Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Change the refresh rate in Settings > System > Display > Advanced display. If 144 Hz is missing, first check that Windows has the correct monitor selected, then review the monitor’s supported modes, the resolution, and the graphics driver. Windows only lists rates available to the selected display and its current configuration.
Change the refresh rate in Windows 11
-
Open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display.
-
If more than one display is connected, choose the monitor you want to adjust.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Under Choose a refresh rate, select the rate you want.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Sceptre New 22-Inch Gaming Monitor, FHD 1080p, Up to 144Hz, HDMI, DisplayPort, Built-in Speakers, Machine Black (E225W-FW144 Series, 2026)- 【INTEGRATED SPEAKERS】Whether you're at work or in the midst of an intense gaming session, our built-in speakers provide rich and seamless audio, all while keeping your desk clutter-free.
- 【EASY ON THE EYES】 Protect your eyes and enhance your comfort with Blue-Light Shift technology. This feature reduces harmful blue light emissions from your screen, helping to alleviate eye strain during long hours of use and promoting healthier viewing habits.
- 【WIDEN YOUR PERSPECTIVE】Our sleek minimal bezel design ensures undivided attention. The nearly bezel-free display seamlessly connects in a dual monitor arrangement, delivering an unobstructed view that lets you focus on more at once, completely distraction-free.
-
Check the resolution and refresh rate shown in the display information panel to confirm the result.
The available choices depend on the selected display and the modes it supports. Microsoft’s instructions for changing the refresh rate describe this Settings path.
Rank #2
- Vivid Color, Fast Response, Total Control - The 24" UltraGear FHD gaming monitor delivers vivid HDR10 color, ultra-smooth 120Hz speed, and 1ms MBR clarity. G-SYNC compatibility & FreeSync keep gameplay tear-free. The sleek, slim design keep you focused and in control.
- Vivid Color That Puts You in the Action - Step onto the battlefield with HDR10 visuals and up to 99% sRGB color gamut coverage. The IPS display delivers rich, vivid tones, so every explosion, shadow, and landscape appears exactly as the developers intended.
- 120Hz Native Speed (144Hz Overclock) - Enjoy fluid, crystal-clear gameplay with a 120Hz native refresh rate, boosted to 144Hz when overclocked. Minimized motion blur keeps every frame sharp, so you can stay locked in on the action.
- 1ms MBR: Fast-Paced Speed to Victory - 1ms Motion Blur Reduction (MBR) keeps gameplay smooth and sharp, cutting blur and ghosting so fast-moving action stays clear—helping you stay competitive when every millisecond counts.
- NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible & AMD FreeSync - NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible and AMD FreeSync deliver smooth, tear-free, low-latency gaming with high refresh rates—so every frame stays sharp.
Why 144 Hz may be missing
A missing 144 Hz choice does not, by itself, mean you need a different monitor. Check these factors in order; the exact cause depends on your monitor, graphics hardware, resolution, connection, and driver.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Make sure Windows has the right display selected
On the Advanced display page, confirm the selected display is the one you want to run at 144 Hz. When multiple displays are attached, the refresh-rate choices shown apply to the selected one.
Rank #3
- MSI's 23.8-inch Full HD IPS gaming monitor (1920×1080) delivers a 1500:1 contrast ratio with wide 178°/178° viewing angles — producing deeper blacks, brighter highlights, and accurate colors from virtually any position for gaming and productivity.
- TÜV Rheinland certified Flicker Free and Low Blue Light — eliminating the ~200Hz screen flicker common on standard monitors and reducing harmful blue light exposure to minimize eye strain during extended gaming or work sessions.
- 144Hz high refresh rate delivers ultra-smooth motion and sharper tracking versus standard 60Hz or 75Hz monitors — keeping every frame fluid and responsive for fast-paced FPS, racing, and action games without screen tearing or stuttering.
- MSI's built-in Eye-Q Check provides a vision assessment tool to help optimize display settings for healthier long-term viewing — designed for professionals and students spending extended hours in front of a Full HD IPS screen.
