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Why You’re Only Getting 60 fps on a 144hz Monitor

As an avid PC gamer, I was frustrated when I realized I was only getting 60 fps on my 144hz monitor. After doing some research and testing, I found out why this was happening and how to fix it. I’m writing this blog post to share my experience and the solutions I discovered, in case anyone else is having the same issue.

There could be various culprits to this issue such as a default setting issue or the game itself capping the fps.

IssueSolutionSteps
Default Setting IssueAdjust Nvidia Control Panel and Windows settings1. Enable highest possible framerates in Nvidia Control Panel
2. Set display to 144Hz in Windows settings
Program InterferenceDisable framerate limiter in MSI Afterburner or similar tools1. Run MSI Afterburner
2. Navigate to “Settings” and “Global Settings”
3. Deactivate “Enable Framerate Limiter”
V-Sync IssueEnable V-Sync in Nvidia Control Panel1. Launch Nvidia Control Panel
2. Click on “Manage 3D Settings”
3. Locate “Vertical Sync” and select “On”
Monitor Driver UpdateUpdate monitor driver1. Download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s page
2. Update driver in “Display Adapter Properties”
FreeSync IssueEnable FreeSync in Radeon Software1. Right-click on desktop and choose “AMD Radeon Software”
2. Select Gear icon and pick “Display”
3. Enable Free Sync

Reason #1: Default Setting Issue

Your monitor may be set to 60 fps on the Nvidia Control Panel. To solve this issue, you can access the settings and enable the “highest possible framerates.”

Another default setting you’ll want to check is in your Windows setting. All you have to do is navigate to “Settings,” then “Display,” followed by “Advanced.” Next, make sure the display is set to 144Hz.

In addition to this, you can navigate to “Settings,” “Display,” and “Graphic Settings.” In this setting, make sure the variable refresh rate is enabled.

Reason #2: Program Interference

An additional reason why your fps is capped at 60 could be from programs you’ve installed. Some of these include MSI Afterburner and EVGA Precision.

These software tools allow users to overclock their Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). In turn, it helps you gain more performance in terms of display.

Another feature offered by these programs is limiting fps. This is primarily made to avoid overheating during long gaming sessions.

Now, these software tools may have been capping your fps even if it isn’t running. The software tools can set a limit to your monitor’s fps. To mitigate this issue, you just need to disable the limit. Here’s how to do it on MSI Afterburner.

How to Disable Framerate Lock MSI Afterburner

To start, run MSI Afterburner, then navigate to “Settings” on the top left region of the screen. Then, choose “Global Settings.” Below the “Framerate Control,” deactivate the “Enable Framerate Limiter.”

Reason #3: Check V-Sync

V-sync is a tool used to help align your monitor’s refresh rate with its fps rate. By unlocking this feature, you may be able to get rid of the 60 fps cap.

It helps prevent screen tearing which occurs when the refresh rate and fps aren’t synchronized. Your screen ends up with horizontal or vertical splits of different frames showing up at the same time.

How to Enable V-Sync

To unlock v-sync, you’ll want to begin by launching the Nvidia Control Panel. On the left side of the screen, click on “Manage 3D Settings.”

In the Global Settings tab, locate “Vertical Sync” and, in the dropdown menu, select “On.” Your v-sync should be enabled.

Reason #4: Monitor Driver Update Needed

Monitor drivers support several display settings such as screen resolution, refresh rate, and quality. If it’s not properly updated, then it could be why you’re experiencing the 60 fps cap.

How to Update Your Monitor Driver

  1. Access your monitor’s manufacturer’s page.
  2. Enter your monitor’s ID information.
  3. Navigate to the support page.
  4. Under “Drivers and Software,” click on the latest driver available to download it.
  5. Go to “Display Settings” on your PC.
  6. Click on “Display Adapter Properties.”
  7. Choose the “Monitor” tab and then select “Properties.”
  8. Locate the “Drivers” tab.
  9. Select “Update Driver” and choose “Browse my computer for driver software.”
  10. Find the previously downloaded driver and click on “Okay,” followed by “Next.”
  11. The final tab should say “Windows has successfully updated your driver software.”

Reason #5: Check FreeSync

FreeSync offers a similar service to v-sync and g-sync which helps align your fps and refresh rates to avoid screen stuttering.

Having said that, you can enable this feature to help move up your 60 fps to 144. Here’s how to do so in Radeon Software.

  1. Right-click on your PC’s desktop and choose “AMD Radeon Software.”
  2. Select the Gear icon and pick “Display”
  3. Enable the “Radeon Free Sync” option.

Issues With 60 fps Cap

If your monitor is only generating 60 fps while it has a 144Hz refresh rate, it could reduce the screen’s quality.

You may even notice that a 60 Hz monitor displaying 60 fps will showcase the better quality and overall performance. The reason for this is that the misalignment of refresh rates and fps could be causing screen tearing.

To clarify, the monitor is refreshing too fast and the fps rate can’t catch up. To deal with this issue, you can install software tools like g-sync or v-sync for improved synchronization.

To Conclude

Why are you getting 60 fps from a 144Hz monitor? Well, the reasons could be sourced from your Windows default or graphic settings.

You may also need to disable the fps limiter feature on certain software like MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision. Alternatively, your monitor’s driver could simply use an update.

That being said, gaming in this format can become tedious from the screen tearing. Once you follow up on each reason mentioned, you’ll hopefully gain access to the desired 144 fps.