Restoring Refresh Rate on MSI Optix G241 in a Home Office Setup

Why Refresh Rate Matters in a Home Office

When most people think about monitor performance, they focus on resolution or color accuracy. In a home office environment, a higher refresh rate can make a noticeable difference in how smooth everything feels—especially during video calls, document scrolling, or when you’re working with graphic applications that generate a lot of on‑screen motion. The MSI Optix G241 is designed to deliver up to 144 Hz, which is far above the standard 60 Hz many office monitors offer. If your monitor has fallen back to a lower refresh rate, the experience can feel laggy, and that extra fluidity will be lost.

Restoring the original 144 Hz is straightforward once you understand where the setting can be altered. The G241 allows you to adjust the refresh rate in the monitor’s on‑screen display (OSD) menu, through Windows, or via the MSI Omen Center software. In a home office, you’ll typically be working with a Windows laptop or desktop, so the most common route is through Windows settings. However, there are a few nuances to keep in mind:

• The graphics card driver must support the higher refresh rate on the selected resolution.
• Windows may cap the refresh rate to a lower value if it thinks the cable or port can’t handle it.
• Some applications (e.g., office suites, browsers, or video players) may enforce a specific refresh rate to avoid tearing.

Below is a detailed guide to restore your G241 to its full 144 Hz while keeping everything smooth in your home office setup.

1. Verify the Hardware Setup

Before diving into software, ensure that the physical connection can support 144 Hz. The G241 requires a DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0, or a high‑quality VGA cable. Most modern laptops and desktops provide these, but a cheap or old cable might limit performance.

1. Check the port – The G241’s top right corner has a DisplayPort 1.2 port and an HDMI 2.0 port. The HDMI port is the more common choice for office PCs.
2. Cable quality – If you’re using HDMI, make sure the cable is rated for HDMI 2.0 or higher. For DisplayPort, a 1.2‑rated cable is sufficient.
3. Cable length – Very long HDMI cables can lose signal quality. Keep it under 1.8 m if possible.

If you’re unsure, replace the cable with a new one that meets the required specifications. This eliminates a potential hardware bottleneck.

2. Confirm the Monitor’s Current Refresh Rate

The first step is to see what the monitor reports to the operating system.

1. Right‑click on the desktop and select Display settings.
2. Scroll down and click Advanced display settings.
3. Under Refresh rate (Hz), note the current value. If it reads 60 Hz, you’re ready to adjust.

If it already shows 144 Hz, the problem may be elsewhere (e.g., application‑level overrides). In that case, skip to the troubleshooting section.

3. Adjust Through Windows Settings

Windows offers a quick way to set the desired refresh rate, but the option to see 144 Hz appears only if the monitor and graphics driver support it.

1. Open Display settings as described above.
2. Under Advanced display settings, click Display adapter properties for Display 1 (or the number that corresponds to your G241).
3. In the new window, go to the Monitor tab.
4. In the Screen refresh rate dropdown, look for 144 Hz. If it appears, select it and click Apply. You will be prompted to confirm the change; click Keep changes.

If 144 Hz is not listed, it may be that your graphics driver is limiting the maximum refresh rate. The next step is to update or reconfigure the driver.

4. Update or Reinstall Graphics Drivers

4.1 NVIDIA GPUs

1. Open the NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. Navigate to Display > Change resolution.
3. In the Refresh rate list, choose 144 Hz.
4. Apply the changes.

If the list does not contain 144 Hz, try downloading the latest driver from NVIDIA’s website. For office use, the “Game Ready Driver” often includes higher refresh rate support.

4.2 AMD GPUs

1. Open the AMD Radeon Settings.
2. Go to Display.
3. Find the Refresh rate slider and set it to 144 Hz.

If you do not see 144 Hz, check the AMD driver download page for the latest version. AMD’s “Adrenalin” suite usually supports high refresh rates on compatible monitors.

4.3 Intel Integrated Graphics

1. Open the Intel Graphics Command Center.
2. Click Display.
3. Under Refresh rate, choose 144 Hz.

Intel drivers generally support 144 Hz on the G241, but older or pre‑2017 models might not. Ensure you have the latest driver from Intel’s support site.

