System Change Display Refresh Rate in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to change the refresh rate of a display for all users in Windows 11.

The refresh rate of a display is the number of times per second that the image refreshes on the screen. For example, a 60Hz display will update the screen 60 times per second.

Overall, the refresh rate determines how smoothly motion appears on your screen. For example, if you’re playing a game that has a lot of fast-moving action, a higher refresh rate can help improve your overall gaming experience to keep up with the action. A higher refresh can also help you get a better experience with smoother motion when you're browsing the web or using a digital pen to write or draw.

A higher refresh rate can also reduce battery life because it uses more power. So if you're using a laptop or tablet and want to save some battery, you could lower the refresh rate. However, that might also reduce the overall experience when you're using your device.

The available refresh rates of a display will depend on the monitor, its driver, and the set resolution.

Starting with Windows 11 build 25915 (Canary), Microsoft has improved refresh rate logic to allow different refresh rates on different monitors, depending on the refresh rate for each monitor and content shown on the screen. This will help most with refresh rate-dependent multitasking, like playing a game and watching a video at the same time.







1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Display on the right side. (see screenshot below)



3 Click/tap on Advanced display on the right side. (see screenshot below)


4 If you have multiple displays connected to your PC, choose the display you want in the Select a display to view or change its settings drop menu. (see screenshots below step 5)

5 Choose a refresh rate you want in the drop menu on the right side. (see screenshot below)


6 Click/tap on Keep changes. (see screenshot below)

You will have 60 seconds to click/tap on Keep changes or Revert before your changes automatically revert back to the previous refresh rate.

This can be handy if the changes prevented you from seeing this dialog.

7 You can now close Settings if you like.





1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Display on the right side. (see screenshot below)

Open Display settings


3 Click/tap on Advanced display on the right side. (see screenshot below)


4 If you have multiple displays connected to your PC, choose the display you want in the Select a display to view or change its settings drop menu. (see screenshots below step 5)

5 Click/tap on the Display adapter properties for Display # link on the right side. (see screenshot below)


7 Click/tap on the Monitor tab, select the Screen refresh rate you want in the drop menu, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)


8 Click/tap on Keep changes. (see screenshot below)

You will have 15 seconds to click/tap on Keep changes or Revert before your changes automatically revert back to the previous refresh rate.

This can be handy if the changes prevented you from seeing this dialog.

9 You can now close Settings if you like.

This option is only available if you have NVIDIA graphics and drivers installed.

1 Open the NVIDIA Control Panel.

2 Click/tap on the Change resolution link under Display in the left pane. (see screenshot below step 3)

3 Select the display you want to change the refresh rate for under Select the displays you want to use on the right side, select the refresh rate you want for this display in the Refresh rate drop menu, and click/tap on Apply. (see screenshot below)


4 Click/tap on Yes in the Apply Changes dialog when prompt to confirm. (see screenshot below)

You will have 20 seconds to click/tap on Yes or No before your changes automatically revert back to the previous refresh rate.

This can be handy if the changes prevented you from seeing this dialog.

5 You can now close the NVIDIA Control Panel if you like.

This option is only available if you have Intel graphics and drivers installed.

1 Open the Intel Graphics Control Panel.

2 Click/tap on the Display icon. (see screenshot below)


3 If you have more than one display connected to your computer, select the display you want to change the refresh rate of in the Select Display drop menu. (see screenshot below step 4)

4 Select an available refresh rate you want for this display in the Refresh Rate drop menu, and click/tap on Apply. (see screenshot below)


5 Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)

You will have 15 seconds to click/tap on Yes or No before your changes automatically revert back to the previous refresh rate.

This can be handy if the changes prevented you from seeing this dialog.

6 You can now close the Intel Graphics Control Panel if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink