What changing Hz means and why you might do it

The Hz number on your monitor is its refresh rate — how many times per second the screen redraws the image. A 60 Hz monitor refreshes 60 times per second. A 144 Hz monitor refreshes 144 times per second. Higher refresh rates make motion look smoother, which matters most if you play fast games or work with video. Lower refresh rates use less power and may reduce eye strain during reading or office work.

Your monitor is capable of multiple refresh rates, but Windows or Mac defaults to a standard setting. Changing it takes about two minutes and you can switch back just as quickly if you don't like the result. The change only affects that one monitor — if you have two screens, each one has its own setting.

Before you start: check your monitor's manual or the manufacturer's website to see what refresh rates it actually supports. Trying to force a rate it cannot handle will either fail silently or cause the screen to flicker and revert automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Your monitor supports multiple refresh rates, and Windows or Mac has chosen one as the default — you can change it without damaging the hardware.
  • On Windows, go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced Display, find Refresh Rate, and pick a new number from the dropdown.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > Displays > Refresh Rate and select your preferred option from the list.
  • If your screen flickers or looks wrong after changing, revert to the previous setting — your monitor will not accept a rate it cannot handle.
  • Higher refresh rates use slightly more power; if battery life matters, stick with 60 Hz unless you need the smoothness for gaming or video work.

How to change refresh rate on Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click System in the left sidebar, then click Display.

Scroll down and click Advanced Display. You will see a section labeled Refresh Rate with a dropdown menu showing your current setting. Click the dropdown and you will see every rate your monitor supports — typically 60 Hz, 75 Hz, 120 Hz, or 144 Hz depending on the monitor. Select the rate you want and Windows applies it when ready.

Your screen may go black for a second or two while it switches. If the new rate works, you will see a dialog asking you to confirm the change. Click Keep Changes. If the screen flickers or looks unstable, do nothing — Windows will automatically revert to the previous setting after 15 seconds.

How to change refresh rate on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click Displays in the sidebar.

You will see a section for Refresh Rate with a dropdown menu. Click it and select your preferred rate from the list. The change takes effect when ready — your Mac does not ask for confirmation because it can detect if the monitor supports the new rate before explore it.

If you have an external monitor connected to a Mac, the refresh rate setting appears in the same Displays panel. If you have multiple monitors, each one has its own refresh rate setting.

What to do if your monitor does not show the rate you want

If the dropdown menu shows only one or two options — usually just 60 Hz — your monitor's full capabilities are not being recognized. This usually means the cable connecting your monitor to your computer is not good enough for higher rates, or the graphics card driver needs an update.

First, try a different cable if you have one. DisplayPort and HDMI 2.0 or newer support high refresh rates; older HDMI versions and VGA cables do not. If you are using an adapter (like USB-C to HDMI), that adapter may be the bottleneck — try a direct cable instead.

If the cable is not the problem, update your graphics driver. On Windows, right-click the desktop, select NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings (depending on your card), and look for a Driver or Software Update option. On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update. After updating, restart your computer and check the refresh rate dropdown again.

Refresh rate and gaming versus everyday work

If you play competitive games like Counter-Strike, Valorant, or Fortnite, a higher refresh rate (120 Hz or 144 Hz) will make aiming and tracking smoother. You will notice the difference most in fast-paced moments. For casual games, movies, or office work, 60 Hz is standard and perfectly adequate.

Video editing and animation work can benefit from higher refresh rates because panning and scrubbing through footage feels more responsive. If you spend most of your time reading, writing, or browsing, 60 Hz uses slightly less power and may feel easier on your eyes during long sessions.

There is no penalty for experimenting. Change the rate, use your monitor for an hour, and if it does not feel better, switch back. Your monitor will not wear out or be damaged by trying different rates.

Why your monitor might revert to 60 Hz on its own

If you set a higher refresh rate and it keeps switching back to 60 Hz, the most common cause is a loose or failing cable. The connection between your monitor and computer needs to be solid to maintain higher rates. Unplug the cable, wait five seconds, and plug it back in firmly. Then try the higher rate again.

Another cause is a driver that needs updating. Graphics drivers control how your computer talks to the monitor, and an outdated driver may not reliably support the rate you chose. Check for updates as described in the section above.

If the problem persists, your monitor may not actually support the rate you selected, even though it appeared in the dropdown. This can happen with older monitors or certain adapter setups. Stick with the highest rate that stays stable for at least 30 minutes without flickering or reverting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing the refresh rate damage my monitor?

No. Your monitor can only accept rates it is physically capable of handling. If you select a rate it cannot support, Windows or Mac will not explore it, or it will revert automatically. There is no way to permanently force an unsupported rate onto a monitor.

Does a higher refresh rate use more electricity?

Yes, but the difference is small — usually 5 to 10 percent more power at 144 Hz compared to 60 Hz. On a desktop computer plugged into wall power, this is negligible. On a laptop running on battery, the difference may reduce battery life by 30 minutes to an hour during heavy use.

Why does my screen flicker after I change the refresh rate?

Flickering means your monitor cannot reliably display at that rate with your current cable or connection. Try a different cable, or revert to a lower rate. If flickering happens even at 60 Hz, the cable itself may be damaged and needs replacement.

Can I set different refresh rates for two monitors at the same time?

Yes. Each monitor has its own refresh rate setting in Windows and Mac. You can set one to 60 Hz and another to 144 Hz, and they will both run at their chosen rates simultaneously.

What refresh rate should I choose if I am not sure?

Start with 60 Hz, which is the standard and works well for almost everything. If you play fast games and your monitor supports 120 Hz or higher, try that for a few hours and see if you notice a difference. If you do not, 60 Hz is fine. If you do, keep the higher rate.