First, measure it
Open the refresh rate test on the monitor in question and wait a couple of seconds. If it reads 60 Hz on a screen sold as 120 Hz or more, work through the checks below, then measure again after each change.
1. Pick the higher rate in your system settings
Operating systems often default a new monitor to 60 Hz.
- Windows 11: Settings › System › Display › Advanced display, then choose the highest value under Choose a refresh rate. With several screens, select the right display at the top first.
- Windows 10: Settings › System › Display › Advanced display settings › Refresh rate.
- macOS: System Settings › Displays, then pick from the Refresh rate menu.
- Graphics control panels: NVIDIA Control Panel (Change resolution) and AMD Software (Display) can override the system list. Check that they agree.
2. Check the cable and the port
High refresh rates at high resolutions need a lot of bandwidth. An older cable or port can quietly cap you at 60 Hz.
| Connection | Typical high-refresh limit |
|---|---|
| HDMI 1.4 | 1080p at around 120 Hz; 4K only at 30 Hz |
| HDMI 2.0 | 1440p at 144 Hz; 4K at 60 Hz |
| HDMI 2.1 | 4K at 120 Hz and above |
| DisplayPort 1.2 | 1440p at 144 Hz or more; 4K at 60 Hz |
| DisplayPort 1.4 | 4K at 120–144 Hz (higher with compression) |
Exact limits depend on color depth and whether the monitor and graphics card support compression, so treat these as a guide. If you can, use the DisplayPort cable that came in the box. On a desktop PC, plug into the graphics card’s ports, not the motherboard’s.
3. Look in the monitor’s own menu
Some monitors need a setting changed before they offer their top rate, such as switching the DisplayPort mode to 1.2 or 1.4, or enabling an “overclock” option for advertised rates like 165 or 180 Hz. Check the on-screen menu and the manual.
4. Turn off power saving
- Laptops may drop to 60 Hz on battery. Plug in, or look for a refresh rate option in the laptop maker’s control app and in Windows’ dynamic refresh rate setting.
- iPhone and iPad with ProMotion cap at 60 Hz in Low Power Mode, and also when Limit Frame Rate is on under Settings › Accessibility › Motion.
- Android phones usually have a Motion smoothness, Smooth display or Screen refresh rate option under Display, and battery saver can override it.
5. Rule out the browser
Browsers can limit animation when the system is busy, a tab is in the background, or hardware acceleration is turned off. If games feel smooth but the browser test shows 60 Hz, check that hardware acceleration is on in your browser’s settings and that the window is on the fast monitor. Some phone browsers also limit web pages to 60 Hz regardless of the screen.
Variable refresh is different
With G-Sync, FreeSync or adaptive sync, the monitor matches the refresh rate to the frame rate of what’s on screen. That’s normal, and it means readings can move around with content. A desktop that reads a steady value near your monitor’s maximum is a good sign everything is set up.
Then check how motion looks
Once the rate is right, the ghosting test shows how clean moving objects look, and is a good way to compare your monitor’s overdrive or response time settings.