4 Fixes for Macbook Not Outputting in High Refresh Rate to External Monitor

Quick Tips

• Ensure you use a connecting cable compatible with the ports on your MacBook and monitor.
• Note that cheap USB-C docks may lack the bandwidth to support high refresh rates.
• Once you’ve connected a monitor, enable the high refresh rate in Mac settings.

Basic Fixes

• Restart your Mac: Restarting your Mac often fixes things by refreshing the configuration, solving software glitches, and reinitializing ports. So, restart your Mac to see if the high refresh rate option is enabled.
• Update your software: It goes without saying, but problems like these are often caused by software bugs in the operating system. Update your OS to eliminate this factor altogether.
• Check if your monitor supports a high refresh rate: Before changing the refresh rate, ensure your device can support high refresh rates such as 120Hz, 144Hz, or higher.

Fix 1: Manually Select the High Refresh Rate in Mac Settings

Despite supporting the high refresh rate, many monitors often don’t switch to the higher refresh rate because it isn’t enabled in the Mac settings. Here’s how you do it:

Step 1: After connecting the monitor to the Mac, open Mac Settings.

Step 2: Next, go to Displays.

Note: Different Mac models have different maximum output resolutions and refresh rates.

Step 3: Here, you will see the option to select Refresh rate. Select the highest possible. In this case, my monitor supports 144Hz, so I’m choosing that.

Fix 2: Use a Thunderbolt Compatible Cable or HDMI 2.1

Choosing the wrong cable can cause issues with supporting the high refresh rate. Apple recommends using:

• Thunderbolt 4 cable, Thunderbolt 3 cable, or USB-C cable with devices having a Thunderbolt 4 port.
• Thunderbolt 3 cable or USB-C cable with devices having a Thunderbolt USB 4 port.

Also, some cables are unsuitable for display, such as the supplied USB-C to USB-C cable with most MacBooks. Therefore, check which port your Mac has and purchase the appropriate cable. Visit the official Apple support page to identify ports on your Mac model.

Alternatively, you can use an HDMI 2.1 cable. Note that most Mac models ship with an HDMI 2.0 port or don’t have it, limiting their output to 4K at 60Hz. In this case, use the Thunderbolt port only. Visit this page to check if your Mac supports 4K at up to 240Hz over HDMI.

Also Read: Best Thunderbolt 4 cables for MacBook and iPad

Fix 3: Plug Into HDMI 2.1, Display Port, or Thunderbolt USB4 Port

Keep these points in mind when connecting the cable to your monitor:

Identify the HDMI 2.1 Port on Your Monitor/TV

Some external monitors and TVs have multiple ports, but it isn’t necessary that all of them support HDMI 2.1. That means they are limited to HDMI 2.0 or lower, limiting them to 60Hz.

In this case, identify which ports support the HDMI 2.1 configuration and correctly plug in the HDMI cable (which should also be HDMI 2.1).

If Your Monitor Doesn’t Have an HDMI 2.1 Port

My monitor doesn’t have an HDMI port that supports HDMI 2.1. So, I have two options: I can either plug a USB-C to USB-C cable from my MacBook into the monitor’s USB-C port (which is DisplayPort Alt Mode compatible) or plug a USB-C to DisplayPort cable into my monitor’s DisplayPort.

Fix 4: Avoid Using Low-Quality, Generic Docks/Hubs

Now that many MacBooks only ship with USB-C ports as the main I/O, it becomes paramount to invest in a USB-C dock or hub. It not only expands your I/O to USB-A, more USB-C ports, and HDMI but also lets you charge simultaneously.

However, most people buy cheap options that don’t support the bandwidth or I/O needed to power a high refresh rate or resolution.

So, while buying a dock, ensure the following:

• Ensure it supports 4K resolution at 144Hz or higher: Read the fine print to check the refresh rate.
• Buy docks/hubs with DisplayPort 1.4: This ensures you are covered for most high refresh rates and resolutions.
• Buy Apple-certified accessories to ensure peace of mind and safety.

Also Read: I didn’t know I needed a dock for my Mac until I used one: ft. Startech Thunderbolt 4 dock

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