Why Should You Check Your Refresh Rate?
This happens way more than you'd expect: someone gets a new 144Hz monitor, plugs it in, and games for months at 60Hz because they never switched the refresh rate in their settings. Don't be that person. Run the test and find out.
Your refresh rate also sets the limit on how many frames your screen can display each second. Even if your system is producing very high FPS, your monitor can only show up to its set refresh rate. If it’s set too low, you won’t see the full benefit. Want to know how many frames your system is actually producing? Try our FPS Test.
Why is My 144Hz Monitor Stuck at 60Hz? (How to Fix It)
You unboxed your shiny new 144Hz gaming monitor, plugged it in, fired up your favorite game, and something feels off. It still looks like your old 60Hz screen. You are not alone, this is one of the most common problems gamers run into.
Here are the most common culprits, ranked from easiest to fix to most overlooked:
- Wrong cable: That old HDMI cable from 2015 might not support 144Hz. Use DisplayPort 1.2+ or a certified HDMI 2.0+ cable.
- Wrong port: Some monitors only support 144Hz on specific ports. Check your manual DisplayPort is usually the safest bet.
- Windows is set to 60Hz: Windows often defaults to 60Hz even on a 144Hz monitor. You have to manually change it in Display Settings.
- Outdated GPU drivers: Old NVIDIA or AMD drivers can hide higher refresh rate options. Keep your drivers updated.
- Using integrated graphics: If your monitor is plugged into the motherboard instead of the graphics card, you might be stuck at 60Hz.
How to Change Your Refresh Rate
On Windows 10/11: Right-click your desktop → Display settings → Advanced display settings → Choose your display → Set the refresh rate from the dropdown. If you don't see the higher option, check your cable and GPU driver.
On Mac: System Preferences → Displays → Hold Option and click "Scaled" to see refresh rate options. ProMotion MacBook Pros support up to 120Hz. External monitors depend on your cable and port.
On Linux: Use xrandr to check available refresh rates and set your preferred one. For example: xrandr --output HDMI-1 --mode 1920x1080 --rate 144
Cables and Connections: The Hidden Bottleneck
Your cable can be the reason you're stuck at a lower refresh rate. Here's a quick reference:
| Cable Type | Max Resolution @ Refresh Rate |
|---|---|
| HDMI 1.4 | 1080p @ 120Hz, 1440p @ 60Hz, 4K @ 30Hz |
| HDMI 2.0 | 1080p @ 240Hz, 1440p @ 144Hz, 4K @ 60Hz |
| HDMI 2.1 | 4K @ 120Hz, 8K @ 60Hz |
| DisplayPort 1.2 | 1080p @ 240Hz, 1440p @ 165Hz, 4K @ 75Hz |
| DisplayPort 1.4 | 1440p @ 240Hz, 4K @ 120Hz (with DSC) |
If your monitor and GPU both have DisplayPort, use that over HDMI. DisplayPort handles high refresh rates better, especially at higher resolutions.
Adaptive Sync: G-Sync and FreeSync
Normal monitors refresh the screen at a fixed rate, even if your FPS is constantly changing. When these don’t match, you can get screen tearing, where parts of different frames appear on the screen at the same time. Adaptive sync fixes this problem by adjusting the monitor’s refresh rate in real time to match your GPU’s output. This keeps motion smooth and eliminates tearing without adding noticeable delay.
NVIDIA G-Sync works with NVIDIA GPUs. There are dedicated G-Sync modules (expensive, premium monitors) and "G-Sync Compatible" (cheaper, works via VESA Adaptive Sync). AMD FreeSync works with AMD GPUs and is free for monitor manufacturers to implement, making it much more common. Most modern NVIDIA GPUs also support FreeSync monitors.
If your monitor supports adaptive sync, make sure it's turned on in both your monitor's OSD menu and your GPU settings. It makes a big difference - you get smooth frames without the input lag that VSync adds.