What refresh rate means and why you might change it

Refresh rate is how many times per second your monitor redraws the image on screen, measured in hertz (Hz). A 60 Hz monitor refreshes 60 times per second. A 144 Hz monitor refreshes 144 times per second. Higher refresh rates can make motion look smoother — especially noticeable in video games, video editing, or fast-scrolling work — but they also use more power and require a graphics card capable of producing that many frames.

You might lower your refresh rate to reduce power consumption on a laptop, or raise it if your monitor supports higher rates and your graphics card can handle them. Some people find higher refresh rates reduce eye strain during long work sessions, though this varies by person. The change takes effect immediately and you can revert it just as quickly if you don't like the result.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users access refresh rate settings through Display Settings, then Advanced Display Settings, then the Refresh Rate dropdown — no restart required.
  • Mac users go to System Settings, then Displays, then select a refresh rate from the available options — availability depends on your monitor and graphics hardware.
  • Your monitor must physically support the refresh rate you select, and your graphics card must be capable of producing that many frames for the setting to work properly.
  • If you set a refresh rate your hardware cannot sustain, you may see flickering, black screens, or artifacts — reverting to a lower rate will fix it immediately.

Changing refresh rate on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, or click the Start menu and type "Settings". In the Settings window, select System from the left sidebar, then click Display.

Scroll down and click Advanced Display Settings. This opens a new window showing your current resolution, refresh rate, and other display details. Look for the Refresh Rate dropdown menu — it will show your current rate (usually 60 Hz by default). Click the dropdown to see all rates your monitor supports. Select the rate you want and the change takes effect immediately. You do not need to restart your computer.

If you do not see a Refresh Rate dropdown, your graphics driver may need updating. Right-click your desktop, select Display Settings (or the equivalent for your graphics card brand), and check for driver updates. NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel all provide driver updates through their websites or through Windows Update.

Changing refresh rate on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click Displays. If you have multiple monitors, select the one you want to adjust.

Look for a Refresh Rate option in the Displays settings. On newer Macs with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3 chips), refresh rate options appear as a dropdown or list of available rates. On Intel-based Macs, the option may be labeled differently or may appear under Resolution settings. Select your desired rate from the list. The change takes effect immediately.

If you do not see refresh rate options, your monitor may not support variable refresh rates, or your Mac's graphics system may not expose that setting for your particular display. External monitors connected via USB-C or Thunderbolt sometimes have limited refresh rate options depending on the cable and adapter used.

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

Your monitor must physically support the refresh rate you are trying to set. A standard 60 Hz monitor cannot display 144 Hz, no matter what your settings say. Check your monitor's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm its maximum refresh rate. The model number is usually printed on the back or bottom of the monitor.

Your graphics card must also be capable of producing frames at that rate. An older graphics card may not be able to push 144 frames per second to a high-resolution monitor. If you set a refresh rate your hardware cannot sustain, you may see flickering, black screens, or visual artifacts. If this happens, restart your computer and return to the refresh rate settings to select a lower rate — the problem will resolve immediately.

For laptops, built-in displays often have a fixed refresh rate (usually 60 Hz) that cannot be changed. External monitors connected to a laptop may offer more options depending on the connection type and graphics hardware.

Understanding Hz and frame rates

Refresh rate and frame rate are related but different. Refresh rate is what your monitor does — it redraws the image 60, 144, or 240 times per second. Frame rate is what your graphics card produces — the number of new images it generates per second. For smooth motion, your frame rate should match or exceed your refresh rate. If your graphics card produces 60 frames per second but your monitor refreshes at 144 Hz, you will see each frame twice and motion will not look as smooth as it could.

Most people notice the difference between 60 Hz and 144 Hz most clearly in games or when scrolling through long documents. The jump from 60 to 144 is more noticeable than the jump from 144 to 240. Beyond 240 Hz, most people cannot perceive additional smoothness, though competitive gamers sometimes prefer higher rates for the slight input lag reduction.

Troubleshooting refresh rate problems

If your monitor flickers after changing the refresh rate, the rate you selected is likely too high for your hardware to sustain. Restart your computer, go back to Display Settings, and select a lower rate. Windows and Mac both revert to a safe default (usually 60 Hz) if a refresh rate causes problems during startup.

If you see a black screen after changing the refresh rate, wait 15 seconds without touching anything — the system will automatically revert to the previous rate if the new one fails. If the screen stays black, restart your computer by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try a lower refresh rate.

If the Refresh Rate option does not appear in your settings at all, check that your monitor is connected with a cable that supports high refresh rates (DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0 or higher for rates above 60 Hz). HDMI 1.4 and older versions are limited to 60 Hz at standard resolutions. Also confirm your graphics driver is current by visiting the manufacturer's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my refresh rate damage my monitor?

No. Your monitor will only display refresh rates it physically supports. If you select a rate it cannot handle, it will either show a black screen or revert to a safe rate automatically. You cannot harm the monitor by selecting an unsupported rate in software.

Does a higher refresh rate use more battery on a laptop?

Yes, slightly. Higher refresh rates require the graphics card to work harder and consume more power. On a laptop running on battery, lowering the refresh rate to 60 Hz can extend battery life by a small amount — usually 5 to 15 percent depending on your workload and hardware.

Can I set different refresh rates for two monitors at once?

Yes. In Windows, go to Advanced Display Settings and select each monitor individually from the dropdown at the top of the window, then set the refresh rate for each one separately. On Mac, click each display in the Displays settings and set the rate for each one. The settings are independent.

What refresh rate should I use for everyday work like email and web browsing?

60 Hz is standard and sufficient for most work. Unless you notice flickering or eye strain, there is no reason to change it. Higher refresh rates are most noticeable during gaming, video editing, or fast scrolling, not during typical office tasks.

Why does my monitor show fewer refresh rate options than the manual says it supports?

Your graphics driver may not recognize all the rates your monitor supports, or your cable may not support higher rates. Update your graphics driver first. If that does not help, try a different cable — DisplayPort and newer HDMI versions support more refresh rates than older HDMI versions.