The fastest way to change refresh rate in Windows 11

Open Settings, go to System > Display > Advanced display, and look for "Refresh rate" in the dropdown menu. Select your preferred rate — typically 60 Hz, 75 Hz, 120 Hz, or higher depending on your monitor — and Windows applies the change when ready. If you don't see a refresh rate option, your graphics driver needs an update, or your monitor doesn't support higher rates than the current one.

The whole process takes under a minute. You don't need to restart your computer, and you can switch back just as quickly if the new rate causes problems.

Key Takeaways

  • Refresh rate changes happen in Settings > System > Display > Advanced display, where you pick from the rates your monitor supports.
  • Your monitor's maximum refresh rate is a hardware limit — Windows cannot push it higher than what the display is built for.
  • If the refresh rate dropdown is missing, update your graphics driver through Device Manager or the manufacturer's website.
  • Higher refresh rates (120 Hz, 144 Hz) make scrolling and gaming smoother but use slightly more power and only work if both your monitor and graphics card support them.

Where to find the refresh rate setting

Start by right-clicking your desktop and selecting "Display settings" — this opens the Settings app to the Display page. Scroll down and click "Advanced display" near the bottom. You'll see a dropdown labeled "Refresh rate" with the options your monitor can handle.

Windows shows only the rates your hardware actually supports. If you have a 60 Hz monitor, you'll see only 60 Hz. If you have a 144 Hz gaming monitor connected to a modern graphics card, you might see 60, 75, 100, 120, and 144 Hz. Pick the one you want and click outside the dropdown — the change takes effect right away.

Why the refresh rate dropdown might be missing

The most common reason is an outdated or generic graphics driver. Windows sometimes uses a basic driver that doesn't expose all your monitor's capabilities. To fix this, open Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select it), expand "Display adapters," right-click your graphics card, and select "Update driver." Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software" and let Windows find the latest version.

If that doesn't work, visit your graphics card manufacturer's website directly. NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel all have driver read pages where you can select your exact card model and read the newest driver. Install it, restart your computer, and check Settings again.

Another possibility: your monitor is connected with an older cable that doesn't support higher refresh rates. HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 handle high refresh rates, but older HDMI 1.4 cables max out around 60 Hz. If you're trying to use 120 Hz or higher, try a newer cable.

What refresh rate actually does

Refresh rate is how many times per second your monitor redraws the image. At 60 Hz, the screen updates 60 times per second. At 144 Hz, it updates 144 times per second. Higher rates make motion look smoother — scrolling through web pages, moving your cursor, and playing games all feel more fluid.

The difference is most noticeable in fast motion. In a game where your character turns quickly, 60 Hz can look slightly choppy, while 144 Hz looks nearly instantaneous. For everyday tasks like email and web browsing, most people don't notice much difference between 60 and 120 Hz. Competitive gamers and video editors often prefer higher rates because the smoother motion reduces eye strain during long sessions.

Matching refresh rate to your graphics card and monitor

Your graphics card has to actually produce enough frames for a high refresh rate to matter. If your monitor is set to 144 Hz but your graphics card can only output 80 frames per second in a game, you'll see 80 Hz of actual motion — the monitor just refreshes the same frame multiple times. The setting doesn't create frames that don't exist.

For gaming, aim to match your graphics card's typical output to your monitor's refresh rate. A budget graphics card might hit 60 to 75 frames per second in modern games, so a 60 Hz or 75 Hz monitor makes sense. A high-end card can push 120 to 240 frames per second, so a 144 Hz or 240 Hz monitor is worth the investment. Check your card's specs and typical performance in games you play to decide what refresh rate is actually useful for you.

Power use and heat at higher refresh rates

Running at 120 Hz instead of 60 Hz uses slightly more power — your monitor's backlight and electronics work harder — but the difference is small, usually a few watts. For a laptop on battery, switching from 120 Hz to 60 Hz might extend battery life by 5 to 10 percent depending on the screen size and brightness.

Heat is rarely a concern with modern monitors. Your graphics card works harder to produce more frames, but that's a separate issue from the monitor's refresh rate setting. If your graphics card is running hot, the problem is the workload (gaming, video editing) not the refresh rate itself.

Troubleshooting a refresh rate that won't stick

If you set a refresh rate and it reverts to 60 Hz after restart, your driver is likely the issue. Update it as described above. If the problem persists after a driver update, try uninstalling the driver completely: open Device Manager, right-click your graphics card, select "Uninstall device," check the box for "Delete the driver software for this device," and click Uninstall. Restart your computer and let Windows reinstall a fresh copy of the driver.

If a specific refresh rate causes flickering or artifacts (visual glitches), your monitor or cable may not reliably support it. Drop down one step — try 120 Hz instead of 144 Hz, or 75 Hz instead of 100 Hz — and see if the problem goes away. Some older monitors have quirks with certain rates even though they're technically rated for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a refresh rate higher than my monitor's maximum?

No. Windows only shows the rates your monitor actually supports. If your monitor is rated for 60 Hz maximum, that's the highest option you'll see. Trying to force a higher rate through third-party tools usually causes the display to go black or flicker.

Does a higher refresh rate improve gaming performance?

It improves how smooth motion looks, not how many frames your graphics card produces. Your card's frame rate is separate from the monitor's refresh rate. A 144 Hz monitor won't help if your card only outputs 60 frames per second — you'll still see 60 Hz of motion.

Will changing refresh rate damage my monitor?

No. Monitors are built to handle their rated refresh rates safely. Setting it to 60 Hz, 120 Hz, or any supported rate causes no wear. Using an unsupported rate can cause flickering or a black screen, but won't break the hardware.

Why does my laptop only show 60 Hz as an option?

Most laptop screens are built for 60 Hz and don't support higher rates. Some gaming laptops have 144 Hz or 165 Hz displays, but they're less common. Check your laptop's specs to see what your screen is rated for. If it supports higher rates and you only see 60 Hz, update your graphics driver.

Do I need to change refresh rate for external monitors?

Only if you want the smoother motion a higher rate provides. If you're using a monitor for office work, 60 Hz is fine. If you're gaming or doing video work, a higher rate can reduce eye strain, but it's not required.