How to Change the Screen Refresh Rate in Windows

Thinking about changing your screen refresh rate in Windows? Knowing how to use this feature will help you get the most out of it, whether you're using your display for work or play. This time, we'll walk through the simple process of customizing your refresh rate. We'll also analyze the Advantages and disadvantages of increasing this frequency.

Changing the screen refresh rate in Windows is a personal choice. Why do we say this? Because, on some computers, this feature is activated automatically, depending on the screen usage. However, It is possible to customize it to our liking in order to have a better visualization of the content displayed there.

How to change the screen refresh rate in Windows?

 

Before we dive into the steps to change the screen refresh rate in Windows, it's necessary to clarify what it is. When we talk about refresh rate, also known as refresh rate, or update frequency, we're talking about the number of times your screen displays the displayed image in one second.

This frequency It is measured in hertz (Hz) and most displays are between 60 and 14 Hz.The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the games or videos played on it will be. This means more images will be displayed in a single second, so the quality will always be better.

While it's true that on some computers the Windows operating system changes this refresh rate on its own, the truth is that you can do it too. And, while The procedure is quite similar in both Windows 10 and Windows 11., below we will explain how it is done in each of them.

Change the screen refresh rate in Windows 10

These are the Steps to change the screen refresh rate in Windows 10:

1. Tap the Home button and go to Configuration or press the Windows + I key combination.
2. Now select the entry System.
3. Go to Screen - Advanced display settings.
4. If you're using multiple displays, select the one you want to adjust the refresh rate for under Choose Display.
5. En Update frequency, choose the speed you want to apply to your screen.

How do you know what speed you should assign to your screen? The truth is that the refresh rate depends on the display and its features. Older monitors generally support lower speeds. However, some laptops and external displays tend to have higher refresh rates.

Change the screen refresh rate in Windows 11

To Adjust the refresh rate on a Windows 11 PC, follow these steps:

1. Login to Configuration.
2. Click on System.
3. Now select Screen - Advanced display.
4. Under Choose a refresh rate, choose the speed you want to apply to the display.
5. Done. This is how you can adjust the screen refresh rate in Windows 11.

Now keep in mind that Some Windows 11 computers have a feature called Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR)This feature allows the frequency to be updated based on what you are currently doing.

However, for DRR to work, The display must support VRR (variable refresh rate). In addition, Your display is required to have a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz. Well, while it's true that both frequencies can work together, there may be times when you need to disable DRR to make VRR work better.

What are the benefits of changing the screen refresh rate in Windows?

Adjusting your screen's refresh rate will always depend on its compatibility and capabilities. Also, You have to take into account the content you are viewing and the task you are performing.. All in all, it could be said that changing your display frequency has several advantages.

For instance, In games, a higher refresh rate can significantly improve your gaming experience., just as it is activate HDRImages will look much sharper, and videos will be smoother. In fact, doing so can reduce motion blur and give you an advantage in a competition, as your responsiveness will be at its best.

On the other hand, if you use your PC screen to design, edit, draw or write with a digital pen, a higher refresh rate will give you a better ride. It may also help reduce eye strain, as the experience will be smoother.

Disadvantages of increasing the screen refresh rate in Windows

Of course, it's not always necessary or prudent to increase the screen refresh rate in Windows. It's true that increasing the refresh rate offers better image quality, especially video quality. However, A higher frequency speed also means an increase in battery consumption.That is, the higher the refresh rate, the faster your device's battery will drain.

Of course, on the other hand, this also gives us a very useful idea: When we need to save the battery of our device, something we can do is lower the refresh rate of the screenThis is especially useful and practical on a tablet, mobile phone, or, as in these cases, a laptop.

Considerations to keep in mind regarding the screen refresh rate in Windows

Finally, there are some considerations you should keep in mind if you want to make changes to the refresh rate on your display. For example, It's good to know that Windows 10 does not support Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR)., which do support some Windows 11 displays.

Also, don't forget that after October 2025, Microsoft will no longer offer updates, technical support, or security fixes for Windows 10For those two reasons, we suggest upgrading your PC to Windows 11 so you can continue enjoying these benefits.