There are moments in everyday computing when a simple visual change makes the entire experience feel more fluid. Perhaps you recently bought a new monitor. Maybe you are trying to make games feel smoother or reduce screen flickering. Or you simply noticed that your screen doesn’t look as sharp and lively as it used to. Whatever the reason, adjusting the refresh rate is one of those small changes that can have a surprisingly big impact.
The refresh rate determines how many times per second your display updates the image. A higher refresh rate often means smoother animations, cleaner movement, and a more pleasant desktop experience. Many people don’t realize that even if their monitor supports 120Hz or 144Hz, their computer might still be running it at 60Hz by default.
This guide will walk you through the entire process—from checking your current refresh rate to updating drivers, detecting hidden refresh rate options, and understanding why some displays show limited numbers. We’ll explore each step with a calm, narrative approach so you can follow along without feeling overwhelmed, even if you are adjusting these settings for the first time.
Understanding What Refresh Rate Really Means
Before we dive into Windows settings, it helps to pause and understand what refresh rate actually represents. A screen refreshes itself multiple times per second. When the refresh rate is higher, the transitions between images look far smoother. This is why:
- Gamers prefer 120Hz, 144Hz, or even 240Hz monitors
- Content creators appreciate clearer motion
- Regular users enjoy a more fluid desktop experience
If motion on your screen feels slightly choppy, or your mouse cursor feels “laggy,” it might simply be because your system has not been configured to use the monitor’s full refresh capability. Windows sometimes defaults to a safe, lower refresh rate, especially after updates, driver resets, or connecting a new monitor.
Understanding this gives you a clearer sense of why the next steps matter. You are not just toggling a number—you’re optimizing your visual comfort.
Opening Display Settings the Right Way
Let’s begin with the most straightforward step: accessing the area where refresh rate settings are located. Windows 10 and Windows 11 both place these options inside the Display Settings menu, and accessing it is simple.
The easiest method is to right-click anywhere on your empty desktop surface. This brings up a small context menu. Among the list of options, you’ll find Display Settings.
When you click on it, Windows opens a page filled with many familiar options—brightness, night light, scaling, resolution, and more. But our focus today is deeper down the page.
Scrolling through the Display Settings is almost like walking through the main hallway of a house. Most people visit the front rooms but rarely explore the corners. That’s where refresh rate settings quietly reside—important, but not immediately visible.
Finding the Advanced Display Section
As you scroll down the Display Settings page, Windows 11 presents a cleaner layout, while Windows 10 uses a slightly older interface. But in both versions, the option you’re looking for is the same: Advanced Display.
This section is where Windows hides many powerful settings that are not meant to confuse beginners but are extremely valuable for those who know what to look for.
Once you click Advanced Display, a new page opens showing information such as:
- The monitor model
- Current resolution
- Color format
- Bit depth
- And of course—the current refresh rate
At this moment, you might see a drop-down menu labeled “Choose a refresh rate”. This is the heart of today’s tutorial.
Selecting the Correct Refresh Rate
If your monitor supports more than 60Hz, this is where you will see the higher numbers appear. For example, your display may list:
- 75Hz
- 120Hz
- 144Hz
- 165Hz
- 240Hz
- or others depending on your hardware
You simply click the dropdown and choose the highest supported refresh rate. Windows may briefly flicker as the screen resets itself, similar to changing resolution. This is normal.
If the option you expect doesn’t appear, don’t worry—this is extremely common. Many people cannot see higher refresh rates right away, even if the monitor supports them. There are several reasons for this, and we will explore them in the next sections.
When the Refresh Rate You Expect Is Missing
Sometimes you check the drop-down list and feel disappointed. You bought a 144Hz monitor, but all you see is 60Hz. This is where many users stop and assume something is wrong with the monitor itself, but the truth is usually much simpler.
Windows includes a secondary way to access display capabilities. On the Advanced Display page, you will notice a small blue link labeled Display Adapter Properties for Display 1. This button opens an older-style dialog box—the classic Windows interface many of us remember from previous versions.
This small window contains a Monitor tab. When you open it, you often find the refresh rate options that were not visible before. You might see all your monitor’s supported refresh rates listed here.
If your higher refresh rate appears in this older-style settings window but not in the main settings app, selecting it here usually makes it show up properly in the official Windows interface later.
If you still don’t see the higher refresh rate even in the Monitor tab, then the issue is not with your display—it is likely related to your graphics driver.
When to Check Your Graphics Driver
Graphics drivers are the invisible translators between your hardware and Windows. If the driver is outdated, corrupt, or incompatible, Windows may not correctly identify what your monitor can do.
Before jumping into updates, it helps to first see how old your current driver really is.
To do this, right-click your Start button and choose Device Manager. This window contains all the hardware components Windows recognizes. Expand the section labeled Display adapters.
