MSI monitor not showing 144Hz: Fix display setting errors

If your MSI gaming monitor supports 144 Hz but Windows only offers 60 Hz, 75 Hz, or 120 Hz, the cause is usually a display setting, connection limitation, graphics driver issue, or model-specific requirement. When an msi monitor not showing 144hz option interrupts your gaming setup, start by checking the monitor’s exact specifications, then verify the Windows refresh rate, cable, and graphics output. Most problems can be diagnosed without buying new hardware, and you should avoid forcing an unsupported refresh rate just to make the missing option appear.

Why is your MSI monitor not showing 144Hz?

An MSI monitor’s advertised maximum refresh rate does not guarantee that 144 Hz will be available through every connection and resolution. The monitor, graphics output, cable, and operating system must work together to establish a supported display mode.

For example, MSI’s official specifications for the PRO MP273W E14A list 1920 × 1080 at up to 144 Hz over HDMI and DisplayPort, but only up to 60 Hz over VGA. This illustrates why the input you use matters even when the monitor itself supports 144 Hz.

The most common causes include:

• Windows is configured to use a lower refresh rate.

• The monitor is connected through a port or adapter that limits the available modes.

• The cable cannot reliably support the required signal.

• The monitor is running at a resolution or display configuration that restricts 144 Hz.

• The graphics driver is outdated, corrupted, or incorrectly configured.

• A model-specific setting, such as DP OverClocking, needs to be enabled.

• A laptop, dock, or secondary display introduces a connection limitation.

Start with the monitor’s specification sheet and manual. MSI specifically recommends checking the timing table to determine the maximum refresh rate supported by each interface at each resolution. This should be your first step rather than immediately reinstalling Windows or purchasing another cable.

Fix an MSI monitor not showing 144Hz in Windows

Windows may recognize your MSI monitor correctly while leaving it configured at a lower refresh rate. Check the selected display and its current mode before making changes to drivers or hardware.

Change the refresh rate in Windows 11

Follow these steps to select 144 Hz:

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

2. Open the Advanced display section.

3. If multiple displays are connected, select your MSI monitor.

4. Find the Choose a refresh rate dropdown.

5. Select 144 Hz if it is available.

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

If Windows offers 144 Hz, the problem may simply have been an incorrect display setting. Reopen Advanced display afterward to confirm the selected monitor and refresh rate.

Microsoft explains that available refresh rates depend on the display’s capabilities. Windows may also mark certain rates with an asterisk when they do not support the current resolution. Selecting one of these modes can cause Windows to change the resolution, so make sure the resulting configuration is appropriate for your monitor.

If 144 Hz is absent from the dropdown, do not keep changing the same setting. Proceed to the hardware and compatibility checks.

Check the refresh rate in Windows 10

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

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

2. Scroll down and open Advanced display settings.

3. Select the MSI monitor.

4. Choose Display adapter properties for the display.

5. Open the Monitor tab.

6. Inspect the Screen refresh rate dropdown for 144 Hertz.

If the desired mode appears, select it and apply the change. If it does not appear, check the supported resolution and connection before attempting more advanced methods.

Make sure you selected the correct monitor

This is especially important for a gaming PC with multiple displays or a laptop connected to an external monitor.

Windows applies refresh-rate settings to the selected display. You might accidentally inspect your laptop screen or a secondary 60 Hz monitor instead of the MSI gaming monitor.

Use the Identify function in Windows Display settings to determine which number corresponds to your MSI display. Then select that screen under Advanced display and inspect its reported resolution and refresh rate.

If you have recently changed your monitor arrangement, updated the GPU driver, or disconnected another display, repeat this check. Do not assume that the refresh rate configured for one screen also applies to another.

MSI monitor not showing 144Hz? Check the cable and port

If Windows does not list 144 Hz, examine the entire connection between the computer and the monitor. A display can be capable of 144 Hz while the current signal path cannot deliver that mode.

Verify the HDMI and DisplayPort specifications

Check the specification sheet or manual for your exact MSI model. Look for the maximum refresh rate supported by each video input at the resolution you intend to use.

