How to set up Xbox Series X with a monitor for best display and sound
By Rocker Published 10 min read
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On this page (8 sections)
- The short version
- What you need before connecting Xbox Series X to a monitor
- How to physically connect Xbox Series X to a monitor
- Setting resolution and refresh rate on Xbox Series X
- Enabling audio output when using a monitor
- Dual monitor setup with Xbox Series X
- Common mistakes when setting up Xbox Series X on a monitor
- Questions people still ask
In short: Connect the Xbox Series X to your monitor using an HDMI 2.1 cable, then set resolution to 1440p or 4K in TV & display options, enable 120Hz if supported, and route audio through USB headset, HDMI to speakers, or optical out from the console.
Part of our guide on best monitor for ps5 with hdmi 2.1
Most guides miss the audio setup entirely, leaving you with silent gameplay or forcing you to dig through three menus to find sound.
| Required cable | HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 |
|---|---|
| Best resolution | 1440p or 4K depending on monitor |
| Max refresh rate | 120Hz with compatible display |
| Audio outputs | HDMI, USB, or optical |
| HDMI ports on console | One output only |
The short version
- Use the HDMI cable included with Xbox Series X or buy an HDMI 2.1 cable for 4K 120Hz
- Set resolution in Xbox settings after connecting, not on the monitor itself
- Route audio through a USB headset, HDMI-enabled monitor speakers, or optical cable
- Enable 120Hz refresh rate manually in TV & display options if your monitor supports it
- Dual monitor setups require an HDMI switcher or KVM since Xbox Series X has only one HDMI out
What you need before connecting Xbox Series X to a monitor
You need the Xbox Series X console, a gaming monitor with at least one HDMI input, and an HDMI cable. The console ships with a 2-meter HDMI 2.1 cable that handles 4K at 120Hz. If that cable is too short or missing, buy an HDMI 2.1 cable rated for 48 Gbps bandwidth.
For audio, decide whether you'll use a USB headset plugged into the console, monitor speakers fed by HDMI, or external speakers connected via the console's SPDIF optical port. Most gaming monitors lack built-in speakers, so a headset or separate speakers solves that gap.
If you plan to use the monitor for both Xbox and a PC, you'll need an HDMI switcher or KVM box later. The Xbox Series X has one HDMI output and no passthrough, so switching inputs manually on the monitor is the free option but slower.
- Xbox Series X console
- Gaming monitor with HDMI input (1080p, 1440p, or 4K)
- HDMI 2.1 cable for 4K 120Hz, or HDMI 2.0 for lower refresh rates
- USB headset, HDMI-capable monitor speakers, or optical audio cable and external speakers
UGREEN 8K HDMI 2.1 Cable 48Gbps 6.6FT
Supports the required 48Gbps bandwidth and is certified Ultra High Speed for Xbox Series X 4K 120Hz output.
How to physically connect Xbox Series X to a monitor
Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI Out port on the back of the Xbox Series X. It's the only HDMI port on the console, marked with a small icon, located near the power input. Push the cable in until it clicks. Before you commit to anything, it is worth looking at top monitors for ps5 featuring speakers.
Connect the other end to any HDMI input on your monitor. Most gaming monitors have two or three HDMI ports labeled HDMI 1, HDMI 2, and sometimes HDMI 2.1 or HDMI 144Hz. Use the highest-spec port if labeled. Note which input number you used.
Plug the Xbox power cable into an outlet and press the Xbox button on the console or controller. The Xbox logo on the console glows white when powered on. Switch your monitor to the correct HDMI input using the monitor's input button or on-screen menu.
If the screen stays black, press the input button on the monitor again to cycle through sources. Check that both cable ends are seated fully. Some monitors take 3 to 5 seconds to detect a new HDMI signal and switch automatically. Before you commit to anything, it is worth looking at enable 120hz xbox series x.
Setting resolution and refresh rate on Xbox Series X
Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide. Navigate to Profile & system on the far right, then select Settings. Go to General, then TV & display options. This is where all display settings live.
Select Resolution and choose the native resolution of your monitor. For a 1080p monitor, pick 1080p. For 1440p, pick 1440p. For 4K, pick 4K UHD. The Xbox auto-detects what your monitor supports, so unavailable options appear grayed out. Pick the highest resolution your monitor can handle.
Back out to the TV & display options menu and select Refresh rate. If your monitor supports 120Hz and you're using an HDMI 2.1 cable, you'll see 120Hz as an option. Select it. If you only see 60Hz or 50Hz, your monitor caps out at 60Hz or your cable is HDMI 2.0. For the detail, see our notes on xbox series s 1440p 120hz monitor.
Scroll down to Video modes in the same menu and check the list. Green checkmarks show which combinations of resolution and refresh rate are active. You should see checks next to 4K at 120Hz or 1440p at 120Hz if everything is configured correctly. No checkmark means something in the chain doesn't support that mode.
- Press Xbox button, go to Profile & system > Settings > General > TV & display options
- Select Resolution and pick your monitor's native resolution (1080p, 1440p, or 4K UHD)
- Select Refresh rate and choose 120Hz if available, otherwise 60Hz
- Check Video modes for green checkmarks confirming active display modes
Enabling audio output when using a monitor
Most gaming monitors have no speakers or weak ones. The Xbox sends audio over HDMI by default, so if your monitor has speakers, they'll play sound automatically. You'll hear the Xbox startup chime if it's working. Volume adjusts with the monitor's buttons.
