In Windows 11, open Start > Settings > System > Display > Advanced display, select the monitor you want to change, and choose 120 Hz under Choose a refresh rate. In Windows 10, use Start > Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings, select the display, and choose 120 Hz under Refresh rate. If 120 Hz is not listed, the limitation is usually the selected monitor, its resolution, the PC or GPU output, a port, dock, adapter, cable, or graphics driver—not a hidden Windows switch.
What a 120 Hz setting actually does
Refresh rate is the number of times per second a display updates its image. A 60 Hz panel refreshes 60 times per second; a 120 Hz setting allows up to 120 updates per second when the computer, connection, and application can supply them. A higher setting can make cursor movement, scrolling, window animation, and supported games appear smoother, but it does not turn a 60 Hz monitor into a 120 Hz monitor.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Windows only offers modes reported as supported by the detected display configuration. That configuration includes the monitor’s capabilities at the selected resolution, the graphics processor, the output port, any dock or adapter in the signal path, the cable, and the installed display driver. A monitor advertised as 120 Hz may support that rate only at certain resolutions or through particular inputs.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOn a multi-monitor computer, the refresh-rate choice belongs to the display selected in Advanced display. Selecting the wrong monitor is one of the simplest reasons a 120 Hz option appears to be missing.
#1 Best Overall
- 【INTEGRATED SPEAKERS】Whether you're at work or in the midst of an intense gaming session, our built-in speakers provide rich and seamless audio, all while keeping your desk clutter-free.
- 【EASY ON THE EYES】 Protect your eyes and enhance your comfort with Blue-Light Shift technology. This feature reduces harmful blue light emissions from your screen, helping to alleviate eye strain during long hours of use and promoting healthier viewing habits.
- 【WIDEN YOUR PERSPECTIVE】Our sleek minimal bezel design ensures undivided attention. The nearly bezel-free display seamlessly connects in a dual monitor arrangement, delivering an unobstructed view that lets you focus on more at once, completely distraction-free.
Before changing the setting
- Confirm the monitor’s specifications list 120 Hz at the resolution you intend to use.
- Check which GPU and output port drive that monitor. A laptop’s internal panel, a motherboard video output, and a discrete GPU output may have different limits.
- Note whether the signal passes through a USB-C dock, HDMI or DisplayPort adapter, KVM switch, receiver, or other conversion device.
- Use a cable and input that support the exact resolution and refresh rate, not merely a cable that fits the connector.
- If you are using Windows 10, remember that its support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes after that date.
Set 120 Hz in Windows 11
- Open Start, then select Settings.
- Go to System > Display.
- Select Advanced display.
- If more than one monitor is connected, use the display selector to choose the monitor you want to configure.
- Under Choose a refresh rate, select 120 Hz.
- Accept the confirmation prompt if Windows displays one. If the screen goes blank temporarily, wait for the preview period to finish or confirm the change when the image returns.
The information panel on this page shows the selected display’s current resolution and refresh rate. It also indicates whether the display supports variable refresh rate (VRR). Choosing 120 Hz here sets a fixed refresh-rate preference; it is separate from the Dynamic Refresh Rate feature described below.
Set 120 Hz in Windows 10
- Open Start > Settings.
- Select System > Display.
- Choose Advanced display settings.
- Use the display selector to select the monitor you want to change.
- Under Refresh rate, choose 120 Hz.
- Confirm the change if Windows asks you to keep the new setting.
Windows 10 does not include Windows 11’s Dynamic Refresh Rate control. Its Advanced display settings page lists the fixed modes that Windows detects for the selected monitor.
Understand the resolution warning and asterisk
Refresh rate and resolution are related. Windows may list a rate that is not supported at the resolution currently selected. Microsoft marks such a mode with an asterisk and warns that choosing it changes the resolution. For example, a monitor might offer 120 Hz at a lower resolution but only 60 Hz at its native 4K resolution.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
If you see 120 Hz with an asterisk, read the resulting resolution before accepting it. If the image becomes soft or the desktop layout changes, return to Advanced display and choose the native resolution with the highest rate the monitor and connection support. The absence of an asterisk does not guarantee that every game will render at 120 frames per second; it only describes the display mode Windows can set.
Why 120 Hz may be missing
A missing entry means Windows did not detect 120 Hz as an available mode for the selected setup. Common limits include:
- Wrong display selected: The setting is being changed for another monitor, a projector, or the laptop panel.
- Resolution-dependent support: The monitor reaches 120 Hz only at a different resolution, color mode, or input.
- Port limitation: The monitor, computer, or adapter has an output that cannot carry the required signal.
- Dock or adapter bottleneck: A conversion device may expose fewer modes than a direct connection.
- Cable limitation or fault: The cable may not provide the bandwidth required by the chosen signal, or its connection may be unreliable.
- Driver problem: Windows may be using a generic, outdated, corrupted, or incompatible graphics driver.
- Hardware limit: The GPU or monitor simply may not support 120 Hz at the requested resolution.
