Dynamic Refresh Rate adjusts the refresh rate on the fly depending on the content. Here is how to enable Dynamic Refresh Rate in Windows 11.
Windows 11 has several new features to get you excited. One of those features is the long-requested Dynamic Refresh Rate. As the name implies, when enabled, the Dynamic Refresh Rate will automatically adjust the display refresh rate based on the content on the screen and what you are doing with it. For example, if you are playing a game, scrolling a web page, etc., Windows increases the refresh rate to make things smoother. On the other hand, for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming video, reading emails, etc., it will throttle the refresh rate to 60Hz.
DRR or Dynamic Refresh Rate is a welcome feature; if your display supports high refresh rate, you should turn on Dynamic Refresh Rate in Windows 11.
The Dynamic Refresh Rate feature is disabled by default. You can enable Dynamic Refresh Rate with just a couple of clicks. Follow the below steps to turn on Dynamic Refresh Rate in Windows 11.
Table of contents:
- Uses of Dynamic Refresh Rate
- Dynamic Refresh Rate requirements
- Enable Dynamic Refresh Rate in Windows 11
Uses of Dynamic Refresh Rate
If your display or laptop supports high refresh rate, enabling Dynamic Refresh Rate makes everything much smoother and more efficient.
For one, the Dynamic Refresh Rate feature will improve the laptop battery backup time and life.
For desktop users, enabling Dynamic Refresh Rate will reduce power consumption.
If you are wondering, this happens because the system won’t always be in high refresh rate mode, which consumes more power.
Dynamic Refresh Rate requirements
There are a couple of mandatory requirements your computer should meet to use Dynamic Refresh Rate. They are as follows:
- Your display should support at least 120Hz refresh rate.
- DRR requires WDDM 3.0 graphics driver. You can check it from the dxdiag tool.
- Applications should support the DRR API. Otherwise, Windows 11 falls back to the native or configured display refresh rate.
Enable Dynamic Refresh Rate in Windows 11
Follow the below steps to enable Dynamic Refresh Rate in Windows 11 operating system.
- Open the “Settings” app.
- Select the “System” on the sidebar.
- Click on the “Display” option.
- Click on the “Advanced display” option at the bottom.
- Select “Dynamic” from the “Choose a refresh rate” dropdown.
- Close the Settings app.
- With that, the Dynamic Refresh Rate feature is enabled.
Steps with more details:
As with most things, we must open the Windows 11 Settings app. Use the “Win + I” keyboard shortcut or search for “Settings” in the Start menu.
Go to the “System > Display” page in the Settings app. This page has options to configure the display settings.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Display page and click on the “Advanced Display” option.
Now, choose the “Dynamic” option from the “Choose a refresh rate” dropdown menu. Settings are instantly and automatically saved as soon as you set the option.
If you see a confirmation prompt, press the “Yes” or “Ok” button.
With that, the Dynamic Refresh Rate is enabled.
You should immediately see that the refresh rate is lowered. Windows 11 will again increase the refresh rate as and when required. For example, the refresh rate increases when scrolling the web page and immediately reduces to 60Hz as soon as you stop scrolling.
—
That is all. It is that simple to turn on and use Dynamic Refresh Rate in Windows 11.
I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need some help, send an email, and I will try to help as much as possible.
