If you’re a gamer then you will know that here every frame counts and every detail matters.
More than twice as many images are shown on a 144 Hz monitor than on a 60 Hz monitor.
You’ve invested in a 144 Hz monitor, expecting to be immersed in unparalleled visual fluidity and responsiveness.
Here you will get all your problems to solve. Follow the steps properly to get the desired output.
Why Is My 144 Hz Monitor Capped at 60 Hz?
If you suspect your monitor is capped at 60 Hz, use a Refresh Rate Checker website to verify and determine the actual refresh rate of your display.
If your 144 Hz monitor is locked at a lower refresh rate of 60 Hz can be pretty confusing. Why this happens reasons are listed below:
1. Monitor Set To 60 Hz By Default
If your 144 Hz monitor is capped at 60 Hz, it could be due to the default setting of the monitor. Check for the following things:
- Go to the start option on your monitor’s screen to get the menu option. from that, you will get the setting option. If you don’t see the settings option then you can search for settings in the search bar.
- After opening the settings option search for the refresh rate on the search bar.
- In the refresh rate option select your appropriate refresh rate, by default, it will be set to 60 Hz.
- After setting your refresh rate, save the changes.
2. HDMI Cable Doesn’t Support 144 Hz
HDMI cables, especially older versions, may have bandwidth limitations that prevent them from transmitting higher refresh rates.
Check the HDMI version: Older HDMI versions, like HDMI 1.4 or earlier, may not be capable of transmitting 144 Hz.
Upgrade to a high-speed HDMI cable: Replace the older HDMI cables with a high-speed cable that supports 144 Hz.
Use a DisplayPort cable: Check if your monitor and graphics card has DisplayPort ports available. If they do, using a DisplayPort cable instead of HDMI may allow you to achieve the desired 144 Hz refresh rate.
3. The Port Doesn’t Support 144 Hz
Different ports have varying capabilities, and some may not be capable of transmitting higher refresh rates.
Check the technical details. Refer to the user manuals to determine which ports support the desired refresh rate.
More refresh rates have a greater probability to be supported by DisplayPort (DP) and newer HDMI versions (HDMI 2.0 and above).
Try a different cable or adapter: Consider using a different cable or adapter if the port on your graphics card or monitor does not support 144 Hz.
4. Outdated Graphics Driver
Outdated drivers may not support higher refresh rates. You may need to update it, so to update the driver, follow the steps given below:
So every laptop has two types of graphics drive, an NVIDIA graphics card and another one is an AMD graphics card.
Update NVIDIA graphics driver:
- Open the browser and search for the NVIDIA graphics card latest drivers.
- After searching you will get the results and easily find the link for the latest drivers.
- Open that link to download the drivers. Inside that link, you will get the download link of the drivers fill in the information, and get the latest driver.
- After downloading the driver, run the installer to install the driver by following the on-screen instructions.
- Restart your computer to get desired output.
Update AMD Graphic Driver:
- Open the browser and search for the AMD graphics card’s latest drivers.
- After searching you will get the results and easily find the link for the latest drivers.
- Open that link to download the drivers. Inside that link, you will get the download link of the drivers, choose the option for your Operating system and get the latest driver.
- After downloading the driver, run the installer to install the driver by following the on-screen instructions.
- Restart your computer to get the desired output.
5. Console Doesn’t Support 144 Hz
It’s important to note that most gaming consoles, such as PlayStation and Xbox, typically do not support refresh rates higher than 60 Hz or 120 Hz.
The standard refresh rate for PlayStation and Xbox is 60 Hz.
If you want to know more about these consoles then you can access the documentation of particular consoles.
To check the specifications and documentation of a console, follow these steps:
- According to your console model, you need to search for the official website of the console manufacturer.
- Like if you have a PlayStation then open the official website of that console. And if you have an Xbox then go to the website of Xbox.
- After opening the site, In the navigation bar, you will get the support option. This section provides the capabilities and technical specifications of the console.
