How to Change Refresh Rate on Monitor in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 21, 2025

Is your monitor looking a little choppy or not as smooth as it should be? Maybe games feel laggy, or scrolling through websites doesn’t look fluid. The solution might be adjusting your refresh rate. In this guide, we’ll cover exactly how to change refresh rate on monitor in Windows 11, why it matters, and how to troubleshoot common problems.

📝 Quick Summary of Key Takeaways

  • Refresh rate = the number of times per second your monitor updates the image (measured in Hz).

  • Windows 11 lets you change refresh rate from Settings > System > Display > Advanced display.

  • Higher refresh rates (120Hz, 144Hz, 240Hz) = smoother motion, great for gaming.

  • Lower refresh rates can save battery on laptops.

  • If your desired refresh rate isn’t available, update graphics drivers or check your cable type.

What Is Refresh Rate? (Explained Simply)

Think of refresh rate as how many “pictures per second” your monitor can display.

  • 60Hz → 60 images per second (standard for most monitors).

  • 120Hz / 144Hz → Smoother gameplay and scrolling.

  • 240Hz+ → Ultra-smooth visuals for competitive gaming.

It’s like flipping through a picture book: the faster the pages turn, the smoother the animation looks.

Why Would You Want to Change Refresh Rate?

You may want to adjust your monitor’s refresh rate for several reasons:

  • Smoother gaming → High refresh rates reduce screen tearing.

  • Better visuals → Crisp animations when browsing or editing.

  • Save battery → Lower refresh rates extend laptop battery life.

  • Match monitor specs → Ensure you’re using the maximum refresh rate your monitor supports.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Change Refresh Rate on Monitor in Windows 11

Here’s the main method most users will use.

1. Open Display Settings

  1. Right-click an empty spot on your desktop.

  2. Click Display settings.

  3. The System > Display window opens.

2. Select the Monitor You Want to Adjust

If you have multiple monitors:

  1. Scroll down to the Multiple displays section.

  2. Select the monitor (Display 1, Display 2, etc.) you want to change.

  3. Click on it to highlight.

3. Open Advanced Display Settings

  1. Scroll down and click Advanced display.

  2. This opens detailed settings for the selected monitor.

4. Change the Refresh Rate

  1. Under Choose a refresh rate, open the drop-down menu.

  2. Select your preferred option (e.g., 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, etc.).

  3. Click Apply.

Your screen may flicker briefly as Windows applies the new refresh rate.

5. Confirm Changes

A pop-up will ask: “Keep these display settings?”

  • Click Keep changes if the screen looks good.

  • If not, Windows will revert after 15 seconds.

Alternate Ways to Change Refresh Rate

Sometimes you may want extra control. Here are alternative methods.

Method 1: Change Refresh Rate via Graphics Driver Control Panel

Depending on your GPU, you can use:

  • NVIDIA Control Panel → Display > Change resolution > Refresh rate.

  • AMD Radeon Software → Display tab > Custom resolutions.

  • Intel Graphics Command Center → Display > Refresh rate.

These often allow advanced tweaking beyond Windows settings.

Method 2: Use Windows Run Command

  1. Press Windows + R.

  2. Type:

    desk.cpl

  3. Go to the Monitor tab.

  4. Choose refresh rate from the drop-down menu.

This is the old-school method still available in Windows 11.

Common Problems (and Fixes) When Changing Refresh Rate

Here are some issues you might face:

Problem Cause Fix
Can’t see higher refresh rate Wrong cable (HDMI vs DisplayPort) Use DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0+
Monitor reverts to 60Hz Outdated graphics driver Update GPU drivers
Option grayed out Monitor doesn’t support higher rate Check monitor’s specs
Flickering after change Wrong resolution & refresh combo Match native resolution

Refresh Rate vs Frame Rate: What’s the Difference?

Many people confuse refresh rate (Hz) with frame rate (FPS):

  • Refresh rate → How many times your monitor updates per second.

  • Frame rate → How many frames your graphics card produces per second.

👉 Example:
If your GPU outputs 120 FPS but your monitor is 60Hz, you’ll only see 60 FPS. To enjoy high FPS gaming, you need both a strong GPU and a high-refresh-rate monitor.

Best Refresh Rates for Different Uses

Use Case Recommended Refresh Rate
Office work / Browsing 60Hz – 75Hz
Casual gaming 75Hz – 120Hz
Competitive gaming (FPS, eSports) 144Hz – 240Hz
Professional design / video editing 120Hz+

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Refresh Rate

  • Use the right cable (DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0+).

  • Update graphics drivers regularly.

  • Make sure your GPU supports high refresh rates.

  • Enable Game Mode in Windows 11 for better performance.

  • Adjust refresh rate per monitor if you use multiple screens.

Conclusion

Changing your monitor’s refresh rate in Windows 11 is easy and can dramatically improve your experience — whether you’re gaming, editing, or just browsing. Simply go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display and choose the refresh rate that fits your needs.

Remember: higher refresh rates give smoother visuals, but also demand more from your GPU and battery. Choose wisely depending on whether you prioritize performance or efficiency.

FAQs: Changing Refresh Rate in Windows 11

1. Can all monitors run at 144Hz or higher?
No, only monitors designed for high refresh rates can go beyond 60Hz.

2. Why is my monitor stuck at 60Hz in Windows 11?
Likely because of the cable, GPU, or monitor limitations. Check compatibility.

3. Does higher refresh rate use more power?
Yes, laptops may drain faster on higher refresh rates.

4. How do I check my current refresh rate?
Go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display — it shows your active rate.

5. Can I change refresh rate per monitor in dual setups?
Yes, you can set each monitor’s refresh rate independently in Display settings.

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