HDMI and DisplayPort capabilities vary by device, interface implementation, and signal configuration. You cannot determine compatibility from the connector’s shape alone.

For example, MSI’s G2412 supports different maximum refresh rates by input: its Full HD HDMI connection supports up to 144 Hz, while DisplayPort supports up to 170 Hz. The higher DisplayPort figure is specific to that model and should not be assumed for every MSI monitor.

Your own monitor may have different limits. Confirm the following details:

• The maximum refresh rate for your chosen input.

• The required resolution for that refresh rate.

• Whether the input supports the relevant high-refresh mode without overclocking.

• Whether the computer’s output supports the same combination.

If the monitor manual specifies DisplayPort for a particular high-refresh mode, use DisplayPort for troubleshooting. If HDMI is officially rated for 144 Hz at your resolution, a compatible HDMI connection may work equally well.

Try a different cable or connect directly

A damaged or unsuitable cable can prevent the intended display mode from working reliably. This is particularly relevant if the monitor also flickers, loses its signal, displays artifacts, or intermittently goes black.

Try these checks in order:

1. Disconnect and reconnect the video cable securely at both ends.

2. If possible, use the cable supplied with the monitor or another suitable, known-good cable.

3. Remove unnecessary adapters, splitters, KVM switches, and docking stations temporarily.

4. Connect the monitor directly to a compatible graphics output.

5. Restart the computer and check the available refresh rates again.

MSI’s external-display troubleshooting guidance recommends cross-testing cables and removing adapters to help isolate connection problems.

Do not assume that every HDMI or DisplayPort cable supports every resolution and refresh-rate combination. Match the cable and connection to the requirements in your monitor and computer specifications.

Connect the monitor to the correct graphics output

For a desktop PC with a dedicated graphics card, check where the display cable is connected. The ports on the graphics card are generally the correct choice when you intend to use that card to drive the monitor.

A motherboard video output may rely on integrated graphics, and its capabilities can differ from those of the dedicated GPU. Some systems also have specific output-routing arrangements.

Turn off the computer before changing physical connections if the manufacturer’s instructions recommend doing so. Connect the monitor to an output that supports the intended resolution and refresh rate, then check Windows again.

This step is particularly worthwhile if you recently assembled a PC, moved the computer, changed graphics cards, or reconnected cables after cleaning the setup.

Check your MSI monitor’s OSD settings

MSI gaming monitors include an on-screen display, or OSD, for adjusting monitor-specific features. Depending on the model, its menu may include refresh-rate information, input selection, Adaptive-Sync, and overclock-related settings.

Confirm the correct input source

Open the monitor’s OSD using its joystick or physical buttons. Locate Input Source and select the input connected to the computer.

For example, choose DisplayPort if the cable is connected to the monitor’s DisplayPort input. A monitor set to the wrong source may show no image, but checking the input can also help rule out a configuration mistake after switching cables or devices.

MSI’s setup documentation recommends consulting the specific monitor manual because menu options vary by model. If your OSD differs from the steps in a generic guide, use the instructions for your exact model.

Check whether DP OverClocking is required

Some MSI models require a specific overclock setting to access their highest advertised refresh rate. MSI’s official support guidance for selected models, including the G2712 and several G27-series displays, instructs users to connect through DisplayPort and turn on DP OverClocking under the monitor’s OSD settings to enable 170 Hz.

That instruction applies to the listed models and their relevant supported modes. It does not mean every MSI monitor requires DP OverClocking to reach 144 Hz.

If your manual identifies a similar setting, enable it according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then return to Windows and check the available refresh rates.

If the option does not exist on your monitor, do not search for an undocumented combination of menu buttons or attempt to force the mode. Your model may use a different configuration or may already support 144 Hz without a separate overclock setting.

Restore the intended gaming configuration

If you have changed several OSD settings and cannot identify which change affected the refresh rate, refer to the manual’s reset instructions.

