240Hz monitor not showing 240Hz: Fix HDR bandwidth errors

When your gaming monitor supports 240 Hz but Windows only offers 60 Hz, 120 Hz, or 144 Hz, the problem usually involves display settings, connection bandwidth, graphics drivers, or a model-specific requirement. If you have a 240hz monitor not showing 240hz, start by confirming the monitor’s supported refresh rate at your current resolution and through your connected port. Then check Windows, the cable, and the graphics driver before changing advanced settings. Most causes can be diagnosed without buying another monitor or graphics card.

Why a 240Hz monitor is not showing 240Hz

A monitor advertised as 240 Hz does not necessarily support that refresh rate through every input, resolution, and signal configuration. Your monitor, graphics card, connection, and operating system must all support the same display mode.

For example, a monitor may support 240 Hz at 1920 × 1080 through DisplayPort but have different limitations when connected through HDMI. Another model may require a particular input mode or a manufacturer-provided overclock setting to reach its advertised maximum.

The most common causes include:

• Windows is configured for a lower refresh rate.

• The monitor is connected through an HDMI or DisplayPort output that cannot provide the required mode.

• The cable, adapter, docking station, or KVM switch restricts the signal.

• The selected resolution or color configuration requires more bandwidth than the connection supports.

• A graphics driver problem prevents Windows from exposing the correct display modes.

• The monitor requires a setting in its on-screen display (OSD).

• The computer’s output does not support 240 Hz at the monitor’s native resolution.

Use this table to decide where to start.

Intel’s guidance for external displays with missing resolution or refresh-rate options recommends verifying monitor compatibility, updating graphics drivers, removing intermediary devices, and testing another cable. These are sensible first-line checks before attempting custom display modes.

Check your monitor’s supported 240Hz mode

Before changing software settings, confirm that the exact monitor supports 240 Hz at the resolution you want. A marketing headline or retailer title is not enough to establish the capabilities of every input.

Find the monitor’s exact model and specifications

Check the label on the back of the monitor, its OSD information page, or your purchase records. Find the matching model on the manufacturer’s support website and open its official specifications or manual.

Look for the maximum refresh rate listed for each video input. Confirm the resolution associated with that rate and check whether it requires a specific operating mode.

Record these three details:

• The monitor’s native resolution.

• The maximum supported refresh rate at that resolution.

• The input and cable requirements for the 240 Hz mode.

A monitor’s specifications may distinguish between native operation and an overclocked maximum. If the manual says 240 Hz requires enabling an Overclock or similar setting, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not assume that every monitor has such an option.

If the manual lists 240 Hz only for a different resolution or input, adjust the configuration to a supported combination before investigating Windows or drivers.

Check whether the resolution is limiting the refresh rate

Higher resolutions require more pixel data to be transmitted per frame. Increasing the refresh rate to 240 Hz raises the amount of data that must travel through the display connection.

For example, 1920 × 1080 at 240 Hz is generally less demanding than 2560 × 1440 at 240 Hz. The exact supported combinations still depend on the monitor, GPU, interface, and signal format.

LG’s official high-refresh-rate guidance explains that higher refresh rates depend on the display connection, supported cable, computer hardware, and user configuration. Some high-resolution, high-refresh modes also require Display Stream Compression (DSC), a technology that compresses display data for supported connections.

If 240 Hz is available at a lower resolution but absent at the native resolution, do not immediately conclude that the monitor is faulty. Check the manufacturer’s timing table and confirm that the entire signal path supports the desired mode.

Fix a 240Hz monitor not showing 240Hz in Windows

If your monitor and connection support 240 Hz, the problem may simply be that Windows is configured for a lower rate. Check the selected display before changing drivers or hardware.

Select 240 Hz in Windows 11

Follow these steps:

1. Right-click an empty area of the desktop and select Display settings.

2. Open Advanced display.

3. If multiple screens are connected, select the 240 Hz monitor.

4. Find the Choose a refresh rate dropdown.

5. Select 240 Hz if it appears.

6. Confirm the change and verify that the picture remains stable.

Reopen Advanced display to confirm the active refresh rate and resolution.

Microsoft explains that Windows displays refresh rates based on the capabilities of the selected display. Some options have an asterisk indicating that they do not support the current resolution. Selecting one can cause Windows to change the resolution to achieve that refresh rate.

If 240 Hz appears only when Windows changes the resolution, check the resulting mode against the monitor’s specifications. Ideally, use the supported 240 Hz setting at the native resolution.

If the option is absent entirely, continue with the connection checks instead of repeatedly changing the same menu.

Check the refresh rate in Windows 10

Windows 10 provides a similar option through display adapter properties.

1. Right-click the desktop and open Display settings.

2. Select Advanced display settings.

3. Choose the correct monitor.

4. Open Display adapter properties for the display.

5. Select the Monitor tab.

6. Inspect the Screen refresh rate dropdown for 240 Hertz.

If the desired rate appears, select it and apply the setting. If only lower rates are listed, check the monitor’s input specifications and the capabilities of the connected graphics output.

