Home/ Questions/Q 13661
Next
In Process

askthedev.com Latest Questions

Asked: 2024-09-26T23:23:53+05:30 In:

How can I adjust the refresh rate of my monitor in Ubuntu?

I’ve been having a heck of a time with my monitor settings on Ubuntu, and I could really use some help! So, here’s the deal: I’ve been gaming a lot lately, trying to make the most of my setup, but I’m noticing that my refresh rate just doesn’t seem to cut it. I feel like I’m missing out on that smooth gameplay experience because my monitor is stuck at this lower refresh rate, but I have no idea how to change it.

I’ve got a fairly new gaming monitor that’s capable of pushing 144Hz, and it works beautifully when I’m on my Windows partition. But when I boot into Ubuntu, it’s like I’m back in the Stone Age with a refresh rate that feels more like 60Hz or something. It’s so frustrating! I’ve poked around in the settings and even clicked through various display options, but nothing seems to budge.

I’ve read a couple of forums that suggest tweaking the xrandr command or accessing the display settings, but I’m a bit hesitant. I don’t want to mess anything up and end up with a screen that refuses to display anything at all! It would be great to have a few pointers or a step-by-step guide that’s easy to follow.

Has anyone else dealt with this issue and figured out how to adjust the refresh rate? What exactly do I need to do—do I have to tweak a config file or can I do it via a GUI? Also, if there are any particular tools or utilities that I should be aware of, I’d love to hear about those too.

I just want to enjoy my games without the stuttering and lag that comes with a lower refresh rate. Any advice or experiences would be super helpful! Thanks a bunch in advance—I really appreciate any tips you guys can share!

Share

    Leave an answer

    You must login to add an answer.

    Need An Account,

    2 Answers


    1. How to Change Your Monitor Refresh Rate on Ubuntu

      Sounds like a frustrating situation! Don’t worry, you’re definitely not alone with this issue. Let’s help you get that smooth gaming experience back on Ubuntu.

      Step-by-Step Guide:

      1. Open a Terminal: You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
      2. Check Current Refresh Rate: Type this command and press Enter: 
        xrandr

        This will show you the current settings, including the connected monitors and their refresh rates. Look for your monitor’s name (it might be something like HDMI-1, DP-1, etc.) and see what refresh rates it lists.

      3. Add New Refresh Rate: If your monitor supports 144Hz but isn’t showing it, you can add it. First, you need to calculate a mode line using this command (replace 144 with your desired refresh rate): 
        cvt 1920 1080 144

        This will give you a mode line. Copy everything after Modeline, starting with the number.

      4. Use xrandr to Add the New Mode: Next, type the following command (replace YOUR_MODELINE with what you copied): 
        xrandr --newmode YOUR_MODELINE
      5. Associate the New Mode with Your Monitor: Now link the new mode to your monitor (replace HDMI-1 with your monitor’s identifier): 
        xrandr --addmode HDMI-1 144Hz
      6. Set the New Mode: Finally, apply the new refresh rate to your monitor: 
        xrandr --output HDMI-1 --mode 144Hz

      GUI Method

      If you’re unsure about using the terminal, you can try accessing the display settings via the GUI:

      1. Go to Settings > Displays.
      2. Look for Refresh Rate in the display options.
      3. Select your desired refresh rate from the dropdown menu.
      4. Click Apply to save changes.

      Utilities to Consider

      While xrandr is usually the go-to tool, you might want to explore:

      • ARandR: A graphical frontend for xrandr that lets you configure resolutions and refresh rates easily.
      • Gnome Display Manager: Ensures your displays are managed properly, especially in a multi-monitor setup.

      After making these adjustments, you should be able to enjoy smoother gameplay without the stuttering. If something goes wrong, you can revert the changes by restarting your computer. Good luck, and happy gaming!



    2. To adjust your monitor’s refresh rate on Ubuntu, you can use the xrandr command, which provides a command-line interface to set your display parameters. First, launch a terminal and type xrandr without any arguments to list all connected displays and their supported modes. You’ll see something like this: HDMI-1 connected 1920x1080+0+0. Note the name of your monitor (for example, HDMI-1) and its supported refresh rates. If 144Hz is one of them, you can set it by running the command: xrandr --output HDMI-1 --mode 1920x1080 --rate 144. Replace HDMI-1 with your monitor’s identifier and adjust the resolution as necessary.

      If you prefer a graphical approach and want to avoid command line intricacies, you can access the “Displays” settings from the Ubuntu settings menu. Navigate to “Settings” > “Displays” and select your monitor. Look for the refresh rate dropdown, and if your monitor supports 144Hz, it should appear here. Sometimes, additional drivers for your graphics card may be needed, so make sure you have the appropriate drivers installed. You can check under “Software & Updates” > “Additional Drivers.” Also, make sure that your cable is capable of supporting the higher refresh rate; using a DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0 cable is advisable when aiming for 144Hz. With the correct setup, you should be able to enjoy smoother gameplay.


    Related Questions