6. Compatibility Issues With The Graphics Card
If you’re facing compatibility issues between your graphics card and your 144 Hz monitor, it could be a limiting factor in achieving the desired high refresh rate.
Check graphics card specifications: Visit the manufacturer’s website or consult the graphics card documentation for accurate information.
Check available ports: DisplayPort is generally recommended for high refresh rate displays, as it offers better bandwidth capabilities compared to HDMI.
Check to see if your graphics card has a dual-link DVI port instead of a DisplayPort, which can also support higher refresh rates.
Use an active adapter: You might need to use an active adapter if your graphics card doesn’t have a port that supports 144 Hz refresh rates.
7. Issues With The Monitor’s Drivers
Problems with the monitor’s drivers can cause various issues. Follow the steps below to fix issues with the monitor. You need to update the monitor’s drivers, here is how:
- Open the device manager from the start menu. And you can also search for the device manager in the search bar.
- You will get the list of monitors. Select the monitor option from the list and double-click on it.
- You will get the option of “Generic PNP monitor”. Double-click on it and explore the Generic Pnp Monitor.
- In this tab, you will see the driver option on the navigation bar. Open that driver’s option and select the option of update driver.
- It will start updating the driver of the monitor.
8. Wrong Settings In The Operating System Or Monitor
It’s possible that the settings in your operating system or monitor are not properly configured.
In Windows 11:
- Start by right-clicking on an empty space on your desktop to open the context menu.
- From the context menu, choose “Display settings” to access the display settings menu.
- In the display settings menu, scroll down to find the “Advanced display settings” link and click on it.
- Under the “Advanced display settings” section, you should see a list of detected displays. Select your 144 Hz monitor from the list.
- Click on the “Display adapter properties” link to open the graphics card properties window.
- In the graphics card properties window, navigate to the “Monitor” tab.
- Select the desired refresh rate, such as 144 Hz, from the available options.
- Click “Apply” and “OK“.
In Windows 10:
- Open the context menu.
- Open the display settings menu from the context menu.
- In the display settings menu, scroll down to find the “Advanced display settings” link and click on it.
- Under the “Advanced display settings” section, you should see a link labeled “Display adapter properties for Display X,” (where X represents the number assigned to your 144 Hz monitor). Click on this link to open the graphics card properties window.
- In the graphics card properties window, navigate to the “Monitor” tab.
- Under the “Monitor settings” section, you should see a drop-down menu labeled “Screen refresh rate.” Select the desired refresh rate, such as 144 Hz, from the available options.
- Click “Apply” and “OK“.
FAQ
What Is A Good Refresh Rate For A Monitor?
The ideal refresh rate for a monitor depends on various factors, including the purpose of the monitor and the content you primarily engage with.
A good refresh rate for a monitor is 144Hz. It provides smooth and responsive visuals, especially for gaming and fast-paced content.
How Do I Change The Refresh Rate On My Monitor?
To change the refresh rate on your monitor, right-click on the desktop, select “Display settings,” scroll down and click on “Advanced display settings,” then choose the desired refresh rate from the drop-down menu under “Refresh rate.” Apply the changes and the new refresh rate will take effect.
How Do I Know If My Monitor Is Running At The Correct Refresh Rate?
To determine if your monitor is running at the correct refresh rate, you can follow these steps:
- Open Display Settings:
- Click on “Advanced display settings“.
- Select your monitor.
- The selected monitor’s current refresh rate will be displayed under the “Refresh rate” section. Make sure the displayed value matches the intended refresh rate, such as 60 Hz, 120 Hz, or 144 Hz.
Conclusion
By addressing various factors that can cause your monitor to be capped at 60 Hz, such as default settings, HDMI cable limitations, and monitor driver issues, you can overcome these obstacles and unlock the full potential of your monitor.
By following these steps and troubleshooting methods, you can optimize your monitor’s refresh rate and enjoy a smooth and fluid visual experience.