The exact options shown may vary with the installed driver. However, the same principle applies: Windows can select only the modes made available through the current display configuration.

Make sure you selected the right display

This step matters when a gaming monitor is connected alongside a laptop screen, television, or secondary monitor.

Windows maintains separate display settings for each screen. Your primary display may support only 60 Hz, while the gaming monitor supports 240 Hz. Changing the settings for the wrong screen will not resolve the problem.

Use the Identify function in Windows Display settings to match each screen’s number with the physical monitor. Select the correct display in Advanced display and inspect the available refresh rates.

If you recently moved cables, changed your display arrangement, installed a graphics driver, or connected another screen, verify the selection again before troubleshooting further.

Check the HDMI or DisplayPort connection

If 240 Hz is missing from Windows, the physical signal path is one of the most important things to investigate. The monitor and GPU must support the target mode, and the cable and any intermediary devices must be suitable.

Verify your port’s maximum refresh rate

Check the supported video modes for both the monitor input and the computer’s graphics output. Do not assume that HDMI and DisplayPort offer identical capabilities simply because both produce a picture.

Depending on the exact devices, one input may support 240 Hz at the target resolution while another has a lower limit. The supported mode can also depend on color depth, signal format, and whether DSC is available.

Check the following:

• The maximum refresh rate supported by the monitor’s chosen input.

• The maximum supported resolution and refresh rate of the GPU output.

• Whether the monitor requires a particular interface mode.

• Whether the manual specifies a compatible cable or connection.

• Whether an adapter or dock is restricting the signal.

If the monitor manufacturer specifies DisplayPort for 240 Hz at your resolution, use that connection for troubleshooting. If HDMI is officially supported for the same mode, a compatible HDMI connection may work too.

Try another suitable cable

A cable that is damaged or unsuitable for the required signal can prevent the monitor from exposing its maximum refresh rate or cause instability when you select it.

Start by reconnecting the cable securely at both ends. If possible, test using the cable supplied with the monitor or another known-good cable rated for the required configuration.

For DisplayPort, try another suitable DisplayPort cable. For HDMI, check that the cable and both device ports support the necessary bandwidth.

Do not judge a cable only by its appearance or by a generic marketing label. Match its capabilities to the requirements in the monitor and graphics-card documentation.

This check is especially useful if 240 Hz worked previously but disappeared after moving the PC, disconnecting the monitor, or changing the connection.

Remove adapters and docking stations

If the monitor connects through a USB-C hub, laptop dock, HDMI adapter, KVM switch, or splitter, temporarily bypass that device.

Connect the monitor directly to a compatible graphics output, then open Windows Advanced display again.

An intermediary device may support a lower maximum refresh rate than the monitor and computer. Some devices also have different limits when multiple displays are connected.

If 240 Hz becomes available through a direct connection, investigate the adapter or dock’s specifications. You may be able to resolve the problem without replacing the monitor or graphics card.

Check your GPU settings and drivers

Your graphics card must be able to deliver the intended display signal through the connected output. A powerful GPU does not automatically support every refresh-rate combination across every port.

Connect the monitor to the correct GPU output

On a desktop PC with a dedicated graphics card, make sure the monitor is connected to an appropriate output on that card.

Motherboard video outputs may rely on integrated graphics, which can have different capabilities from a dedicated GPU. The supported modes depend on the processor, motherboard, graphics hardware, and connection.

If you recently built your PC, changed your graphics card, or moved the cables, check the physical connection. Turn off the computer before changing connections if the manufacturer’s instructions recommend doing so.

Reconnect the monitor and inspect Windows again.

Use NVIDIA Control Panel

If you use a supported NVIDIA graphics card, open NVIDIA Control Panel and select Display > Change resolution.

Select the correct monitor, choose its native resolution, and inspect the available refresh rates. If 240 Hz appears as a supported option, select it and apply the change.

NVIDIA documents Change resolution as the location for selecting a display’s resolution and refresh rate.

If 240 Hz appears in NVIDIA Control Panel but not in Windows, apply the supported mode and reopen Advanced display to confirm the active signal.

If the option is missing from both interfaces, investigate the monitor’s supported modes, the cable, and the connection before attempting a custom resolution.

Check AMD or Intel graphics settings

On AMD systems, check Windows Advanced display first, then review AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition if necessary. AMD provides custom-resolution functionality for compatible configurations, but the available modes depend on the display’s specifications.

On Intel systems, verify the output used to connect the monitor and check the installed graphics driver. Intel’s troubleshooting guidance recommends confirming monitor support, updating graphics drivers, removing adapters, and testing other cables when expected display modes are missing.

Menu names and available options vary by driver and hardware generation. Use the documentation for your system rather than assuming every graphics control panel offers identical controls.

Also remember that refresh rate and gaming performance are different. A GPU can output a 240 Hz desktop signal even when a demanding game cannot render 240 FPS consistently.

