SOLVED: How To Fix Mouse Lag On TV Screen

A few years ago we produced a very popular video showing how to fix mouse lag on 4K TV screens that people were using as computer monitors or for game consoles:

Today, however, many of the issues exposed in that article are no longer relavent and the technology has improved. One notable improvement is from TV manufacturers that took note of the problem and introduced a quick fix for mouse lag, called Game Mode.

“Game Mode” on a TV is a special picture setting designed to optimize the display when you are using for a computer monitor or video gaming. Its primary purpose is to reduce input lag, which is the delay between when you press a button on your controller and when that action appears on screen.

Here’s what specifically changes when Game Mode is activated:

• Disables Image Post-Processing: Modern TVs often employ various image processing techniques to enhance picture quality for movies and regular TV viewing. These include features like motion smoothing (motion interpolation), dynamic contrast, noise reduction, and sharpening. While these can make content look “prettier,” they require processing time, which introduces input lag. Game Mode typically bypasses or minimizes these processes to deliver the image to the screen as quickly as possible.
• Optimizes Refresh Rate and Response Time: Some Game Modes also aim to optimize the TV’s refresh rate and response time. While the core refresh rate of the panel remains the same, Game Mode can ensure the TV is delivering frames as efficiently as possible. Advanced features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), often part of the HDMI 2.1 standard, are specifically designed to work in conjunction with Game Mode for an even smoother and more responsive gaming experience.
  • ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode): Automatically switches the TV to its lowest latency setting when a gaming console or PC is detected.
  • VRR (Variable Refresh Rate): Synchronizes the TV’s refresh rate with the game console’s output, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering, especially in fast-paced games where frame rates can fluctuate.
• Adjusts Picture Settings (sometimes): While the main focus is on reducing lag, some Game Modes might also subtly adjust brightness, contrast, and color saturation to make games look more vibrant or to enhance visibility in darker areas. However, for a true low-lag experience, these adjustments are secondary to disabling post-processing.

What TV Brands Offedr Game Mode?

Most major TV manufacturers now include a Game Mode (or a similar setting) on their modern televisions, especially those marketed towards gaming. You’ll find it on:

• LG: Many LG OLEDs have “Game Optimizer” which is their version of Game Mode, often with advanced features like VRR and G-Sync compatibility.
• Hisense
• Panasonic (less common in North America for TVs, but they do have models with gaming features)
• Roku
• Samsung: Often has an “Auto Game Mode” that detects consoles and switches automatically.
• Sony: Offers “Perfect for PS5” features that optimize settings specifically for PlayStation 5 consoles, including Game Mode.
• TCL
• Vizio

Roku Example

How to enable Game Mode on a Roku TV:

1. Switch to the correct input: Make sure your gaming console (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, or PC) is connected to an HDMI input on your Roku TV and you’ve switched the TV to that input.
2. Press the Star (*) button on your Roku remote: This opens the “Options” menu specific to the current input.
3. Navigate to “Picture settings”: Use the directional pad on your remote to scroll up or down and select “Picture settings.”
4. Select “Game Mode” and turn it “On”: You should see an option for “Game Mode” within the picture settings. Toggle it to “On.”

What changes when Game Mode is Enabled on a Roku TV (and what to look for):

• Reduced Input Lag: This is the primary benefit. Roku TVs, like others, will disable or minimize picture processing features (like motion smoothing, noise reduction, and dynamic contrast) to get the image to the screen as fast as possible.
• Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM): Many newer Roku TVs, especially 4K models with HDMI 2.1 ports, support ALLM. When a compatible gaming console is connected, the TV can automatically detect it and switch to Game Mode, so you don’t have to manually enable it.
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Some higher-end Roku TVs (typically 4K models with HDMI 2.1) may also support VRR, which is another crucial gaming feature that works hand-in-hand with low latency modes. VRR helps eliminate screen tearing and stuttering by synchronizing the TV’s refresh rate with the console’s output.

Wrap Up

When looking for a TV to use for your computer or gaming, it’s best to check the specifications for features like ALLM, VRR, high refresh rates (120Hz or higher), and low input lag measurements, as these indicate a TV designed for a superior gaming experience and, by extension, a computer monitor.