How to Check Your Monitor Refresh Rate in Windows

Monitor refresh rate shows how many times a screen updates the image each second. Windows users can check this value through display settings in a few steps, and supported refresh rate options can also be changed from the same area.

What Does Monitor Hz Mean?

Hz is short for Hertz. It shows how many times a monitor refreshes the image in one second. A 60 Hz screen refreshes 60 times per second, while a 144 Hz screen refreshes 144 times per second.

Refresh rate affects how smooth motion appears on the screen. It is not the same as FPS. Hz refers to the monitor’s display capacity, while FPS refers to how many frames a computer or game produces each second.

How to Check Your Monitor Refresh Rate

The easiest way to check a monitor’s Hz value on a Windows computer is through display settings. This method works on both desktop computers and laptops.

• Right-click an empty area on the desktop.
• Open Display settings.
• Go to Advanced display settings.
• Check the value shown under Refresh rate.

This section shows the current refresh rate of the selected display. When using more than one monitor, users should make sure the correct screen is selected.

How to Check Monitor Hz in Windows 11

In Windows 11, users can find the monitor Hz value through the Settings app. The process can be completed quickly.

• Open Settings.
• Go to System.
• Select Display.
• Open Advanced display.
• Check the value in the refresh rate selection field.

Different supported Hz options may also appear in this area. The list only includes values supported by the monitor and the connection being used.

How to Check Refresh Rate in Windows 10

In Windows 10, the refresh rate can also be checked through display settings. On some systems, the value may appear under advanced display settings or display adapter properties.

• Right-click the desktop and open Display settings.
• Go to Advanced display settings.
• Open Display adapter properties if needed.
• Go to the Monitor tab.
• Check the value under Screen refresh rate.

These steps allow Windows 10 users to complete the screen refresh rate check through system settings.

How to Change Monitor Refresh Rate

If the monitor supports more than one refresh rate, users can select a different Hz value from Windows display settings. This option is available in the refresh rate menu under advanced display settings.

Not every monitor can run at 144 Hz, 165 Hz, or higher values. Windows only shows options supported by the monitor, graphics card, and connection type.

Why a 144 Hz Monitor Shows as 60 Hz

A 144 Hz monitor showing 60 Hz may be caused by connection, settings, or driver issues. Even if the monitor supports a higher refresh rate, the correct value may not be selected in Windows.

Possible causes include the wrong cable, HDMI or DisplayPort version limitations, outdated graphics drivers, in-game FPS limits, V-Sync settings, or a required setting in the monitor’s own menu.

Users should first check the Windows refresh rate settings, then review the cable and connection type. On external monitors, the port being used can also affect the supported Hz value.

Can Online Tools Test Screen Hz?

Online tools such as UFO Test and Vsync Tester can help check a screen’s refresh rate through a browser. These tools may show the detected refresh rate of the display.

However, online tests should be used as a supporting method. The main control point should be Windows display settings, because they show the refresh rate currently used by the operating system.

How to Check Laptop Screen Hz

Laptop users can check the screen refresh rate from the same advanced display settings in Windows. If an external monitor is connected, the laptop screen and the external display must be checked separately.

A laptop’s built-in display may support 60 Hz, while an external monitor may support 144 Hz. Checking the wrong display can lead to an incorrect result.

Why Monitor Hz Matters in Games

A higher Hz value can provide smoother motion in games. Refresh rates such as 120 Hz, 144 Hz, or higher may be useful in games with fast camera movement.

To benefit fully from a high refresh rate, the graphics card also needs to produce enough FPS. If a monitor is 144 Hz but a game runs at 60 FPS, the experience will still be limited by the frame rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 60 Hz Enough?

For daily use, web browsing, office work, and watching videos, 60 Hz may be enough for many users. Users who play games or want smoother motion may prefer a higher refresh rate.

Does 144 Hz Work on Every Computer?

To use 144 Hz, the monitor, graphics card, and connection cable must support that refresh rate. If there is no support, the 144 Hz option may not appear in Windows settings.

Are Hz and FPS the Same?

No. Hz shows how many times a monitor refreshes each second. FPS shows how many frames a computer or game produces each second.

Can Every Monitor Be Set to 144 Hz?

No. A monitor can only run at refresh rates supported by its hardware. A 60 Hz monitor cannot be changed to 144 Hz through settings alone.

Can HDMI Deliver 144 Hz?

Getting 144 Hz over HDMI depends on the monitor, graphics card, cable, and HDMI version being used. In some cases, a DisplayPort connection may be required for higher refresh rates.