- Tilt-adjustable stand (-5°~20°) for comfortable viewing at any desk setup, with VESA 100×100mm wall mount compatibility for monitor arms, brackets, and multi-monitor arrangements — reducing neck strain during long gaming or work sessions.
Verify the monitor supports 144 Hz in your configuration
Check the monitor’s specifications for its supported refresh rates. A display cannot be made to support 144 Hz through a Windows setting if that rate is not among its supported modes.
Check the resolution and any marked refresh-rate choices
Microsoft notes that an asterisk beside a refresh rate indicates that it does not support the current resolution. Choosing a marked rate changes the display resolution to achieve that rate. Before accepting a change, check the resolution associated with the mode and decide whether that trade-off is acceptable.
Rank #4
- up to 180Hz Refresh Rate: Pushing beyond the standard 144Hz, 165Hz gives gamers an edge in visibility as frames transition instantly, leaving behind no blurred images.
- IPS Panel: The IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel cannot be beat when it comes to consistently delivering top color performance and sharp visibility from multiple viewing angles.
- AMD FreeSync: With FreeSync, gamers now enjoy smooth video and seamless on the spot movement through their fast paced games. FreeSync is an AMD technology that nearly eliminates tearing and stuttering due to differences between a graphics card's frame rate and a monitor's refresh rate.
- Edgeless Design: Edgeless Design completely immerses you in all the captivating action and wondrous scenery that 1080P resolution and 165Hz refresh rate have to offer.
- Multiple Digital Ports: While three HDMI ports each deliver an impressive 144Hz refresh rate, one DisplayPort produces a stunning 165Hz refresh rate, all in FHD resolution.
Check whether Windows is using a generic graphics driver
In Device Manager, a graphics device shown as Microsoft Basic Display Adapter is using a generic driver rather than an available manufacturer-specific one. Microsoft recommends installing the appropriate driver for the best experience. Check Windows Update or the support page for your PC or graphics-device maker for a suitable driver; Microsoft also recommends checking for graphics-driver updates when Windows shows unexpected resolution changes. See Microsoft’s explanation of Microsoft Basic Display Adapter and its guidance on troubleshooting unexpected screen resolution changes.
Recommended Free Tools
Check the actual connection’s documented limits
Supported resolutions and refresh rates can depend on the monitor, graphics hardware, and the connection between them. Consult the manuals for both devices to check the supported modes over the connection you are using. There is no universal cable or port fix established for every missing 144 Hz option, so do not assume an accessory is needed before checking the existing setup.
Best Value
- 27" 1500R Up to 160Hz Curved Gaming Monitor FHD 1920x1080P 1Ms (MPRT) for Gaming, Movie, Working,support with 144Hz, 120Hz(depend on signal source device's hardware).
- Gamer-Centric Features: Game Assistant (Black Level Adjustment(shadow booster), Crosshair, Timer, Counter) | Preset Modes (FPS/RTS/Racing/Office/Movie/SRGB).
- Immersive & Clear Viewing: 1500R curvature reduces image distortion and eyestrain. 160Hz refresh rate, 1ms (MPRT) response time, FreeSync
- Color Control: 4000:1 Contrast Ratio, 300 nits Brightness & 110% sRGB color coverage, Low Blue Light, Anti-Flicker/Anti-Glare, HDR Mode(can be enabled in the OSD menu only when connected via an HDMI port). If color not showing great on games, try to change color setting or just turn on the HDR mode.
- Jacks: HDMI 2.0(160Hz max), DP 1.4(160Hz max), Audio Jack(No Speakers) | VESA 100x100mm | Tilt (-5°~15°±2°).
Dynamic Refresh Rate is a separate setting
Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) adjusts the refresh rate automatically based on activity; it is not the same as manually choosing a fixed rate. Microsoft says DRR requires a display that supports variable refresh rate and a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz. If supported, find the Dynamic refresh rate toggle under Settings > System > Display > Advanced display.
Microsoft cautions that DRR can limit the maximum refresh rate of some games. If a game appears to run at a lower rate, Microsoft recommends turning DRR off and checking whether that resolves the issue.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