Changing a cable or driver helps only when that component is the limiting factor. It cannot add a mode that the monitor, GPU, or port does not support.
Work through the missing-option checklist in order
1. Select the intended monitor
Return to Advanced display and check the display selector. Windows numbers monitors in the Display page; you can select Identify there to show the number on each physical screen. Then reopen Advanced display and verify that the selected monitor is the one connected to the 120 Hz-capable input.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #2
- Incredible Images: The Acer KB272 G0bi 27" monitor with 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution in a 16:9 aspect ratio presents stunning, high-quality images with excellent detail.
- Adaptive-Sync Support: Get fast refresh rates thanks to the Adaptive-Sync Support (FreeSync Compatible) product that matches the refresh rate of your monitor with your graphics card. The result is a smooth, tear-free experience in gaming and video playback applications.
- Responsive!!: Fast response time of 1ms enhances the experience. No matter the fast-moving action or any dramatic transitions will be all rendered smoothly without the annoying effects of smearing or ghosting. A 120Hz refresh rate speeds up the frames per second to deliver smooth 2D motion scenes in gaming and video.
- 27" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen IPS Monitor | Adaptive-Sync Support (FreeSync Compatible)
- Refresh Rate: Up to 120Hz | Response Time: 1ms VRB | Brightness: 250 nits | Pixel Pitch: 0.311mm
Disconnecting other displays temporarily can make this test clearer. If 120 Hz appears for one screen but not another, the difference is in that monitor or its signal path rather than in the Windows setting itself.
2. Check the monitor’s specification at your chosen resolution
Read the monitor manufacturer’s specification or manual for the exact combination you need: resolution, refresh rate, input, and sometimes color depth or HDR mode. Do not infer that a “120 Hz monitor” supports 120 Hz at every resolution or through every connector.
Try the monitor’s supported lower resolution only as a diagnostic. If 120 Hz appears there, Windows is working; the requested resolution or signal format exceeds a component’s capability. Keep the lower mode only if its image quality is acceptable.
3. Bypass docks, adapters, and switches
For an external monitor, shut down or disconnect the accessories between the computer and display. Connect the monitor directly to a compatible output on the computer, then check Advanced display again. A dock, dongle, USB-C video adapter, KVM, AV receiver, or capture device can restrict available modes even when both endpoints support 120 Hz.
Recommended Free Tools
Secure both ends of the cable. Try a different output on the computer and a different input on the monitor when both are available. If the monitor works at 120 Hz when connected directly to another computer, the original computer, adapter, or driver is the likely point of limitation.
4. Match the cable to the complete signal
Bandwidth depends on resolution and refresh rate, not just the connector shape. Intel warns that older HDMI cables may not support the bandwidth needed for higher refresh rates. Dell’s HDMI guidance calls for an Ultra High Speed HDMI cable for its 4K-at-120-Hz example.
That 4K example is not a universal rule for every 120 Hz setup. The required cable depends on the monitor and GPU specifications, the port standard, the selected resolution, and any adapter or dock. If the specifications identify a cable class, use one that meets it; otherwise, test with a known-good cable rated for the exact signal. Do not buy a cable before isolating the cable as the likely bottleneck.
Rank #3
- ⭐27 inch curved monitor with speakers built in for gaming, work or business.
- Screen Feature: 120hz Refresh Rate丨1ms(MPRT) Fast Response Time丨Adaptive Sync
- Display Color: 110% sRGB丨 4000:1 Contrast Ratio丨300Nits Brightness丨16.7M display colors
- Ports and Speakers:1*USB Type-C 丨1*HDMI 1.4 丨2*2W Built-in Speakers for Daily Use.
- Ergonomic Design: -5°~15°Tilt丨178°Wide Viewing Angle丨Ultra-thin Bezel丨100 x 100mm VESA Mount
5. Reinstall or update the graphics driver
A driver can hide valid modes or expose incorrect ones. First check for a display-driver update from the computer manufacturer, especially on a laptop where a generic driver may not include the system’s display routing or power-management adjustments.
If the mode remains missing, use the manufacturer’s documented clean-install procedure for the GPU driver. Microsoft also documents uninstalling and reinstalling the display adapter driver as an external-monitor troubleshooting step. A clean installation removes the existing driver package before installing the replacement; follow the instructions for your exact GPU and Windows version, and restart when prompted.
After the restart, reconnect the monitor directly if possible and check Advanced display again. If a recent driver update caused the problem, rolling back to the previous manufacturer-approved driver may be appropriate, but do not remove a working driver without having a compatible replacement available.
6. Test the monitor and computer separately
Use a second computer with the same monitor and cable, or use the original computer with a different 120 Hz-capable monitor. These tests separate a monitor or cable fault from a PC, GPU, port, or driver limitation.
