Your monitor’s refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz), is how many times per second the screen updates. A standard monitor runs at 60Hz, while gaming monitors often support 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz, or more. Many people buy a high-refresh monitor and never realize Windows is still running it at 60Hz. This guide shows how to check your current refresh rate in Windows 10, how to change it, and what to do if the higher option doesn’t appear.
Quick answer
Open Settings > System > Display, scroll down, and click Advanced display settings. The current refresh rate is shown under Display information, and you can change it in the Refresh rate drop-down.
Method 1: Check in Settings
- Right-click the desktop and choose Display settings, or press Windows + I and go to System > Display.
- Scroll down and click Advanced display settings.
- If you have more than one monitor, choose the one you want under Choose display.
- Look for Refresh rate (Hz) in the Display information section.
Method 2: Check in Display adapter properties
This older method works on every version of Windows 10.
- On the Advanced display settings page, click Display adapter properties for Display 1.
- Open the Monitor tab.
- The current rate appears under Screen refresh rate.
Method 3: Check with PowerShell
Open PowerShell and run:
Get-CimInstance Win32_VideoController | Select-Object Name, CurrentRefreshRateThis lists your graphics adapter and the refresh rate it’s currently sending.
Method 4: Check in your graphics software
- NVIDIA: Right-click the desktop, open NVIDIA Control Panel, and go to Display > Change resolution. The refresh rate is listed next to the resolution.
- AMD: Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition and check the Display tab.
- Intel: Open Intel Graphics Command Center and select Display.
How to change the refresh rate
- Go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings.
- Select the monitor.
- Open the Refresh rate drop-down and pick the highest number your monitor supports.
- Click Keep changes when asked. If the screen goes black, wait 15 seconds and Windows will switch back automatically.
On older Windows 10 versions without the drop-down, use the Monitor tab in Display adapter properties and choose a rate from the Screen refresh rate list.
Why can’t I select a higher refresh rate?
- Cable or port limits: Older HDMI ports and cables may cap high-refresh monitors at 60Hz. DisplayPort, or a newer HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 connection, is usually needed for 144Hz and up at higher resolutions.
- Wrong port: On desktops, plug the monitor into the graphics card, not the motherboard’s video output.
- Resolution too high: Some monitors support their top refresh rate only at certain resolutions. Use the monitor’s native resolution.
- Outdated drivers: Update your graphics driver from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel, or through Windows Update.
- Monitor settings: Some monitors have overclock or “high refresh” modes that must be turned on in the monitor’s own menu.
Test your refresh rate in a browser
Online refresh-rate test pages can confirm what your screen is really displaying, which is useful for spotting a cable problem. Close other tabs and make sure your browser isn’t in power-saving mode before testing.
Common refresh rates
| Refresh rate | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 60Hz | Standard office monitors, most laptops, TVs |
| 75Hz | Budget monitors with slightly smoother motion |
| 120Hz to 144Hz | Gaming monitors and many newer laptops |
| 165Hz to 240Hz+ | Competitive gaming monitors |
Multiple monitors with different refresh rates
Each monitor keeps its own refresh rate, so a 144Hz gaming screen and a 60Hz office monitor can run side by side. Set each one separately by choosing it under Choose display on the Advanced display settings page. If you notice stutter in games or videos when mixing rates, update your graphics driver and make sure your main game runs on the faster monitor.
Does refresh rate matter?
For everyday work, 60Hz is fine. Higher refresh rates make scrolling, mouse movement, and games feel noticeably smoother, and many competitive gamers prefer 144Hz or more. Your graphics card needs to produce enough frames per second to take advantage of a high refresh rate.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between Hz and FPS?
Hz is how often the monitor redraws the screen. FPS is how many frames your computer produces. For the smoothest picture, FPS should match or exceed the refresh rate.
Will a higher refresh rate use more power?
Slightly, especially on laptops. Switch to 60Hz on battery if you want longer battery life.
Why does my laptop show two refresh rate options?
Some laptop screens support both 60Hz and a higher rate. Pick the higher rate when plugged in for smoother motion.
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.