If you’re like most people, you use your computer for work and entertainment. You might use it to browse the web, watch a movie, or work on a project. But what about when you want to take a break? Maybe you want to watch some TV or take a nap. Changing your monitor’s refresh rate can help you get more out of your computer while you’re using it. Refresh rates are how often your monitor updates its image. A high refresh rate means that the image is updated frequently, which can make things look smoother and faster on your screen. A low refresh rate means that the image is updated less often, which can make things look more choppy and slow on your screen. To change your monitor’s refresh rate on Windows 10:

  1. Open the Start menu and type “refresh rate” into the search bar. The “Refresh Rate Settings” window will open.
  2. Click “Change display settings” in the “Refresh Rate Settings” window. The “Display Properties dialog box” will open.
  3. In the “Display Properties dialog box,” click the “Monitor tab” and then click the “Refresh rates… button.
  4. In the “Refresh rates… button window, select one of the following options: Low (60Hz): This option uses a low refresh rate (60Hz), which is good for watching movies or playing games that require fast movement onscreen. Medium (120Hz): This option uses a medium refresh rate (120Hz), which is good for watching movies or playing games that don’t require as much fast movement onscreen but still want smooth graphics overall High (240Hz): This option uses a high refresh rate (240Hz), which is good for watching movies or playing games that require smooth graphics overall but ..

In Windows 10, your monitor’s refresh rate determines how often your display image updates every second. Higher is usually better. If you need to change the refresh rate of your monitor, Windows 10 makes it easy. Here’s how.

What Is a Monitor Refresh Rate?

A monitor’s refresh rate is the frequency at which the image updates on your display. For example, a 60 Hz refresh rate means that the image on your monitor refreshes itself 60 times every second. As 120 Hz refresh rate means the image updates 120 times a second. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother motion looks on your display.

On older CRT monitors, some people perceive flicker at lower refresh rates, so monitors that support higher refresh rates produce a more stable picture that is easier on your eyes. LCD monitors don’t experience flicker, so lower refresh rates are generally OK for most users. Typically, you want to use the highest refresh rate that your monitor supports at its native resolution.

RELATED: What is a Monitor’s Refresh Rate and How Do I Change It?

How to Change Your Refresh Rate in Display Settings

Starting with the Windows 10 October 2020 Update, you can now choose your refresh rate directly in the new Settings app. Here’s how. (If you’re running an older version of Windows 10, see the section below.)

First, right-click on your Desktop and select “Display Settings” in the menu that pops up. (Alternatively, you can open “Settings” and navigate to System > Display.)

In “Display Settings,” scroll down and click “Advanced Display Settings.”

In “Advanced Display Settings,” locate the “Refresh Rate” section. Click the “Refresh Rate” drop-down menu. In the menu that appears, select the refresh rate you’d like to use.

Windows will test the new refresh rate for about 15 seconds. If the image looks OK, click “Keep.” Otherwise, click “Revert” or wait until the countdown finishes, and the monitor will automatically switch back to the previous refresh rate.

Once you’re happy with your refresh rate, close Settings.

Select a Refresh Rate on Older Versions of Windows 10

If you’re running an older version of Windows 10, here’s how you change your monitor’s refresh rate. First, right-click on your desktop and select “Display Settings.”

In “Display Settings,” scroll down and select “Advanced Display Settings.”

If you have multiple displays, select the monitor you’d like to configure in the “Choose Display” drop-down box. Then scroll down and click “Display Adapter Properties.”

In the window that pops up, click the “Monitor” tab, then click the drop-down menu labeled “Screen Refresh Rate” and choose the refresh rate you’d like to use.

Then click “OK” to save your changes, and the window will close. Then you can close Settings. Have a fresh day!