Why Is My 144 Hz Monitor Capped at 60 Hz? [Explained!]

Have you ever wondered about the mesmerizing dance of images on your screen? The refresh rate holds the key to this enchanting display, as it determines the number of images that grace your monitor every second. Imagine a monitor with a staggering 144 Hz, showcasing a breathtaking 144 images in a single moment. It effortlessly outshines its counterpart, the humble 60 Hz monitor, which can only muster half the visual spectacle. Yet, amidst this marvel, you might find yourself in a perplexing predicament – why does your monitor stubbornly cling to a mere 60 Hz, when its true potential lies in the magnificent realm of 144 Hz?

Have you ever wondered about the mesmerizing dance of images on your screen? The refresh rate holds the key to this enchanting display, as it determines the number of images that grace your monitor every second. Imagine a monitor with a staggering 144 Hz, showcasing a breathtaking 144 images in a single moment. It effortlessly outshines its counterpart, the humble 60 Hz monitor, which can only muster half the visual spectacle. Yet, amidst this marvel, you might find yourself in a perplexing predicament – why does your monitor stubbornly cling to a mere 60 Hz, when its true potential lies in the magnificent realm of 144 Hz?

There are several potential factors that may limit your monitor to 60 Hz. Initially, it is possible that your computer is configured to operate at 60 Hz as a default setting. Another possibility is that the HDMI cable or port you are using does not have the capability to support 144 Hz. Additionally, being stuck at 60 Hz could be attributed to an outdated graphics driver or a console or computer that does not have the capacity to handle 144 Hz.

Investing in a 144 Hz monitor and not reaping the anticipated benefits can be immensely exasperating. Should you find yourself unable to unravel the mystery behind your monitor’s inexplicable 60 Hz cap or struggling to unlock its full potential at 144 Hz, fret not, for this insightful guide is here to shed light on the matter.

In order to tackle this issue, it is crucial to delve into the reasons behind your monitor being limited to a lower refresh rate than its potential. Here, we present a variety of factors that could potentially be responsible for your monitor being stuck at 60 Hz, along with potential solutions to help you achieve the desired 144 Hz.

Reason #1: Monitor Set to 60 Hz by Default

Although the majority of 144 Hz monitors seamlessly connect at their optimal refresh rate, there might be a few exceptions where certain monitors fail to do so due to their default setting of 60 Hz. Fortunately, tweaking this default configuration on your PC is a breeze.

To modify the refresh rate of your Windows PC monitor, navigate to the Settings app and select “System”. On the left-hand side panel, make sure to choose the “Display” tab and then scroll down to access the “Advanced Display Settings”. Within this menu, opt for “Display Adapter Properties” and proceed to click on the “Monitor” tab. Locate the refresh rate option, click on it, and select “144 Hz” from the available drop-down menu. Finally, click “OK” to save the alterations.

Reason #2: HDMI Cable Doesn’t Support 144 Hz

The usage of an HDMI cable might be a culprit behind the monitor’s persistent fixation at 60 Hz, despite its capability of a greater refresh rate. It is worth noting that not all HDMI cables possess the ability to accommodate high refresh rates. A conventional HDMI cable, unfortunately, lacks the capacity to support a refresh rate of 144 Hz.

In the event that you lack technical expertise, there is a possibility of purchasing an HDMI cable that fails to accommodate a 144 Hz refresh rate. Therefore, it is imperative to assess your HDMI cable; if it falls short of the HDMI 2.0 standard, it is highly improbable that it would be compatible with a 144 Hz refresh rate. To rectify this predicament, it becomes necessary to procure a new HDMI cable from a trustworthy vendor.

Reason #3: Port Doesn’t Support 144 Hz

Connecting a monitor to a computer offers a plethora of options. The conventional approach involves utilizing the HMDI ports, but alternatives such as DisplayPort, USB-C port, and even VGA can also be employed for this purpose.

Additionally, the very port you choose to connect your monitor can be responsible for the unfortunate limitation of your 144 Hz monitor to a mere 60 Hz. Hence, it is imperative to double-check the compatibility of your desired refresh rate with the available ports when establishing the monitor connection. Nevertheless, exercise caution as these ports come with their own set of pros and cons. It is plausible that certain computers may grant you a high refresh rate via DisplayPort but restrict you to a lower refresh rate via HDMI, whereas the situation might be reversed for other computers.

Reason #4: Outdated Graphics Driver

Should you find yourself utilizing an antiquated graphics card or GPU, the likelihood of it lacking support for a lofty refresh rate is rather substantial. In the event that your personal computer is amenable to upgrades, it would be prudent to consider replacing the GPU with a more contemporary alternative that caters to a superior refresh rate.

Additionally, a monitor’s refresh rate can be impacted by an outdated GPU driver. Make sure to keep your GPU driver up to date by obtaining the appropriate software. For AMD drivers, visit the AMD website, and for Nvidia GPUs, visit the Nvidia website to acquire the correct version.

Reason #5: Console Doesn’t Support 144 Hz

In the event that you’re linking the monitor to a gaming console, it’s possible that the console doesn’t have the capability to handle a refresh rate of 144 Hz, only supporting up to 60 Hz. Take the PS4 models, including the PS4 Pro, for instance, which are all limited to a maximum of 60 Hz. Therefore, if you were to connect a 144 Hz monitor to it, the highest refresh rate attainable would be 60 Hz.

The Xbox One and Xbox Series X share a common trait of being limited to a 60 Hz refresh rate. In contrast, the PS5 and Xbox Series X offer the possibility of achieving a higher refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. Moreover, if the game you wish to play on the console is designed with graphics settings that solely accommodate 60 Hz, your monitor’s refresh rate will also be restricted to 60 Hz.

Verify with your manufacturer whether your integrated or older discrete graphics can handle the impressive 144 Hz refresh rate, as it may not be fully supported.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you can resolve the predicament of your 144 Hz monitor being locked at 60 Hz using the aforementioned methods. Additionally, although employing a monitor with such a high refresh rate can enhance smoothness, it demands greater power consumption. Hence, if your PC is currently in energy-saving mode, disabling it will optimize performance to the fullest extent.