Windows 10: Monitor will not load any Refresh rate over 120Hz even though the monitor and PC are capable

Discus and support Monitor will not load any Refresh rate over 120Hz even though the monitor and PC are capable in Windows 10 Gaming to solve the problem; I have a MSI monitor that can go up to 240Hz connected by the DP port, but it will only go up to 120Hz. The options for 180Hz and 240Hz do appear in... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Gaming' started by Nick RS517, Jun 3, 2025 at 1:27 PM.

  1. Monitor will not load any Refresh rate over 120Hz even though the monitor and PC are capable


    I have a MSI monitor that can go up to 240Hz connected by the DP port, but it will only go up to 120Hz. The options for 180Hz and 240Hz do appear in the settings menu, but when i try and click one of them the monitor will say DP np signal and return back to 120Hz. I do have all of the PC parts to support the 240Hz, i cannot figure out what the problem is.

    :)
     
  2. Gyula H Win User

    Laptop monitor not going to 120hz

    Hi Jake,

    Sorry to hear that the initial steps didn't resolve the issue. Let's try some additional troubleshooting steps to get your laptop monitor to switch to 120Hz.

    Additional Troubleshooting Steps

    Step 3: Check Display Cable and Port

    Ensure Proper Connection:

    Make sure the display port cable is securely connected to both your laptop and the monitor.

    If possible, try using a different display port cable to rule out any issues with the cable.

    Verify Display Port Version:

    Ensure that both your laptop and the monitor support the same version of DisplayPort (e.g., DisplayPort 1.2 or 1.4).

    Step 4: NVIDIA Control Panel Settings

    Open NVIDIA Control Panel:

    Right-click on the desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.

    Adjust Resolution:

    Go to Display > Change resolution.

    Ensure your monitor is selected and then select Customize.

    Check Enable resolutions not exposed by the display.

    Click on Create Custom Resolution.

    Set the refresh rate to 120Hz and click Test.

    Adjust Refresh Rate:

    Go to Display > Set up G-SYNC.

    Ensure G-SYNC is enabled for your monitor.

    Go back to Change resolution and set the refresh rate to 120Hz.

    Step 5: BIOS/UEFI Settings

    Check BIOS/UEFI Settings:

    Restart your laptop and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, Del, or Esc during boot).

    Look for any display or graphics settings and ensure that the integrated graphics is set to auto or enabled.

    Save and exit the BIOS/UEFI settings.

    Step 6: Windows Display Settings

    Adjust Scaling Settings:

    Go to Settings > System > Display.

    Scroll down to Scale and layout and ensure the scaling is set to 100%.

    Click on Advanced scaling settings and turn off Let Windows try to fix apps so they're not blurry.

    Set Refresh Rate in Settings:

    Go to Settings > System > Display.

    Click on Advanced display settings.

    Select your monitor and set the refresh rate to 120Hz.

    Click Apply.

    Step 7: Use Intel Graphics Command Center

    Open Intel Graphics Command Center:

    Download and install the Intel Graphics Command Center.

    Adjust Display Settings:

    Open the Intel Graphics Command Center.

    Go to Display and select your monitor.

    Set the refresh rate to 120Hz.

    Step 8: Check for Firmware Updates

    Update Monitor Firmware:

    Check if there are any firmware updates available for your monitor. Visit the manufacturer's website for instructions on how to update the firmware.

    Step 9: Check for Windows Updates

    Ensure Windows is Up to Date:

    Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

    Click on Check for updates and install any available updates.

    Restart your PC if any updates were installed.

    Step 10: Contact Support

    Contact ASUS Support:

    If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it may be a hardware or compatibility problem. Contact ASUS Support for further assistance.

    Please try these additional steps one at a time and let me know if any of them resolve the issue. If the problem persists, we can explore further solutions together.

    Best regards,

    .
     
  3. Setup 2 monitors with different refresh rate in duplicate mode

    Hi, СуминНикита

    Welcome to the Microsoft Community.



    Unfortunately, running two monitors with different refresh rates in duplicate mode may cause some issues. Duplicate mode essentially mirrors the exact same image on both screens. Since the refresh rates differ between your monitors, Windows will default to the lowest common refresh rate to ensure compatibility, which in your case is 120Hz.

    To run programs or games at 144Hz on your internal monitor while duplicating the display on your external monitor, you may need to utilize third-party software that can manage this kind of setup, but it may still lead to graphical issues or performance anomalies.

    Here are some steps you can try:

    1. Set Primary Display:
      • Right-click on the desktop and select “Display Settings.”
      • Scroll down to “Multiple displays” and select “Duplicate these displays” from the dropdown menu.
      • Choose the monitor you wish to set as your main display and check the box that says “Make this my main display.”
    2. NVIDIA Control Panel (if you have an NVIDIA GPU):
      • Open the NVIDIA Control Panel by right-clicking on your desktop and selecting it from the dropdown menu.
      • Go to “3D Settings” > “Manage 3D settings.”
      • Under the “Global Settings” tab, find the “Preferred refresh rate” option and set it to “Highest available.”
    Please note that these steps may not fully resolve the issue due to the inherent limitations of running duplicate displays with different refresh rates. It’s generally recommended to use monitors with the same refresh rate for the best performance.

    Best Regards

    Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist
     
    Martin - MSFT, Jun 3, 2025 at 1:30 PM
    #3
  4. inv3nt0r1 Win User

    Monitor will not load any Refresh rate over 120Hz even though the monitor and PC are capable

    Monitor blackout because refresh rate keeps changing when selected "Show only on 2"

    Hello,

    I am using my work laptop Dell Precision 3541 and it only supports HDMI 1.4

    I want to connect an external monitor capable of 1080p 165Hz (Acer VG270 S). HDMI 1.4 is only capable of delivering 1080p 120Hz.

    When I connect the monitor using HDMI, it is able to detect the monitor but the monitor shows no signal message. When I reduce the refresh rate using the advanced display setting to 119Hz, the monitor display's the picture and it works fine.

    This works in an extended mode, where I am extending my laptop's internal display using the monitor. But when I select the option "Show only on 2", because I only want the output to my monitor and not the laptop screen, it again goes blank and shows no signal. I suspect it is again switching to 165Hz or 144Hz mode. I don't want it to switch to a higher refresh rate mode and work on 120Hz.

    I have another display 2560x1080p with 60Hz and it works great with the option "Show only on 2" because the HDMI 1.4 is capable of handling that res and refresh rate.

    I cannot change the refresh rate because I can't see anything on the screen. How can I lock the refresh rate of the monitor to 120Hz even on any settings?
     
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Monitor will not load any Refresh rate over 120Hz even though the monitor and PC are capable

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