Element TV game mode cuts input lag to around 20ms, which makes a real difference for console and PC gaming. I tested this on an Element ELFW5017 and an ELST5016S, and the responsiveness jump was obvious within seconds of enabling the setting. If your games feel sluggish or button presses seem delayed, game mode is the fix.
- Input lag drops from 55ms to roughly 20ms once game mode is active on Element TVs from 2018 onward
- Game mode turns off motion smoothing and noise reduction automatically, removing the processing that causes controller delay
- 1080p at 60Hz is the ideal console output because most Element panels cap at this resolution and refresh rate
- Plug your console directly into the TV since routing through a soundbar or receiver adds 5-10ms of extra lag
- Set sharpness to 0 and contrast to 75 for the clearest gaming picture with no artificial edge halos
#What Does Game Mode Actually Do?
Under normal viewing, your Element TV runs the video signal through several processing layers including motion smoothing, noise reduction, and color enhancement. Each filter adds a few milliseconds of delay between your controller input and the on-screen response.
Game mode skips all of that. Here’s what changes:
- Motion smoothing turns off completely
- Noise reduction processing stops
- The refresh rate locks to match your input signal
- Color and contrast post-processing gets reduced
The picture won’t look quite as polished as Movie mode. Element Electronics recommends game mode specifically for gaming use, and the visual trade-off is minor. For any game where timing matters, the speed improvement is worth it. After switching between game mode and Standard mode on my ELST5016S while playing Street Fighter 6, the lag difference felt like going from underwater to normal speed.
#How Do You Turn On Game Mode?
Activating it takes about 30 seconds on any Element TV with a standard remote:
- Press the Menu button on your Element remote
- Go to Picture settings
- Scroll down to Game Mode
- Set it to On
On Element models from 2017 and earlier, the option sometimes hides under Advanced Picture Settings instead of the main Picture menu. If you don’t see Game Mode anywhere, your specific model may lack the feature. Check your model number on the Element Electronics website to confirm.
One useful detail: game mode only applies to the HDMI input you’re currently using. Switch to a different input and the TV goes back to normal picture processing. This lets you keep one port optimized for gaming and another for your streaming stick.
If you’re dealing with Element TV black screen problems after changing settings, a power cycle usually fixes it.
#Best Picture Settings for Gaming
Game mode is the foundation, but a few extra tweaks squeeze out better results. These numbers come from when I tried different combinations on my Element ELFW5017 with a PS5 connected over HDMI 2.
#Brightness and Contrast
Set brightness to 50 and contrast between 75 and 80. Cranking contrast higher washes out dark areas in games with shadow-heavy environments. Lower values help you spot details hiding in dimly lit scenes.
#Sharpness
Drop sharpness to 0. Element TVs add artificial edge enhancement that creates visible halos around objects, and games already render at native resolution. The sharpening filter adds artifacts without improving actual clarity, so turning it off makes text in game menus and HUD elements look noticeably cleaner on these panels.
#Color Temperature
Pick the Warm preset. Colors look more accurate, and dark scenes become easier to read.
#Backlight
Set it to 70-80% in a lit room. For dark room gaming, 40-50% prevents eye strain during long sessions. Max backlight doesn’t help response time at all.
#Motion Settings
Game mode should shut these off automatically. Double-check that Motion Smoothing and Noise Reduction both say Off. If either stays on, disable them manually. These two settings cause more processing delay than anything else in the Picture menu.
#Testing if Game Mode Is Working
After enabling game mode, you’ll want to verify the lag actually dropped. Three ways to check:
Controller response test. Load a fighting game, tap a button, and watch how fast the screen reacts. Now turn game mode off and try the same thing.
HDMI splitter comparison. Connect the same console to two displays with an HDMI splitter and compare the feel. Your Element TV in game mode should track close to a dedicated gaming monitor.
Published measurements. The rtings.com input lag database has tested several Element models. According to their data, most Element TVs hit roughly 20ms in game mode. Their testing also confirms that Standard mode sits around 55ms on the same panels.
If nothing changes, power cycle the TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
#Connecting Consoles for the Lowest Possible Lag
The physical setup matters just as much as software settings.
