Why Is 144Hz Monitor Only Showing 60Hz (2026 Complete Guide)
Last updated: July 19, 2026 | Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
You just bought a brand-new 144Hz monitor expecting buttery smooth gameplay and fluid desktop animations, but when you check your display settings, it is stuck at 60Hz. This is one of the most frustrating experiences for PC users in 2026, especially when you have spent good money on a high refresh rate display. The good news is that this problem is almost always solvable, and in most cases it comes down to a simple settings misconfiguration or a cable limitation. In this detailed guide, we will cover every possible reason why your 144Hz monitor is only showing 60Hz, along with step-by-step solutions to get you running at your monitor’s full potential.
Table of Contents
- Why Your 144Hz Monitor Shows 60Hz
- Cable Limitations and HDMI vs DisplayPort
- Windows Display Settings Configuration
- NVIDIA Control Panel Settings
- AMD Radeon Settings Configuration
- Graphics Driver Issues
- GPU Limitations and Compatibility
- Monitor OSD Settings
- Dual Monitor Configurations
- In-Game Settings and Performance
- Advanced Troubleshooting Fixes
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Your 144Hz Monitor Shows 60Hz
When your 144Hz monitor is stuck at 60Hz, there are several potential causes. The most common reason is that Windows defaults to 60Hz when it detects a new display, and you need to manually change the refresh rate in your display settings. However, there are other reasons that range from simple to complex. Your cable may not support the higher refresh rate, your graphics drivers may be outdated, your GPU may not support 144Hz at your chosen resolution, or your monitor’s own settings may be limiting it to 60Hz.
Understanding the hierarchy of factors that affect refresh rate is important. Your refresh rate is determined by the weakest link in the chain: your monitor, your cable, your GPU, your drivers, and your software settings must all support 144Hz for it to work. If any one of these components is limited to 60Hz, your entire display pipeline will be capped at that refresh rate. Let us examine each of these factors in detail.
Cable Limitations and HDMI vs DisplayPort
Cable selection is one of the most overlooked causes of refresh rate limitations. Not all cables are created equal, and the type of cable you use can significantly impact the maximum refresh rate available to you. HDMI cables, in particular, have version-specific bandwidth limitations that can prevent 144Hz from working.
Here is a comparison of common cable types and their refresh rate capabilities:
| Cable Type | Max 1080p Refresh | Max 1440p Refresh | Max 4K Refresh |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI 1.4 | 120Hz | 60Hz | 30Hz |
| HDMI 2.0 | 240Hz | 144Hz | 60Hz |
| HDMI 2.1 | 360Hz+ | 360Hz+ | 144Hz |
| DisplayPort 1.2 | 240Hz | 165Hz | 60Hz |
| DisplayPort 1.4 | 360Hz+ | 240Hz | 144Hz |
As you can see, HDMI 1.4 is limited to 120Hz at 1080p and cannot achieve 144Hz at any resolution. If you are using an older HDMI cable, this could be the reason your monitor is stuck at 60Hz. DisplayPort is generally the preferred connection for high refresh rate monitors because it offers more bandwidth and better compatibility. If your monitor came with a cable in the box, it is usually the correct type, but if you are using a cable you already had lying around, it may not be up to the task.
Even if you have the right cable type, the quality of the cable matters. Cheap, uncertified cables may not be able to reliably carry the bandwidth required for 144Hz. Look for cables that are officially certified by HDMI or DisplayPort. If you are unsure, try using a different cable to rule out a cable issue. For more information about whether refresh rate matters for general use, check our article on can a 60Hz monitor run 120fps.
Windows Display Settings Configuration
Windows 11 and Windows 10 both default to 60Hz when a new display is detected, regardless of the monitor’s capabilities. This means you must manually change the refresh rate after connecting your monitor. Here is how to do it:
For Windows 11, right-click on your desktop and select Display settings. Scroll down and click Advanced display. Under Choose a display, make sure your 144Hz monitor is selected. Then click the dropdown menu under Choose a refresh rate and select 144Hz or the highest available option. For Windows 10, the process is similar: right-click the desktop, select Display settings, click Advanced display settings at the bottom, and then change the refresh rate from the dropdown menu.
If 144Hz does not appear in the dropdown menu, it usually means one of three things: your cable does not support it, your GPU does not support it at the current resolution, or your drivers need to be updated. If 144Hz appears but does not apply, it may mean your cable cannot reliably maintain that refresh rate. In that case, try reducing the color depth or resolution to see if 144Hz becomes available.
