A monitor’s refresh rate is the number of times the screen updates per second. For instance, a 60Hz display refreshes 60 times per second.
A higher refresh rate can make action on your screen look smoother, which is beneficial for fast-paced gaming. It can also improve experiences like web browsing or digital drawing by making movements appear more fluid.
However, a higher refresh rate uses more power, which can reduce battery life on laptops or tablets. Lowering the refresh rate can save battery, but it might also affect the overall user experience on your device.
You can easily check your monitor’s refresh rate using various free websites available online.
How to Set Your Monitor to 144Hz
For high-performance and PC gamers, a monitor that doesn’t operate at 144Hz can be frustrating. A 144Hz monitor refreshes the display 144 times per second, providing smooth visuals on high-resolution screens. If your monitor isn’t performing correctly, follow these troubleshooting steps:
Check Your Connections
Ensure your display is connected via a cable that supports 144Hz, like a DisplayPort or DVI-D connector. Many 144Hz monitors will automatically connect at the correct resolution on Windows computers, but other types of connections might not support 144Hz.
Access Display Settings
- On your Windows PC, go to Start > Settings > System.
- Navigate to Display > Advanced Display Settings. Here you can view details about your display, including desktop resolution, active signal resolution, and refresh rate.
Change Refresh Rate
- Click on Display Adapter Properties.
- Go to the Monitor tab.
- Select 144Hz from the drop-down menu and click OK.
Update Graphics Drivers
If your monitor still doesn’t run at 144Hz, your graphics driver may be outdated. Updating your drivers can resolve many display issues.
Identify your graphics card and ensure you download and install the correct driver for your operating system. This process might be time-consuming but is essential for maintaining optimal performance.
Change Monitor Refresh Rate in Windows 10
If you’re experiencing display problems due to the refresh rate settings in Windows 10, follow these steps to adjust it:
Open Settings
- Go to Start > Settings.
Select System
- Click on System.
Go to Display
- In the left sidebar, select Display.
Open Advanced Display Settings
- Scroll down and click on Advanced Display Settings.
Access Display Adapter Properties
- For Display 1, click the Display adapter properties link.
Quick Tip: On this page, you can view your monitor’s current refresh rate along with other details like resolution, bit depth, and color format.
Change Refresh Rate
- Select the Monitor tab.
- Use the drop-down menu under “Monitor Settings” to choose the desired refresh rate.
- Click Apply, then OK.
After completing these steps, your display should switch to the new refresh rate automatically. The available refresh rates depend on your device’s display, graphics adapter, and resolution settings.
If your monitor supports a higher refresh rate but the option doesn’t appear:
- Ensure you have the latest graphics driver installed.
- Try lowering the resolution, as some monitors can handle higher refresh rates at lower resolutions.
Refresh Rate on a Monitor in Windows 11
To adjust the refresh rate on your Windows 11 device, follow these steps:
Open Settings
- Go to Start > Settings.
Select System
- Click on System.
Open Display Settings
- On the right, click the Display page.
Advanced Display Settings
- Select the Advanced display settings from the “Related settings” section.
Choose Refresh Rate
- Under the “Display information” section, use the “Choose a refresh rate” setting to select an optional refresh rate.
After completing these procedures, the system will apply the new setting, and the display will start using the new refresh rate.
Refresh Rate on a Monitor for Mac
For the latest MacBook Pro 16″, newer models, and the Apple Pro XDR display, you can adjust the refresh rate as follows:
Open System Preferences
- Click on the Apple menu at the top left corner of the screen and select System Preferences.
Navigate to Displays
- Select Displays.
Adjust Refresh Rate
- Hold down the OPTION key and click the Scaled button under the Display tab to view the Refresh Rate options.
- Select your desired refresh rate.
For most screens, the default setting is 60Hz, which is recommended.
To adjust the refresh rate for an external monitor:
Connect the External Monitor
- If the external monitor is not already connected, attach it to your Mac.
Open System Preferences
- Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
Navigate to Displays
- Select Displays.
Adjust Refresh Rate
- Hold down the OPTION key and click the Scaled button under the Display tab to view the Refresh Rate settings for the external monitor.
- Select the desired refresh rate.
Troubleshooting Refresh Rate Issues in Windows 10
When you change the refresh rate of your monitor, most issues like flickering, lack of smoothness, and screen tearing can be resolved. However, simply knowing how to adjust the refresh rate in your display settings might not always solve the problem. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help:
- Check Your Display Cable: Ensure your display cable can handle the bandwidth required for higher refresh rates, especially if you have a 4K monitor. Inadequate cables can prevent you from accessing higher refresh rate options.
- Update Graphics Drivers: Sometimes, your graphics card may be the culprit. Update your graphics drivers to the latest version and see if this resolves the issue. Also, make sure your graphics card is compatible with your monitor’s refresh rate.
- Match Native Resolution: To avoid scaling artifacts and latency, ensure your output video resolution matches your monitor’s native resolution. This can help maintain the maximum refresh rate in both Windows and GPU display settings.
How to Increase the Refresh Rate on a Monitor
To increase your monitor’s refresh rate in Windows 10, follow these steps:
Open Settings
- Go to Start > Settings.
Navigate to Display Settings
- Select System > Display.
Access Advanced Display Settings
- Scroll down to the Multiple Displays section and click on Advanced Display settings.
Select the Correct Monitor
- If you have multiple monitors, ensure the correct monitor is selected in the drop-down list.
Open Display Adapter Properties
- Click on Display adapter properties for the selected monitor (e.g., Display 1).
Adjust Refresh Rate
- In the utility window that appears, select the Monitor tab.
- Under Monitor Settings, use the drop-down box to select the desired screen refresh rate.
Check for Maximum Refresh Rate
- If you don’t see the maximum refresh rate, you might need to replace your display cables with ones that support higher bandwidths.
How to Fix a 144Hz Monitor Stuck at 60Hz
If your 144Hz monitor is only displaying at 60Hz, it might be due to a default setting or an issue with your connection. Here’s how to resolve it:
Check and Adjust Display Settings
- Go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced Display Settings > Display Adapter Properties.
- In the Monitor tab, select the appropriate refresh rate from the drop-down menu. If your monitor supports 144Hz, it should be listed.
Verify Cable and Port Compatibility
- Make sure you’re using a 144Hz-compatible cable, such as HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort.
- Connect the cable to the correct port that supports 144Hz.
Check Console Support
- If you’re using a console, ensure it supports 144Hz. Some consoles are limited to 60Hz.
