Infinity Ward patch restores 120 Hz access on non-VRR displays

Infinity Ward’s Season 1 patch for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 restored 120 Hz performance mode on Nov. 5, 2026, for monitors and TVs without HDMI Forum Variable Refresh Rate support. The patch reversed a restriction that had blocked the mode on displays lacking HDMI Forum Variable Refresh Rate. Digital Foundry verified the change on Nov. 9, 2026, and said the restored access removes a modest competitive disadvantage for players whose 120 Hz displays support only HDMI 2.0.

Digital Foundry had reported that Modern Warfare 4 removed 120 Hz support for users whose monitors or TVs lack HDMI Forum Variable Refresh Rate, preventing those display owners from accessing Performance Mode (120 Hz) and creating that disadvantage. Variable refresh rate matches a screen’s refresh rate to the game’s output. Many older non-VRR displays use HDMI 2.0 instead of HDMI 2.1. The Season 1 patch now permits 120 Hz mode on older non-VRR displays.

The official Season 1 notes, released Nov. 6, let PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S owners use Performance Mode (120 Hz) on 120 Hz displays even without variable refresh rate support. Infinity Ward recommends VRR for the best experience but does not require it for 120 Hz performance mode. Digital Foundry reported on Oct. 21, 2026, that PlayStation 5 VRR relies on HDMI 2.1, while Xbox Series X can enable VRR through HDMI 2.0 on certain displays. The Season 1 rule applies the same optional VRR standard to both consoles.

for the best experience, VRR is recommended.

Infinity Ward, Digital Foundry

Earlier Call of Duty games allowed 120 Hz modes without VRR, so the return of that ability is not surprising according to Digital Foundry. The earlier block had kept owners of non-VRR displays out of Performance Mode (120 Hz).

The Nov. 5 update also added four new maps, grind mode, two new weapons, lower hardcore player health, user interface changes, and assorted crash or bug fixes.

A smaller patch on Nov. 6 fixed a brief stutter when editing a loadout in-game, a couple of progression issues, and improved the damage recap UI. Digital Foundry described this as one of two smaller patches following Season 1. A Nov. 7 patch focused on stability improvements for the game. Digital Foundry described it as the second smaller patch after Season 1.

There has been no sign of a fix for PSSR fizzling and artifacting on PlayStation 5 Pro.