
If you've recently encountered a display issue on your Acer monitor, where the screen shows "60" or is stuck at 60 Hz, you're not alone. This issue can be quite frustrating, especially if you rely on your monitor for work, gaming, or multimedia tasks. The "60" label may indicate a refresh rate setting, and it's important to understand how it affects your display performance. In this article, we will dive deep into the causes of this issue and provide several effective methods to resolve it. Whether you are experiencing screen flickering, low refresh rates, or screen artifacts, we'll explore all possible fixes to help you get rid of "60" on your Acer monitor quickly.
Understanding the Causes of the "60" on Acer Monitor
Before we explore the various solutions, it’s crucial to understand the root cause of the issue. The "60" displayed on your Acer monitor is likely associated with the refresh rate. The refresh rate refers to how many times per second the screen refreshes, measured in Hertz (Hz). Here’s what might be causing the issue:
1. Default Refresh Rate: Some Acer monitors default to 60 Hz, which is the standard refresh rate for many monitors. However, in some cases, your system might be incorrectly displaying or locking it to this rate.
2. Graphics Card Settings: Your graphics card might be set to a lower refresh rate, limiting the performance and causing the monitor to display 60 Hz even when you might want a higher rate.
3. Cable or Connection Issues: A poor connection or using the wrong type of cable (such as an old VGA cable) could be limiting your monitor to a 60 Hz refresh rate, which could be causing the issue.
4. Outdated Drivers: Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can sometimes limit the refresh rate and force your Acer monitor to run at a default 60 Hz, even if the hardware is capable of higher rates.
5. Monitor Compatibility Issues: Some older Acer monitors may only support 60 Hz at certain resolutions, while newer models may support much higher refresh rates at certain resolutions, such as 144 Hz or 240 Hz.
Best Ways to Get Rid of 60 on Acer Monitor
1. Adjust the Display Settings in Windows
One of the most common fixes for resolving the "60" issue on your Acer monitor is adjusting the display settings directly in your operating system.
Why it helps: By adjusting the display settings in Windows, you can force the monitor to refresh at a higher rate, especially if your monitor supports higher refresh rates like 120 Hz or 144 Hz.
How to use it: Right-click on the desktop, select "Display Settings," and scroll down to click on "Advanced Display Settings." From here, you can select your monitor and change the refresh rate to the appropriate value. If your Acer monitor supports higher refresh rates, you will see them listed here.
What to expect: After making this change, your monitor should refresh at the selected rate, such as 120 Hz or higher, instead of being stuck at 60 Hz. You should notice smoother motion, especially in fast-paced tasks like gaming or video editing.
2. Update or Reinstall Your Graphics Drivers
Outdated graphics drivers can restrict your display's capabilities, including limiting the refresh rate. Updating or reinstalling the drivers may resolve the "60" issue and restore higher refresh rates.
Why it helps: Graphics drivers control how your computer communicates with the monitor and dictate its supported resolutions and refresh rates. Outdated or corrupted drivers may not allow the monitor to operate at its full potential.
How to use it: Visit your graphics card manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers. You can also use device manager to uninstall the current drivers and let Windows reinstall the correct ones. After reinstalling or updating, restart your system to ensure the drivers take effect.
What to expect: With updated or properly installed drivers, your Acer monitor should be able to reach higher refresh rates, eliminating the persistent "60" problem and improving your display’s overall performance.
3. Use a Higher Quality Cable (HDMI or DisplayPort)
The type of cable used to connect your Acer monitor to your computer can significantly affect the refresh rate. Older cables may not support higher refresh rates, limiting the display to 60 Hz.
Why it helps: Modern HDMI cables (specifically HDMI 2.0 or above) and DisplayPort cables are designed to handle higher bandwidth, allowing your Acer monitor to display higher refresh rates (like 120 Hz, 144 Hz, or more) at high resolutions.
How to use it: Ensure that you're using a high-quality HDMI cable (preferably HDMI 2.0 or newer) or a DisplayPort cable that can support the higher refresh rate. Avoid older VGA cables, as they are more likely to restrict the refresh rate to 60 Hz.
What to expect: After switching to a higher-quality cable, you should be able to achieve the desired refresh rate. The screen should no longer be locked at 60 Hz, and you'll notice a smoother, more responsive display.
4. Change the Resolution Settings
Your Acer monitor may be locked to a 60 Hz refresh rate because of the resolution settings. Some monitors only support higher refresh rates at specific resolutions.
