The screen refresh rate determines how many times your monitor updates the image displayed on the screen every second. It is measured in Hertz (Hz). For example, a 60Hz display refreshes the image 60 times per second, while a 144Hz monitor refreshes it 144 times per second.
Using a higher refresh rate can make Windows animations, mouse movements, scrolling, gaming, and video playback appear noticeably smoother. However, the refresh rates available on your PC depend on your monitor, graphics card, display resolution, cable, and connection type.
Windows 11 and Windows 10 make it relatively easy to change the monitor refresh rate without installing additional software. You can adjust it directly from Windows Settings, Display Adapter Properties, or graphics control software from NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to adjust the screen refresh rate on Windows 11/10 using all practical methods, along with solutions if your preferred refresh rate is missing.
What Is Screen Refresh Rate?
The refresh rate represents the number of times your monitor redraws the screen every second.
Some common refresh rates include:
- 60Hz – Standard for most office monitors and laptops
- 75Hz – Slightly smoother than 60Hz
- 90Hz – Common on some modern laptops
- 120Hz – Popular for gaming and high-end laptops
- 144Hz – Widely used by gaming monitors
- 165Hz – Common on newer gaming monitors
- 240Hz or higher – Designed mainly for competitive gaming
A higher refresh rate generally produces smoother motion, provided your monitor and graphics hardware support it.
Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Start
Before diving into the settings, it’s crucial to ensure your system can support a higher refresh rate. The refresh rate options available to you are determined by a chain of hardware components.
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Monitor Capability: Your monitor is the most critical factor. A standard 60Hz monitor cannot be forced to display 144Hz. Check your monitor’s specifications or manual to know its maximum supported refresh rate.
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Graphics Card (GPU): Your GPU must also be able to output a high refresh rate signal. Older or entry-level graphics cards may have bandwidth limitations.
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Connection Cable and Port: This is a very common bottleneck. Older HDMI cables (like HDMI 1.4) may only support 1080p at 60Hz or 120Hz. For the highest refresh rates, especially at 1440p or 4K, you should use a DisplayPort cable or a high-standard HDMI 2.0/2.1 cable.
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Graphics Drivers: Outdated or generic graphics drivers are a major reason why high refresh rate options are hidden. Ensure you have the latest drivers installed from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel’s official website.
Method 1: Change the Refresh Rate Through Windows 11 Settings
Windows 11 provides the easiest way to change your monitor’s refresh rate through the Advanced Display settings.
Steps:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Select System from the left sidebar.
- Click Display.
- Scroll down and select Advanced display under the Related settings section.
- If you have multiple monitors connected, select the monitor you want to configure from the display selector.
- Look for Choose a refresh rate.
- Open the drop-down menu.
- Select your preferred refresh rate, such as 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz, or 240Hz, depending on what your display supports.
- Windows will apply the new refresh rate automatically.
Your monitor may briefly turn black or flicker while Windows switches display modes. This is normal.
Method 2: Change the Refresh Rate Through Windows 10 Settings
Windows 10 users can also change the refresh rate through the Advanced Display settings.
Steps:
- Press Windows + I to open Windows Settings.
- Click System.
- Select Display from the left side.
- Scroll down and click Advanced display settings.
- Select the monitor you want to configure if you are using multiple displays.
- Click Display adapter properties for Display 1 or the appropriate display number.
- Open the Monitor tab.
- Find Screen refresh rate.
- Open the drop-down menu and select the refresh rate you want.
- Click Apply.
- Click OK.
The selected refresh rate should now be active.
Method 3: Change Refresh Rate Using Display Adapter Properties
Display Adapter Properties provides another built-in way to control the monitor refresh rate and works on both Windows 11 and Windows 10.
On Windows 11:
Open:
Settings > System > Display > Advanced display
Then click:
Display adapter properties for Display
On Windows 10:
Open:
Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings > Display adapter properties
Once the Display Adapter Properties window appears:
- Select the Monitor tab.
- Find the Monitor Settings section.
- Open the Screen refresh rate drop-down menu.
- Select your preferred refresh rate.
- Keep Hide modes that this monitor cannot display enabled unless you specifically know that an unsupported mode is safe.
- Click Apply.
- Click OK.
