Windows 11 is the latest operating system designed and developed by Microsoft Corporation. It comes with many new features and improved user experience. One of the most important features of any operating system is its refresh rate. Refresh rate is the number of times per second that your screen updates its image. It is measured in Hertz (Hz). A higher refresh rate enables smooth motion and reduces screen tearing. Most modern monitors support refresh rates up to 144 Hz. Windows 11 allows you to change the refresh rate of your monitor according to your preference. In this blog, we will discuss how to change the refresh rate on Windows 11 with detailed steps.
Video Tutorial:
Requirements
You need to have a Windows 11 installed on your system, and a monitor that supports different refresh rates. You can check the supported refresh rates of your monitor in its specifications manual. Make sure your monitor is connected to your computer through the correct type of video cable. You can use HDMI or DisplayPort cable to connect your monitor. Also, make sure that your graphics card supports the desired refresh rate.
What should be paid attention to?
Before changing the refresh rate of your monitor, you should be aware of a few things. Firstly, using a higher refresh rate consumes more resources on your computer. If you have an older computer or a low-end graphics card, it might not be able to handle higher refresh rates. Secondly, not all applications support higher refresh rates. Some applications may display ghosting or stuttering at higher refresh rates. Lastly, changing the refresh rate of your monitor may void its warranty. So, before proceeding with any of the following methods, be sure to keep these things in mind.
Method 1: Using Windows Settings
To change the refresh rate on Windows 11 using settings, follow these steps:
1. Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings from the context menu.
2. In the Display settings, scroll down to the Advanced display settings and click on it.
3. In the Advanced display settings, scroll down to the Display adapter properties for Display 1 and click on it.
4. In the Display adapter properties, go to the Monitor tab.
5. Under the Monitor settings, select the desired refresh rate from the Screen refresh rate dropdown menu.
6. Click on Apply and then OK to save the changes.
Method 2: Using Graphics Card Control Panel
To change the refresh rate on Windows 11 using graphics card control panel, follow these steps:
1. Right-click on the desktop and select your graphics card control panel from the context menu. It could be AMD Radeon Settings, Intel Graphics Control Panel, or NVIDIA Control Panel depending on your graphics card.
2. In the graphics card control panel, find the display settings or display options.
3. Look for the refresh rate settings in the display settings or display options.
4. Select the desired refresh rate and click on Apply or OK to save the changes.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Software
There are many third-party software available that allow you to change the refresh rate of your monitor. One such software is CRU (Custom Resolution Utility). To change the refresh rate on Windows 11 using CRU, follow these steps:
1. Download the CRU software from the official website or any third-party software provider.
2. Extract the downloaded file and run the CRU.exe file.
3. In the CRU window, click on the Add button under the Detailed resolutions section.
4. In the Add detailed resolution window, set the desired refresh rate in the Refresh rate section.
5. Click on OK to save the changes.
6. Click on OK again to close the CRU window.
7. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Why Can’t I Change the Refresh Rate?
There could be several reasons why you cannot change the refresh rate on your Windows 11 computer. Some of the common reasons are:
1. Your monitor does not support different refresh rates.
2. Your graphics card does not support the desired refresh rate.
3. Your video cable is not capable of handling higher refresh rates.
4. The required video driver is not installed on your computer.
5. You do not have the necessary permissions to change the refresh rate.
To fix these issues, you can try the following solutions:
1. Check your monitor specifications manual to see if it supports different refresh rates. If not, you need to buy a new monitor that supports different refresh rates.
2. Check your graphics card specifications manual or manufacturer’s website to see if it supports the desired refresh rate. If not, you need to buy a new graphics card that supports the desired refresh rate.
3. Check your video cable specifications manual or manufacturer’s website to see if it is capable of handling higher refresh rates. If not, you need to buy a new video cable that is capable of handling higher refresh rates.
4. Download and install the latest video driver from the manufacturer’s website.
5. Log in as an administrator and try changing the refresh rate again.
Suggestions
Before changing the refresh rate of your monitor, make sure that your system can handle higher refresh rates. Consider upgrading your graphics card or monitor if necessary. Also, make sure to check the compatibility of your video cable before upgrading the refresh rate. Moreover, be sure to download and install the latest video driver to avoid any compatibility issues.
FAQs
Q1. Does changing the refresh rate affect my gaming performance?
A1. Yes, changing the refresh rate affects your gaming performance. Higher refresh rates provide smoother motion, reduced screen tearing, and faster response time, resulting in improved gaming experience.
Q2. How do I know my monitor’s refresh rate?
A2. You can check your monitor’s refresh rate in the Display adapter properties. Right-click on the desktop > Display settings > Advanced display settings > Display adapter properties for Display 1 > Monitor tab > Screen refresh rate.
Q3. Can I set the refresh rate above my monitor’s maximum supported refresh rate?
A3. No, you cannot set the refresh rate above your monitor’s maximum supported refresh rate. Doing so may damage your monitor.
Q4. Can I change the refresh rate of my laptop’s monitor?
A4. Yes, you can change the refresh rate of your laptop’s monitor if it is supported by your laptop’s graphics card.
Q5. Do all games support higher refresh rates?
A5. No, not all games support higher refresh rates. Some games may experience ghosting, stuttering, or lag at higher refresh rates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, changing the refresh rate on Windows 11 is an easy and straightforward process. You can change the refresh rate using the settings, graphics card control panel, or third-party software. However, before changing the refresh rate, make sure that you have a monitor that supports different refresh rates and a graphics card that can handle higher refresh rates. Be sure to download and install the latest video driver for compatibility issues. By following the steps outlined in this blog, you can change the refresh rate on your Windows 11 with ease.
