Display Optimization

Is Your Refresh Rate Wrong?

March 28, 2026 • 6 Min Read • By TestMyDevice Team

You’ve just spent hundreds of dollars on a state-of-the-art 144Hz or 240Hz gaming monitor. You plug it in, load up your favorite game, but something feels off. It doesn’t feel nearly as smooth as the "UFO Test" videos promised. The truth is: Windows defaults most monitors to 60Hz, regardless of their actual capabilities.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to unlock the full speed of your monitor in less than 60 seconds.

The "Plug and Play" Myth

Many users assume that simply using the right cable (DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1) is enough. While the hardware connection is vital, the operating system requires manual confirmation to switch the signal timing. If you haven't changed your settings, you're likely playing at 60 frames per second on a monitor capable of four times that speed.

Check Your Cable First!

To achieve 144Hz or higher at 1440p or 4K, you must use a DisplayPort 1.4 cable or a high-speed HDMI 2.1 cable. Older HDMI cables (1.4 or lower) are physically bandwidth-limited to 60Hz at higher resolutions.

Step-by-Step: Enabling High Refresh in Windows 11

  1. Open Settings: Press Windows Key + I to open the settings menu.
  2. Navigate to Display: Click on System and then select Display.
  3. Advanced Display: Scroll down to the bottom and click on Advanced display.
  4. Choose Your Rate: Look for the "Choose a refresh rate" dropdown menu. Select the highest available number (e.g., 144Hz, 165Hz, or 240Hz).
  5. Keep Changes: A confirmation box will appear. Click Keep changes to save the new setting.

Bonus: Nvidia Control Panel Method

If you have an Nvidia GPU, it’s often more reliable to use their specialized software:

  1. Right-click your desktop and select Nvidia Control Panel.
  2. Under the "Display" tree on the left, click Change resolution.
  3. Ensure your monitor is selected at the top.
  4. On the right side, find the "Refresh rate" dropdown and select your maximum Hz.

How to Verify It's Working

Don't just trust the settings menu—verify the actual output. Use our Refresh Rate Tester. We use a high-precision browser clock to measure exactly how many unique frames your display is rendering per second. If our tool says 60Hz but Windows says 144Hz, you might have a vertical sync (V-Sync) or driver conflict.

Conclusion

Running a high-end monitor at 60Hz is like driving a supercar in first gear. It takes less than a minute to fix, and the difference in motion clarity and input lag is night and day. Once you go 144Hz+, you’ll never be able to go back!