Did you know that you can now set your Dynamic Refresh Rate in the Windows 11 Settings app? Changing your refresh rate on Windows is nothing new, the feature was first introduced on Windows 10 Insider build 20236 on the Dev channel in October 2020.
Often referred to as the “refresh rate,” Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) changes the number of times per second that an image refreshes on your display. So, a 60Hz display will refresh the screen 60 times a second.
Generally, a refresh rate of 60Hz is what most displays use and is good for everyday computer work. You may experience some jitters when you use your mouse, but otherwise you’ll have no issues. However, dropping the refresh rate below 60Hz is where you will run into problems.
For gamers, refresh rate can make all the difference in the world. While 60Hz works great for everyday computer tasks, using a higher refresh rate of 144Hz or 240Hz can offer a much smoother gaming experience.
Depending on your monitor, resolution, and graphics card, you can now adjust the refresh rate manually for a sharper and smoother PC experience.
One downside to having a high refresh rate, especially on the new Surface Pro 8 and Surface Laptop Studio, is that a high refresh rate will likely take a toll on battery life.
Enable Dynamic Refresh Rate on Windows 11 or Windows 10
Here’s what you need to do to change the Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) on Windows 11:
1. Open Windows Settings(Windows key + I keyboard shortcut)
2. Go to System > Display > Advanced display
3. For Choose a refresh rate, select the rate that you want
Keep in mind that these settings change ever so slightly on Windows 10. Another important note is that if your monitor does not support higher than 60Hz refresh rates, that these settings will not be available.
My personal setup uses a BenQ EX2780Q 27 Inch 1440P 144Hz IPS Gaming Monitor on a desktop PC. I changed the monitor stand because it was a bit too short and didn’t offer enough height adjustment options, but the monitor’s 144Hz refresh rate is perfect for my gaming needs.
Once you’ve completed the steps in this guide, your monitor should start using the new refresh rate that you selected and applied. If your monitor supports higher refresh rates, such as 240Hz, but the option is not available, be sure to check to see if you have the latest graphics drivers installed.
It may also be helpful to lower the resolution of your monitor, sometimes monitors are equipped to support higher refresh rates at lower resolution. Refer to your monitor’s technical manual for more information.
More Windows 11 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 11 and Windows 10, be sure to check out our Features section and our How-To section where we should you how to do everything on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Let us know in the comments what other things you would like to learn how to do on Windows 10 or Windows 11!