This method can sometimes show additional refresh-rate options that are not immediately obvious from the main Settings interface.
Method 4: Change Refresh Rate Using NVIDIA Control Panel
If your computer uses an NVIDIA graphics card, you can configure the refresh rate using NVIDIA Control Panel.
Steps:
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop.
- Select NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Expand the Display section from the left panel.
- Click Change resolution.
- Select the monitor you want to configure.
- Under Resolution, select your desired resolution.
- Look for the Refresh rate drop-down menu.
- Select the highest supported refresh rate or another rate you prefer.
- Click Apply.
- Confirm the change when prompted.
Important
Sometimes a monitor’s highest refresh rate is only available at certain resolutions.
For example, your monitor may support:
2560 × 1440 at 165Hz
but only:
3840 × 2160 at 120Hz
The exact combinations depend on the monitor, GPU, and display connection.
Method 5: Change Refresh Rate Using AMD Software
Users with AMD Radeon graphics can also adjust display settings using AMD Software.
Steps:
- Right-click the desktop.
- Select AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.
- Open Settings.
- Select the Display section.
- Choose the monitor you want to configure.
- Review the available resolution and display options.
Depending on the graphics driver and monitor configuration, Windows may still control the actual refresh-rate selection through:
Settings > System > Display > Advanced display
If the desired refresh rate is unavailable, AMD Software can also be useful for checking display information and creating supported custom resolutions.
Method 6: Change Refresh Rate on Intel Graphics
Computers using Intel integrated or discrete graphics may include the Intel Graphics Command Center.
Steps:
- Open Intel Graphics Command Center from the Start menu.
- Select Display.
- Choose the correct monitor if multiple displays are connected.
- Locate the available refresh-rate or display-mode settings.
- Select the desired refresh rate.
- Apply the changes.
On newer Windows systems, refresh-rate control may instead redirect you to Windows Advanced Display settings.
How to Check Your Current Refresh Rate in Windows 11
You can quickly check which refresh rate Windows is currently using.
Open:
Settings > System > Display > Advanced display
Under Display information, Windows will show details such as:
1920 × 1080, 144Hz
or:
2560 × 1440, 165Hz
This helps confirm that Windows is actually running your monitor at its intended refresh rate.
How to Check Refresh Rate in Windows 10
On Windows 10:
- Open Settings.
- Select System > Display.
- Click Advanced display settings.
- Select your monitor.
- Check the display information or open Display adapter properties.
- Select the Monitor tab.
The active refresh rate will be displayed under Screen refresh rate.
Why Is My 144Hz or 165Hz Monitor Showing Only 60Hz?
This is a common problem. A monitor advertised as 144Hz, 165Hz, 240Hz, or higher may sometimes appear as a 60Hz display in Windows.
Several things can cause this.
1. Wrong Display Cable
Older HDMI cables or ports may not support the monitor’s maximum resolution and refresh rate combination.
If available, try using:
DisplayPort
or a suitable higher-bandwidth HDMI connection supported by both your computer and monitor.
2. Wrong Monitor Port
A monitor may have several HDMI or DisplayPort connections with different capabilities.
Check whether you are using the port designed for high-refresh-rate operation.
3. Incorrect Resolution
Some refresh rates are only available at certain resolutions.
Try lowering the display resolution temporarily and check whether additional refresh rates appear.
4. Graphics Driver Problems
An outdated or corrupted graphics driver can prevent Windows from detecting supported display modes correctly.
Update your NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel graphics driver and restart the computer.
5. Monitor Settings
Some gaming monitors require their maximum refresh rate or overclock mode to be enabled through the monitor’s built-in on-screen display menu.
Check your monitor settings for options related to:
Refresh Rate, Overclocking, Gaming Mode, DisplayPort Version, or HDMI Mode.
6. Laptop Display Limitations
Some laptops support high refresh rates only on their internal display or only through specific external ports.
For example, one USB-C port may support high-refresh-rate DisplayPort output while another may not.
Should You Always Use the Highest Refresh Rate?
In most desktop situations, using the highest officially supported refresh rate is a good choice.
A higher refresh rate can provide:
- Smoother scrolling
- More responsive mouse movement
- Smoother Windows animations
- Reduced perceived motion blur
- Better gaming responsiveness
However, laptop users may want to use a lower refresh rate when running on battery.
