How to Set Video Refresh Rate in RetroArch on Windows

This guide explains how to configure the video refresh rate in RetroArch on Windows to match your monitor’s native frequency. You will learn where to find the relevant settings within the video menu, how to enable dynamic refresh rate switching, and how to verify that the changes have been applied successfully for smoother emulation performance.

Accessing Video Settings

To begin configuring your display settings, launch RetroArch on your Windows PC. Navigate to the main menu and select Settings. From the list of configuration options, scroll down and click on Video. This section contains all the parameters related to graphical output, including resolution, scaling, and refresh rates.

Adjusting the Refresh Rate

Within the Video menu, locate the Output subsection. Here you will find the Video Refresh Rate option. By default, this is often set to auto-detect. To manually match your monitor, click on this setting and enter the specific hertz value of your display, such as 60.000000 or 144.000000. If you are unsure of your monitor’s rate, you can check your Windows display settings under System > Display > Advanced display settings.

Enabling Fullscreen Mode

For the refresh rate change to take full effect, it is recommended to run RetroArch in fullscreen mode. Still within the Video menu, find the Fullscreen Mode option and ensure it is toggled on. You can also assign a hotkey for toggling fullscreen quickly during gameplay by configuring the Hotkeys menu. Running in fullscreen allows RetroArch to take exclusive control of the display output, reducing input lag and ensuring the refresh rate syncs properly.

Saving Your Configuration

Once you have adjusted the refresh rate and fullscreen settings, you must save the configuration to make the changes permanent. Return to the main menu and select Configuration File. Click on Save Current Configuration. If you do not save the file, RetroArch will revert to the previous settings the next time you launch the application. After saving, restart RetroArch to ensure the new video refresh rate is active during emulation.