How to Activate High Refresh Rates on Your Gaming Monitor
You have just bought a brand new 144Hz or 240Hz gaming monitor, plugged it in, and loaded up your favourite game. But something feels off. The graphics still look a bit stuttery, and you are not getting that buttery-smooth performance you paid for.
DO NOT PANIC!
Your screen is perfectly fine. Most PCs and laptops default to a standard 60Hz straight out of the box to save power. To get the most out of your new hardware, you just need to adjust a few settings. Here is a quick guide on how to get your screen running at full speed.
Check the Monitor’s Built-in OSD Menu
Before changing settings in Windows, ensure your monitor is configured to allow high refresh rates. Use the physical joystick or buttons on the monitor to access the On-Screen Display (OSD) menu.
Navigate to "Gaming" or "Image Settings" and verify that 'Overclock' or 'Gaming Mode' is enabled. Some monitors default to 60Hz until you tell the hardware itself to run faster.
Use the Right Cable (Physical Connection):
DisplayPort (DP): The best choice for PCs. Use DP 1.2 or newer for adaptive sync (G-Sync/FreeSync) at high refresh rates.
HDMI: Requires HDMI 2.0 (for 1080p/144Hz) or 2.1 (for 4K/120Hz+). Older ports may be capped at 60Hz.
How to change refresh rate in Windows 11
Getting your monitor to display its top speed only takes a few clicks:
Step One
Right-click anywhere on your desktop background.
Step Two
Select Display settings from the menu.
Step Three
Scroll down and click on Advanced display.
Step Four
Look for Choose a refresh rate at the bottom.
Step Five
Select the highest number (e.g., 144Hz or 240Hz) and click Keep changes.
Confirm Settings in Your GPU Software
Your graphics card drivers can override Windows settings. Confirm your changes here for the best results.
For NVIDIA Users:
Right-click desktop > NVIDIA Control Panel.
Go to Display > Change resolution.
Select your refresh rate and click Apply.
For AMD Users:
Right-click desktop > AMD Radeon Software.
Go to Settings > Display.
Verify the reported refresh rate matches your hardware.
The best gaming monitor settings for smooth gameplay
Tweak these extra settings to eliminate lag and ghosting:
G-Sync & FreeSync
Enable Variable Refresh Rate in your GPU panel to match your monitor's speed to your game's FPS, stopping screen tearing instantly.
Pro-Grade Cables
To hit 240Hz or 4K/144Hz, always use a high-quality DisplayPort cable. It provides the bandwidth necessary for high-tier gaming.
Response Time (Overdrive)
Set 'Overdrive' to 'Fast' or 'Medium' in your OSD to reduce motion blur. Avoid the 'Extreme' setting to prevent visual glitches.
Time to upgrade your setup?
If your current screen is capped at 60Hz, you are missing out on a genuine competitive advantage. Faster visual feedback means quicker reaction times.
Browse our full range of gaming monitors and find your next upgrade today.
