I have linked my Windows 10 laptop to the TV by using an HDMI cable. The laptop has a resolution of 3840×2160 and a refresh rate of 60Hz.
The TV’s resolution has been set to 3840×2160 automatically, but the refresh rate is displaying as 30Hz.
The option to increase the refresh rate is not available, which is why I am unable to make any changes to it.
I am able to modify the refresh rate to 60Hz after adjusting the TV’s resolution to 1920×1080.
I’m wondering why it’s not possible to set the TV’s resolution to 3840×2160 and the refresh rate to 60Hz. I’m unsure if the problem lies with the HDMI cable or Windows.
Although my TV can support a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, I am unable to locate that option.
2 Answers
Introduction
Connecting a laptop to a TV can be a great way to enjoy your favorite movies or TV shows on a larger screen. However, sometimes, you may encounter issues such as those described above. In this blog post, we will explore why you may not be able to set the refresh rate to 60Hz when connecting your laptop to a TV with a resolution of 3840×2160. We will also discuss whether the issue is caused by the HDMI cable or Windows.
What is Refresh Rate?
Refresh rate is the number of times per second that an image on a screen is refreshed. It is measured in Hertz (Hz). A higher refresh rate means that the image on the screen will be refreshed more times per second, resulting in smoother motion and less blur.
Why Can’t I Set the Refresh Rate to 60Hz?
When you connect your laptop to a TV with a resolution of 3840×2160, you may not be able to set the refresh rate to 60Hz. This is because the HDMI cable you are using may not support 4K resolution at 60Hz. To achieve 4K resolution at 60Hz, you need an HDMI cable that supports HDMI 2.0 or higher.
Another reason why you may not be able to set the refresh rate to 60Hz is that your laptop’s graphics card may not support it. Check your laptop’s graphics card specifications to see if it supports 4K resolution at 60Hz.
How to Check Your HDMI Cable
To check if your HDMI cable supports 4K at 60Hz, look for the HDMI version number on the cable. HDMI 2.0 or higher is required for 4K at 60Hz. If your HDMI cable does not support HDMI 2.0 or higher, you will need to purchase a new HDMI cable that does.
You can also check if your HDMI cable supports 4K at 60Hz by visiting the manufacturer’s website and looking up the specifications for the cable.
How to Check Your Laptop’s Graphics Card
To check if your laptop’s graphics card supports 4K resolution at 60Hz, open the Device Manager on your laptop and expand the Display Adapters section. The name of your graphics card should be listed here. Look up the specifications for your graphics card to see if it supports 4K resolution at 60Hz.
If your graphics card does not support 4K resolution at 60Hz, you may need to upgrade to a newer graphics card that does.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the reason why you may not be able to set the refresh rate to 60Hz when connecting your laptop to a TV with a resolution of 3840×2160 could be due to the HDMI cable or your laptop’s graphics card. To achieve 4K resolution at 60Hz, you need an HDMI cable that supports HDMI 2.0 or higher and a graphics card that supports 4K resolution at 60Hz. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can troubleshoot and resolve this issue and enjoy your favorite movies or TV shows on a larger screen with a smoother refresh rate.
Your display is Intel UHD Graphics 620 which can (quote):
Support for up to three independent displays via HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort (DP) 1.2, an Embedded DisplayPort (eDP) 1.4 interfaces.
Your display adapter can then only go up to HDMI 1.4, where I quote from Wikipedia:
HDMI 1.4 added support for 4096 × 2160 at 24 Hz, 3840 × 2160 at 24, 25, and 30 Hz, and 1920 × 1080 at 120 Hz.
You must choose between having a high refresh rate or 4K resolution because it’s not possible to have both at the same time with such high values.
Unfortunately, the only solution to this issue is to upgrade your display adapter.