How to Check Monitor Specs on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 4, 2025

Want to know your monitor’s refresh rate, resolution, color depth, or HDR support on Windows 11? Whether you’re a gamer, designer, or casual user, knowing your display specifications helps you optimize performance and get the best visuals from your PC.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through different ways to check monitor specs on Windows 11 step by step—using built-in settings, system tools, and even third-party utilities.

🔑 Key Takeaways

  • You can quickly check your monitor’s resolution and refresh rate through Windows Settings.

  • Advanced specs like color bit depth, HDR support, and response time can be found in Advanced Display Settings or with third-party apps.

  • Multiple methods are available, including Settings, DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag), Device Manager, GPU control panels, and online resources.

Why Should You Check Monitor Specs?

Here are a few reasons why checking your monitor specifications is useful:

  • 🎮 Gaming performance — Ensure you’re gaming at the right refresh rate (144Hz, 165Hz, 240Hz, etc.).

  • 🎨 Design & editing — Check for color depth and HDR support for accurate visuals.

  • 🖥 Multiple monitor setup — Confirm which monitor supports higher resolutions.

  • ⚡ Troubleshooting — Identify whether display issues are hardware or software related.

Method 1: Check Monitor Specs via Windows Settings

Windows 11 provides built-in display settings for basic specs.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

  2. Navigate to System > Display.

  3. Scroll down and click Advanced display.

  4. Here, you’ll see details such as:

    • Resolution

    • Refresh rate (Hz)

    • Bit depth

    • Color format

    • Color space (sRGB, HDR, etc.)

💡 If you have multiple monitors, use the dropdown menu to select each one.

Method 2: Check Monitor Specs Using DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DxDiag)

The DxDiag tool shows system and display details.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type dxdiag, and hit Enter.

  2. In the DxDiag window, go to the Display tab.

  3. You’ll see monitor and GPU details, including:

    • Display name

    • Resolution

    • Refresh rate

    • Driver information

This is especially useful for diagnosing display-related issues.

Method 3: Check Monitor Specs via Device Manager

Device Manager provides hardware details, though less detailed than display settings.

Steps:

  1. Right-click the Start menu → select Device Manager.

  2. Expand Monitors.

  3. Right-click your monitor → select Properties.

  4. Under the Details tab, select Hardware Ids to see model information.

💡 You can then Google the monitor model for full specs.

Method 4: Use GPU Control Panels (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel)

Your graphics card software also displays monitor specifications.

For NVIDIA:

  1. Right-click desktop → open NVIDIA Control Panel.

  2. Go to Display > Change resolution.

  3. View and set resolution, refresh rate, and color depth.

For AMD:

  1. Open AMD Radeon Software.

  2. Go to Display settings.

  3. Check specs like resolution, VRR, and color depth.

For Intel:

  1. Open Intel Graphics Command Center.

  2. Navigate to Display.

  3. View resolution, refresh rate, HDR, and scaling options.

Method 5: Check Monitor Specs Online

If you know your monitor’s model number, you can look up the official manufacturer specifications.

Steps:

  1. Find your monitor’s model number (printed on the back or visible in Device Manager).

  2. Search online for “[Monitor Model] specifications.”

  3. Review official manufacturer details such as response time, panel type (IPS/TN/VA), brightness (nits), HDR rating, and contrast ratio.

Method 6: Use Third-Party Tools

If you want detailed insights, try these free tools:

  • Speccy — Shows hardware details, including monitors.

  • HWiNFO — Advanced tool with in-depth display data.

  • AIDA64 — Professional-grade system monitoring tool.

Comparison of Methods

Method Best For Level of Detail
Windows Settings Basic specs (refresh rate, resolution, HDR) Medium
DxDiag System + GPU-related display info Medium
Device Manager Monitor model lookup Low
GPU Control Panel Resolution, refresh rate, color depth High
Online Lookup Full official specs Very High
Third-Party Tools Professional monitoring Very High

Troubleshooting: What If Specs Aren’t Showing?

  • ❌ Only generic monitor appears — Update your monitor driver or graphics drivers.

  • ❌ HDR not available — Your monitor or GPU may not support it.

  • ❌ Refresh rate stuck at 60Hz — Ensure you’re using the right HDMI/DisplayPort cable and check monitor settings.

Conclusion

Checking your monitor specs in Windows 11 is easy with built-in settings, DxDiag, GPU control panels, or third-party tools. Whether you’re a gamer adjusting refresh rates, a designer checking color accuracy, or just curious about your display, knowing these specs helps you get the most out of your hardware.

❓ FAQs About Checking Monitor Specs on Windows 11

1. How do I find my monitor’s refresh rate in Windows 11?
Go to Settings > Display > Advanced display to see refresh rate options.

2. Why does my monitor show as “Generic PnP Monitor”?
This usually means the correct monitor driver isn’t installed—update drivers via Device Manager.

3. Can I check HDR support on Windows 11?
Yes, under Settings > Display, look for Use HDR toggle.

4. How do I know my monitor’s model?
Check Device Manager > Monitors or look at the physical label on the monitor.

5. What’s the easiest way to see all monitor specs?
Use Advanced Display Settings in Windows or tools like HWiNFO for detailed information.

Related Posts:

Scroll to Top