Record the results, including the resolution, input, cable type, direct-versus-docked connection, and driver version. If 120 Hz is unavailable in every combination, the monitor’s specification or hardware may be the limit. If it works on another system, focus on the original PC’s output, adapter path, or graphics driver.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsCompare the parts of the signal path
| Component | What to verify | What a failure looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Monitor | 120 Hz at the desired resolution and through the chosen input | 120 Hz appears only at a different resolution or input, or never appears |
| GPU and computer | The GPU and system output support the required resolution and refresh rate | A direct connection still lacks 120 Hz, while another computer offers it |
| Port | The computer and monitor ports support the same signal capability | One port offers 120 Hz but another does not |
| Dock or adapter | Its published video mode supports the complete signal | 120 Hz returns when the accessory is bypassed |
| Cable | Correct rating, intact connectors, and secure seating | A known-good, appropriately rated cable restores the option |
| Graphics driver | Manufacturer-supported driver installed without corruption | Modes change after a clean installation or update |
This comparison prevents unnecessary purchases. Upgrade a cable or adapter only after its specification or an isolation test identifies it as the restriction. Replace a monitor or GPU only when their specifications show that the desired mode is outside their capabilities.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.120 Hz versus Dynamic Refresh Rate in Windows 11
Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) is not another name for the 120 Hz selection. A fixed 120 Hz choice asks Windows to use that mode continuously, subject to the display and application. DRR automatically varies the rate according to activity to balance smoothness and power use.
Rank #4
- Incredible Images: The Acer KB242Y G0bi 23.8" monitor with 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution in a 16:9 aspect ratio presents stunning, high-quality images with excellent detail. The zero-frame design provides maximum visibility of the screen from edge-to-edge.
- Adaptive-Sync Support: Get fast refresh rates thanks to the Adaptive-Sync Support (FreeSync Compatible) product that matches the refresh rate of your monitor with your graphics card. The result is a smooth, tear-free experience in gaming and video playback applications.
- Responsive!!: Fast response time of 1ms enhances the experience. No matter the fast-moving action or any dramatic transitions will be all rendered smoothly without the annoying effects of smearing or ghosting. With up to 120Hz refresh rate speeds up the frames per second to deliver smooth 2D motion scenes.
- 23.8" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen IPS Monitor | Adaptive-Sync Support (FreeSync Compatible)
- Refresh Rate: Up to 120Hz | Response Time: 1ms VRB | Brightness: 250 nits | Pixel Pitch: 0.275mm
Microsoft says DRR requires a display that supports variable refresh rate and has a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz. The feature is available in Windows 11, not Windows 10. If your goal is a predictable fixed 120 Hz mode, select 120 Hz under Choose a refresh rate rather than relying on the DRR toggle.
Microsoft also cautions that DRR can limit the maximum refresh rate of some games that are not designed for variable refresh rate. If a game appears to run at a lower rate with DRR enabled, disable DRR and test the fixed 120 Hz mode instead. This does not overcome a monitor, GPU, port, cable, or driver limitation; it only changes Windows’ rate-management behavior.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →What to do when the monitor is “stuck” at another rate
If a monitor is stuck at 60 Hz, confirm the selected display and resolution first, then bypass any dock or adapter and test another port and cable. If it is stuck at 120 Hz when you expected 144 Hz, the same checks apply: verify that 144 Hz is supported at the current resolution and that every component in the path can carry it. Intel’s support guidance for a monitor stuck at 120 Hz follows this same pattern of checking the display, cables, and graphics driver.
Do not treat the highest number printed on a monitor box as a guaranteed Windows mode. Windows lists the modes it can negotiate with the complete connected setup. A monitor may advertise a higher maximum while the current port, cable, resolution, HDR setting, or adapter limits the available choice.
A quick decision path
- 120 Hz is listed: Select it, confirm the resulting resolution, and test the applications that matter to you.
- 120 Hz is listed with an asterisk: Read the warning; accepting it changes resolution. Choose between the lower resolution at 120 Hz and the native resolution at a lower rate.
- 120 Hz is absent on one monitor: Recheck the display selector and that monitor’s specification at the current resolution.
- 120 Hz appears after bypassing a dock or adapter: The accessory or its cable is the limiting path; check its supported video modes before replacing it.
- 120 Hz appears with another cable or port: Retire or avoid the limiting cable or connector and use the verified combination.
- 120 Hz remains absent after direct connection and driver work: Compare the monitor, GPU, port, and resolution specifications together. The requested mode may not be supported by the existing hardware.
After you enable 120 Hz
Reopen Advanced display to verify that Windows retained the setting and is showing the intended resolution. Move windows, scroll a long page, and test a game or application that benefits from a higher rate. If only one program reports a lower rate, check that program’s own display settings and whether it is using a different monitor; Windows’ desktop refresh-rate selection does not guarantee an application’s frame rate.
When troubleshooting future changes, alter one part of the signal path at a time and note the result. That method identifies the actual bottleneck and avoids spending money on a cable, dock, monitor, or GPU that cannot address the limitation.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