Update or reinstall the graphics driver

If your monitor previously worked at 240 Hz but the option disappeared after a Windows update, driver installation, or hardware change, check the graphics driver.

Obtain the appropriate driver from NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, or the computer manufacturer’s official support page. Install it, restart the computer, and check Advanced display again.

For laptops with hybrid graphics or manufacturer-specific display routing, the system manufacturer’s validated driver may be relevant.

If a regular update does not help and the problem began after a driver change, consider a clean installation following the GPU manufacturer’s documented procedure. Intel recommends clean driver installation as one troubleshooting step for persistent missing display modes.

Do not repeatedly reinstall drivers without checking the hardware configuration. Software cannot overcome a physical port that does not support the intended signal.

Check the monitor’s OSD, HDR, and multiple-display settings

If the normal Windows and connection checks do not resolve the problem, simplify the display configuration and review monitor-specific settings.

Check the monitor’s on-screen display

Open the monitor’s OSD using its physical buttons or joystick. Confirm that the correct input source is selected and look for any manufacturer-documented option related to maximum refresh rate or interface mode.

Some monitors offer a separate overclock setting for their highest advertised rate. Others operate at their maximum supported refresh rate without such a setting.

If the manual specifies that you must enable Overclock, a particular DisplayPort mode, or another named feature, follow those instructions and return to Windows to select 240 Hz.

Do not assume that every 240 Hz monitor requires overclocking, and avoid undocumented menu combinations intended to force unsupported modes.

Temporarily disable HDR

If HDR is enabled, turn it off temporarily in Windows and check whether 240 Hz appears. You can also review color-depth and output-format settings in the graphics control panel.

Higher resolutions, refresh rates, and color formats can increase the demands on the display connection. If the desired rate appears after disabling HDR or changing a color option, you have narrowed the problem to the signal configuration.

Check your monitor and GPU specifications to determine whether the desired combination of HDR, resolution, color depth, and refresh rate is supported. Do not leave HDR disabled permanently without confirming whether the features can operate together over a suitable connection.

Test with one monitor connected

Temporarily disconnect secondary screens and test the 240 Hz monitor directly.

Multiple monitors do not automatically prevent 240 Hz, but the combined configuration can introduce additional variables, including adapter limitations and different output capabilities.

If 240 Hz appears when the gaming monitor is connected alone, reconnect the other screens one at a time. Check whether the refresh-rate option disappears after adding a specific monitor, dock, or adapter.

This process helps isolate the problem without changing unrelated settings or purchasing additional equipment.

Troubleshoot common 240Hz display problems

Use the table below to choose the next step based on your symptom.

If the problem persists, record your exact monitor model, GPU or laptop model, connection type, resolution, and available refresh rates. This information makes it easier for the manufacturer’s support team to identify a model-specific compatibility issue.

Avoid forcing unsupported timings repeatedly. A stable, supported refresh rate is preferable to an unstable signal that causes black screens, artifacts, or dropouts.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my 240Hz monitor only show 120Hz?

The current input, cable, resolution, graphics driver, or computer output may be limiting the available modes. Check the monitor’s supported specifications and the full signal path before changing advanced settings.

Does a 240Hz monitor require HDMI 2.1?

Not always. Requirements depend on the monitor’s resolution, supported timing, and the capabilities of the GPU output. Some 240 Hz configurations work through DisplayPort, while others may require a particular HDMI connection or DSC support. Check the specifications for your exact devices.

Can an older graphics card prevent 240Hz from appearing?

Yes, if its available outputs do not support the intended resolution and refresh rate. However, gaming performance alone does not determine whether the card can output a 240 Hz desktop signal. Check the GPU’s supported display modes before upgrading.

Should I create a custom resolution to unlock 240Hz?

Use custom resolutions only as a last resort when there is a clear, supported reason. AMD provides compatibility checks for custom modes, while NVIDIA warns that timings beyond a monitor’s advertised specifications may cause damage or affect warranty coverage. Prefer manufacturer-supported modes.

Does 240Hz mean my games will run at 240 FPS?

No. Refresh rate describes how frequently the monitor can update its image, while FPS measures how many frames the game renders. A monitor can operate at 240 Hz while a game renders fewer than 240 frames per second.

Why is 240Hz listed on the product page but missing from Windows?

The advertised maximum may require a specific input, resolution, cable, signal format, or monitor setting. Check the manual’s supported timing table rather than relying only on the headline refresh-rate specification.

Final verdict

When a 240 Hz monitor does not show 240 Hz, start by checking the exact display specifications and Windows Advanced display settings. Then verify the native resolution, cable, GPU output, drivers, and any manufacturer-specific OSD requirements.

If necessary, test a direct connection without adapters, HDR, or secondary monitors to isolate the limitation. Avoid forcing unsupported custom timings. The goal is a stable 240 Hz signal at your intended resolution, not simply a higher number in a settings menu.