How do I know if my monitor is running at 144Hz?

Right-click your desktop, go to Display Settings → Advanced Display. Your current refresh rate is displayed under 'Refresh rate'. If it shows 60Hz on a 144Hz monitor, your cable, port, or driver settings need adjustment.

Why is my 144Hz monitor only running at 60Hz?

The most common causes are: using an HDMI 1.4 cable (which caps at 60Hz for 1080p and won't do 144Hz), plugging into the wrong port (DisplayPort supports 144Hz; some HDMI ports don't), or the refresh rate not being manually set in Display Settings after install.

What cable do I need for 144Hz?

DisplayPort 1.2 or higher supports 144Hz at 1080p and 1440p without issues. HDMI 2.0 supports 144Hz at 1080p. HDMI 2.1 supports up to 240Hz at 1080p. If you're using an older HDMI 1.4 cable, you're capped at 60Hz regardless of your monitor's spec.

Monitor Refresh Rate Test: How to Check Your Hz

Reviewed by the DeadPixelCheck Editorial Team

You paid for a 144Hz gaming monitor. You plugged it in. Games feel… exactly the same as before. That's because you're almost certainly still running at 60Hz — and you probably don't know it.

This is one of the most common gaming monitor mistakes. Windows doesn't automatically switch to your monitor's full refresh rate after install. You have to tell it to. Here's how to check what you're actually running at, and how to unlock that 144Hz you paid for.

                The quick check: Right-click your desktop → Display Settings → Advanced Display. Look for "Refresh rate." If it says 60Hz on a 144Hz monitor, keep reading — you're leaving performance on the table.
            

Why This Happens (The 60Hz Trap)

When you connect a new high-refresh monitor, Windows defaults to 60Hz. It's conservative by design — 60Hz works with everything and won't cause display issues on mismatched hardware.

The problem is Windows doesn't tell you it's doing this. You can have a 165Hz display sitting on your desk running at 60Hz for months without realizing it, because there's no warning, no notification, and the difference isn't always obvious unless you're looking for it.

⚠️ The Cable Problem

If you check your settings and 144Hz isn't even an option in the dropdown, your cable is likely the culprit. HDMI 1.4 cables — the ones bundled with monitors since 2009 — physically cannot carry 144Hz at 1080p. You need DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0 or higher. More on this below.

How to Check Your Refresh Rate on Windows

This works on Windows 10 and Windows 11:

Right-click anywhere on your desktop.
Select Display settings.
Scroll down and click Advanced display (Windows 11) or Display adapter properties (Windows 10).
Look at Refresh rate — this shows what your monitor is currently running at, not what it's capable of.
If it's 60Hz and your monitor supports higher, click the dropdown to see your options and select the highest available rate.
Click Apply → Keep changes.

✅ Pro Tip

After changing the refresh rate, your screen may go dark for 2-3 seconds while Windows tests the new setting. This is normal. If the display doesn't come back (incompatible cable or port), Windows automatically reverts to the previous setting after 15 seconds.

How to Check Your Refresh Rate on macOS

Macs handle refresh rate differently depending on whether you have an Apple Silicon Mac with ProMotion or an external display:

For external monitors (all Macs):

Click the Apple menu → System Settings.
Click Displays.
Select your external monitor.
Look for Refresh Rate in the settings panel.
If you don't see high refresh options, click Show all resolutions or hold Option while clicking to see the full list.

For MacBook displays with ProMotion (M1 Pro, M1 Max, M2 Pro, and later):

These displays are adaptive (24Hz–120Hz). You can't lock them to 120Hz specifically — they dynamically adjust based on what's displayed. If you want to confirm ProMotion is enabled, check System Settings → Displays — it should show "ProMotion" or "Up to 120Hz" rather than a fixed value.

Verify with a Browser-Based Refresh Rate Test

Settings tell you what your OS thinks it's sending. A browser-based test confirms what your monitor is actually receiving and displaying. The most reliable free option is TestUFO (testufo.com), built specifically for this purpose.

Here's how to use it:

Open testufo.com in your browser.
Look at the top-left corner — it shows your detected frame rate in real time.
Watch the UFO animation. At 60Hz it looks noticeably choppy; at 144Hz it's buttery smooth.
If your OS says 144Hz but TestUFO shows 60fps, your browser may be capped by VSync or power settings — try switching to a different browser or disabling hardware acceleration.

                What to expect visually: The difference between 60Hz and 144Hz is most obvious during fast lateral movement — pan a camera in a game, or drag a window quickly across your desktop. At 144Hz, the motion trail is clean and sharp. At 60Hz, there's visible smearing. Once you see the difference, you can't un-see it.
            

