Active signal mode in Windows 11 is the resolution and refresh rate your PC is actually sending to the monitor. You’ll find it under Settings > System > Display > Advanced display. You can’t edit that line directly. To change it, change the refresh rate with Choose a refresh rate on the same page, and the resolution with Display resolution on the main Display page. For a specific combination, like 1920 × 1080 at 144 Hz, click Display adapter properties > List All Modes and pick it from the list.
Desktop mode vs. active signal mode
- Desktop mode is the resolution Windows uses to draw your desktop.
- Active signal mode is what the graphics card sends through the cable to the monitor.
They usually match. If the active signal mode is higher or lower than the desktop mode, the graphics driver is scaling the image, which can look blurry. Set both to your monitor’s native resolution for the sharpest picture.
Method 1: Change the refresh rate
- Right-click the desktop and choose Display settings, or go to Settings > System > Display.
- Scroll down and click Advanced display.
- If you have more than one monitor, choose it in Select a display to view or change its settings.
- Open Choose a refresh rate and pick the rate you want, like 144 Hz or 165 Hz.
- Click Keep changes if the screen looks right. Otherwise, it switches back after 15 seconds.
Some monitors also offer Dynamic refresh rates in this menu, which lower the rate automatically to save power.
Method 2: Change the resolution
- Go to Settings > System > Display.
- Under Scale & layout, open Display resolution.
- Choose the one marked (Recommended), which is your monitor’s native resolution, or another option.
- Click Keep changes.
Method 3: Pick an exact mode with List All Modes
- In Advanced display, click Display adapter properties for Display 1.
- On the Adapter tab, click List All Modes.
- Select a combination of resolution, color, and refresh rate, like 2560 by 1440, True Color (32 bit), 144 Hertz.
- Click OK, then Apply, and confirm the change.
Why can’t I choose a higher refresh rate?
- Cable or port: Older HDMI cables and ports can limit refresh rates. Use DisplayPort or an HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 cable for high refresh rates at higher resolutions.
- Wrong port on the PC: On desktop PCs, plug the monitor into the graphics card, not the motherboard.
- Monitor settings: Some monitors need overclock or high refresh mode turned on in their own on-screen menu.
- Graphics driver: Update the driver from Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA, or through Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.
- Resolution too high: Lowering the resolution can unlock higher refresh rates on some displays.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my active signal mode different from my desktop mode?
Your graphics driver is scaling the image. This can happen with custom resolutions, GPU scaling settings, or when a TV reports an odd native resolution. Set both to your display’s native resolution.
Can I set a custom resolution?
Not in Windows Settings. Use your graphics card’s control panel, like NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Software, to create custom resolutions.
Where is active signal mode in Windows 10?
Go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings. The information and steps are similar.
Does a higher refresh rate use more battery?
Yes, on laptops a higher refresh rate uses more power. Choose a lower rate or Dynamic on battery.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He started on a university help desk, spent years as the IT person for small businesses, and has been writing tech guides full time since 2020. Each guide is checked on a device he owns, and re-checked when a menu moves. More about Kermit.