If you bought a high refresh rate monitor and everything still feels the same as before, there's a good chance Windows is quietly running it at a lower rate than it's capable of. Learning how to change your monitor refresh rate in Windows 10 or 11 takes less than a minute once you know where to look.
This guide covers the settings menu, plus how to confirm your chosen refresh rate is genuinely being applied using the Refresh Rate Test.
Test Your Monitor's Refresh Rate Online
Why Your Refresh Rate Might Not Be What You Expect
- Windows defaults to a safe rate: After connecting a new monitor, Windows sometimes defaults to 60Hz until manually changed.
- Wrong cable type: Some cables, like older HDMI versions, can't carry a signal high enough for your monitor's maximum refresh rate.
- GPU driver settings override Windows: Some graphics card control panels have their own refresh rate settings that can conflict with Windows.
- Per-application settings: A few games and applications have their own refresh rate or frame rate caps, separate from your system-wide setting.
How to Check Your Current Refresh Rate
- Open the Refresh Rate Test in your browser.
- Let the test run for a few seconds to get a stable reading.
- Compare the result to your monitor's advertised maximum refresh rate.
- If the numbers don't match, follow the steps below to change your Windows display settings.
This can help determine whether you're actually getting the refresh rate you're paying for, since some setups quietly fall back to a lower rate without any obvious warning.
Step-by-Step: Changing Refresh Rate in Windows 11
- Right-click on your desktop and select Display Settings.
- Scroll down and click Advanced Display.
- Select your monitor if you have more than one connected.
- Find the Refresh Rate dropdown and choose the highest available option.
- Click Keep Changes when prompted to confirm the new setting.
Step-by-Step: Changing Refresh Rate in Windows 10
- Right-click on your desktop and select Display Settings.
- Click Advanced Display Settings near the bottom of the page.
- Select Display Adapter Properties for your monitor.
- Go to the Monitor tab and choose the highest refresh rate from the dropdown.
- Click Apply, then confirm the change when prompted.
What to Check If the Higher Refresh Rate Isn't Available
Fix 1: Check Your Cable Type
- Confirm you're using a DisplayPort or high-bandwidth HDMI cable rated for your monitor's max refresh rate.
- Older HDMI 1.4 cables, for example, may not support higher refresh rates at higher resolutions.
- Try a different cable if you suspect this is the limitation.
Fix 2: Update Your Graphics Driver
- Open Device Manager and locate your graphics card under Display Adapters.
- Right-click and select Update Driver, then choose to search automatically.
- Restart your computer and recheck the available refresh rate options.
Fix 3: Check Your GPU Control Panel
- Open your graphics card's control panel software, such as the manufacturer's display utility.
- Look for a separate display or refresh rate setting that might be overriding Windows.
- Set it to match or allow the highest refresh rate your monitor supports.
Fix 4: Confirm the Setting Took Effect
- Reopen the Refresh Rate Test after making changes.
- Confirm the reported rate now matches what you selected in settings.
- If it still doesn't match, double-check the cable and port you're using on both the monitor and the graphics card.
Settings Issue or a Hardware Limitation?
| What You Notice | Possible Cause |
|---|---|
| Higher refresh rate option isn't listed at all in Windows | Possible cable, port, or driver limitation |
| Higher rate is listed but the test still reports lower | Possible GPU control panel override |
| Refresh rate correct on one port but not another | Likely a cable or port bandwidth issue |
| Rate drops only during certain games or apps | Possible per-application frame rate cap |
When the Monitor Itself Might Be the Issue
If you've confirmed the correct cable, updated drivers, and checked the GPU control panel, but the monitor still won't reach its advertised refresh rate, it's worth testing the monitor on a different computer or with a different graphics card if possible. This can help confirm whether the limitation is coming from your setup or the monitor's own display controller.
FAQ
Why does my new 144Hz monitor show only 60Hz by default?
Windows sometimes conservatively defaults to 60Hz when a new monitor is connected, requiring you to manually
select the higher rate in Display Settings.
Does HDMI support high refresh rates?
Newer HDMI versions do, but older HDMI 1.4 cables may be limited, especially at higher resolutions. DisplayPort
generally offers more consistent high refresh rate support.
Can a higher refresh rate reduce eye strain?
Many users report smoother, more comfortable viewing at higher refresh rates, though the effect can vary
between individuals.
Do I need a powerful GPU to use a high refresh rate monitor?
For gaming at the full refresh rate, yes, your GPU needs to produce enough frames per second to take
advantage of it. For general desktop use, refresh rate isn't as GPU-dependent.
Why does my refresh rate reset after restarting my PC?
This can happen if a driver update reverts settings, or if the monitor was briefly disconnected and Windows
defaulted back to a safe setting.
Conclusion
Changing your monitor's refresh rate in Windows takes only a few clicks, but it's easy to end up running a high refresh rate monitor at a fraction of its capability without realizing it. Testing after any change confirms you're actually getting the smoothness you paid for.
Test Your Monitor's Refresh Rate Online to confirm your settings are correctly applied.