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 60 times per second, while a 120Hz display refreshes 120 times per second.
Changing the refresh rate can make a noticeable difference in how smoothly Windows animations, scrolling, videos, and games appear. A higher refresh rate can provide a more fluid experience, but the available options depend on your monitor, graphics hardware, display connection, and Windows configuration.
Windows 11 and Windows 10 let you adjust this setting through Display settings..
Let’s learn the steps!
Adjusting Screen Refresh Rate in Windows 11/10
To adjust the refresh rate,
- In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Display.
- Select Advanced display.
- Choose the display you want to configure if you have more than one monitor.
- Find Choose a refresh rate and select your preferred Hz option.
- In Windows 10, go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings and select Display adapter properties if necessary.
- Open the Monitor tab and choose the desired Screen refresh rate.
- Select Apply and confirm the change when Windows asks you to do so.
The refresh rate setting is useful when you want to improve the smoothness of your display. A standard office monitor may run at 60Hz, while newer monitors may support 75Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz, 240Hz, or higher.
Keep in mind that selecting a higher number does not automatically improve every computer. Your monitor must support the selected refresh rate, and your graphics hardware and display cable may also need to support the required resolution and refresh rate combination.
Step 1: Open Windows Display Settings
Start by opening the display settings for your Windows computer. In Windows 11, select Start > Settings > System > Display. You can also right-click an empty area of the desktop and select Display settings.
In Windows 10, select Start > Settings > System > Display. This takes you to the main display configuration page.
If you use multiple monitors, Windows may show several numbered displays. Select the monitor you want to change before continuing. This is important because changing the refresh rate affects the selected display, not necessarily every monitor connected to your computer.
Step 2: Open Advanced Display Options
In Windows 11, scroll down the Display settings page and select Advanced display. This page provides additional information about your monitor, including its current resolution and refresh rate.
You may see the monitor’s name, current desktop resolution, active signal mode, and refresh rate. If you have multiple screens connected, use the display selection area to make sure you are configuring the correct monitor.
In Windows 10, the interface is somewhat different. Go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings. Depending on your version of Windows 10, you may then see an option such as Display adapter properties for Display.
Step 3: Find the Refresh Rate Setting
Once you are in the advanced display area, look for the refresh rate setting. In Windows 11, the relevant option is generally labeled Choose a refresh rate.
Select the drop-down menu to view the refresh rates available for your display. You might see options such as 60Hz, 75Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, or another value.
The options shown by Windows are based on what it detects as compatible with the display configuration. If your monitor supports 144Hz but Windows only shows 60Hz, there may be an issue involving the display cable, graphics driver, connection type, monitor settings, resolution, or hardware limitations.
Step 4: Select Your Preferred Refresh Rate
Choose the refresh rate you want to use from the available options. For everyday use, 60Hz is perfectly adequate for many displays. If your monitor supports a higher refresh rate, moving to 75Hz or 120Hz can make ordinary desktop movement and scrolling feel smoother.
Gaming monitors commonly support 144Hz, 165Hz, 240Hz, or higher. However, you should only select a refresh rate that your monitor and computer can properly support.
If you are using a high-resolution display, remember that the maximum refresh rate may depend on the combination of resolution and connection bandwidth. A monitor may support a high refresh rate at one resolution but offer fewer options at another.
Step 5: Confirm the New Display Setting
After selecting a refresh rate, Windows may immediately apply the new setting. In some situations, you will see a confirmation prompt asking whether you want to Keep changes.
Select Keep changes if the screen looks normal and the new refresh rate is working correctly. If the display becomes unstable, goes black, or does not look right, Windows may automatically revert the setting after a short period if you do not confirm it.
Do not worry if the screen briefly flickers while Windows applies the new refresh rate. A short display interruption can occur when Windows changes the display mode.
Step 6: Check the Monitor and Resolution Combination
If you cannot find the refresh rate you expected, check the display resolution first. Open Settings > System > Display and verify that Windows is using the resolution you want.
Then return to Advanced display and check the available refresh rates again.
You should also check how your monitor is connected. Depending on the monitor and computer, DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-C, or another connection can provide different combinations of resolution and refresh rate. The capabilities can also vary between different versions of the same connection standard.
Step 7: Check Your Graphics Driver
If the expected refresh rate still does not appear, your graphics driver may need attention. Graphics drivers help Windows communicate correctly with your GPU and connected displays.
You can check your graphics hardware through Start > Device Manager > Display adapters. Expand Display adapters to see the graphics device installed in your computer.
If Windows is using an outdated, incorrect, or problematic graphics driver, available display options may not behave as expected. Installing the appropriate driver from the computer, GPU, or graphics hardware manufacturer can sometimes restore missing display capabilities.
Step 8: Test the Display After Changing the Refresh Rate
After applying the new setting, spend a few minutes checking the display. Move windows around the desktop, scroll through webpages, play a video, or test a game if gaming is your main reason for changing the refresh rate.
Look for screen flickering, black screens, visual artifacts, intermittent signal loss, or unexpected display behavior.
If something goes wrong, return to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display and select a lower supported refresh rate. A stable refresh rate is more useful than a setting that causes display problems.
FAQs
What is a refresh rate?
A refresh rate is the number of times a display refreshes its image every second. It is measured in Hertz (Hz). A 60Hz monitor refreshes 60 times per second, while a 144Hz monitor can refresh 144 times per second.
Is a higher refresh rate always better?
Not necessarily. A higher refresh rate can provide smoother motion, especially during gaming and fast scrolling, but its usefulness depends on your monitor, computer hardware, applications, and the type of work you do.
Why can I only select 60Hz?
Windows may show only 60Hz because of your monitor capabilities, selected resolution, graphics driver, display cable, connection type, or hardware configuration. Check the resolution and physical connection before assuming the monitor is defective.
Does refresh rate affect gaming?
Yes. A higher refresh rate can make gameplay appear smoother and more responsive, particularly when your computer can produce enough frames per second to take advantage of the display’s refresh rate.
For example, moving from 60Hz to 144Hz can provide a noticeably different experience when a game is rendering at sufficiently high frame rates.
Can changing refresh rate damage my monitor?
Selecting a refresh rate that Windows identifies as available for the display is generally intended to be safe. Avoid forcing unsupported display modes through third-party tools unless you understand the risks and specifications of your hardware.
Should I use 60Hz or 120Hz for everyday work?
If your monitor supports 120Hz and your computer can run it reliably, you may prefer it because scrolling and window movement can look smoother. 60Hz remains suitable for many ordinary productivity tasks.
Why does my screen flicker after changing refresh rate?
Flickering can indicate a problem with the selected display mode, cable, graphics driver, monitor settings, or connection. Try returning to a lower supported refresh rate, checking the cable connection, and updating the graphics driver.
Does refresh rate affect battery life on a laptop?
It can. A higher refresh rate may require the display and graphics system to work more frequently, which can contribute to higher power consumption. Many laptops therefore offer different refresh-rate options to balance smoothness and battery life.
Bottom Lines
Adjusting the screen refresh rate in Windows 11 or Windows 10 is a simple way to control how smoothly your display updates. Start with Settings > System > Display, open the advanced display options, and select an available refresh rate that matches your monitor and hardware.
For general computing, 60Hz is still common and practical. If your display supports a higher rate, options such as 75Hz, 120Hz, or 144Hz can provide smoother motion. Gaming and fast-moving content can particularly benefit from a higher refresh rate.
If the refresh rate you expect is missing, check the resolution, display cable, connection type, graphics driver, monitor specifications, and GPU capabilities.
Most importantly, choose a setting that provides a stable, flicker-free display rather than simply selecting the highest number available.