Did You Know? Your Fast Monitor Might Be Stuck at 60Hz
Bought a 240Hz or 270Hz gaming monitor, plugged it in, and felt like motion did not change much? You are not alone. One of the most common things that happens to gamers is that the monitor quietly runs at 60Hz. Here is why it happens, and how to check and fix it in a minute.
Did you know? A fast monitor does not always run at its top refresh rate automatically
Refresh rate is how many times per second the monitor updates the image. A monitor rated at 270Hz can reach that number, but Windows may run it at a lower rate depending on settings and connection. According to Microsoft, the refresh rates you see in settings depend on your display and what it supports.
How to check the refresh rate in Windows 11
According to Microsoft's official support page:
- Open Start, then Settings.
- Go to System, then Display, then Advanced display.
- Next to "Choose a refresh rate", select the highest rate your monitor supports.
A note from Microsoft: an asterisk (*) next to a refresh rate means it does not support your current resolution, and selecting it will change your display resolution.
Why might the high refresh rate not show up at all?
- Cable or port: not every cable or port can carry a high refresh rate at a high resolution. Use the cable that came with the monitor, ideally DisplayPort if both your monitor and graphics card support it.
- Plugged into the wrong place: if you have a dedicated graphics card, connect the monitor to the card's ports, not the motherboard's.
- Drivers: make sure your graphics driver is up to date.
Myth or fact: "I have to change the refresh rate manually in every game"
Usually not. Microsoft says many popular games automatically use VRR (variable refresh rate) if your monitor supports it, so the display adapts to the game. What matters is that the Windows baseline is set to the highest refresh rate.
What about Dynamic Refresh Rate?
Windows 11 has a feature called Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) that adjusts the refresh rate based on what you are doing. According to Microsoft, it requires a display that supports VRR and at least 120Hz. It should not affect games designed for VRR, but it can limit the maximum refresh rate of other games. If a game seems to run at a lower refresh rate, Microsoft suggests turning DRR off on the same Advanced display page.
Who is this for?
Anyone who just bought a gaming monitor, built a new PC, or feels their games are not as smooth as expected. One simple step can make a big difference.
Our picks at GamerZone
- ASUS TUF Gaming VG249QM1A: 23.8-inch FHD at 270Hz, built for competitive gaming.
- ASUS TUF Gaming VG27AQML1A-W: 27-inch QHD at 260Hz.
Check the current price on the product page.
Quick tips
- Right after setting up the monitor, open Advanced display and check the refresh rate.
- Inside each game, make sure the refresh rate setting is not locked at 60.
- If you change the cable or port, check the refresh rate again.
Bottom line
Your fast monitor deserves to run at full speed. One minute in Windows settings can be the difference between an ordinary experience and a truly smooth one.
Contact us
Not sure which monitor to pick, or need help with setup? Message us on WhatsApp 0564121558 or visit our Olaya or Aqiq branch in Riyadh. Installments are available with Tamara and Tabby.