Here, you’ll find your GPU listed. It may be:
- NVIDIA GeForce
- AMD Radeon
- Intel UHD or Iris
- Intel Arc
- or a laptop-specific graphics chip
Right-click your GPU and select Properties.
In the window that appears, switch to the Driver tab. This is where you see:
- Driver Version
- Driver Date
- Digital Signer
The driver date is the most important clue. If the date is very old—perhaps several months or even years—this indicates your GPU software may not understand your new monitor correctly.
Updating the driver can instantly solve refresh rate issues.
Updating Your Graphics Driver Properly
Updating your graphics driver is more than a simple act of clicking “update.” Windows can check for updates on its own, but this built-in method is often outdated. Graphics drivers evolve quickly, especially for gaming or content-creation systems. The best approach is always to visit your manufacturer’s official website.
If you use:
- NVIDIA, visit the GeForce driver download page
- AMD, visit the Radeon driver support page
- Intel, visit the Intel Graphics driver page
Download the latest driver for your exact GPU model and operating system. Once installed, restart your computer. After the restart, Windows often automatically unlocks the full range of refresh rate options that were hidden before.
This is because the new driver correctly identifies the monitor’s supported capabilities and passes that information to Windows.
HDMI and DisplayPort: Why the Cable Matters More Than You Think
Another reason users cannot see higher refresh rates is the type of cable.
Many people assume any HDMI cable supports 120Hz or 144Hz, but this is not true. Cable standards play a major role in what your monitor can deliver.
For example:
- HDMI 1.4 supports up to 120Hz only at lower resolutions
- HDMI 2.0 supports 1080p at 144Hz but may struggle with 1440p
- HDMI 2.1 supports 4K at 120Hz
- DisplayPort 1.2 supports 1440p at 144Hz
- DisplayPort 1.4 supports high refresh rates at higher resolutions
If your monitor is connected through a cable that does not meet the required standard, Windows will simply not show the higher refresh rates. Changing the cable often magically fixes the issue.
Checking Multi-Monitor Setups
If you use more than one display, things get a little more nuanced. Windows assigns refresh rate settings separately to each monitor. When you open Advanced Display settings, you may see Display 1, Display 2, and so on.
You must choose the monitor you want to adjust before changing its refresh rate.
Some people accidentally adjust the wrong monitor, and it seems like the refresh rate is not changing at all. Ensuring you have selected the correct display prevents confusion.
What to Do if the Refresh Rate Still Refuses to Change
Even after trying all the above steps, a few users still face issues. This usually happens due to:
- Incorrect resolution settings
- GPU limitations
- Daisy-chaining monitors
- Faulty or old cables
- Using a laptop that does not support high refresh rates through all ports
- Using adapters that do not support high bandwidth (e.g., HDMI to VGA converters)
A small adjustment, such as switching from an HDMI-to-VGA adapter to a native DisplayPort cable, often solves the problem instantly.
Also, note that some older or budget GPUs cannot output high refresh rates at higher resolutions. This hardware limitation cannot be bypassed through software.
Understanding Why Refresh Rate Affects User Experience
At this point, you understand how to change the refresh rate, but it’s equally important to understand why doing so can transform how your system feels.
Smoother scrolling
When you scroll through webpages, menus, and documents, higher refresh rates eliminate micro-stutters.
Better gaming experience
Fast-paced games rely heavily on screen updates. Higher refresh rates reduce motion blur, improve responsiveness, and complement higher FPS in games.
Reduced eye strain
Some people find 144Hz displays more comfortable, especially if they spend long hours reading, programming, designing, or editing.
Improved mouse movement
The cursor glides more naturally across the screen.
These small improvements accumulate into a noticeably smoother experience.
Why Windows Sometimes Resets Your Refresh Rate
Windows updates, GPU driver resets, and monitor reconnections can all cause your refresh rate to return to default settings—sometimes 60Hz. This happens because Windows always tries to choose a “safe” option if it detects any hardware changes.
Keeping your graphics drivers updated and using proper cables reduces the chances of such resets.
Final Thoughts: Refresh Rate Is One of the Easiest Upgrades You Can Make
Changing your monitor’s refresh rate takes only a few minutes, but the difference it creates is surprisingly large. Whether you are a casual user or someone who works on a computer for long hours, a smoother screen is always a more enjoyable one.
By following the steps we explored together—checking display settings, using Advanced Display options, reviewing cable standards, updating GPU drivers, and verifying multi-monitor setups—you now have all the tools you need to unlock the full potential of your monitor.
Disclaimer
This article is meant for general guidance on Windows display settings. Actual refresh rate availability depends on monitor hardware, resolution, GPU capabilities, cable standards, and system limitations. Changing display settings incorrectly can cause temporary visual glitches; proceed carefully and ensure proper hardware compatibility.
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