17 Ways to Fix Monitor is Stuck at 60Hz on Windows 11


Is your display locked at 60Hz, even though your monitor and graphics card are fully compatible with a higher refresh rate? No worries! You are not alone to have run into this display issue. Recently, a large number of users have reported that their monitors get stuck at 60Hz on Windows 11. Taking this issue for a task, I’m going to break down the 17 thoroughly tested solutions to fix the problem and bring the ill-functioning refresh rate back on track. Read on…

Fix Monitor is Stuck at 60Hz on Windows 11

So, what makes your monitor get stuck at the 60Hz? Well, there are a number of culprits that tend to trigger this refresh rate related issue including –

  • Outdated drivers
  • Incorrect settings
  • Faulty cables
  • Low-quality cable
  • Incorrect port
  • GPU limitations
  • Monitor compatibility
  • Display scaling
  • Power settings
  • Windows update
  • V-Sync enabled
  • Hardware acceleration

By taking control of these roadblocks, you can resolve the problem and restore the full functionality of the refresh rate. As these tips are secure and don’t harm any of your sensitive data, you don’t need to bother about harming any of your media and data.

1. Restart Your PC

At times, all you need to do to fix your monitor that is stuck at 60Hz is to just restart your device. If the refresh rate issue is due to a minor Windows glitch, the soft reset will be more than handy in flushing it out.

Restart Windows 11

2. Check and Change the Refresh Rate in Display Settings

Bear in mind that Windows automatically defaults to 60Hz, even if your monitor is compatible with a higher refresh rate. Hence, check and perfectly fine-tune the refresh rate in the display settings on your PC.

  • To get going, right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.
  • After that, scroll down and choose Advanced display settings.
  • Under Choose a refresh rate, choose the highest available option.
  • In the end, make sure to click Apply and check if the issue is resolved.

3. Ensure Your Monitor Supports a Higher Refresh Rate

It’s worth reiterating upfront that some monitors are either limited to 60Hz or require activating a higher refresh rate in the monitor’s built-in menu. Therefore, make sure your monitor supports a higher refresh rate.

  • Head over to your manufacturer’s website to check your monitor’s specifications.
  • After that, press the OSD (On-Screen Display) button on your monitor > go to refresh rate settings > make sure it’s set to the highest possible option.

4. Use the Correct Display Cable (HDMI/DP/USB-C)

Do you know that some cables, like HDMI 1.4, only support up to 60Hz at higher resolutions? Thus, be sure to use the fully compatible display cable.

  • Ensure that you have a DisplayPort 1.2+ or HDMI 2.0+ cable for higher refresh rates.
  • Be sure your cable is perfectly connected to both the monitor and the GPU.
  • If your cable is not up to the mark or is damaged, try a different cable.

5. Use the Correct Monitor Port

Note that certain monitor ports may not support refresh rates higher than 60Hz. So, make sure you are using the correct monitor port.

  • Check the monitor’s manual to figure out which ports support higher refresh rates.
  • If you are using HDMI, try switching to DisplayPort or USB-C if available.

6. Enable High-Performance Mode in Windows

Windows automatically restricts the refresh rates when the power-saving mode is active on your PC. The right way to deal with this situation is to have the high-performance mode activated.

  • Open the Settings app on your device and go to System > Power & battery.
Choose Power and battery in Windows settings
  • Under Power mode, choose Best performance.
  • Next up, restart your PC and find out if the refresh rate has begun to function properly.

7. Adjust Scaling and Resolution Settings

No luck as yet? Your botched-up resolution settings could be blocking higher refresh rates.

  • Open the Settings app on your device and get into the Display section.
  • Under Scale & layout, choose the Display resolution to the recommended option.
  • Scroll down to Advanced display settings and ensure the correct refresh rate is selected.
Fine tune display scaling on your PC

8. Check NVIDIA/AMD/Intel Graphics Control Panel

Since the GPU control panels may override Windows settings and restrict the refresh rate, it would be better to take a detailed look at the NVIDIA/AMD/Intel Graphics control panel and ensure that it’s perfectly customized.