A reset can help eliminate unintended configuration changes, but it may also restore preferences such as brightness, color mode, and input behavior. Record any customized settings before proceeding.

After restoring the relevant settings, select the correct input and check Windows again. If 144 Hz remains unavailable, continue with the graphics driver and resolution checks rather than repeatedly resetting the monitor.

Check the resolution and GPU settings

A monitor may support 144 Hz at one resolution but not every alternative mode offered by Windows or your graphics driver. Test the intended resolution before concluding that the monitor or GPU is defective.

Restore the monitor’s native resolution

Open Windows Display settings and select the resolution recommended for your MSI monitor. For a Full HD model, this is typically 1920 × 1080; a QHD model commonly uses 2560 × 1440. Confirm the exact native resolution in the manual.

After applying the recommended resolution, reopen Advanced display and look for 144 Hz.

If the missing option appears, the earlier resolution or its signal requirements may have been restricting the available modes. Choose the supported combination that preserves the monitor’s native resolution whenever possible.

Avoid leaving the display at a lower resolution simply because it exposes a higher refresh rate. A lower-resolution picture can look less sharp, and the monitor’s specifications may identify a connection or configuration that supports both the native resolution and 144 Hz.

Check NVIDIA Control Panel

For systems using a supported NVIDIA graphics card, inspect NVIDIA Control Panel:

1. Right-click the desktop and open NVIDIA Control Panel.

2. Under Display, select Change resolution.

3. Choose the MSI monitor.

4. Inspect the available resolutions and refresh rates.

5. Select the native resolution and 144 Hz if supported.

NVIDIA documents Change resolution as the location for selecting a display’s resolution and refresh rate. If 144 Hz appears in the NVIDIA control panel, apply the supported mode and then verify the active refresh rate in Windows.

If 144 Hz is missing from both locations, the issue may be related to the connection, monitor-reported modes, current resolution, or driver configuration. Do not assume that creating a custom resolution is the appropriate next step.

NVIDIA warns that custom refresh rates or timings beyond a display’s advertised specifications can cause permanent damage and may affect warranty coverage. Use custom modes only when there is a clear, supported reason and the monitor documentation permits the configuration.

Check AMD Software or Intel graphics settings

On AMD systems, first check the available refresh rates in Windows. AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition also includes custom-resolution functionality, but the modes it accepts depend on the display’s specifications.

On Intel-based systems, check the available modes in Windows and confirm which graphics hardware drives the external output. MSI recommends checking the appropriate GPU driver when external displays show lower-than-expected refresh rates or resolutions.

Do not assume that a powerful graphics card automatically guarantees every external output can deliver 144 Hz. The port and its supported signal modes still matter.

If your system uses integrated and discrete graphics, consult the computer manufacturer’s specifications to determine which output is connected to which GPU. This can be especially important on laptops and some compact desktops.

Update the graphics driver if 144Hz is still missing

A graphics driver problem becomes more likely if your MSI monitor previously worked at 144 Hz but the option disappeared after a Windows update, driver installation, or hardware change.

Start by installing the appropriate driver for your GPU. Use NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel’s official support resources, or the computer manufacturer’s support page when the system uses a customized graphics configuration.

After installation, restart the computer and check Advanced display again.

If a recent driver update coincided with the problem, consider a clean installation using the GPU manufacturer’s documented process. MSI’s external-display troubleshooting guidance also recommends updating or clean-installing the graphics driver when the connection produces abnormal display behavior or lower-than-expected refresh rates.

Laptop users should be particularly careful when selecting drivers. A manufacturer’s validated driver may be useful for systems that use hybrid graphics or model-specific display routing.

Do not install a collection of third-party refresh-rate utilities before checking the official drivers. These programs cannot overcome a physical connection limit, and adding more variables makes it harder to determine the actual cause.

A monitor-specific INF driver may be available for your model, but installing one is not a guaranteed fix for an unsupported port or cable. Use official monitor drivers when provided, and keep the distinction between display identification and hardware signal capability in mind.

