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To change a screen’s refresh rate, open Windows display settings, select the display you want to adjust, and choose a rate it supports. In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display. In Windows 10, go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings.
Change the refresh rate in Windows
Windows 11
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Open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display.
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If more than one display is connected, select the display you want to change.
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Under Choose a refresh rate, select the rate you want. The display information panel shows the selected display’s current resolution and refresh rate, and whether it supports variable refresh rate (VRR).
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Windows 10
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Open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings.
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If multiple displays are connected, select the one you want under Choose Display.
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Select the desired refresh rate.
Microsoft explains that a 60 Hz display updates the screen 60 times per second. The rates listed in Windows depend on the selected display and what the current setup supports; an advertised monitor rate is not necessarily available at every resolution or connection configuration. Microsoft’s refresh-rate instructions describe the available settings.
Choose a rate that suits your use
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For smoother motion: A higher refresh rate can make motion appear smoother, but it uses more power. On a laptop, a lower rate can help conserve battery; Microsoft does not specify a typical battery-life gain.
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For a particular resolution: Check the resolution as well as the rate. Windows marks a rate with an asterisk when it does not support the current resolution; selecting it changes the resolution to achieve that rate.
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For gaming: If your display supports VRR, some popular games use VRR automatically, so you may not need to change the refresh rate manually. This depends on the game and display.
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Use Dynamic Refresh Rate in Windows 11
Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) automatically adjusts refresh rate based on activity, aiming to provide smoothness when needed and save power at other times. To turn it on or off, open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display and use the Dynamic refresh rate toggle if it appears.
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Microsoft’s current guidance requires a display that supports VRR and has a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz. DRR is not available on every Windows 11 device, and Microsoft says Windows 10 does not support DRR. Microsoft says DRR should not affect games designed for VRR, but it can limit the maximum refresh rate of other games. If a game runs at a lower rate after you enable DRR, turn DRR off to check whether that resolves it.
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When a refresh rate is missing or causes a problem
The rate you want is not listed
First confirm that you selected the correct display. Windows only lists rates supported by that display and the current configuration. Check whether a listed rate has an asterisk: using it changes the resolution. For an external display, make sure its cables are connected properly to the PC or dock. Microsoft also recommends checking Windows Update when setting up external displays. Microsoft’s multiple-monitor guidance explains how to manage connected screens.
Video playback stalls with multiple monitors
If video repeatedly stops and starts while you use multiple monitors, differing refresh rates may be a factor. Microsoft suggests setting all monitors to the same rate as a troubleshooting step. This is a targeted fix to try, not a diagnosis for every playback problem. See Microsoft’s external-monitor troubleshooting guidance.
HDR colors look wrong over HDMI
For the specific HDR color problem Microsoft describes, use DisplayPort if the display supports HDR over DisplayPort. If HDMI is the only option, Microsoft lists lowering the refresh rate to 30 Hz, when available, or reducing resolution as possible workarounds. These are problem-specific options, not general recommendations for choosing a refresh rate. Microsoft’s HDR troubleshooting article covers the issue.
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Windows 10 still allows you to adjust the refresh rate using Display settings, but Microsoft support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft says the PC will continue to work, but it no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes. Microsoft recommends moving to Windows 11. Read Microsoft’s Windows 10 support notice.
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