NVIDIA Control Panel Settings
If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, you can also change your monitor’s refresh rate through the NVIDIA Control Panel. Right-click on your desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel. In the left sidebar, navigate to Display and then click Change resolution. Select your 144Hz monitor from the list of displays. In the resolution list, you should see options labeled with their refresh rates in parentheses. Select the 144Hz option and click Apply.
Sometimes the NVIDIA Control Panel will show the 144Hz option only under the PC section of the resolution list, not the Ultra HD, HD, SD section. Make sure you are looking at the PC resolutions, as these allow you to change the refresh rate independently of the resolution. If you only see 60Hz options, try clicking the Customize button and creating a custom resolution with 144Hz. This can sometimes unlock refresh rates that are not showing up in the default list.
AMD Radeon Settings Configuration
For AMD graphics card users, the process is slightly different. Right-click on your desktop and select AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition. Click on the Gaming tab, then select Display. Under Display Options, you should see a section for Refresh Rate where you can select your monitor’s maximum refresh rate. Alternatively, you can use Windows display settings as described above, which works for both AMD and NVIDIA GPUs.
AMD users may also encounter a feature called Virtual Super Resolution or Radeon Super Resolution that can interfere with refresh rate settings. If you have these features enabled, try disabling them temporarily to see if 144Hz becomes available. Some AMD drivers also have a feature called Frame Rate Target Control that limits the maximum frame rate, which should not affect refresh rate but can cause confusion when troubleshooting.
Graphics Driver Issues
Outdated or corrupt graphics drivers are a common cause of refresh rate limitations. Graphics drivers contain the communication protocols between your GPU and your monitor, and if they are outdated, they may not support the higher refresh rates available on your hardware. Always make sure you have the latest drivers installed from NVIDIA or AMD directly, rather than relying on Windows Update, which often has older driver versions.
To update NVIDIA drivers, visit the NVIDIA driver download page and use the auto-detect tool or manually select your GPU model. For AMD, visit the AMD driver support page and download the latest Adrenalin Edition driver. After installing new drivers, restart your computer and check your display settings again to see if 144Hz is now available.
If you recently updated your drivers and 144Hz stopped working, the new driver may have introduced a bug. In this case, try rolling back to a previous driver version. You can do this through Device Manager by finding your display adapter, right-clicking, selecting Properties, and choosing the Roll Back Driver option on the Driver tab. For information about how refresh rate settings interact with other display technologies, see our guide on does G-Sync lower FPS.
GPU Limitations and Compatibility
Your graphics card’s capabilities play a crucial role in determining what refresh rates are available to you. Older or lower-end GPUs may not support 144Hz at higher resolutions. For example, a GPU that supports 144Hz at 1080p may only support 60Hz at 1440p or 4K due to bandwidth limitations. Check your GPU’s specifications to verify what refresh rates it supports at your monitor’s native resolution.
If you are using integrated graphics rather than a dedicated GPU, your refresh rate options may be more limited. Intel UHD Graphics and AMD Vega integrated graphics can support 144Hz at 1080p on many motherboards, but the support depends on the specific motherboard and its DisplayPort or HDMI output version. Make sure your motherboard’s video output supports the refresh rate you are trying to achieve.
Monitor OSD Settings
Many users forget that their monitor’s own on-screen display (OSD) settings can limit the refresh rate. Enter your monitor’s OSD by pressing the menu button on the monitor itself, and look for any settings related to refresh rate, response time, or display mode. Some monitors have an “Overclock” option that must be enabled to achieve 144Hz, while others may have a setting that caps the refresh rate at 60Hz for power-saving or compatibility reasons.
Also check which input port you are using on the monitor. Some monitors limit certain refresh rates to specific inputs. For example, the HDMI port may be limited to 60Hz while the DisplayPort supports 144Hz, or vice versa. Consult your monitor’s manual to verify which ports support which refresh rates at which resolutions.
Dual Monitor Configurations
If you are running a dual monitor setup with one 144Hz display and one 60Hz display, Windows may force both monitors to the lower refresh rate in some scenarios. This is especially common when mirroring your display rather than extending it. Make sure your displays are set to Extend rather than Duplicate in your display settings.
Even in extend mode, some users report that having a 60Hz monitor connected alongside a 144Hz monitor can cause issues. If you experience this, try connecting only the 144Hz monitor and verifying it works at full refresh rate, then reconnect the second monitor. Some users have also found that connecting the monitors to different GPU outputs (one to HDMI, one to DisplayPort) resolves the issue.
