Why Is My 144Hz Monitor Showing 60Hz? 8 Fixes
A 144Hz monitor stuck at 60Hz is usually caused by Windows settings, the cable, GPU output, or browser limits. Follow these eight checks to fix it.
Buying a 144Hz monitor does not automatically make Windows or every application use 144Hz. If your display feels like 60Hz, check the configuration from the monitor menu through to the browser before replacing hardware.
1. Select 144Hz in Windows
Open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display and select 144Hz from the refresh-rate menu. Windows can revert to 60Hz after a driver update, a resolution change, or connecting a second monitor.
2. Check the monitor's own menu
Some monitors have an overclock, high-refresh, or DisplayPort mode that must be enabled in the on-screen display. Confirm the current input and reported refresh rate on the monitor itself.
3. Use the right cable and port
Older HDMI ports or cables may not support 144Hz at your selected resolution. Try DisplayPort or the HDMI port recommended in the monitor manual. Avoid adapters and docks while troubleshooting.
4. Confirm GPU output settings
NVIDIA and AMD control panels can override the Windows refresh rate. Choose the PC resolution entry, not a TV resolution entry, and set the output refresh rate to 144Hz.
5. Test the display in your browser
Run the online monitor refresh rate test for at least 30 seconds. A result close to 144 FPS suggests the display and browser timing are working. A browser test does not measure the FPS inside a game.
6. Turn on hardware acceleration
Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and other browsers may render at a lower rate when hardware acceleration is disabled. Enable it, restart the browser, and close heavy tabs before testing again.
7. Check multi-monitor limits
A second display, USB dock, or capture device can limit refresh rate or change which GPU drives the panel. Test the 144Hz monitor by itself when possible.
8. Update or reinstall the graphics driver
Install the latest driver from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. If the issue started immediately after an update, a clean reinstall or rollback can identify a driver problem.
If the monitor still reports 60Hz after these checks, test another cable and computer. That separates a display setting problem from a hardware compatibility problem.