Adjusting Screen Refresh Rate in Windows 11 & 10
Your monitor’s refresh rate determines how many times the screen updates every second. It is measured in Hertz (Hz). For example, a 60Hz display refreshes the image 60 times per second, while a 120Hz display can refresh it 120 times per second.
A higher refresh rate can make scrolling, window movement, gaming, and other animations appear smoother. However, the refresh rate you can select depends on your monitor, graphics hardware, connection, and display drivers. Windows may also automatically choose a suitable refresh rate for your display.
If your monitor supports multiple refresh rates, Windows 11 and Windows 10 let you change the setting through Display settings.
The process is simple, but the location of the option differs slightly between the two versions of Windows.
Let’s learn in detail!
Adjusting Screen Refresh Rate in Windows 11 & 10
To adjust the screen refresh rate in Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display, select the display you want to configure, and choose a refresh rate from the Choose a refresh rate menu. In Windows 10, go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings > Display adapter properties, open the Monitor tab, and select the desired refresh rate under Screen refresh rate. The available options depend on your monitor and hardware.
Before changing the setting, it is helpful to know that 60Hz is common for standard displays, while gaming monitors may support 75Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz, 240Hz, or higher. You should only select a refresh rate that Windows makes available for your display.
Step 1: Check Your Current Refresh Rate
The first step is to check which refresh rate your computer is currently using. This gives you a starting point and helps you determine whether your display is already operating at its intended refresh rate.
In Windows 11, right-click an empty area of your desktop and select Display settings. You can also open the Start menu, select Settings, choose System, and then select Display.
Scroll down and select Advanced display. You will see information about your connected display, including its current resolution and refresh rate.
In Windows 10, right-click the desktop and select Display settings. Alternatively, open Settings, select System, and then choose Display.
Scroll down and select Advanced display settings. Windows will show information about your display and its current refresh rate.
Checking this information first is useful because you can compare the current setting with the refresh rates supported by your monitor.
Step 2: Open Advanced Display Settings in Windows 11
If you are using Windows 11, open Settings by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard. This keyboard shortcut opens the Windows Settings application directly.
Select System from the left side of the Settings window. Then select Display.
If you have more than one monitor connected, Windows will display your screens at the top of the page. Select the monitor whose refresh rate you want to change.
Next, scroll down and select Advanced display. This page contains additional information and settings related to your monitor.
Look for the Choose a refresh rate option. The drop-down menu shows the refresh rates that Windows currently makes available for your selected display.
Step 3: Select a Refresh Rate in Windows 11
Under Choose a refresh rate, select the drop-down menu. You may see options such as 60Hz, 75Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, or 165Hz, depending on your hardware.
Choose the refresh rate you want to use. For example, if your monitor supports 144Hz and Windows lists 144Hz as an available option, selecting it will configure Windows to use that refresh rate.
Windows may display additional information next to certain refresh rates. If a setting is marked as unsupported or has special requirements, read the information before selecting it.
After choosing a new refresh rate, Windows may briefly change the display. In some cases, you may see a confirmation prompt asking whether you want to keep the changes.
Select Keep changes if the display looks correct. If the screen becomes unusable or you do not confirm the change, Windows can revert to the previous setting.
Step 4: Adjust the Refresh Rate in Windows 10
The process is slightly different in Windows 10.
Press Windows + I to open Settings. Select System, and then choose Display.
Scroll down the Display settings page and select Advanced display settings.
If you have multiple displays, select the appropriate monitor from the display selection area. Make sure you are changing the refresh rate for the monitor you actually want to configure.
Depending on your Windows 10 version and graphics hardware, you may see the available refresh-rate information directly on this page. If the required option is not available, select Display adapter properties for Display.
A new window will appear. Select the Monitor tab.
Under Monitor Settings, locate the Screen refresh rate section. Open the drop-down menu to see the refresh rates available for your monitor.
Select your preferred refresh rate and then select Apply. Windows will apply the new setting and may ask you to confirm the change.
Select Keep Changes if everything looks normal.
Step 5: Choose a Refresh Rate That Your Monitor Supports
It is important to select a refresh rate that is actually supported by your display. Windows normally limits the available choices, but you should still avoid forcing unsupported settings through third-party tools or graphics-control software.
