Check refresh rate per screen after switching HDR

After you switch HDR on or off, one monitor may feel less smooth, or a game may seem to run at a different refresh rate. With two or more screens, it is easy to check the wrong display and blame the setting.

Use the Screens tool to identify each connected screen, then check the refresh rate with the Display Test while its window is on the screen you want to inspect. Compare the results before and after changing HDR.

Check each screen after switching HDR

1. Open Screens and note the resolution and scale shown for each connected display. If you are unsure which entry matches which monitor, use its color test to help identify the screen.
2. Open the Display Test and move the browser window onto the first monitor you want to check. Keep the window on that screen while you read the refresh-rate result.
3. Write down the monitor, resolution and refresh rate. Also note whether HDR is on or off. Use the same browser and screen arrangement for each comparison.
4. Move the browser window to the next monitor and repeat the check. If you have just changed HDR, repeat the same checks afterward and compare each monitor separately.

Do not compare one monitor in a small window with another while the browser is full screen. Keep other demanding browser pages and animations closed during the check, since they can affect how smoothly the browser draws frames.

What the result means

The refresh rate is the same before and after HDR

The browser test did not detect a change in the screen's displayed refresh behavior. HDR can still change brightness, contrast or color, so a picture that looks different does not necessarily mean the refresh rate changed.

The rate is lower with HDR on

The computer may have selected a lower refresh rate for that display, or the video connection may not have enough bandwidth for the combination of resolution, refresh rate and HDR color depth. Check the operating system's display settings before assuming the monitor is faulty.

One screen differs from the others

That can be normal. Each monitor has its own supported modes, and its cable, port, dock or graphics output can limit the available combination. Check the screen identification and resolution in Screens so you are comparing the right display.

The result jumps around or seems capped

A browser test measures how quickly the browser can update its display, not the monitor's electronics directly. Browser limits, a window on the wrong screen, background load, variable refresh rate, or a display mode change can affect the reading. Treat it as a useful check, not a certification of the panel's maximum refresh rate.

How to fix a lower refresh rate

1. Check the selected display mode. In Windows 11, open Settings › System › Display, select the monitor, then open Advanced display and choose a refresh rate supported by that screen. On macOS, open System Settings › Displays, select the display, and choose a refresh rate if the option is available.
2. Check HDR for the correct monitor. In Windows 11, go to Settings › System › Display, select the screen, and check Use HDR. On macOS, open System Settings › Displays, select the display and check its HDR option if one is shown. Settings are per display, so confirm the selected screen before changing anything.
3. Try a lower resolution as a comparison. If a high refresh rate becomes available after lowering the resolution, the current combination may be limited by the display connection. Restore the preferred resolution after the test and check the monitor's supported modes.
4. Connect the monitor directly. Temporarily remove a dock, adapter or receiver from the connection path. Try a different port or a cable rated for the monitor's resolution and refresh rate. A cable that carries a picture can still be inadequate for a higher-bandwidth HDR mode.
5. Restart the browser and graphics session. Close and reopen the browser after changing HDR or refresh rate. If the result remains inconsistent, restart the computer so the graphics system can detect the selected display modes again.

When the connection or display is the limit

If the operating system does not offer the monitor's expected refresh rate, check the monitor manual for supported resolutions and rates on the specific input you are using. Some monitors support a higher rate on one input than another, and an adapter or dock can reduce the available modes.

Test the monitor with a suitable cable connected directly to the computer, if possible. If the expected rate is still unavailable on multiple computers and inputs, or the screen flickers or loses its picture at supported settings, contact the monitor maker or a repair shop. A browser test cannot determine whether a monitor's internal circuitry is damaged.

Why HDR and refresh rate can interact

HDR carries a wider range of brightness and color information than standard dynamic range. At high resolutions and refresh rates, that extra information can use more of the connection's available bandwidth. The computer may respond by offering a lower refresh rate, reducing color depth, or requiring a different cable, port or display mode.

Some screens also use variable refresh rate, which changes the refresh behavior as content updates. A browser page may not produce frames at the same pace as a game, so a browser reading can differ from what you see in a game. Use the operating system's selected mode to confirm the configured rate, and use the browser test to compare behavior consistently from screen to screen.