How to Change Display Refresh Rate

Modern displays support various refresh rates, which determine how many times per second the screen updates its image. Understanding and properly configuring your display's refresh rate can significantly impact your viewing experience, particularly for gaming, video editing, and general desktop use.

Understanding Refresh Rates

A display's refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), represents the number of frames shown per second. Common refresh rates include 60Hz, 75Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, and 240Hz. Higher refresh rates produce smoother motion and reduce screen tearing, making them particularly beneficial for fast-paced applications.

Before adjusting your refresh rate, verify your monitor's capabilities by checking the manufacturer's specifications. Not all monitors support high refresh rates, and using unsupported settings may cause display issues or screen blanking.

Changing Refresh Rate in Windows 11

Windows 11 offers straightforward methods to adjust display refresh rates. The process works with both built-in laptop displays and external monitors.

1. Open Windows Settings by pressing Windows + I
2. Select System > Display
3. Scroll down and click "Advanced display"
4. Under "Choose a refresh rate," select your preferred option from the dropdown menu

For multiple monitor setups, select the target display at the top of the Display settings page before adjusting the refresh rate.

Adjusting Refresh Rate in Windows 10

The process for Windows 10 differs slightly from Windows 11:

1. Right-click on the desktop
2. Select "Display settings"
3. Scroll down and click "Advanced display settings"
4. Click "Display adapter properties"
5. Navigate to the "Monitor" tab
6. Select your desired refresh rate from the "Screen refresh rate" dropdown
7. Click "Apply" and "OK"

macOS Refresh Rate Configuration

Apple systems handle refresh rates differently depending on the display type and connection method.

For built-in displays:

1. Click the Apple menu
2. Select "System Settings"
3. Click "Displays"
4. Click the "Display Settings" button
5. Select your display
6. Choose the desired refresh rate from available options

For external displays, macOS typically auto-selects the optimal refresh rate. Manual adjustment options appear when multiple refresh rates are supported.

Linux Display Configuration

Linux systems offer multiple ways to change refresh rate settings. The graphical method varies by desktop environment.

For GNOME:

1. Open Settings
2. Navigate to Displays
3. Select your monitor
4. Choose the desired refresh rate from available options

For command-line configuration:

1xrandr --output DP-1 --mode 1920x1080 --rate 144

Replace "DP-1" with your display identifier and adjust the resolution and rate values accordingly. Use xrandr without parameters to list available displays and supported modes.

Verifying the Change

After adjusting your refresh rate, verify the change took effect. Most operating systems display a confirmation prompt before applying major display changes. You can use the Refresh Rate Checker to confirm your current refresh rate.

Common Issues and Solutions

Display signal limitations can restrict available refresh rates. DisplayPort typically supports higher refresh rates than HDMI, particularly for high-resolution displays. Check your cable specifications match your desired refresh rate and resolution combination.

Graphics driver updates may introduce new refresh rate options or resolve existing issues. Keep your display drivers current through your operating system's update mechanism or manufacturer-provided software.

Some applications may override system refresh rate settings. Gaming applications often include their own refresh rate controls in their display settings menus.

Display Technology Considerations

Monitor technology affects refresh rate capabilities. TN panels typically support higher refresh rates but offer lower color accuracy compared to IPS displays. Mini-LED and OLED displays may have different refresh rate ranges based on their design and implementation.

Variable refresh rate technologies like NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync can dynamically adjust your display's refresh rate to match your graphics card's frame output, reducing screen tearing and stuttering.

Performance Impact

Higher refresh rates require more graphics processing power. When gaming, maintaining frame rates that match your refresh rate provides the smoothest experience. Monitor your system's performance using built-in tools or third-party utilities to find the optimal balance between visual quality and performance.

The Screen Resolution Analyzer can help determine the best combination of resolution and refresh rate for your setup.

Future Considerations

Display technology continues advancing, with new models supporting refresh rates exceeding 360Hz. When upgrading your display, consider both current and future needs, including connectivity standards and graphics card compatibility.