terms of refresh rate?
Xbox Series X: 4K 120Hz
The Xbox Series X is the most powerful of the 2. The maximum resolution is 3840x2160 pixels, so you can game in 4K resolution if the monitor supports this. It's possible to game in 4K at 120Hz if the monitor has an HDMI 2.1 connector. In addition, the Xbox Series X is future-proof. That's because it supports 8K, which is only possible if both your monitor and the game support this.
Xbox Series S: QHD 120Hz
Despite the console having an HDMI 2.1 port, the maximum resolution of the Xbox Series X is 2560x1440 pixels, which is QHD. This means that an HDMI 2.0 connector on your gaming monitor is enough. With this HDMI version, you can reach both 120Hz in both Full HD and QHD. That's suitable for competitive gaming.
Gaming with 120 fps in 4K resolutio
Not all games support for a refresh rate of 120 fps in 4K. This means you can just play at 120 fps with a couple of games. Large games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Formula 1 do support this refresh rate. Do you want to be sure your game runs at 120 fps? Check the specifications of the game online. We expect there to be more 120 fps games for the Xbox Series X in the future.