  • For NVIDIA: Open NVIDIA Control Panel > Change resolution > Select the correct refresh rate.
  • For AMD: Open AMD Radeon Software > Display > Set the refresh rate.
  • For Intel: Open Intel Graphics Command Center > Display > Choose the highest refresh rate.

9. Disable V-Sync in Games and GPU Settings

In certain scenarios, V-Sync tends to lock the refresh rate to 60Hz. Thus, it would be apt to entirely disable the V-Sync in games and GPU settings to ensure it’s not coming in the way of the refresh rate.

  • To get it done, head straight into the game’s graphics settings and disable V-Sync.
  • Then, launch the NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Software and go to Manage 3D settings.
  • Now, disable V-Sync and then restart your PC.

10. Try a Different GPU Output (if using a dedicated GPU)

Ensure that your graphics card ports support the high refresh rates.

  • If you are using HDMI, try switching to DisplayPort.
  • And, if your GPU has multiple ports, try another one.

11. Update Your Monitor’s Firmware (if available)

Beware of the fact that some monitors require firmware updates in order to support the higher refresh rates. Hence, update your monitor’s firmware to ensure that it’s well-equipped to get along with the higher refresh rate.

  • Launch a browser on your PC and visit the manufacturer’s website.
  • Check for firmware updates and follow the official instructions to install the firmware update.
  • After that, restart your PC and check if the refresh rate is now available.

12. Check Windows Graphics Performance Preferences

As Windows might be forcing the display to use power-saving GPU settings, dive into the graphics performance preferences and ensure that your app/game is set to make full use of the high performance mode.

  • Launch Settings > System > Display.
Adjust display settings on Windows 11
  • Choose Graphics.
  • Choose the app (or game) that seems to be limited to 60Hz.
  • Next, make sure to set it to High performance mode.

13. Reset Monitor Settings to Default

Wrongly configured monitor settings might be capping the refresh rate or hurting its performance. To get rid of the misconfigurations, reset your monitor settings to default.

  • On your monitor, go to the OSD menu (On-Screen Display)
  • Find the Factory Reset option and click on it.
  • Then, fine-tune the refresh rate in Windows settings from scratch and reboot your PC.

14. Check for Windows Updates

Is your Windows device updated? Go for the latest software update as the ending updates may include fixes for display issues.

  • Open Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates and install any available updates.
  • After the software update has finished, restart your PC and check if the refresh rate has begun to work as usual.
update software on Windows computer

15. Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated drivers are equally responsible for causing the refresh rate limitations.

  • Just right-click the Start button > Search for and launch Device Manager.
  • Expand Display adapters and right-click your GPU.
  • Now, choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers and proceed to update your driver.
  • Besides, navigate to the GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers on your PC.
Display drivers

16. Reinstall Graphics Drivers

If updating the graphics drivers doesn’t resolve the display issues on your Windows device, reinstall the graphics drivers.

  • On your PC, launch the Device Manager > Expand the Display adapters > Right-click and choose Uninstall device and reboot your PC.
Display drivers

17. Perform a Clean Boot

Keep track of the hung or the malicious background applications as they may interfere with display settings.

  • Press Win + R > type msconfig, and hit Enter.
  • Head over to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
  • Now, restart your Windows PC and check the refresh rate.
Hide all Microsoft services on Windows computer

Wrapping up…

That’s pretty much it! I hope you have eventually got the better of the refresh rate issue on your Windows device. Now, be sure to share your thoughts and the solutions that have helped get rid of the problem. Besides, if there is any other tip that works in eliminating the issue, make sure to share that as well.

Posted by
Rashmi Mishra

Founder/CEO: Rashmi Mishra is a new-age entrepreneur and a die-hard tech lover. Though Rashmi has a special liking for iPhone, MacBook, and Apple Watch, she loves to take the hottest Android smartphones and Windows laptops for a spin. When she is not reading stories that are breaking the Internet, you will find her either crafting designs or fixing lives for good!

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