Unusual fix for the Horizon Zero Dawn resolution or frame rate problem
Unusual fix for the Horizon Zero Dawn resolution or frame rate problem
So I've encountered some unusual problems with resolution and frame rate in this game since installing it. The most puzzling occurrence has occurred repeatedly, but it tends to resolve itself after a few days. Here are the specifics:
My setup: I primarily play games on a 4K TCL TV in my living room. The television is showing at native 4k resolution using my GTX 1080Ti. I also have a triple screen monitor in another room. I use a program called Monitor Switcher Profile to switch between my 4k TV via HDMI and my triple screen surround setup in the other room, which uses 3x DP. The software essentially turns off all other displays except the one selected. Therefore, when I'm playing on the TV, my NVIDIA settings indicate only the TV is active.
Issue: I play Horizon at 1440p with fullscreen. It's the optimal performance I can achieve from my GPU while maintaining 60 fps, but occasionally the in-game refresh option won't allow me to exceed 30 fps while in 1440p and fullscreen. The peculiar part is that when I increase the resolution in-game to 4k, I can maintain fullscreen and raise the refresh rate up to 60. However, if I revert back to 1440p, the refresh drops to 30 and it doesn't allow higher rates. I also have no trouble with 1080p + fullscreen at 60 fps. The only situation where the game seems to cap at 30 fps is when I'm in 1440p + fullscreen; switching to windowed or borderless mode lets me hit 60 fps easily.
This problem is unique to this game. I also played Death Stranding and Cyberpunk in 1440p + fullscreen at 60 fps without any issues.
I've tried adjusting the game's configuration file, setting it to 1440p + fullscreen + 60 Hz, and making it read-only. When I enter the game, my Steam FPS counter shows 60 fps, but it's actually running at 30. It seems like the game is just doubling the frames.
As mentioned, this behavior usually disappears after a day or two, only to reappear again soon after. It's quite confusing, and I was wondering if anyone has experienced something similar.
Thanks.
They are all 1080p unfortunately. The cable I'm using is a "powered" 50' HDMI cable. It needs power to achieve a 4k 60Hz signal over that distance (running it through the floor of my office, across the basement ceiling, up into the living room wall and into the TV). The bandwidth problem makes sense except for the fact that I can play all my other games at 1440p x 60Hz fullscreen without issues, and I can run Horizon at 4k x 60Hz fullscreen—carrying more bandwidth would be necessary.
mentioning that your frame rate and refresh rate aren't aligning properly, I think the problem likely lies with the application managing the display outputs, leading to complications.
it might stem from the multi-display configuration failing to sync correctly because the app isn't functioning as intended.
the issue could be specific to a single game since the engine itself may struggle with this custom setup.
HZD works well on my ultra-wide display at 3440x1440 with 120Hz.
consider reaching out to Guerilla games or checking their forum for similar reports.
This is understandable, but what bothers me is that the software doesn't seem to be the issue. It appears the game runs smoothly at 4k with fullscreen and 60hz. I can't achieve 60fps on my GPU at 4k, but I manage around 45-50 frames per second. The difference is not a 30fps cap like it is at 1440p. When I choose 4k in the game settings, it lets me pick 60hz refresh.
The software basically turns off the outputs that aren't needed on my GPU, making it feel like I'm just turning off the other three monitors.
Just to confirm, I removed the program and unplugged the extra monitors, but the issue remains—only with 1440p and fullscreen does it work. The game still caps at 30hz.
I’ll share this on the Guerilla games forums.
Thank you.
what is the precise resolution and aspect ratio you need?
perhaps it's just an unusual custom aspect ratio that the game struggles with?
i can run 21:9 at 3440x1440 with 120hz without problems, but i need to use a modified .exe to achieve the correct 21:9 display during cutscenes and menus.
I'm having trouble using 16:9 at 2560 x 1440 with 60Hz in fullscreen. The game menu setting for refresh allows 60Hz in borderless windowed mode, but once I switch to fullscreen it automatically locks to 30Hz and won't let me choose higher speeds. Other resolutions like 1920 x 1080 at 60Hz and 3840 × 2160 at 60Hz work fine in fullscreen. This issue seems specific to 2560 x 1440, which appears to be the problematic one. It looks like a bug, as I recently played it and was able to select both resolutions, but now it only accepts 30Hz unless I change to windowless bordered mode.
uninstall the game along with all its folders, then keep a backup of the save files.
restart the newest available package, set new preferences, launch a fresh game, save and close.
test the settings by running several starts and exits.
if everything functions properly, replace your old save files and continue using it.
I removed the game, backed it up, and deleted the "Horizon Zero Dawn" folder from My Documents. Then I reinstalled the game, cut my internet connection to prevent Steam Cloud from restoring my graphics settings immediately after launching, and finally started the game. Everything functioned like a brand new installation. All graphics settings returned to their default, which were set to 16:9 at 3840 × 2160 at 60Hz. After adjusting the resolution to 2560 x 1440, the "refresh" option automatically changed from 60Hz to 30Hz. Now it still won’t let me exceed 30Hz in that resolution unless I switch to windowed borderless mode. This is really frustrating.
I looked for an official Guerilla Games or Horizon Zero Dawn forum but only found third-party discussions. I shared the problem on the Steam forums and the Horizon Zero Dawn PC subreddit, but haven’t gotten any responses yet.
Thank you for your support so far.
the triple screen configuration is designed to work across different screen sizes, so even on a single 16:9 1440p monitor, it can still function effectively.