Use HDMI directly. Plug your PS5, Xbox, or Switch dock straight into the TV. Soundbars and AV receivers add 5-10ms of extra lag.
Try each HDMI port. Some Element models handle HDMI 1 differently than ports 2 or 3. Test each one.
Use the right HDMI cable. Element TVs with 4K panels need a High Speed HDMI cable (HDMI 2.0) for 4K at 60Hz. An older cable may force the signal to 30Hz, which feels noticeably worse. If your Element TV won’t turn on after swapping cables, try a different port first.
Match your console’s output resolution. Most Element TVs have 1080p panels. Sending a 4K signal forces the TV to downscale, adding processing time. Set your console to 1080p output for the fastest path. If you’re having trouble getting sound from your console, our Element TV no sound guide covers the common HDMI audio fixes.
#Game Mode Versus Other Picture Modes
Element TVs typically include Standard, Movie, Vivid, Sports, and Game modes. Here’s how they stack up:
| Mode | Input Lag | Color Accuracy | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game | ~20ms | Moderate | Console/PC gaming |
| Standard | ~55ms | Good | General TV use |
| Movie | ~60ms | Best | Films and streaming |
| Vivid | ~50ms | Low (oversaturated) | Showroom display |
| Sports | ~45ms | Moderate | Live sports |
Game mode wins on lag by a wide margin. Movie mode is fine for story-driven RPGs where the extra 40ms doesn’t matter.
For competitive multiplayer, game mode is the only real option. The gap between 20ms and 55ms directly affects your ability to react in online shooters and fighting games. Want to see how other brands handle this? Check our guides for Vizio TV game mode and Sharp TV game mode.
#Bottom Line
Enable game mode through your Element TV’s Picture settings to drop input lag to around 20ms. Set sharpness to 0, contrast to 75, and pick the Warm color temperature. Plug your console directly into the TV with a High Speed HDMI cable and match the output to your TV’s native 1080p resolution. If it doesn’t work right away, unplug the TV for 30 seconds and re-enable the setting.
The whole process takes five minutes. You’ll feel the difference in every fast-paced game.
#FAQ
#Does game mode make the picture look worse on Element TV?
Game mode disables some post-processing, so colors may appear slightly less saturated than Standard or Movie mode. The difference is subtle on most Element panels. You’re trading a tiny bit of color richness for 30-40ms less input lag, which is a clear win for gaming.
#Can I leave game mode on for watching movies?
You can, but motion smoothing stays off, so film pans won’t look as fluid. Switch back to Movie or Standard when you’re done gaming.
#Why don’t I see a game mode option on my Element TV?
Element models made before 2017 often lack a dedicated game mode toggle. Look under Advanced Picture Settings first. If it’s truly missing, manually set sharpness to 0, turn off noise reduction, and disable motion smoothing. You won’t match the 20ms lag figure, but it gets you closer than default settings.
#Does game mode work with every console?
Yes. It works with PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC over HDMI. The TV doesn’t differentiate between sources. It applies the same processing bypass no matter which device is plugged in.
#Should I rename my HDMI input to Game Console?
On some Element models, renaming an HDMI input to “Game Console” or “PC” triggers automatic game mode for that port. This saves you from toggling the setting each time you switch inputs. Not every Element TV supports this, but check your Input Settings menu to see if the option exists.
#Does enabling game mode change audio output?
No. Game mode only changes picture processing. Audio output, volume, and sound profiles stay exactly as they were. If you notice audio issues after enabling it, a separate setting is the cause, and our Element TV no sound guide covers the most common fixes for that.
#What’s the input lag with game mode turned off?
Expect 50-70ms depending on the picture mode. Standard sits around 55ms, and Movie mode is the slowest at 60-65ms. Game mode drops it to about 20ms.
#Is an Element TV fast enough for competitive online gaming?
With game mode on, the 20ms input lag is fine for most online multiplayer titles. Casual ranked play in shooters and fighters works well. Serious tournament-level players who need sub-10ms response should consider a dedicated gaming monitor, since no Element TV panel currently hits that speed.