Common Fix: Wrong Cable or Wrong Port

If 144Hz doesn't appear as an option at all, the most common cause is a cable or port mismatch. Here's the quick reference:

Cable / Port	Max Refresh (1080p)	Max Refresh (1440p)	Notes
HDMI 1.4	120Hz	60Hz	Bundled with most older monitors
HDMI 2.0	240Hz	144Hz	Common on 2018+ graphics cards
HDMI 2.1	360Hz	240Hz	Required for 4K 120Hz+
DisplayPort 1.2	240Hz	165Hz	Best choice for 1440p 144Hz
DisplayPort 1.4	360Hz+	240Hz	Required for 4K 144Hz
USB-C (DP Alt)	Varies by version	Varies	Check monitor spec for DP version

Practical rule: Use DisplayPort if your monitor has it. DisplayPort consistently outperforms HDMI at high refresh rates and has wider compatibility across GPU manufacturers. The cable that came in the box is almost always HDMI 1.4 — replace it if you're trying to run above 120Hz.

⚠️ Check Which Port You're Plugged Into

Many monitors have multiple HDMI ports of different versions. Check your monitor's back panel — the label "HDMI 2.0" or "HDMI 2.1" is usually printed next to the port. If you're plugged into HDMI 1.4 but there's also a DisplayPort, try DisplayPort first.

Enable G-Sync or FreeSync While You're Here

If you've just confirmed your monitor is running at 144Hz, check whether adaptive sync (G-Sync or FreeSync) is enabled — it makes the refresh rate feel even smoother by synchronizing it to your GPU's frame output.

For NVIDIA G-Sync: Open NVIDIA Control Panel → Display → Set up G-SYNC. Enable G-SYNC for windowed and full-screen mode.

For AMD FreeSync: Open AMD Adrenalin → Display → toggle FreeSync to On. Some AMD monitors show it as FreeSync Premium or FreeSync Premium Pro.

Adaptive sync only works over DisplayPort on most systems (HDMI 2.1 adds HDMI VRR support, but compatibility is spottier). Another good reason to use DisplayPort.

What About 240Hz and 360Hz Monitors?

The same process applies — the only difference is your cable and GPU requirements are higher. Running 240Hz at 1080p needs DisplayPort 1.2 minimum; 360Hz needs DisplayPort 1.4. Your GPU also needs to be capable of pushing enough frames to make those refresh rates meaningful — 240Hz gives you 4.17ms per frame, so your GPU needs to sustain at least 240fps in the game you're playing to see the full benefit.

Use the same Windows display settings check and TestUFO verification. The steps are identical at any refresh rate.

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After Fixing Refresh Rate: Check for Dead Pixels Too

Now that you've confirmed your monitor is running at the right Hz, there's one more check worth doing — especially if you just set up a new display.

Pixel defects (dead pixels, stuck pixels, and bright dots) are easiest to spot in the first few days before your return window closes. A quick full-screen color cycle takes two minutes and confirms there are no pixel issues you'd regret missing.

Test Your Monitor for Pixel Defects

Run the Free Dead Pixel Test →

Full-screen color cycle — red, green, blue, white, black. No signup, no download.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my monitor is running at 144Hz?: Right-click desktop → Display Settings → Advanced Display. Your current refresh rate is shown. If it says 60Hz on a 144Hz monitor, change it in the dropdown and apply.
Why is my 144Hz monitor only running at 60Hz?: Almost always a cable or port issue. HDMI 1.4 cables cap at 120Hz for 1080p (and can't do 144Hz reliably). Switch to DisplayPort or verify you're using HDMI 2.0. Also check your Windows refresh rate setting — it defaults to 60Hz after install.
What cable do I need for 144Hz?: DisplayPort 1.2 supports 144Hz at 1080p and 1440p. HDMI 2.0 supports 144Hz at 1080p. If you're using an older HDMI cable, replace it with DisplayPort for guaranteed 144Hz compatibility.
Does refresh rate matter in Windows desktop use (not gaming)?: Yes — noticeably. Cursor movement, window dragging, and scrolling all feel smoother at 120Hz+ versus 60Hz. It's not just for games. Once you use a high-refresh display for daily work, 60Hz feels sluggish.
Can I test my refresh rate without installing anything?: Yes. TestUFO (testufo.com) runs entirely in the browser and shows your detected refresh rate in real time. No download or account needed.

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The DeadPixelCheck Team
Display technology specialists helping millions test and fix screen issues since 2026. We've researched every major monitor brand's pixel policies and tested dozens of repair methods.