A monitor's advertised maximum and its current Windows setting are different things. Windows exposes refresh-rate choices for the selected display, and Microsoft notes that available rates depend on the display and resolution. Start by checking which screen you are actually configuring.
Record the current combination
On Windows 11, open Settings, System, Display and Advanced display. Select the intended monitor if more than one appears. Note the current resolution and available refresh rates before making a change.
Imagine a laptop connected through a dock to an external screen. Write down the laptop model, dock model, cable connection and monitor input. “It uses USB-C” is not enough to establish the supported display mode. Compare the exact combination with the manufacturers' specifications before buying a replacement accessory.
Change deliberately
- Check whether the desired rate is offered at the intended resolution.
- Notice any warning that a selection changes resolution.
- Keep a record of the previous working mode.
- Judge the result using ordinary scrolling and text readability.
Do not treat a higher refresh setting as a promise that every video or application will produce more frames. If the expected option is absent, investigate the documented capabilities of the whole connection. A missing menu choice alone does not identify which component is responsible.