What Is Dynamic Resolution and How It Works

You’ve finally found a quiet moment in Night City. The neon lights are reflecting in the rain-slick streets, the city’s towering megabuildings create a breathtaking canyon of light and shadow… and just as you’re about to soak it all in, the entire scene suddenly goes soft and blurry, as if someone smeared vaseline on your screen. A second later, it snaps back into crystalline clarity, only to blur again when you turn a corner. If this sounds familiar, you’re not going crazy—you’re experiencing the double-edged sword of Dynamic Resolution Scaling (DRS) in action.This guide is specifically for players of Cyberpunk 2077 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S who are frustrated by this distracting visual inconsistency. While the game is a visual masterpiece, its demanding nature means the engine sometimes makes real-time compromises to maintain performance. Dynamic Resolution is one of those compromises. It’s not a bug, but an aggressive setting that can often feel like one. It works by momentarily lowering your game’s resolution during graphically intense moments to keep the frame rate stable, then raising it back when the load eases. The problem occurs when this scaling is too aggressive, frequent, or noticeable, pulling you out of the immersion and making the beautiful world of Cyberpunk 2077 look unexpectedly muddy.

Causes of the Problem

Understanding why this happens is the first step to fixing it. Here are the main culprits:

Performance Target Priority: The primary cause is your system (console or PC) struggling to hit a pre-set performance target. If you have a 60 FPS target but your hardware can only deliver 55 FPS in a busy combat scene, DRS kicks in, lowering resolution to claw back those missing frames.

Overly Aggressive Default Settings: Cyberpunk 2077, especially at launch, was notorious for having very aggressive DRS settings by default to ensure a stable frame rate on consoles and a wide range of PCs. The threshold for scaling can be too sensitive.

Hardware Limitations: On consoles, the hardware is fixed. During heavy action with multiple effects, explosions, and NPCs, DRS is a key tool to prevent stuttering. On PC, if your graphics settings are too high for your GPU, DRS will work overtime.

Thermal Throttling: If your console or PC is overheating, the hardware will slow down to protect itself, causing performance drops that trigger DRS more often.

Quick Solution (For the Impatient)

For an immediate, one-stop fix, head directly to the Settings Menu in Cyberpunk 2077. Navigate to Graphics/Video Settings and look for “Dynamic Resolution Scaling.” Turn it OFF. This is the most direct way to stop the blurring. Be warned: your frame rate may become less stable, but the image will remain at a constant resolution.

Detailed Step-by-Step Solutions

Here’s how to fine-tune or disable DRS for a smoother, clearer experience on your platform.

On PC:

The PC version offers the most control. Follow these steps for a balanced approach.

Launch Cyberpunk 2077 and go to the Settings menu from the main or in-game pause screen.

­Navigate to the Graphics tab.

Scroll down until you find the “Resolution Scaling” or “Dynamic Resolution Scaling” subsection.

Locate the “Dynamic Resolution Scaling” toggle. Simply set it to OFF to eliminate the effect entirely.

1. For a more nuanced fix (Recommended): Instead of turning it off, adjust the “Target FPS” for DRS. If it’s set to 60, try raising it to 70 or 80. This makes the DRS system less likely to engage, as it will only start lowering resolution if your FPS falls below this higher target.
2. Balance Your Other Settings: If you turn DRS off, you may need to manually lower other taxing settings to keep performance smooth. Prioritize lowering Shadow Quality, Volumetric Fog Resolution, and Screen Space Reflections.
3. Enable DLSS/FSR/XeSS: If you have an NVIDIA RTX, AMD Radeon, or Intel Arc GPU, use these AI upscaling technologies instead of DRS. Set them to “Quality” or “Balanced” mode. They provide a much sharperand more stable image while boosting FPS, often making DRS unnecessary.
4. Check GPU Driver Settings: Ensure your NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Adrenalin software isn’t forcing external dynamic resolution settings.

On PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X/S:

Consoles have fewer options, but you can still optimize.

1. From the Cyberpunk 2077 main menu, open Settings.
2. Go to the Graphics or Video settings section.
3. Look for the “Dynamic Resolution Scaling” option. It may be simply labeled as such or be part of a “Performance Mode” setting.
4. Turn DRS OFF. Note: You may only have this option if you are in Performance Mode (prioritizing 60 FPS). In Fidelity Mode (prioritizing resolution/ray tracing), DRS is often hard-coded and cannot be disabled.
5. Choose Your Mode Wisely:
   • Performance Mode: Uses DRS more aggressively to target 60 FPS. If you disable DRS here, expect more frequent frame rate drops.
   • Fidelity Mode: Targets 30 FPS with higher resolution and ray tracing. DRS is lessnoticeable here due to the lower frame target, but may still be active.
6. Ensure Proper Ventilation: Keep your console in an open, well-ventilated space to prevent thermal throttling, which exacerbates DRS use.

Alternative Solutions

If adjusting in-game settings isn’t enough, consider these approaches:

• On PC: Cap Your Frame Rate. Use NVIDIA’s Reflex + Boost or a third-party tool like RTSS to cap your FPS 3-5 frames below your monitor’s refresh rate. A rock-solid,consistent 57 FPS often feels smoother and looks sharper than a wildly fluctuating 45-60 FPS that constantly triggers DRS.
• The Nuclear Option (PC): If you have a powerful GPU, use the “DLDSR” or “DSR” (Dynamic Super Resolution) feature in your GPU control panel. This renders the game at a higher resolution and downscales it, resulting in an incredibly sharp image that can mitigate the perception of DRS blur, even if it’s active.

How to Prevent the Issue from Happening Again

• Know Your Hardware’s Limits: Don’t max out every setting on a mid-range PC. Use digital foundry or hardware-optimized presets as a baseline.
• Prioritize Upscalers Over DRS: Always favor DLSS, FSR, or XeSS on their quality settings as your primary performance booster. They are superior modern solutions.
• Keep Your System Clean: Regularly dust your PC or console vents. Overheating is a silent trigger for performance drops and aggressive DRS.
• Stay Updated: Game patches and GPU driver updates often include optimizations that improve performance, reducing the need for aggressive DRS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is Dynamic Resolution the same as DLSS or FSR?
A: No, they are fundamentally different. DRS is a blunt tool that changesthe raw resolution. DLSS/FSR are advanced AI or algorithm-based upscalers that render at a lower resolution and intelligently reconstruct a higher-quality image. They generally look much better.

Q2: Will turning off DRS cause my game to stutter?
A: It might, if your hardware is already struggling. The trade-off isconstant resolution with potentially variable frame rates. If youexperience stuttering, you’ll need to lower other graphics settings orenable an upscaler.

Q3: Why don’t I see the DRS setting on my PS5/Xbox?
A: The option may only be visible in certain graphics modes (likePerformance Mode). In some games or modes, it’s a hidden, always-onsystem.

Q4: Is there a “best” setting for DRS on PC?
A: The “best” setting is usually OFF, provided you can use DLSS/FSR and maintain a stable frame rate. If youmust use it, set the “Target FPS” 10-15% higher than your minimumacceptable frame rate.

Q5: Can I use DRS and DLSS at the same time?
A: Technically yes, but it’s not recommended. They will fight each other,causing an over-processed, often blurry image. Choose one primaryscaling method (preferably DLSS/FSR).

Taming Night City’s visuals shouldn’t feel like a fight against your ownsettings. With these steps, you should be able to find the perfectbalance between silky-smooth performance and razor-sharp clarity. Did this guide help you banish the blur? Share your success (or your owntips) in the comments below! And if you’re still battling otherperformance gremlins, explore our full library of Cyberpunk 2077 optimization guides right here. Now get back out there—Night City’s skyline is waiting, and it’s never looked sharper.

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