240Hz not showing up: How to fix GPU driver conflicts now

When a gaming monitor supports 240 Hz but Windows only offers 60 Hz, 120 Hz, or 144 Hz, the problem usually comes down to connection bandwidth, resolution settings, graphics drivers, or monitor-specific requirements. If 240hz not showing up in your display settings, start by confirming the monitor’s maximum supported refresh rate at your current resolution and input. Then check Windows, the cable, the graphics card, and the monitor’s on-screen display. Most problems can be diagnosed without replacing hardware, and forcing an unsupported refresh rate should not be your first move.

Why is 240Hz not showing up in display settings?

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

Intel’s support guidance for monitors limited to 120 Hz recommends checking Windows refresh-rate settings, verifying the display cable and monitor compatibility, and reinstalling the graphics driver when necessary. The same troubleshooting logic applies when a 240 Hz mode is missing.

Start with these common causes:

• Windows is configured for a lower refresh rate.

• The selected HDMI or DisplayPort connection has a lower supported limit than the monitor’s advertised maximum.

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

• The selected resolution requires more bandwidth than the current connection supports.

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

• The monitor requires a manufacturer-specific setting to enable its highest refresh rate.

• The computer’s video output does not support 240 Hz at the intended resolution.

• The monitor advertises 240 Hz only under a particular operating mode or supported configuration.

Use the table below to identify which check is most relevant to your setup.

The most important distinction is whether 240 Hz is supported by your current hardware configuration. If it is supported, troubleshooting can focus on settings and drivers. If it is not, no Windows adjustment will make that particular connection deliver the desired mode.

Check whether your monitor supports 240Hz at the selected resolution

Before changing drivers or buying a new cable, verify the exact monitor specifications. A product description that says “240 Hz” does not establish that every input supports 240 Hz at every resolution.

Find the monitor’s supported display modes

Locate the exact model number on the rear label, in the monitor’s on-screen display (OSD), or in the original purchase records. Open the matching manufacturer’s manual or specification sheet.

Look for the maximum refresh rate supported by each input and resolution. For example, a 240 Hz monitor might support its full refresh rate at 1920 × 1080 through one connection, while a higher-resolution mode requires a different input or signal configuration.

Also check whether the advertised rate is native or requires a manufacturer-provided overclock setting. These are not interchangeable. If the manual lists 240 Hz only after enabling a particular option, follow those instructions rather than assuming the mode will appear automatically.

Record three details before proceeding:

• The monitor’s native resolution.

• The maximum refresh rate supported at that resolution.

• The input and signal requirements for the supported 240 Hz mode.

These details become your reference for the remaining steps. They can also help you avoid buying an unnecessary cable or replacing a component that already supports the desired configuration.

Understand why resolution affects 240Hz

Higher resolutions require more pixel data to be transmitted for each frame. Sending that data 240 times per second can demand considerably more bandwidth than running the same resolution at 60 Hz or 120 Hz.

For example, 2560 × 1440 at 240 Hz is more demanding than 1920 × 1080 at 240 Hz. Whether your system supports either configuration depends on the monitor, GPU, connection, and signal format.

LG’s official high-refresh-rate guidance includes a 2560 × 1440 mode close to 240 Hz that calls for HDMI 2.1 on PC or DisplayPort 1.4 with Display Stream Compression (DSC), according to the documented mode. This is an example of a specific signal requirement, not a universal specification for every monitor.

DSC is a display compression technology designed to carry higher-resolution, higher-refresh-rate signals over supported interfaces. Both ends of the connection must support the relevant configuration.

If 240 Hz is available at a lower resolution but missing at your monitor’s native resolution, investigate bandwidth and compatibility before changing other settings.

Fix 240Hz not showing up in Windows display settings

If the monitor and connection officially support 240 Hz, check the Windows configuration next. The operating system may simply be using a lower refresh rate.

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 monitors are connected, choose the display you want to configure.

4. Find the Choose a refresh rate dropdown.

5. Select 240 Hz if it appears.

6. Confirm the change and wait for the screen to stabilize.

Reopen Advanced display afterward to verify the active refresh rate and resolution.

Microsoft explains that Windows only displays refresh rates supported by the selected display and its current configuration. Some entries have an asterisk indicating that they do not support the current resolution. Selecting one of those entries may cause Windows to change the resolution.

If you can select 240 Hz only by changing the resolution, verify that the resulting image quality and display mode meet your needs. Ideally, use the monitor’s native resolution at its supported maximum refresh rate.

If 240 Hz is missing entirely, proceed to the connection and driver checks instead of repeatedly changing the same setting.

Check Windows 10 refresh-rate settings

Windows 10 offers a similar route through the display adapter properties.