After updating drivers, reboot the system. Then revisit Windows Display settings to confirm that 144 Hz is now selectable.

5. Use MSI Omen Center for Fine‑Tuning

MSI Omen Center is a powerful tool that can override some Windows limitations and give you direct control over the monitor.

1. Open MSI Omen Center (install it from MSI’s website if it’s not already present).
2. Click on Monitor (usually represented by a small monitor icon).
3. Under Refresh Rate, slide to 144 Hz.
4. Save the profile or apply the changes immediately.

Omen Center can also apply Eco Mode or Game Mode profiles that may adjust refresh rates automatically. Disable any preset that forces a lower refresh rate.

6. Reset the Monitor’s OSD Menu

Sometimes the monitor itself can enforce a particular refresh rate or be stuck in a low‑power mode.

1. Locate the monitor’s Menu button (usually on the front or side).
2. Press it to bring up the OSD.
3. Navigate to Display > Refresh Rate.
4. Set it to 144 Hz.
5. Exit the menu.

If the menu offers only 60 Hz, the monitor’s firmware may be outdated or the panel might be damaged. In that case, proceed to the firmware update section below.

7. Update Monitor Firmware (If Needed)

A firmware bug could limit the available refresh rates. MSI occasionally releases firmware updates for the G241.

1. Visit MSI’s support page for the Optix G241.
2. Download the latest firmware file (usually a .bin or .zip).
3. Follow the included instructions, which typically involve:
   • Copying the firmware file to a USB drive.
   • Connecting the USB to the monitor (via the dedicated USB‑C port).
   • Initiating the update via the OSD.
4. Reboot the monitor and confirm that 144 Hz appears in the OSD and Windows settings.

8. Troubleshoot Common Issues

8.1 “Refresh Rate Not Available” in Windows

• Check cable – Ensure you’re using a DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0 cable. VGA does not support 144 Hz.
• Port selection – If you’re using a docking station, try connecting directly to the monitor’s port.
• Driver reinstall – Uninstall the current GPU driver and perform a clean installation.

8.2 Screen Flickers or Tears at 144 Hz

• Enable G-Sync / FreeSync – If your GPU supports it, enable the adaptive sync feature in Windows or the graphics control panel.
• Disable “Dynamic Tearing” – In Windows display settings, turn off “Use full-screen optimizations” for specific applications.
• Reduce resolution – If the monitor’s 144 Hz is only guaranteed at 1920x1080, lowering the resolution may help.

8.3 G241 Shows “DisplayPort/HDMI” as “0 Hz”

• Reset the monitor – Unplug the power cable for 30 seconds and reconnect.
• Try a different port – If the monitor has both DisplayPort and HDMI, switch to the other port.

9. Optimize for Office Workflows

Once the monitor is running at 144 Hz, you can fine‑tune settings to maximize productivity:

• Adjust scaling – For readability, set Scale and layout to 100 % or 125 % in Windows. Higher scaling can sometimes cause visual artifacts at higher refresh rates.
• Use a comfortable color profile – Set a custom color profile that reduces eye strain. Windows 10/11 allows you to add custom profiles under Color Management.
• Enable “Smooth Scrolling” – Many browsers (Chrome, Edge) and Office apps now support smooth scrolling. Enable it in settings to make scrolling feel fluid.

10. Summary

Restoring the 144 Hz refresh rate on the MSI Optix G241 in a home office setup is a multi‑step process that involves:

1. Ensuring a capable cable and port.
2. Verifying current settings in Windows.
3. Updating or reinstalling GPU drivers.
4. Using MSI Omen Center for advanced control.
5. Resetting the monitor’s OSD and updating firmware if necessary.
6. Troubleshooting common hiccups such as missing refresh rates or screen tearing.

With the monitor running at its intended refresh rate, everyday tasks—from spreadsheet editing to video conferencing—will feel noticeably smoother. The extra fluidity also reduces eye fatigue over long working hours, which is a major advantage for anyone spending a large portion of the day at a screen.