How to Enable Dynamic Refresh Rate in Windows 11

Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) is a Windows 11 feature that can automatically adjust your screen’s refresh rate based on what you’re doing. It can use a lower refresh rate when the screen is mostly still and switch to a higher rate when smoother movement is useful.

This can make scrolling and supported pen input feel smoother while potentially helping reduce power consumption on compatible laptops and tablets.

However, DRR is not available on every Windows 11 device. Your display, graphics driver, and current display configuration all need to support the feature.

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How to Enable Dynamic Refresh Rate in Windows 11

You can check and enable DRR directly from Windows Settings.

Step 1: Open Windows Settings

Press Windows + I on your keyboard.

You can also open the Start menu and select Settings.

Step 2: Go to Display Settings

From the Settings window, select System from the left-hand menu.

Then click Display.

If your PC is connected to multiple screens, make sure you select the display you want to configure.

Step 3: Open Advanced Display

Scroll down the Display settings page and select Advanced display.

This section shows additional information about your connected display, including its available refresh rates.

Step 4: Select a Dynamic Refresh Rate

Find the Choose a refresh rate option.

If your device supports DRR, you may see an option such as:

Dynamic (60 Hz or 120 Hz)

The exact numbers can be different depending on your display.

Select the Dynamic option to enable the feature.

Windows should apply the change automatically. You may notice the screen briefly refresh while the new display setting is applied.

What Does Dynamic Refresh Rate Actually Do?

Refresh rate refers to how many times a display can update its image every second.

For example, a 60Hz display can refresh up to 60 times per second, while a 120Hz display can refresh up to 120 times per second.

A higher refresh rate generally makes movement appear smoother. This can be noticeable while scrolling through webpages, moving windows around, or using supported pen input.

The downside is that running a display at a higher refresh rate can require more power.

DRR is designed to balance these two factors.

When the feature is active, Windows can use a lower supported refresh rate when high refresh performance isn’t necessary and move to a higher rate during supported activities where smoother motion is useful.

This can be particularly helpful on laptops because reducing unnecessary display activity may help with battery efficiency.

What You Need to Use DRR

Simply having a 120Hz or higher display does not guarantee that Dynamic Refresh Rate will be available.

Your system needs compatible hardware and software.

Generally, you should check the following:

• Your PC must be running Windows 11.
• The display must support compatible refresh-rate modes.
• Your graphics driver needs to support DRR.
• The correct display must be selected in Advanced display settings.
• Your current resolution and display connection must expose compatible modes.
• The device manufacturer may also need to provide the appropriate graphics or display driver.

DRR is commonly found on compatible laptop and tablet displays with higher refresh rates.

Two available refresh rates, such as 60Hz and 120Hz, do not automatically mean that DRR is supported.

How to Check Whether DRR Is Enabled

You can confirm the setting from the same Windows menu.

Go to:

Settings > System > Display > Advanced display

Look at Choose a refresh rate.

If the selected option contains the word Dynamic and shows two supported refresh rates, DRR is enabled for that display.

Keep in mind that this menu isn’t designed to work as a live refresh-rate monitor. You may not always see an obvious indication when Windows switches between the available rates.

The important part is that a Dynamic option is selected and the display operates normally.

Dynamic Refresh Rate Is Missing: What Should You Do?

If you don’t see a Dynamic option, there are several things you can check.

1. Make Sure You Selected the Correct Display

This is especially important if you are using a laptop with an external monitor.

Windows may currently be showing the settings for your external display rather than the laptop’s built-in screen.

Open:

Settings > System > Display > Advanced display

Use the display selection option and check the laptop’s internal display.

Some devices support DRR only on their built-in panel.

2. Install Windows Updates

An outdated version of Windows can sometimes affect available display features.

Open:

Settings > Windows Update

Check for available updates and install them.

After updating Windows, restart your PC and check the Advanced display section again.

3. Update Your Graphics Driver

The graphics driver can also determine which display features Windows can use.

Check your computer manufacturer’s official support page or support application for the latest graphics driver for your specific model.

After installing a graphics driver, restart the computer before checking the DRR option again.

