Why Is My Monitor Stuck at 60Hz and How to Fix It?
If your monitor supports 120Hz or 240Hz but only shows 60Hz, there are several possible reasons for this issue. First, the refresh rate might not be correctly configured in Windows display settings, which can be adjusted through the “Advanced display settings” menu. Second, the cable or port you’re using may not support higher refresh rates—ensure you use a high-quality HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort cable and connect it to the appropriate port on both your GPU and monitor. Third, outdated graphics drivers can limit your monitor’s performance, so updating them is crucial. Fourth, your monitor settings might need adjusting; use the on-screen display (OSD) to enable higher refresh rates.
1. Wrong Display Settings in Windows
Your PC’s refresh rate may be limited because it’s not configured correctly in the Windows display settings. By default, Windows might select 60Hz as the refresh rate for your monitor, even if the monitor supports higher rates like 120Hz or 240Hz. To fix this, go to the “Advanced display settings” in your Windows display menu, where you can manually select the correct refresh rate for your monitor. Watch the mentioned video for further explanations!
2. Cable or Port Issues
Not all cables or ports support high refresh rates, which can restrict your monitor to 60Hz. For example, older HDMI cables (like HDMI 1.4) are limited in bandwidth and may not support 120Hz or 240Hz at higher resolutions. Similarly, using the wrong port on your graphics card or monitor might prevent higher refresh rates from being utilized. Always use a DisplayPort cable or a high-quality HDMI 2.0 or higher cable and connect it to the appropriate ports that support higher refresh rates.
3. Graphics Driver Problems
Outdated or incorrect graphics drivers can cause your PC to display only 60Hz, even if your monitor and cables are capable of more. Your graphics card relies on drivers to communicate with the monitor, and missing updates might limit its ability to detect and use higher refresh rates. To resolve this, regularly update your GPU drivers through the manufacturer’s website, such as NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel, to ensure optimal performance.
4. Monitor Configuration Settings
Some monitors have internal settings that might default to 60Hz. Using the buttons on your monitor, navigate to its on-screen display (OSD) menu and check for options related to refresh rate or performance mode. If you find an option locked to 60Hz, adjust it to enable the higher refresh rate that your monitor supports.
5. Resolution Mismatch
Higher refresh rates like 120Hz or 240Hz may not be available at all resolutions. If your monitor supports a higher refresh rate only at a lower resolution, selecting an incompatible resolution in Windows or your graphics card settings could restrict you to 60Hz. To fix this, set a resolution supported by both your monitor and graphics card for higher refresh rates, as specified in the monitor’s manual.
6. Graphics Card Limitations
Your graphics card might not support higher refresh rates at the resolution you’re trying to use. For example, older or entry-level GPUs may struggle to output 120Hz or 240Hz at 2K or 4K resolutions. If this is the case, you can either reduce the resolution to match the card’s capabilities or consider upgrading your graphics card to a model that supports higher refresh rates at the desired resolution.
