PS5 and PS5 Pro Face VRR Stuttering Issues Impacting Gameplay

CAMBRIDGE, England — Reports of an unusual stuttering problem in PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro consoles have surfaced as players experience interruptions during gameplay when using variable refresh rate (VRR) technology. Digital Foundry conducted an investigation revealing that after approximately 20 minutes of play, a noticeable stutter occurs every eight seconds across various titles, particularly affecting games designed for 120Hz VRR.

The VRR technology is intended to sync the frame rate of games with the refresh rates of displays to eliminate screen tearing and enhance gameplay fluidity. Historically, gaming consoles have operated on fixed frame rates, typically locking to 60fps or 30fps. With VRR, the console can output frames as soon as they are ready, enabling smoother experiences during variable frame rates.

However, the stuttering disrupts this promise of consistency, detracting from the gaming experience. Titles like “The Last of Us Part 1 and 2,” “Elden Ring,” and “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2” have all exhibited this stutter. Players report that every eight seconds, the frame rate spikes momentarily to 120Hz, signaling a disruption in VRR functionality.

Testing across different displays—including Samsung, LG OLED TVs, and Eve Spectrum monitors—has shown that the issue is not confined to a specific brand or model. All tested displays demonstrated stuttering consistent across platforms, reinforcing the idea that this is an underlying issue with the PlayStation hardware rather than an isolated display problem.

Digital Foundry documented the effects through frame rate counters, making it clear that the PlayStation consoles appear to falter in VRR output, reverting momentarily to fixed refresh rates. “Our findings suggest that this is a Sony-specific problem, as Xbox’s VRR implementation remains robust during multi-platform titles,” the report stated.

While 19 games were tested in total, outcomes varied significantly; some games exhibited the VRR stuttering, whereas others, like “Dragon's Dogma 2” and “God of War Ragnarok,” did not show this issue. Notably, the inconsistency hints at the possibility that the problem may surface in titles where frame rates are less stable or more variable.

As this situation evolves, players looking for temporary fixes can disable VRR through system settings and revert to standard refresh rates. However, this workaround may lead to less optimal gameplay experiences.

Digital Foundry has reached out to Sony for comments on the ongoing issue but has yet to receive a response. With substantial player feedback emerging, there is hope that the gaming giant will address the VRR problems soon, ensuring a seamless experience for its user base.