Why it helps: Different resolutions often have different maximum refresh rates. For example, while 60 Hz may be the maximum for a 1080p resolution, you might be able to achieve a higher refresh rate, like 120 Hz or 144 Hz, at a lower resolution (such as 720p).
How to use it: In your display settings, try lowering the resolution temporarily to see if a higher refresh rate becomes available. You can do this by right-clicking on the desktop, selecting "Display Settings," and adjusting the resolution under the "Display" section.
What to expect: After adjusting the resolution, you should see an increase in the refresh rate options, such as 120 Hz or 144 Hz, depending on the capabilities of your Acer monitor.
5. Check for Monitor Firmware Updates
Acer monitors, like many modern devices, sometimes receive firmware updates that can improve performance, fix bugs, or unlock new features like support for higher refresh rates.
Why it helps: Updating the monitor's firmware may resolve compatibility issues with your computer’s graphics card and improve the refresh rate performance.
How to use it: Visit Acer’s official website and navigate to the support section for your specific monitor model. Download and install the latest firmware update as instructed by the website. Follow the manufacturer's guide carefully to ensure you don't accidentally damage the device.
What to expect: After performing the firmware update, your monitor may begin supporting higher refresh rates, or it might fix any bugs that were causing the "60" issue. This solution is especially helpful if you have a newer Acer monitor model that is capable of higher refresh rates.
6. Adjust Monitor Settings Using OSD (On-Screen Display)
Many Acer monitors come with an OSD menu that allows you to adjust various settings such as refresh rate, contrast, brightness, and more. The "60" display issue could be related to an internal setting within the monitor itself.
Why it helps: The OSD menu provides a way to adjust the refresh rate and other display settings directly from the monitor’s interface. This can sometimes resolve issues that are not related to the computer's settings.
How to use it: Using the monitor’s physical buttons, navigate to the OSD menu. Look for options related to the display refresh rate or screen settings. If available, adjust the refresh rate from 60 Hz to a higher setting.
What to expect: After making changes in the OSD menu, the "60" issue should be resolved, and your Acer monitor will refresh at the new rate, offering a better viewing experience.
Other Ways to Help Get Rid of 60 on Acer Monitor
1. Check for External Interference: Electromagnetic interference from other devices near your monitor could be affecting the display. Ensure that there are no large electronic appliances nearby that might be causing interference.
2. Test the Monitor on Another Device: Connect your Acer monitor to a different computer or laptop to see if the "60" issue persists. This will help identify if the problem is related to the monitor or the original computer.
3. Try a Different Graphics Card: If possible, test a different graphics card to rule out any issues with your current one. Sometimes, a malfunctioning graphics card can limit the monitor’s performance.
4. Restore to Factory Settings: If nothing works, you may want to restore the Acer monitor to its factory settings. This option is available in the OSD menu and can help clear any custom settings that may be causing issues.
5. Consult Acer Support: If the issue continues to persist despite trying the above solutions, contacting Acer’s customer support team is a good idea. They can provide additional troubleshooting steps or recommend a repair if necessary.
Things to Consider When Dealing with the "60" on Acer Monitor
1. Hardware Compatibility: Not all monitors support high refresh rates, so make sure your Acer monitor is capable of exceeding 60 Hz at your desired resolution. Check the specifications of your model to see what refresh rates it supports.
2. Display Performance Requirements: High refresh rates can be demanding on your computer's hardware, particularly the graphics card. Make sure that your system is powerful enough to handle a higher refresh rate, especially for gaming or video editing.
3. Power Supply Considerations: If you're using a power strip or surge protector, make sure it’s capable of providing adequate power for both the monitor and your computer. Inadequate power can sometimes cause display issues.
4. Operating System Limitations: While most modern operating systems support various refresh rates, certain versions or configurations might be limited. Ensure your operating system is up-to-date to avoid any software-related issues.
5. Technical Support: If you've tried all the solutions and the issue remains, contacting Acer's technical support can be beneficial. They can help you troubleshoot advanced issues like faulty hardware or compatibility problems with other devices.
Conclusion
The "60" issue on your Acer monitor is usually related to refresh rate settings or hardware limitations, but with the right solutions, it can be easily fixed. By updating your drivers, adjusting display settings, using better cables, and checking your monitor’s OSD settings, you can resolve this issue and improve the overall performance of your Acer monitor. Remember that ensuring compatibility between your monitor, graphics card, and cables is key to achieving optimal refresh rates. With these tips and tricks, you should be able to eliminate the "60" and enjoy a smoother, more responsive display.