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

2. Open Advanced display settings.

3. Select the correct monitor.

4. Click Display adapter properties for the display.

5. Open the Monitor tab.

6. Inspect the Screen refresh rate dropdown.

Choose 240 Hertz if it is listed as a supported mode. Apply the change and confirm that the picture remains stable.

If the maximum available rate is still lower than 240 Hz, check the selected resolution, video connection, and graphics driver. The available menus may differ depending on the GPU and driver version, but the principle remains the same: select a display mode that the connected hardware supports.

Make sure you selected the correct monitor

This is an easy mistake to make when using multiple displays.

Windows stores display settings separately for each screen. Your primary display might support only 60 Hz, while your gaming monitor supports 240 Hz. Changing settings for the wrong screen will not fix the missing option.

Use the Identify function in Display settings to match the numbered displays to your physical monitors. Select the 240 Hz display in Advanced display and review its supported modes.

If you recently rearranged your displays, added a television, or changed which GPU output you use, repeat this check. Do not assume that all connected screens share the same refresh-rate capabilities.

Check your HDMI or DisplayPort connection

A high-refresh-rate monitor can be limited by the cable or port connecting it to the computer. Both the graphics output and the monitor input must support the required resolution and refresh rate.

Check the HDMI and DisplayPort capabilities

Consult the official specifications for your exact monitor and graphics card. Determine which inputs support 240 Hz at the resolution you want.

HDMI and DisplayPort each have different capabilities depending on their implementation, version, and supported signal modes. The connector’s appearance alone cannot establish whether a particular configuration will work.

If the monitor supports 240 Hz through DisplayPort but not through your current HDMI configuration, switching to a compatible DisplayPort connection may restore the missing option. The reverse situation is also possible on particular devices.

Check these details:

• The monitor’s maximum refresh rate for the selected input.

• The GPU’s output capabilities at the desired resolution.

• The cable’s suitability for the required signal bandwidth.

• Whether the mode requires DSC or another manufacturer-documented feature.

• Any restrictions imposed by an intermediary device.

Do not treat the port version as the only relevant factor. The exact monitor, graphics card, cable, and resolution must all be compatible.

Try a suitable cable

A damaged or unsuitable cable can prevent a high-refresh-rate mode from appearing or cause the display to lose its signal at 240 Hz.

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

If you are using DisplayPort, try another suitable DisplayPort cable. If you are using HDMI, confirm that the cable and both device ports support the required bandwidth.

Avoid buying a replacement based only on a label that says “high speed” or “gaming.” Verify the requirements in the monitor and GPU documentation first.

A cable replacement is especially worth testing if the monitor previously operated at 240 Hz but the option disappeared after moving the PC, reconnecting the display, or adding another device to the signal path.

Remove adapters and docking stations

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

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

A dock or adapter might support a lower refresh rate than the monitor and GPU. Its capabilities may also change when multiple displays are connected.

If 240 Hz appears through a direct connection but disappears when you reconnect the intermediary device, investigate its supported display modes. Replacing the monitor or graphics card is unlikely to be necessary if a direct connection already works.

Check your graphics card and GPU settings

The graphics card must be able to send the required signal through the output connected to the monitor. A powerful GPU does not automatically support every resolution and refresh-rate combination through 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 a suitable output on the graphics card rather than an unsupported or limited motherboard output.

Motherboard video ports may depend on the processor’s integrated graphics and have different display capabilities. The result depends on the actual system configuration.

If you recently built the PC, replaced your GPU, or moved cables around, verify the connection. Turn off the computer before changing physical connections if recommended by the manufacturer.

After reconnecting the monitor, restart or reconnect the display and inspect Windows again.

Check NVIDIA Control Panel

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

Choose the correct monitor, find its native resolution, and inspect the refresh-rate options. If 240 Hz appears as a supported mode, select it and apply the change.

NVIDIA documents Change resolution as the location for selecting display resolution and refresh rate. If the desired mode is available there, apply it and then verify the active signal in Windows Advanced display.

If 240 Hz is missing from both interfaces, the issue may involve the connection, monitor-reported display modes, resolution, or driver configuration.

NVIDIA offers custom-resolution functionality, but forcing a mode outside the manufacturer’s specifications should not be the first troubleshooting step. NVIDIA warns that unsupported custom timings may permanently damage the monitor and could affect warranty coverage.

Check AMD Software or Intel graphics settings

On AMD systems, check Windows display settings and review AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition if necessary. The software includes custom-resolution functionality for supported systems, but AMD emphasizes that compatibility depends on the display’s capabilities and specifications.

On Intel systems, verify the active graphics output and installed driver. Intel’s guidance for monitors limited to lower refresh rates recommends checking cables, display compatibility, and graphics driver installation.