For example, changing a laptop from 144Hz to 60Hz can potentially reduce display power consumption and help extend battery life.
Windows 11 may also offer Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) on compatible hardware.
What Is Dynamic Refresh Rate in Windows 11?
Dynamic Refresh Rate allows supported Windows 11 laptops to automatically adjust their display refresh rate depending on what you are doing.
For example, Windows may use a lower refresh rate while reading static content and switch to a higher rate when smoother scrolling or supported applications require it.
This can provide a balance between:
smoothness and battery efficiency.
The option is only available on compatible displays and graphics hardware.
You can check for it under:
Settings > System > Display > Advanced display > Choose a refresh rate
If supported, a dynamic refresh-rate option may appear.
Refresh Rate Option Missing in Windows
If you cannot find your desired refresh rate, try the following fixes:
- Restart Windows.
- Update your graphics driver.
- Disconnect and reconnect the monitor.
- Try another HDMI or DisplayPort cable.
- Try another GPU or monitor port.
- Select the monitor’s native resolution.
- Check the monitor’s built-in settings.
- Install the manufacturer’s monitor driver if one is available.
- Verify that your GPU supports the desired resolution and refresh-rate combination.
- Check whether your laptop’s output port has enough bandwidth.
After making changes, return to:
Settings > System > Display > Advanced display
and check the available refresh rates again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What refresh rate should I use in Windows 11 or Windows 10?
For normal desktop use, 60Hz is sufficient, but 120Hz or higher provides noticeably smoother motion. If your monitor officially supports a higher refresh rate, you can generally use the highest supported setting.
Is 144Hz better than 60Hz?
Yes. A 144Hz display refreshes more than twice as frequently as a 60Hz display, making movement, scrolling, animations, and gaming appear smoother.
Can changing the refresh rate damage my monitor?
Selecting refresh rates officially reported as supported by your monitor should not damage it. Avoid forcing unsupported custom refresh rates unless you understand your monitor’s specifications and limitations.
Why can’t I select 144Hz in Windows 11?
The most common causes are an incompatible cable or port, incorrect resolution, outdated graphics drivers, or monitor settings limiting the available refresh rate.
Does a higher refresh rate improve FPS?
Refresh rate and FPS are different. Refresh rate describes how often the monitor updates, while FPS describes how many frames the GPU produces each second.
A 144Hz monitor can display up to 144 screen refreshes each second, but your graphics card still needs to produce enough frames to take full advantage of it in games.
Does increasing the refresh rate use more battery?
It can. Higher refresh rates may increase display and graphics power consumption, particularly on laptops. Using 60Hz instead of 120Hz or 144Hz may help improve battery runtime.
Can I change the refresh rate without NVIDIA Control Panel?
Yes. NVIDIA Control Panel is not required. You can change the refresh rate directly through Windows Settings > System > Display > Advanced display.
Why does my screen turn black after changing the refresh rate?
A brief black screen is normal because Windows and the monitor are switching to a different display mode. If the selected mode is unsupported, Windows will normally revert to the previous configuration.
Can I use different refresh rates on two monitors?
Yes. Windows allows each compatible monitor to run at its own supported refresh rate. For example, your primary monitor can run at 165Hz while a secondary monitor operates at 60Hz.
Is 120Hz good for everyday Windows use?
Yes. Even outside gaming, 120Hz can make scrolling, dragging windows, cursor movement, and animations feel considerably smoother than 60Hz.
Conclusion
Changing the screen refresh rate on Windows 11 or Windows 10 is simple and can significantly improve how smooth your PC feels, especially if you own a 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz, or higher-refresh-rate display. The easiest method is to open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display and select the desired refresh rate.
You can also adjust display settings through Display Adapter Properties, NVIDIA Control Panel, AMD Software, or Intel Graphics Command Center depending on your graphics hardware.
If Windows only shows 60Hz even though your monitor supports a higher refresh rate, check your display cable, connection port, resolution, monitor settings, and graphics drivers. Once Windows is configured correctly, using your monitor’s native resolution and highest officially supported refresh rate usually provides the smoothest overall desktop and gaming experience.