Check this first
The short answer
Open Settings → System → Display → Advanced display, select the gaming monitor and record its current resolution and refresh rate. Choose a supported higher rate if available. If absent, compare the connection path and driver. If only the game runs at a low rate, compare DRR and the game’s frame limit.
- Select the correct monitor in Advanced display and record its current rate.
- Choose a supported higher rate; if none is offered, use Step 3.
- If Windows already uses a high rate, check DRR and game settings in Step 2.
Choose your next check
Start with the row that matches your situation. Change one setting at a time so you can tell what helped.
| What you see | What to compare | Go to |
|---|---|---|
| Windows reports 60Hz but offers higher rates | Choose a refresh rate in Advanced display. | Step 1 |
| A higher rate has an asterisk (*) | Check whether it requires changing resolution. | Step 1 |
| Windows uses 144Hz but the game runs at a low rate or fps | Compare DRR and in-game limits. | Step 2 |
| Only rates around 60Hz appear | Compare cable, port and adapters. | Step 3 |
| Higher rates disappear only with multiple monitors | Compare one display and Extend at the same resolution. | Step 3 |
| Higher rates disappeared after a driver update | Record versions before considering rollback or reinstall. | Step 4 |
Check in this order
Continue this issue
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Step 1: Check and select the rate in Advanced display
- Open Start → Settings → System → Display → Advanced display. With multiple monitors, select the one used for the game.
- Under Display information, record its current resolution, refresh rate and whether variable refresh rate (VRR) is supported.
- Use Choose a refresh rate to select a supported higher value, such as 144Hz or 165Hz. An asterisk (*) means that rate is unavailable at the current resolution: selecting it changes the resolution.
What the result means and what to do next
| Situation | What it tells you | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| A higher rate is selectable and takes effect | The Windows setting was limiting the display to 60Hz. | Check the game. If only the game remains slow, use Step 2. |
| Only asterisk-marked higher rates are offered | Those values require another resolution. | Choose one only if that resolution change is acceptable. Otherwise compare the connection in Step 3. |
| The list stops around 60Hz | Windows is not offering the display’s higher-rate mode. | Continue to Step 3. |
- Expected result or what you learned
- Display information shows the selected rate.
- If something is wrong or unclear
- If the picture becomes unstable or disappears, restore the previous value when you can operate the screen and inspect the connection in Step 3 instead of trying more values blindly.
- How to undo changes
- Select the rate you recorded before the change.
Step 2: For a game-only limit, compare DRR and game settings
- In Advanced display, look for Dynamic refresh rate. DRR requires compatible hardware, including VRR and at least 120Hz; its control may be unavailable.
- Record the current DRR state and compare the same game with DRR off. Microsoft says DRR should not affect VRR-designed games but can restrict other games’ maximum refresh rate; disabling it is the suggested comparison for this symptom.
- Record and compare the game’s frame-rate cap, V-Sync and display mode one at a time. Check whether a 60fps limit is set and whether a different supported display mode changes the result.
What the result means and what to do next
| Situation | What it tells you | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Turning DRR off improves the game’s rate | A DRR limit may have contributed. | Keep it off while playing if that comparison helps. |
| DRR is absent or disabling it makes no difference | This comparison has not identified a DRR cause. | Check the frame cap and V-Sync; for low rendered fps use the low-FPS guide. |
- Expected result or what you learned
- The game’s motion improves when the relevant limit is removed.
- If something is wrong or unclear
- Refresh rate in Hz and rendered frames per second are different. Raising Hz cannot create frames the game is not rendering.
- How to undo changes
- Restore the recorded DRR state and any game setting changed for comparison.
Step 3: Compare cables, ports and the display arrangement
- Find the exact monitor model’s official supported resolution/rate/input combinations and cable requirements. Its advertised maximum rate alone is insufficient.
- Record screen layout, Duplicate/Extend mode and each display’s resolution and rate. Compare the target monitor alone against multiple monitors in Extend at the same resolution. Duplicate does not always mean 60Hz, and Extend is not a guaranteed fix.
- On a desktop with a dedicated graphics card, check that the cable uses its intended output rather than a motherboard port. Compare another supported port and cable separately so the changed variable is clear.
- Bypass a dock, adapter or extension with a supported direct PC-to-monitor connection and compare the available rates.
- Check the monitor’s on-screen menu for input-signal information and any relevant refresh-rate setting. Names and options depend on the model.
What the result means and what to do next
| Situation | What it tells you | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Another cable or port exposes higher rates | The original path is a candidate, including compatibility, contact or device detection. | Confirm official resolution/rate/input support and select the rate in Step 1. |
| The monitor alone works at a high rate, but several monitors do not | The multi-display configuration or GPU/dock output conditions may matter. | Record all models, ports, resolutions, rates and single/Extend results; ask the PC, GPU or dock manufacturer about supported combinations. |
| Direct connection still offers only 60Hz | Direct connection alone does not eliminate a path limitation. | Check the exact resolution, input and cable against official specifications. If supported, continue to Step 4. |
- Expected result or what you learned
- Advanced display offers the expected supported higher rate.
- If something is wrong or unclear
- On a laptop, port-to-GPU wiring varies by model. Follow the PC manufacturer’s specifications rather than assuming a particular port uses a particular GPU.
- How to undo changes
- Restore the original cables, ports, screen arrangement, projection mode, resolution and rate.
Step 4: Reset the graphics driver, then assess rollback or reinstall
- Before changing drivers, open Device Manager → Display adapters → your GPU’s Properties → Driver. Record model, provider, version, date and official download source. Check whether that same version can be obtained again.
- Press Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B once to reset the graphics driver, then inspect Step 1’s list. If unchanged, save work and restart the PC.
- If the higher rates disappeared immediately after an update, consider Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver for the affected GPU when the previous driver is available.
- If rollback is unavailable, follow the PC/GPU manufacturer’s model-specific instructions for a compatible driver reinstall. Updating to the latest package is a different action from restoring the previous version. Restart and repeat Step 1.
- Expected result or what you learned
- The expected rate appears after the driver change.
- If something is wrong or unclear
- Resolution may drop during driver removal. Keep the instructions available before starting.
- How to undo changes
- To undo a rollback, reinstall the official package matching the version and source recorded before it. The newest package may differ. If that version cannot be identified or obtained, ask the manufacturer; exact restoration is not assured.
When to ask for help
Provide monitor model, cable and input type, GPU name, driver version and Display information values to the monitor or PC manufacturer. Include single/multiple-display and direct-connection comparisons.
FAQ
Does VRR mean I never need to change the rate?
Microsoft notes that many games use VRR automatically, so a manual change may be unnecessary. Check the selected display’s VRR support and current mode; do not assume VRR proves every connection supports its maximum rate.
Why is the game still choppy at a higher refresh rate?
Hz describes display updates, while fps describes frames rendered by the game. If rendered fps is low, investigate game settings and GPU load using the low-FPS guide.
Why did choosing an asterisk-marked rate change resolution?
That rate is not supported at the previous resolution. Restore the intended resolution and choose a supported unmarked rate if you do not want that trade-off.
Sources
English adaptation of the Japanese guide, retaining its diagnostic branches, steps, warnings and undo conditions. Official documentation supports the controls; the comparison order is editorial guidance, not a claim of testing every PC or game. Ask the administrator before changing a managed PC.
Microsoft: refresh rate, asterisks and DRRMicrosoft: external monitors and graphics-driver recovery