Troubleshoot HDR, multiple monitors, and laptop connections

If the standard checks have not restored 144 Hz, temporarily simplify the display configuration.

Test without HDR or additional displays

Temporarily disable HDR in Windows if it is enabled, then check the refresh-rate menu. Also review relevant color-depth or output-format settings in the graphics control panel.

Higher resolutions, high refresh rates, and demanding signal formats can place different requirements on the connection. If 144 Hz appears after changing one of these settings, compare the result against the monitor’s documented capabilities to identify the supported combination.

You do not necessarily need to leave HDR disabled. Use this test to isolate a limitation, then determine whether your hardware and connection support the desired refresh rate alongside HDR.

If you use multiple monitors, disconnect the secondary displays temporarily and test the MSI monitor by itself. If 144 Hz appears, reconnect the other screens one at a time and inspect the display configuration.

Check the laptop port or docking station

Laptop users should verify the exact capabilities of the laptop’s HDMI, USB-C, or DisplayPort output. A built-in laptop screen can support a high refresh rate even when a particular external port or dock cannot provide the same combination.

USB-C requires particular care because its connector shape alone does not establish whether it supports the necessary video output. Check the laptop, cable, dock, and adapter specifications.

Connect the MSI monitor directly to a compatible video output, bypass the dock if possible, and check the refresh-rate menu again.

If the monitor reaches 144 Hz over a direct connection but not through the dock, investigate the dock’s video capabilities and supported resolutions. Replacing the monitor or graphics card is unlikely to be the first step when the direct connection already works.

Common MSI monitor refresh-rate problems and fixes

Use this table to identify the next troubleshooting step based on the symptom.

If you have exhausted these checks, record the exact MSI model, graphics card or laptop model, connection type, current resolution, and available refresh rates. This information helps MSI support narrow down whether the cause is a monitor limitation, computer output, or compatibility issue.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my MSI monitor only show 60Hz?

Windows may be configured to use 60 Hz, or the active connection may not support the required resolution and refresh rate. Start with Advanced display settings, verify the monitor’s exact specifications, and check the cable and input before changing more advanced settings.

Does every MSI 144Hz monitor support 144Hz over HDMI?

No universal rule applies to every MSI monitor. Some models support 144 Hz over HDMI, while others have different input limitations. Check the product specification sheet and manual for your exact model and resolution.

Should I use DisplayPort instead of HDMI?

Use whichever connection officially supports 144 Hz at your desired resolution. DisplayPort may be required for certain MSI overclock modes, but HDMI also supports 144 Hz on some MSI monitors. The model’s specifications determine the correct answer.

Can a GPU driver update remove the 144Hz option?

A driver problem can affect which display modes are available, particularly if the issue began immediately after an update. Recheck the display settings and connection first, then use the GPU manufacturer’s supported update or clean-install procedure.

Can I force 144Hz with a custom resolution?

Custom-resolution features exist in some GPU control panels, but forcing a mode does not guarantee that the monitor can display it correctly. Avoid timings beyond the manufacturer’s published specifications, and prioritize supported modes over experimental settings.

Will MSI Gaming OSD automatically enable 144Hz?

Not necessarily. Gaming OSD and the monitor’s built-in OSD provide model-dependent settings, and a software utility cannot bypass a physical connection limitation. Follow the instructions for your exact display rather than assuming that a particular application enables every high-refresh feature.

Final verdict

When an MSI monitor does not show the 144 Hz option, begin with the manufacturer’s specifications and Windows Advanced display settings. Confirm the active monitor, native resolution, cable, and video input before reinstalling drivers or experimenting with custom modes.

Next, check any model-specific OSD requirement, update the appropriate graphics driver, and temporarily simplify HDR or multiple-monitor configurations if necessary. If the problem persists, cross-test the monitor with another supported connection or computer to isolate the fault.

The best solution is a stable 144 Hz mode that the monitor and computer officially support. You should not need to force an unsupported signal or replace hardware until you have established which part of the configuration is actually limiting the refresh rate.