For everyday use, 60Hz is generally sufficient for basic tasks such as browsing the web, reading documents, and working with office applications. If your monitor supports a higher refresh rate, moving to 75Hz or above can make cursor movement, scrolling, and animations feel smoother.
For gaming, a higher refresh rate can provide a more fluid visual experience, particularly when your computer can produce enough frames per second to take advantage of it.
For example, if you have a 144Hz monitor, setting Windows to 60Hz means you are not using the display’s full refresh-rate capability. Selecting 144Hz allows Windows to operate the display at that rate when the required hardware and connection support it.
Step 6: Check the Resolution After Changing the Refresh Rate
After changing the refresh rate, check that your screen resolution has not changed unexpectedly.
In Windows 11, return to Settings > System > Display and look at the Display resolution setting.
In Windows 10, open Settings > System > Display and check the Display resolution section.
Using the monitor’s recommended or native resolution is generally preferable. Some combinations of high resolution and high refresh rate may require a suitable HDMI or DisplayPort connection, graphics hardware, and appropriate drivers.
If a particular refresh rate disappears when you select a higher resolution, this may indicate a limitation involving your monitor, cable, graphics adapter, or connection standard.
Step 7: Troubleshoot Missing Refresh Rate Options
If the refresh rate you expect is not listed, start by confirming your monitor’s specifications. Check the manufacturer’s documentation to determine which refresh rates are supported at your preferred resolution.
Next, check your display cable. Older or unsuitable cables can prevent certain resolution and refresh-rate combinations from being available.
You should also update your graphics driver. A graphics driver helps Windows communicate correctly with your GPU and connected display. Problems with an outdated or incorrectly installed driver can sometimes affect available display options.
If you are using a laptop, remember that the built-in screen and an external monitor can have different refresh-rate capabilities. Select the correct display before changing the setting.
Step 8: Confirm That the New Refresh Rate Is Working
Once you have selected the desired refresh rate, use your computer normally for a few minutes.
Move windows around the desktop, scroll through web pages, and move the mouse pointer across the screen. A higher refresh rate may make these movements appear smoother.
If you are configuring the setting for gaming, open a game and check whether its own display settings allow you to select the same refresh rate. Some games have their own resolution and refresh-rate controls.
If the screen flickers, goes black, displays an error, or behaves unexpectedly after changing the setting, return to Display settings and select a different supported refresh rate.
FAQs
What is a screen refresh rate?
A screen refresh rate is the number of times a display updates its image every second. It is measured in Hertz (Hz). A 60Hz display refreshes 60 times per second, while a 120Hz display refreshes 120 times per second.
Is 60Hz better than 120Hz?
These settings serve different purposes. 120Hz can provide smoother motion than 60Hz, but whether you notice the difference depends on your display, applications, games, and personal preference. Higher refresh rates can also require more capable hardware and may consume more power on some devices.
Why can’t I select 144Hz in Windows?
If 144Hz is missing, your monitor, cable, graphics hardware, driver, resolution, or connection may be limiting the available options. Check your monitor specifications and make sure the display driver is up to date.
Can I change the refresh rate on a laptop?
Yes. Many laptops allow you to change the display refresh rate, provided the screen supports multiple refresh rates. Some laptops also use different refresh rates depending on whether they are running on battery power or connected to AC power.
Will changing the refresh rate damage my monitor?
Selecting a refresh rate that Windows officially provides for your display should not normally damage the monitor. Avoid manually forcing unsupported refresh rates through unofficial tools.
Does a higher refresh rate improve gaming?
A higher refresh rate can make game motion appear smoother and more responsive, particularly when your computer can produce enough frames per second to take advantage of the display’s refresh rate. It does not automatically increase your computer’s FPS.
Summary
Adjusting the screen refresh rate in Windows 11 and Windows 10 is a straightforward way to configure how frequently your monitor updates its image. Windows 11 provides the setting under Settings > System > Display > Advanced display, while Windows 10 may require you to open Advanced display settings and then use Display adapter properties.
For the best results, choose a refresh rate supported by your monitor at the resolution you want to use. If a higher refresh rate is unavailable, check your monitor specifications, display cable, graphics driver, resolution, and GPU connection.
Once configured correctly, a higher supported refresh rate can make everyday screen movement and compatible games feel noticeably smoother.