How to Change Screen Refresh Rate in Windows

The screen refresh rate affects how smoothly moving objects appear on your monitor. Higher refresh rates can significantly enhance gaming and work experiences, especially when viewing dynamic content. This guide will show you how to change the screen refresh rate in Windows on computers running different versions of the OS.

1. How to Check Your Current Screen Refresh Rate

Before changing the refresh rate, it’s a good idea to check your current setting. Here’s how:

  1. Press Win + I to open Windows Settings.
  2. Go to System, then select Display.
  3. Scroll down and choose Advanced display settings.
  4. You’ll see the current refresh rate listed under Refresh rate.

2. How to Change the Screen Refresh Rate in Windows 10 and Windows 11

In Windows 10 and Windows 11, you can adjust the screen refresh rate through system settings. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
  2. Go to System and select Display.
  3. Find and click on Advanced display settings.
  4. Under Refresh rate, you’ll see a dropdown list of available rates. Choose the desired rate (e.g., 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, etc.).
  5. Click Apply to save the changes. Your screen might flicker or briefly go black—this is normal.

Remember, available refresh rates depend on the specifications of your monitor and graphics adapter. If the rate you want isn’t listed, check if your monitor supports it.

3. How to Change the Refresh Rate via Graphics Adapter Control Panel

If your computer uses an NVIDIA or AMD graphics adapter, you can change the refresh rate through their control panels:

For NVIDIA Users

  1. Right-click on the desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.
  2. In the left menu, go to Change resolution.
  3. Locate the Refresh rate field and select the desired rate from the list.
  4. Click Apply.

For AMD Users

  1. Right-click on the desktop and select AMD Radeon Settings.
  2. Go to the Display section.
  3. Select the desired screen refresh rate.

4. Potential Issues When Changing the Refresh Rate

Changing the refresh rate may occasionally lead to issues, especially if your hardware doesn’t support the selected setting:

  • Black Screen: If your screen goes black after applying changes, don’t worry. After a few seconds, the system will automatically revert to the previous settings.
  • Flickering or Distortion: These issues may occur if the selected rate is too high. Go back to a lower refresh rate for stable performance.