The names and availability of display options depend on the GPU model and installed software. Follow the instructions for your system rather than assuming every computer exposes identical settings.

Also distinguish the monitor’s refresh rate from the game’s frame rate. A GPU can support a 240 Hz display signal even if a demanding game does not consistently render 240 frames per second.

Update the graphics driver and monitor settings

If your monitor previously supported 240 Hz but the option disappeared, a driver or display configuration problem becomes more plausible.

Update or reinstall the graphics driver

Obtain the appropriate driver from NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, or the computer manufacturer’s official support page.

Install the driver, restart the computer, and check Advanced display again. For laptops with hybrid graphics or customized display routing, the manufacturer’s validated driver may be particularly relevant.

If the issue began after a driver update and a normal installation does not solve it, consider a clean installation using the GPU manufacturer’s documented procedure. Intel specifically recommends a clean graphics driver installation for persistent refresh-rate problems.

Do not repeatedly reinstall drivers without checking the cable and supported modes. Software cannot overcome a physical port limitation.

Check the monitor’s on-screen display

Open the monitor’s OSD using its physical buttons or joystick. Confirm the correct input source and look for any manufacturer-documented setting related to maximum refresh rate, DisplayPort mode, or overclocking.

Some monitors offer a separate overclock setting to access their highest advertised rate. Others operate at their maximum supported refresh rate without requiring such a feature. The exact behavior depends on the model.

If the manual specifies an OSD setting that must be enabled, follow those instructions and then return to Windows to select 240 Hz.

Do not assume every monitor requires overclocking, and do not use undocumented menu combinations to force a higher rate.

Check HDR, color depth, and multiple-monitor configurations

If the connection, driver, and OSD settings appear correct, simplify the display configuration temporarily to identify remaining restrictions.

Test without HDR or high color depth

If HDR is enabled, turn it off temporarily in Windows and see whether 240 Hz appears. Also review relevant color-depth and output-format settings in your graphics software.

Higher resolutions, refresh rates, and color formats can place greater demands on the connection. If 240 Hz appears after reducing one of these settings, you have narrowed the problem to the signal configuration.

Check the monitor and GPU documentation to determine which combination of resolution, refresh rate, color depth, and HDR is supported. Do not leave HDR disabled permanently without checking whether your hardware supports the desired features together through a suitable connection.

Test with one monitor connected

Temporarily disconnect other displays and connect the 240 Hz monitor directly to the computer.

Multiple monitors do not automatically prevent 240 Hz, but a dock, adapter, or combined display configuration can introduce additional limitations.

If the higher refresh rate appears when the gaming monitor is connected alone, reconnect other displays one at a time. Check whether the 240 Hz option disappears after adding a particular screen or intermediary device.

This is more informative than changing several unrelated settings at once.

Troubleshoot common 240Hz display problems

Use the following table to decide what to do next based on the specific symptom.

If these steps do not restore the option, record your exact monitor model, GPU or laptop model, connection type, resolution, and available refresh rates. These details help the manufacturer’s support team identify a model-specific limitation.

Avoid repeatedly forcing unsupported timings. A stable, supported refresh rate is preferable to an unstable mode that causes black screens, artifacts, or signal 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 display modes and the full signal path before changing advanced settings.

Does a 240Hz monitor require HDMI 2.1?

Not always. The required interface depends on the monitor’s resolution, supported timings, and the capabilities of the GPU output. Some 240 Hz configurations work through DisplayPort, while others may require a specific HDMI connection or DSC support. Consult the exact device specifications.

Can my graphics card be too old for 240Hz?

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

Should I create a custom resolution to unlock 240Hz?

Treat custom resolutions as a last resort, not the default fix. AMD provides compatibility checks for custom modes, and NVIDIA warns that settings beyond advertised display specifications may damage the monitor or affect warranty coverage. Prefer the manufacturer’s supported display modes.

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

No. Refresh rate describes how frequently the monitor updates its image, while FPS measures how many frames the game renders. You can run a monitor at 240 Hz while a game renders fewer than 240 FPS.

Why does 240Hz appear in my monitor’s specifications but not in Windows?

The published maximum may require a specific resolution, input, cable, signal format, or monitor setting. Windows lists the modes available for the current configuration, so check the manual’s supported timing table rather than relying solely on the headline refresh-rate specification.

Final verdict

When 240 Hz is missing from Windows, start by confirming that your monitor supports the desired refresh rate at its native resolution and through the connection you are using. Then check Advanced display settings, the cable, graphics output, driver, and monitor OSD.

If necessary, test without adapters, HDR, or additional displays to isolate the limitation. Use manufacturer-supported modes and avoid forcing unverified custom timings. The goal is a stable 240 Hz signal at the intended resolution, not merely a higher number in a settings menu.