On Windows 11, you change the refresh rate at Start > Settings > System > Display > Advanced display by picking a value next to "Choose a refresh rate", and if 144 Hz is not in the list, Windows is not offering that value for your display, so check the cable, port, and graphics driver in that order. This guide covers only what Microsoft's and NVIDIA's official documentation says as of September 30, 2026, and only the refresh rate setting itself. If you want to record at 144 Hz without dropping frames, that is covered separately in recording 144 Hz without FPS loss.
The short answer: you can only pick what the list offers
There are two takeaways. Any value in the Advanced display list can simply be selected, and a value that is not listed cannot be created from the Settings app. Also, if your display supports variable refresh rate (VRR), Microsoft explains that many popular games use VRR automatically to match the refresh rate dynamically, so changing the refresh rate for a better gaming experience may be unnecessary. The Display information panel on the same page shows whether VRR is supported. Refresh rate is how many times per second the screen refreshes, and it is a separate number from your game frame rate (FPS). If your real complaint is sluggish controls, this article does not cover input lag in general, so see reducing input lag in games as well.
How to change the refresh rate on Windows 11
- 1Check the current value in the Display information panel — Open Start > Settings > System > Display > Advanced display. According to Microsoft, the Display information panel on this page shows the current resolution and refresh rate of the selected display, and whether the display supports variable refresh rate (VRR). Write the current value down before you change it so you can compare or go back later.
- 2Pick a value next to Choose a refresh rate — On the same page, select the value you want from the list next to "Choose a refresh rate". The rates that appear depend on your display and what it supports. Microsoft says a higher refresh rate can improve the gaming experience by reducing motion blur and screen tearing, and can make scrolling and digital pen use smoother.
- 3Understand values marked with an asterisk — In the drop-down, a value with an asterisk is a refresh rate that the current resolution does not support. If you select it, the display resolution changes so that the rate can be used. If you want to keep your current resolution, choose a value without an asterisk.
- 4Change it in NVIDIA Control Panel — If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, you can also follow the NVIDIA Control Panel help. In the navigation tree, select Display > Change resolution, choose the target display if you have more than one, and select a value from the "Refresh rate" list. The same page says that when VRR is on for a VRR-capable display, the refresh rate is set automatically to the highest possible value.
- 5Check Dynamic refresh rate (DRR) — DRR is a Windows 11 feature that adjusts the refresh rate automatically based on what you are doing. You turn it on or off with the "Dynamic refresh rate" toggle on the same Advanced display page, and only if your hardware supports it. The display must support VRR and a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz. Microsoft says DRR should not affect games designed for VRR but can limit the maximum refresh rate of other games, and that if a favorite game seems to run at a lower refresh rate, the best mitigation is to turn DRR off.
- 6Confirm the new value — After choosing a value, open the Display information panel again and check that the current refresh rate matches what you selected. If it did not change, or the screen goes blank, work through the checklist below in order.
Ways to change the refresh rate and their conditions (checked September 30, 2026)
| Method | Where to find it | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Settings app (Windows 11) | Start > Settings > System > Display > Advanced display | Pick a value next to "Choose a refresh rate". Values marked with an asterisk (*) will change your display resolution. |
| NVIDIA Control Panel (NVIDIA graphics card) | Display > Change resolution | Choose from the "Refresh rate" list. If you have several displays, select the target display first. |
| Dynamic refresh rate (DRR) | The "Dynamic refresh rate" toggle on the Advanced display page | Only available on displays that support VRR and at least 120 Hz, and it can limit the maximum refresh rate of games not designed for VRR. |
| Windows 10 | Start > Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings | Choose under "Refresh rate". DRR is not supported, and Microsoft notes Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. |
What to check when the refresh rate will not change
- If the value you want is not in the list, Windows is not offering it for that display, so check your monitor manufacturer manual for the refresh rates it supports.
- Make sure the cable is firmly connected and try a different cable; if the new one works, the old one was faulty. If your PC has more than one video output port, try another port such as HDMI or DisplayPort.
- Docking stations, dongles, and adapters can cause conflicts, so disconnect all accessories first and test again.
- If a setting that used to work suddenly stops, press Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B to reset the graphics driver, and restart the PC if that does not help.
- If a graphics driver problem is still suspected, follow the Microsoft troubleshooting page: update the display driver or roll back to a previous version, and if nothing else works, reinstall it, then check the refresh rate list again.
- If a favorite game seems to run at a lower refresh rate, turn Dynamic refresh rate off and check again.
If you record while gaming at a high refresh rate
DOR does not change your refresh rate or fix a setting that will not apply. Still, if you play the PC version of Apex Legends on a 144 Hz monitor and also have recording on, it is worth remembering that recording uses the same computer's resources. DOR saves this game with automatic full-match recording to mp4, does not make automatic highlight clips for it, and uses NVENC hardware encoding by default on NVIDIA graphics cards. There is no official figure linking monitor refresh rate to recorded frame rate, so after changing settings, check for yourself that a recorded clip looks smooth. How to set the recording frame rate itself is explained in the 60 fps recording guide.
Official sources and how this was checked
All paths and conditions are as checked on September 30, 2026. The Windows 11 path, asterisk behavior, DRR requirements, and VRR explanation come from Microsoft Support: Change the refresh rate on your monitor in Windows; the cable, port, accessory checks and the graphics driver reset shortcut come from Microsoft Support: Troubleshoot external monitor connections in Windows; and the NVIDIA Control Panel path comes from NVIDIA Control Panel help: To select a screen refresh rate. Documentation can change, so it is safest to re-check the links.
