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To set a Windows laptop screen to 120 Hz, open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display, select the screen you want to change, and choose 120 Hz under Choose a refresh rate if it is listed. If it is not listed, Windows is not offering that mode for the selected display and current setup; a setting cannot add a mode the hardware and connection do not expose.
Set the refresh rate in Windows
Windows 11
- Open Start > Settings > System > Display.
- Select Advanced display.
- If multiple screens are connected, select the built-in laptop display or the external monitor you want to adjust.
- Under Choose a refresh rate, select 120 Hz if it appears. Windows lists modes supported by the selected display and its current configuration. Microsoft’s refresh-rate guidance notes that a rate marked with an asterisk does not support the current resolution; selecting it changes the resolution.
- If you want a fixed rate and your PC offers Dynamic refresh rate, turn it off while troubleshooting.
Windows 10
Open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings, choose the intended screen, then select a listed rate. Windows 10 does not include Dynamic Refresh Rate. Microsoft support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025; see Microsoft’s refresh-rate guidance.
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Why 120 Hz may not appear
The rate list is not an arbitrary preference menu. As Microsoft puts it, “The refresh rates that appear depend on your display and what it supports.” The selected screen, resolution, graphics hardware, and connection path determine which modes Windows offers.
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- Check the selected screen. Advanced display may be showing a different monitor than the one you mean to change.
- Check the resolution and mode list. A mode may be available only at a different resolution. An asterisk beside a refresh rate means selecting it changes the resolution, according to Microsoft.
- For an external monitor, inspect the whole connection path. Confirm the laptop output, monitor input, cable, dock, and adapters support the resolution and refresh combination you want. Disconnect a dock or dongle to isolate it, reseat the cable, try another cable or available video port, and test the monitor with another computer if possible. Microsoft lists HDMI, VGA, DVI, and DisplayPort as common video ports and recommends trying a different cable when troubleshooting an external display: external-monitor troubleshooting. Check the laptop and monitor makers’ specifications for the exact supported modes; changing a cable alone does not guarantee 120 Hz.
- If the option vanished after a driver update, open Device Manager, expand Display adapters, open the adapter’s Properties > Driver tab, and select Roll Back Driver if available. If that is unavailable or ineffective, follow Microsoft’s instructions to uninstall and reinstall the display driver in its external-monitor troubleshooting guide.
When Windows switches between 60 Hz and 120 Hz
On supported Windows 11 systems, Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) can change the refresh rate based on activity. It is designed to balance smoothness and battery life, rather than hold one rate continuously. Microsoft says DRR requires variable refresh rate (VRR) support and a display refresh rate of at least 120 Hz. If you need a stable rate for diagnosis, disable DRR in Advanced display. Microsoft also recommends turning DRR off if a game appears to run at a lower rate while DRR is enabled. See Microsoft’s DRR guidance.
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Acer 23.8in FHD 1920x1080 IPS 120Hz Office Monitor KB242Y G0bi
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- 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.
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If the built-in panel drops to 60 Hz after a graphics-mode change
A hybrid-GPU or automatic display-switching feature may be relevant on some laptops, but it is not a universal explanation. Microsoft’s documentation for Automatic Display Switch describes a case in which changing to a GPU that supports a lower rate can cause the system to store a reduced display mode—for example, switching from a GPU supporting 120 Hz to one supporting only 60 Hz. The feature is documented for Windows 11 version 24H2 update 2025.01D (WDDM 3.2) and later. If the timing fits, check the laptop maker’s graphics or mux controls and drivers, and confirm which graphics adapter is driving the panel.
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Acer 27in FHD 1920x1080 IPS 120Hz Gaming Monitor | Office KB272 G0bi | 1ms, AdaptiveSync, sRGB 99%, HDMI, VGA, VESA Mountable, Bluelight Filter
- 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
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cocopar Portable Monitor 16 Inch 2.5K QHD 110% sRGB 144Hz USB-C, 120Hz HDMI, Travel Monitor with Speaker Second Screen for Laptop MacBook Surface PC Xbox PS4/5, VESA Mountable, with Kickstand
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If an external display stops working
- Press Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B to reset the graphics driver.
- If the display still does not work, restart the laptop.
- If the problem began after a display-driver update, try rolling the driver back. Otherwise, use Device Manager to uninstall and reinstall it as described in Microsoft’s troubleshooting instructions.
Fixed 120 Hz or Dynamic Refresh Rate?
| Option | What it does | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed 120 Hz | Holds the selected rate when the display and current setup support it. | Choose it when you want a steady refresh rate and Windows lists the mode. |
| Dynamic Refresh Rate | Varies the rate with activity to balance smoothness and battery life. Requires VRR support and a display rate of at least 120 Hz, according to Microsoft. | Use it when supported and you prefer automatic adjustment; switch it off to troubleshoot a game that appears capped at a lower rate. |
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