4. Check Your Display Resolution

Some displays provide certain refresh rates only at particular resolutions.

Open:

Settings > System > Display

Check the selected resolution. If possible, use the resolution marked Recommended.

Then return to:

Advanced display > Choose a refresh rate

Check whether the Dynamic option is now available.

5. Check Your Manufacturer’s Display Settings

Some laptops have manufacturer-specific software that controls display and power behavior.

Depending on the computer, you might find options related to:

• Automatic refresh rate
• Adaptive display
• Battery-saving display modes
• Panel power saving
• Performance modes

If your laptop has such software, check its documentation before changing settings you don’t recognize.

6. Remember That Fixed Refresh Rates Are Different

Suppose Windows gives you these choices:

• 60Hz
• 120Hz

but there is no Dynamic option.

That means you can manually choose between the supported refresh rates, but it does not necessarily mean your system supports DRR.

DRR requires specific hardware and software support.

Dynamic Refresh Rate vs. Fixed Refresh Rate

A fixed refresh rate keeps the display at the value you select.

For example, selecting 60Hz keeps the display at that setting, while selecting 120Hz uses the higher supported rate.

The choice depends on what you need.

A lower fixed refresh rate can be useful when power efficiency is more important. A higher fixed rate can provide consistently smoother movement.

DRR takes a different approach by allowing Windows to switch between supported rates automatically.

This means you don’t have to manually change the refresh rate whenever your activity changes.

Dynamic Refresh Rate vs. Variable Refresh Rate

DRR and VRR have similar-sounding names, but they are designed for different purposes.

Dynamic Refresh Rate is a Windows feature that can adjust the desktop display refresh rate based on activity, with smoothness and power efficiency in mind.

Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) is primarily intended to synchronize a display’s refresh timing with the frame output of a compatible graphics device. It can help reduce issues such as screen tearing during gaming.

Technologies such as FreeSync and G-Sync are examples of VRR-related display technologies.

A computer can potentially support DRR, VRR, both, or neither, depending on its hardware and software.

Enabling DRR does not replace the need to configure VRR for compatible games and displays.

When Should You Turn DRR Off?

DRR is intended to work automatically in the background, but using a fixed refresh rate can be useful when troubleshooting display problems.

For example, if you notice:

• Screen flickering
• Unusual motion
• Problems when the display wakes up
• Unexpected behavior in a particular application

you can temporarily switch from Dynamic to a fixed refresh rate.

Go back to:

Settings > System > Display > Advanced display

and select a fixed refresh rate.

If the problem disappears, check for Windows and graphics-driver updates before enabling DRR again.

If the problem continues even with a fixed refresh rate, DRR may not be the source of the issue.

Other factors, such as the graphics driver, display connection, docking station, cable, or application, could be involved.

Tips for Using Dynamic Refresh Rate

Keep these points in mind when using DRR:

• Use the Recommended display resolution unless you have a specific reason to change it.
• Keep Windows updated.
• Keep your graphics driver updated.
• Test battery performance during normal daily use rather than judging it from a short test.
• Screen brightness can also have a significant effect on battery consumption.
• If an application behaves strangely, temporarily test it with a fixed refresh rate.
• Check your display settings again after a major Windows or graphics-driver update.
• Remember that DRR availability depends on the hardware and driver combination.

Quick Steps to Enable DRR

If your device supports Dynamic Refresh Rate, the process is simple:

1. Press Windows + I.
2. Open System.
3. Select Display.
4. Open Advanced display.
5. Select the correct display.
6. Open Choose a refresh rate.
7. Select the option labeled Dynamic.

That’s it. Windows will then manage the supported refresh rates automatically.

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Final Thoughts

Dynamic Refresh Rate can be a useful feature for compatible Windows 11 laptops and tablets. Instead of keeping the display at its highest refresh rate all the time, Windows can adjust the rate based on supported activity.

If you don’t see a Dynamic option, first check that you’ve selected the correct display. Then make sure Windows and your graphics driver are up to date and that you’re using a compatible display configuration.

If your hardware doesn’t support DRR, you can still manually select a fixed refresh rate such as 60Hz or 120Hz, depending on what your display supports.