Check your refresh rate in Windows settings

The fastest way to find your monitor's refresh rate is through Windows Display Settings. Right-click on your desktop and select Display settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the window and click Advanced display settings. Look for a field labeled Refresh rate — the number shown there, measured in hertz (Hz), is what your monitor is currently set to.

The number you see may not be your monitor's maximum refresh rate. Windows sometimes defaults to a lower setting, especially on newer monitors or after a fresh installation. If you want to know the highest refresh rate your monitor can handle, you'll need to check the manufacturer's specifications or look at what options appear in that same dropdown menu.

Find the maximum refresh rate your monitor supports

Click the dropdown menu next to Refresh rate in Advanced display settings. All the refresh rates your monitor can display will appear in that list. The highest number in the list is your monitor's maximum refresh rate. Common maximums are 60 Hz, 75 Hz, 144 Hz, 165 Hz, and 240 Hz, though newer gaming monitors can go higher.

If the dropdown shows only one option (usually 60 Hz), your graphics driver may need an update. Outdated drivers often prevent Windows from recognizing higher refresh rates. Visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer — NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel — read the latest driver for your specific card model, and install it. Restart your computer and check the dropdown again.

Check your monitor's physical specifications

The label on the back or bottom of your monitor lists the refresh rate it was designed for. Look for text that says something like "60 Hz" or "144 Hz" near the power specifications. You can also find this information in the monitor's manual or on the manufacturer's website by searching for your exact model number.

The model number is usually printed on a sticker on the back of the monitor or on the stand. Once you have it, go to the manufacturer's website (Dell, LG, ASUS, BenQ, etc.) and search for your model. The specifications page will list the maximum refresh rate, along with resolution and other technical details.

Key Takeaways

  • Your current refresh rate appears in Windows Display Settings under Advanced display settings, but this may be lower than your monitor's maximum.
  • The dropdown menu next to Refresh rate shows every option your monitor supports, with the highest number being its maximum capability.
  • If you see only 60 Hz in the dropdown, update your graphics driver from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel before assuming that is your monitor's limit.
  • Your monitor's physical label or the manufacturer's website will confirm the refresh rate your monitor was built to handle.

Why refresh rate matters

Refresh rate measures how many times per second your monitor redraws the image on screen. A 60 Hz monitor refreshes 60 times per second. A 144 Hz monitor refreshes 144 times per second. Higher refresh rates make motion appear smoother, which is why gaming monitors often have much higher refresh rates than office monitors.

You only benefit from a high refresh rate if your graphics card can send that many frames to the monitor. If your graphics card outputs 60 frames per second but your monitor refreshes 144 times per second, you will see 60 unique images per second — the monitor's extra capacity sits unused. Conversely, if your graphics card sends 200 frames per second to a 144 Hz monitor, the monitor can only display 144 of them, so some frames are wasted.

Change your refresh rate if needed

If your monitor supports a higher refresh rate than Windows is currently using, you can change it in that same Advanced display settings window. Click the dropdown next to Refresh rate, select the higher number, and click explore. Windows will switch to the new rate and ask you to confirm the change within 15 seconds. If the screen looks wrong or goes black, do nothing — it will revert automatically.

Not all refresh rates work with all resolutions. If you want to use 144 Hz but your monitor only offers 60 Hz in the dropdown at your current resolution, try lowering the resolution slightly. Some monitors can reach higher refresh rates at 1440p but not at 4K, for example. Check your monitor's manual or the manufacturer's specifications to see which combinations of resolution and refresh rate it supports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if Advanced display settings doesn't show a refresh rate option?

Your graphics driver is likely outdated or missing. Visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel), find the latest driver for your specific card model, and install it. Restart your computer and check again. If the option still doesn't appear, your monitor may be connected through a cable that doesn't support high refresh rates — try a DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1 cable instead of an older HDMI or VGA cable.

Does a higher refresh rate use more electricity?

Yes, but the difference is small — usually a few watts. A 144 Hz monitor uses slightly more power than a 60 Hz monitor, but the increase is typically less than 10% of the monitor's total power draw. If power consumption is a concern, you can lower the refresh rate in Windows settings to reduce usage slightly.

Can I set my monitor to a refresh rate higher than its maximum?

No. Windows will only let you select refresh rates your monitor actually supports. If you try to force a higher rate through third-party software, your monitor will either ignore the command or display a distorted image. Stick to the options that appear in the dropdown menu.

Why does my monitor show 59 Hz or 119 Hz instead of 60 Hz or 120 Hz?

This is normal and not a problem. Some monitors and graphics cards use slightly lower refresh rates for technical reasons related to how video signals work. A monitor set to 59 Hz will feel identical to one set to 60 Hz — the difference is too small to notice.