To run a monitor at its full refresh rate, open Settings, go to System, Display, Advanced display, and pick the highest rate from the Choose a refresh rate menu for that screen. If the higher option is missing, the cause is almost always the cable, the port, the graphics driver or a setting inside the monitor’s own menu.
It is a common surprise: a new 144 Hz or 240 Hz monitor arrives, and Windows quietly keeps it at 60 Hz. Nothing is broken. Windows picks a safe default, and you have to confirm the faster mode yourself. The steps below work for 144 Hz and any other high refresh rate, including setups common in 2026 such as 165, 240 and 360 Hz panels. Monitor menus differ by brand, so check your manual for exact names.
Set the Refresh Rate in Windows
This is the fix for most people, and it takes under a minute. Use the numbered list, then move on to troubleshooting only if the option is missing.
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop and choose Display settings.
- If you have more than one monitor, select the one you want to change in the display diagram.
- Scroll down and open Advanced display.
- Under Choose a refresh rate, open the drop-down menu and select the highest value listed, such as 144 Hz or 165 Hz.
- Click Keep changes when Windows asks you to confirm. If the screen goes blank, wait about fifteen seconds and Windows reverts.
- Check the result. Advanced display shows the current mode, and moving the mouse should look noticeably smoother.
Safety note: choose rates from the list only. Forcing an unsupported mode can produce a black screen, and it does not harm the monitor in normal use, but it is an unnecessary risk.
If the Higher Refresh Rate Is Missing
When the menu only offers 60 Hz, one link in the chain is not delivering enough bandwidth or information. Work through these checks in order.
Check the Cable and Port
Not every cable supports every mode. DisplayPort is the safest choice for high refresh rates on desktop monitors, and a decent DisplayPort cable usually handles 1080p and 1440p at high rates. HDMI works too, but older HDMI versions cap resolution or refresh rate. For 4K at high refresh rates, you generally need DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1, plus a cable rated for it. Check the monitor spec sheet for the version of each port.
Plug Into the Graphics Card
On a desktop with a dedicated graphics card, the cable must connect to the card, not to the motherboard’s video output. A monitor attached to the motherboard uses the integrated graphics, which may limit the options or leave the dedicated card unused.
Enable High Refresh in the Monitor Menu
Some monitors ship with a setting that limits the rate until you enable it. Look in the on-screen menu for options named overclock, high refresh, DisplayPort version, HDMI mode or similar. Setting the DisplayPort version to a newer value, such as 1.2 or higher, is a common fix. Your manual explains the exact wording.
Update the Graphics Driver
Install the current driver from the GPU maker. Windows Update can install a basic driver that does not offer all the modes. After updating, repeat the Advanced display steps.
Set It in the Graphics Control Panel
The graphics driver gives a second place to choose the refresh rate and to confirm what the monitor reports.
NVIDIA
Open the NVIDIA Control Panel, go to Display, Change resolution, and pick the refresh rate. If your resolution is not listed, use the custom resolution tool carefully and only with values from the monitor’s documentation.
AMD
In Adrenalin, open the Display tab, where you can view the connected monitor and its capabilities. Windows still sets the actual refresh rate, but the driver page helps confirm the display is detected properly.
Intel
Intel’s graphics software offers similar display controls. These matter mostly for laptops and systems running from integrated graphics.
Games, Laptops and Multiple Monitors
Setting the desktop to a high rate does not always guarantee the game uses it.
In-Game Settings
Many games have their own refresh rate or display mode option. Borderless windowed mode usually follows the desktop rate, while exclusive fullscreen can choose its own. If a game feels like 60 Hz, open the video menu and select the highest rate there.
Laptops
Laptop screens may switch rates automatically to save power, and Windows 11 offers a dynamic option on supported systems. Plugged-in mode, battery saver and the internal-versus-dedicated graphics setting can change what is available. Some laptops send the internal screen through integrated graphics, which affects the maximum rate, so check the maker’s documentation.
Mixed-Rate Multi-Monitor Setups
Each display has its own setting in Windows, so set them one at a time. A slow second monitor can cause stutter on some systems, particularly when videos play on one screen while a game runs on the other. If this happens, try matching rates or updating the driver.
Confirm It Is Really Running at Full Speed
Seeing a number in Windows is a good sign, but a quick confirmation removes doubt, especially if you have swapped cables or changed ports.
Use a Motion Check Page
Several free web pages show moving objects and report the refresh rate your browser detects. Run one in a full-screen browser window on the monitor in question. It should report a number close to your chosen rate, and a motion trail test should look visibly smoother than at 60 Hz.
Watch the Overlay in a Game
A frame rate overlay in a game shows what the game is actually producing. If the counter sits at 60 while your monitor is set higher, the game may be capped by vertical sync, a frame limiter or the game’s own settings. Remove the cap or set it just under your refresh rate if you use adaptive sync.
Turn On Adaptive Sync
Once the rate is correct, enable the monitor’s adaptive sync feature in its menu and in your graphics control panel. It matches the refresh rate to the game’s frame rate, reducing tearing without the delay that standard vertical sync can add. If you see flicker in menus or loading screens, check whether it is a known behavior of your panel before disabling anything.
What You Need by Resolution
This table gives a general idea of connection requirements. Specifications vary, so confirm against your monitor and card documentation.
| Resolution and rate | Typical connection | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p at 144 Hz | DisplayPort, or HDMI 1.4 or newer on many panels | Check the monitor’s HDMI version |
| 1440p at 144 Hz or higher | DisplayPort 1.2 or newer, HDMI 2.0 on many panels | Cable quality matters |
| 4K at 120 Hz or higher | DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1 | May use compression; check card and monitor support |
If you use a dock, a display adapter or a long extension cable, remove it temporarily and connect the monitor directly. Adapters and hubs often cap bandwidth, and removing one is the fastest way to learn whether it is the culprit. Switching to a short, certified cable is a cheap next step if the direct connection works.
Quick Checklist
- Cable plugged into the graphics card, not the motherboard.
- Cable rated for the resolution and rate you want.
- Monitor menu set to the right port mode.
- Driver current and refresh rate set under Advanced display.
- Game video menu set to the same rate.
Common Mistakes
- Plugging the cable into the motherboard video port while the graphics card sits unused.
- Using the old cable from a previous monitor that only supports lower bandwidth.
- Assuming the monitor is set to its maximum because the box said 144 Hz.
- Skipping the game’s own refresh rate or display mode setting.
- Forcing custom resolutions with made-up values instead of manufacturer data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my 144 Hz monitor only show 60 Hz?
Windows defaults to a safe rate until you choose a higher one, and a cable or port limit can also hide the faster modes. Check Advanced display first, then the cable and the monitor menu.
Is HDMI or DisplayPort better for high refresh rates?
DisplayPort is generally the dependable choice on desktop monitors. HDMI can match it when both devices support a recent enough version, so compare the spec sheets.
Does a higher refresh rate need a stronger graphics card?
The desktop looks smoother on any card, but games only benefit when the frame rate rises to match. A card that renders 60 frames per second shows little gain on a faster panel.
Can I damage the monitor by choosing a high rate?
Choosing a rate from the Windows list is safe. Unsupported custom modes can blank the screen, so stay within what the monitor documents.
