How to change hz on monitor

What is Monitor Refresh Rate (Hz)?

The refresh rate of a monitor, measured in Hertz (Hz), indicates how many times per second the screen updates the image displayed. For example, a 60Hz monitor refreshes the image 60 times every second, while a 144Hz monitor refreshes it 144 times per second. A higher refresh rate means the image is updated more frequently, leading to smoother motion and a more fluid visual experience, especially noticeable in fast-paced content like video games or fast-scrolling web pages. Conversely, a lower refresh rate can result in a less smooth appearance and more noticeable motion blur.

Why Change Your Monitor's Refresh Rate?

The primary reason to change your monitor's refresh rate is to optimize your visual experience. If your monitor supports a refresh rate higher than its current setting (often defaulted to 60Hz), you can potentially enjoy smoother visuals. This is particularly beneficial for:

• Gaming: Higher refresh rates provide a competitive edge by displaying more frames per second, reducing input lag and making fast movements appear clearer.
• General Use: Even for everyday tasks like browsing the web or working with documents, a higher refresh rate can make scrolling and window movements feel more responsive and less jarring.
• Reducing Eye Strain: For some users, a higher refresh rate can lead to less eye fatigue, although this is subjective and depends on individual sensitivity.

It's also important to ensure your refresh rate is set correctly to match your monitor's capabilities and your system's performance. Setting it too high for your hardware can lead to performance issues or screen artifacts.

How to Change Monitor Refresh Rate in Windows

The process for changing the refresh rate varies slightly depending on your operating system, but the general steps are similar. Here's how to do it on Windows 10 and Windows 11:

1. Open Display Settings: Right-click on your desktop and select 'Display settings'.
2. Navigate to Advanced Display Settings: Scroll down and click on 'Advanced display settings'.
3. Select Display Adapter Properties: In the 'Advanced display settings' window, click on 'Display adapter properties for Display [Number]' (select the correct display if you have multiple monitors).
4. Access Monitor Tab: A new window will pop up. Go to the 'Monitor' tab.
5. Choose Refresh Rate: Under the 'Monitor Settings' section, you'll see a dropdown menu for 'Screen refresh rate'. Click on it to see the available options supported by your monitor and graphics card.
6. Select and Apply: Choose the desired refresh rate (e.g., 120Hz, 144Hz). Windows will prompt you to confirm the change. Your screen may go black for a moment as it adjusts. If the new setting is stable and looks correct, click 'Keep changes'. If you experience issues, the setting will revert automatically after a short period.

How to Change Monitor Refresh Rate on macOS

Changing the refresh rate on macOS is a bit more streamlined, especially for models that support variable refresh rates or have different native refresh rates.

1. Open System Settings/Preferences: Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select 'System Settings' (macOS Ventura and later) or 'System Preferences' (older macOS versions).
2. Go to Displays: In System Settings/Preferences, find and click on 'Displays'.
3. Select Your Monitor: If you have multiple displays connected, select the monitor you want to adjust.
4. Find Refresh Rate Option: Look for a 'Refresh Rate' dropdown menu. The options available will depend on your Mac model and the connected display.
5. Choose and Confirm: Select the desired refresh rate from the list. macOS will apply the change immediately or prompt for confirmation.

Note: On some Macs, especially newer models with ProMotion technology, the refresh rate might adjust automatically based on the content being displayed (variable refresh rate). In such cases, a manual override might not be available or necessary.

Important Considerations and Troubleshooting

Before changing your refresh rate, keep these points in mind:

• Monitor Support: Your monitor must physically support the refresh rate you want to select. Check your monitor's specifications.
• Graphics Card (GPU) Capability: Your graphics card must be powerful enough to drive your display at the desired resolution and refresh rate.
• Cable Type: The cable connecting your monitor to your computer is crucial. Older cables or lower-spec versions of HDMI might not support high refresh rates. DisplayPort is generally recommended for higher refresh rates (144Hz and above). Ensure your cable and ports support the required bandwidth.
• Resolution: Higher refresh rates can sometimes be limited at higher resolutions. You might need to lower your screen resolution to achieve a higher refresh rate if your hardware is struggling.
• Performance Impact: Running a higher refresh rate requires more processing power from your GPU. If you notice performance drops in games or applications, you may need to revert to a lower refresh rate or adjust other graphics settings.
• Screen Flickering or Black Screens: If you experience flickering, a black screen, or other visual anomalies after changing the refresh rate, it usually means your system cannot stably support the selected setting. Revert to the previous setting or try a lower one.

By understanding your monitor's capabilities and your system's performance, you can adjust the refresh rate to achieve the best visual experience for your needs.