If the monitor has no speakers or you want better sound, plug a USB gaming headset into any USB port on the front or back of the Xbox. The console detects it within a few seconds and switches audio output to the headset. Press the Xbox button, go to Audio in the quick menu, and confirm the headset appears under Headset. We cover best gaming monitor for console and pc in its own article.
For external powered speakers or a home theater receiver, run an optical audio cable from the Xbox's SPDIF port to the speaker system's optical input. Go to Settings > General > Volume & audio output > Audio output. Change HDMI audio to Bitstream out, then set Bitstream format to Dolby Digital or DTS Digital Surround depending on what your speakers support.
If you're using a monitor with HDMI and want to send audio to separate speakers at the same time, that's not possible without an HDMI audio extractor. The Xbox outputs audio to one destination at a time: HDMI, USB, or optical. Pick one.
Dual monitor setup with Xbox Series X
The Xbox Series X has one HDMI output, so it can only send video to one display at a time. You can't mirror or extend the Xbox screen across two monitors the way a PC does. If you want to switch the Xbox between two monitors, you need an HDMI switcher or a KVM switch.
An HDMI switcher takes one input (the Xbox) and lets you toggle the output between two or more displays. Press a button on the switcher box or use a remote to send the signal to monitor A or monitor B. Look for a switcher rated for HDMI 2.1 and 4K 120Hz if both monitors support high refresh rates. Cheaper HDMI 2.0 switchers cap out at 4K 60Hz.
A KVM switch does the same thing but also switches USB devices like a keyboard and mouse. That's useful if you're alternating between Xbox and PC on the same monitors and peripherals. Connect the Xbox HDMI output to one KVM input and your PC to another, then toggle between them.
If you're using one monitor for Xbox and a second for a PC at the same time, just connect the Xbox to one monitor and the PC to the other. No switcher needed. Each runs independently. The Xbox won't display on both at once.
OREI 8K@60Hz 4K@120Hz HDMI 2.1 Switch 5 in 1 Out 48Gbps
Supports full 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and 4K@120Hz switching for Xbox Series X dual monitor setup.
Common mistakes when setting up Xbox Series X on a monitor
People plug in the HDMI cable and assume the Xbox auto-configures everything. It doesn't. You have to manually set resolution and refresh rate in the Xbox settings. Skipping that step leaves you at 1080p 60Hz even if your monitor can do better.
Another common mistake is using an old HDMI 2.0 cable with a 120Hz monitor. The cable bottleneck prevents 120Hz from appearing as an option in Xbox settings. Swap in an HDMI 2.1 cable and 120Hz shows up immediately.
Forgetting to switch the monitor input is the most frequent day-one problem. The monitor stays on HDMI 1, but you plugged the Xbox into HDMI 2. Press the input button on the monitor and cycle to the correct port. Some monitors label ports on a sticker near the HDMI jacks.
Leaving HDR on Auto in Xbox settings causes washed-out colors on monitors that don't support HDR properly. If colors look faded or gray, go to TV & display options > Video modes and toggle Allow HDR10 off. The picture sharpens instantly.
- Not setting resolution and refresh rate manually: go to TV & display options and configure them after connecting
- Using an HDMI 2.0 cable for 120Hz: swap to HDMI 2.1, which handles 48 Gbps bandwidth
- Forgetting to switch monitor input: press the input button and select the correct HDMI port
- Leaving HDR enabled on non-HDR monitors: disable Allow HDR10 in Video modes if colors look washed out
Questions people still ask
Can I use the Xbox Series X HDMI cable that came in the box with a 120Hz monitor?
Yes. The included cable is HDMI 2.1 and supports 4K at 120Hz. It's only 2 meters long, so you may need a longer HDMI 2.1 cable if your console sits farther from the monitor. Any cable labeled HDMI 2.1 and rated for 48 Gbps bandwidth works.
Why does my Xbox Series X only show 60Hz when my monitor supports 120Hz?
Check that you're using an HDMI 2.1 cable and that the cable is plugged into the monitor's HDMI 2.1 port, often labeled HDMI 2 or HDMI 144Hz. Some monitors reserve 120Hz for one specific port. Also confirm 120Hz is enabled in Xbox settings under TV & display options > Refresh rate.
Do I need to change any settings on the monitor itself after connecting Xbox Series X?
Set the monitor to its native resolution in the monitor's OSD if it isn't already. Most monitors default to native resolution automatically. You don't need to adjust refresh rate on the monitor; the Xbox negotiates that over HDMI. Some gaming monitors have a game mode or low-latency preset worth enabling.
Can I get sound from the Xbox if my monitor has no speakers?
Yes. Plug a USB headset into the Xbox for instant audio, or connect external speakers to the Xbox's optical audio port using a TOSLINK cable. You'll need to switch audio output to Bitstream in Xbox audio settings if using optical.
Will an HDMI splitter let me use Xbox Series X on two monitors at once?
An HDMI splitter mirrors the same image to two displays, so both monitors show the identical picture. It doesn't extend the Xbox interface across two screens. If you want to switch between monitors rather than duplicate, use an HDMI switcher instead.