In-Game Settings and Performance
Sometimes your monitor is correctly set to 144Hz in Windows, but your games are not taking advantage of it. Many games have their own refresh rate settings that need to be configured separately. Check the video or display settings in each game you play and make sure the refresh rate is set to match your monitor. Some games also have a frame rate cap that you may need to raise or disable.
Even if your monitor is set to 144Hz, your GPU needs to be able to render frames fast enough to fill that refresh rate. If your GPU is only producing 60 FPS in a game, you will not see the full benefit of 144Hz, though the smoother frame pacing of a 144Hz display can still make 60 FPS feel better than on a 60Hz monitor. For tips on getting the most out of your display setup, read our guide on how to switch from 1080p to 1440p.
Advanced Troubleshooting Fixes
If none of the above solutions have worked, there are a few advanced troubleshooting steps you can try. First, try creating a custom resolution in your GPU’s control panel. Both NVIDIA and AMD allow you to create custom resolutions with specific refresh rates. Sometimes the standard resolution options do not include 144Hz, but a custom resolution with the same settings will work.
Second, try updating your monitor’s firmware. Some modern monitors have updatable firmware that can fix compatibility issues and unlock new features. Check your monitor manufacturer’s website for firmware updates and instructions. Third, try a different DisplayPort cable, specifically one rated for DisplayPort 1.4 or higher. Even if your current cable is DisplayPort 1.2, it may not be manufactured to the full specification and could have bandwidth limitations.
Fourth, disable any GPU overclocking you may have applied. Overclocked GPUs can sometimes interfere with the communication between your GPU and monitor, preventing higher refresh rates from being detected. Reset your GPU to its stock clocks and see if 144Hz becomes available. Finally, try updating your motherboard BIOS. Some motherboard BIOS updates include improved display output support and can resolve compatibility issues with high refresh rate monitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get 144Hz with an HDMI cable?
Yes, but it depends on the HDMI version. HDMI 2.0 and newer support 144Hz at 1080p and 1440p, while HDMI 1.4 is limited to 120Hz at 1080p. DisplayPort is generally recommended for high refresh rate monitors, but HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 will work perfectly fine for 144Hz in most cases.
Why does 144Hz not show up in my display settings?
If 144Hz does not appear in your refresh rate dropdown, it usually means your cable, GPU, or drivers do not support it. Start by checking your cable type and version, then update your graphics drivers. If both of those are fine, verify that your GPU supports 144Hz at your current resolution.
Will I really notice the difference between 60Hz and 144Hz?
Most users notice a significant difference, especially in fast-paced games and during general desktop use. The increased smoothness of 144Hz makes mouse movements feel more responsive, reduces motion blur, and makes scrolling through content feel much more fluid. Even in everyday tasks like web browsing, many users find 144Hz noticeably smoother than 60Hz.
Does 144Hz work with all GPUs?
Most modern GPUs from the last several years support 144Hz at 1080p. However, older or lower-end GPUs may have limitations, especially at higher resolutions. Check your GPU’s specifications to confirm support for the refresh rate and resolution you want to use.
Why does my monitor reset to 60Hz after rebooting?
This can happen if your GPU drivers are not saving the display configuration properly. Try updating your graphics drivers, and if the problem persists, try creating a custom resolution in your GPU control panel. Some users have also found that using DisplayPort instead of HDMI resolves this issue, as DisplayPort handles refresh rate negotiation differently.
Can I get 144Hz on a laptop?
Many gaming laptops in 2026 come with 144Hz or higher refresh rate displays. However, if you are connecting to an external monitor, your laptop’s GPU and output ports must support 144Hz. Check your laptop’s specifications and the version of its HDMI or DisplayPort output.
Does resolution affect refresh rate?
Yes, higher resolutions require more bandwidth, which can limit the maximum refresh rate. A GPU that can push 144Hz at 1080p may only manage 60Hz at 4K. The relationship between resolution and refresh rate is inversely proportional given a fixed bandwidth limit.
Should I use DisplayPort or HDMI for 144Hz?
DisplayPort is generally recommended because it offers more bandwidth headroom and is less prone to compatibility issues with high refresh rates. However, HDMI 2.0 and newer work perfectly fine for 144Hz. Choose whichever cable your monitor and GPU both support, with DisplayPort as the preferred option when available.
Will G-Sync or FreeSync help with 144Hz?
G-Sync and FreeSync do not increase your refresh rate, but they help by synchronizing your GPU’s frame output to your monitor’s refresh cycle. This eliminates screen tearing and makes gameplay feel smoother, even when your frame rate fluctuates below 144 FPS. These technologies are highly recommended for 144Hz monitors.
