Monitor Refresh Rate Unavailable: Fixes

Cable bandwidth limits

The most frequent reason a monitor may not show a lower refresh rate than its specification is the cable connecting it to the graphics card. Each cable standard has a maximum bandwidth that determines the highest resolution and refresh rate combination it can support. For example, HDMI 2.1 can carry 4K at 480Hz with DSC, while HDMI 1.4 is limited to 4K at 60Hz. DisplayPort 1.4 supports 4K at 480Hz with DSC, and DisplayPort 1.2 is limited to 4K at 60Hz. If the cable is older than the monitor or the GPU, it may not support the full bandwidth, the available refresh rate in Windows will be limited. Use the cable that came with the monitor or a certified high-speed cable rated for the desired resolution and refresh rate.

Graphics cards from the RTX 50 series support up to 4K at 480Hz or 8K at 165Hz with DSC, as listed in the NVIDIA specifications. The same display connectors on these cards are three DisplayPort and one HDMI, which can carry the required bandwidth for high refresh rates. If the monitor is connected via a different cable than the one supplied, check the cable version and replace it if necessary. For 1440p gaming monitors and 4K gaming monitors, check that the cable supports the resolution and refresh rate you expect.

Graphics driver issues

Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can cause the operating system to not detect the full range of refresh rates the monitor supports. The driver must be updated to the latest version from the GPU manufacturer. NVIDIA provides Game Ready Drivers and Studio Drivers for its GPUs, as mentioned on the NVIDIA GeForce page. The NVIDIA App can also be used to check for driver updates and install them.

To update the driver, open the NVIDIA App and navigate to the Drivers tab, or download the latest driver from the NVIDIA website. After installation, restart the system and check the refresh rate in Windows Display Settings. If the driver is already current, a clean installation may resolve any corruption. Use the NVIDIA App to perform a clean installation. For step-by-step instructions, see how to update graphics drivers.

Windows display settings

Windows may default to a lower refresh rate than the monitor supports. To adjust this, go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display. Under Choose a refresh rate, select the highest available option. If the desired rate is not listed, the cable or driver may be the issue.

Windows 11 includes optimizations for windowed games that can affect refresh rate behavior, as noted in the Windows 11 vs. Windows 10 comparison page. These optimizations reduce latency and increase framerates on DirectX 11 and later games, but they do not change the available refresh rate in the display settings. The refresh rate should be set at the monitor's native rate in the Advanced display settings. For a more detailed walkthrough, see how to set monitor refresh rate.

Monitor menu and on-screen display

Some monitors have a menu that can be accessed via the buttons on the monitor. In the menu, look for a setting that shows the current refresh rate or allows you to enable features like Response Time or Overdrive. Some monitors also have a Refresh Rate option that toggles the display of the rate on the screen. Ensure the monitor is set to the correct input and the cable is properly connected.

If the monitor supports a variable refresh rate (G-SYNC or FreeSync), ensure that feature is enabled in the monitor menu. The NVIDIA G-SYNC technology is supported by RTX GPUs, as listed in the NVIDIA compare page. Enabling G-SYNC may allow the monitor to run at its full refresh rate range. To understand the differences, see g-sync vs freesync vs vrr.

Multi-monitor and GPU scaling

When multiple monitors are connected, the refresh rate may be limited by the lowest common denominator among them. Disconnect any extra monitors and check if the refresh rate becomes available. Also, GPU scaling settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel can affect the available refresh rates. Open the NVIDIA Control Panel, go to Display > Change resolution, and ensure the native resolution is set to the monitor's native resolution. Under the same tab, choose the highest refresh rate from the dropdown menu.

The NVIDIA Control Panel also has a section for setting the refresh rate per monitor. If the rate is not listed, try changing the resolution to a lower one and then back to the native resolution, which may force the correct rate. For assistance with a multi-monitor setup, see how to set up dual monitors.

Variable refresh rate conflicts

If the monitor supports G-SYNC or FreeSync, sometimes the variable refresh rate feature can cause the refresh rate to be limited to a lower value. In the NVIDIA Control Panel, go to Display > Set up G-SYNC and ensure it is enabled. If the monitor is FreeSync, enable it in the monitor menu. After enabling, the refresh rate should be available at the full range.

If the variable refresh rate is enabled and the refresh rate is still not available, try disabling it temporarily to see if the full refresh rate appears. Some monitors require the variable refresh rate to be on for the highest refresh rate to be selectable. For a guide on enabling this, see how to enable gsync freesync on gaming pc.

What to pick for your play

Questions

Why is a 144Hz monitor only showing 60Hz?

The most common reason is the cable is not capable of carrying the bandwidth for 144Hz at your resolution. For 1080p, HDMI 1.4 or DisplayPort 1.2 can support 144Hz. For 1440p, HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.4 is needed. Update the driver and check the cable.

Does HDMI 2.1 support 144Hz?

Yes, HDMI 2.1 can support 4K at 480Hz with DSC, so it easily supports 144Hz at 1080p or 1440p. For 4K, it supports 144Hz without DSC.

How to check if my cable supports high refresh rate?

Check the cable's version printed on the cable. If it says HDMI 1.4, it may not support high refresh. For DisplayPort, look for 1.4 or 2.1. The cable that came with the monitor is usually correct.

Can a bad GPU cause refresh rate not available?

Yes, a faulty or overheating GPU may not output the correct signal. Update the driver and if the issue persists, the GPU may need replacement.

How to set monitor refresh rate in Windows 11?

Go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display. Under Choose a refresh rate, select the highest available option. If not listed, check the cable and driver.

What is the best cable for 240Hz?

For 240Hz at 1080p, HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort 1.2 is enough. For 1440p 240Hz, DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1. For 4K 240Hz, DisplayPort 1.4 with DSC or HDMI 2.1.

Why is my monitor not showing 240Hz option?

Check the cable, update the driver, and ensure the monitor's variable refresh rate is enabled. Also, the GPU may not support 240Hz at the resolution.