Unclogging Refresh Rate Issues on BenQ GW2780 Home Office Monitor

Understanding Refresh Rate Problems on the BenQ GW2780

When you sit down to work on a home office computer, the first thing that catches your eye is the display. The BenQ GW2780 offers a crisp 27‑inch screen, good color accuracy, and a 60 Hz refresh rate that’s typically adequate for most office tasks. Still, users sometimes experience flickering, stuttering, or a lower effective refresh rate that makes scrolling or reading difficult. These symptoms can stem from hardware, software, or configuration issues. The good news is that many of these problems can be resolved without buying a new monitor.

This article walks you through the most common causes of refresh‑rate troubles on the BenQ GW2780, how to diagnose them, and step‑by‑step solutions. By the time you finish reading, you’ll have a toolkit for keeping the monitor running smoothly.

Why Refresh Rate Matters for Home Office Work

Refresh rate is the number of times per second a display updates its image. While a 60 Hz rate is enough for reading documents and browsing, a lower effective refresh rate can lead to:

• Screen tearing – parts of two frames overlap, causing a split‑image effect.
• Stuttering – sudden jumps in movement or scrolling.
• Eye strain – the eye works harder to accommodate flickering or lag.
• Reduced productivity – tasks that involve dragging, resizing, or scrolling become more tiring.

For a home office, a stable 60 Hz refresh rate means a smoother experience when working on spreadsheets, drafting emails, or video‑conferencing.

Common Symptoms of Refresh‑Rate Issues

• The screen appears flickery or stutters during simple actions.
• The cursor jumps or trails behind the mouse movement.
• The monitor’s own display settings show a lower refresh rate than 60 Hz.
• You see a black bar or “no signal” warning that appears intermittently.
• Video playback feels choppy, even though the file’s native frame rate matches 60 Hz.

Recognizing these signs early can prevent the frustration of prolonged troubleshooting.

Step 1: Confirm the Monitor’s Current Refresh Rate

Before diving into solutions, verify what the monitor is reporting. On Windows:

1. Right‑click on the desktop and choose Display settings.
2. Scroll to Advanced display settings.
3. Click the Display adapter properties link for the monitor.
4. Under Monitor, check Screen refresh rate.

If it reads 60 Hz, the monitor is correctly set. If it shows 30 Hz or another lower value, the monitor itself may be limited by the current input signal or driver settings.

On macOS, go to System Settings → Displays and hold the Option key to reveal the refresh‑rate dropdown.

If the monitor is not showing 60 Hz, proceed to the next sections to investigate why.

Step 2: Check the Cable and Connection

The cable that carries video data is often overlooked.

• Use a certified DisplayPort 1.2 or HDMI 2.0 cable.
  Older cables may not support 60 Hz at 1080p, especially when extended beyond 5 feet.
• Inspect the cable for fraying or bent connectors.
  A damaged connector can reduce bandwidth, causing the monitor to downgrade to a lower refresh rate.
• Try an alternate cable.
  Swap the current cable for a different one, preferably a brand‑new cable from the same manufacturer.
• Check the ports.
  Use the dedicated DisplayPort on the back of the GW2780; avoid using an HDMI‑to‑DisplayPort adapter if possible.

If a cable swap restores 60 Hz, the original cable was likely the culprit.

Step 3: Verify the Graphics Card Output Settings

Even if the monitor is fine, the graphics card may be outputting a lower refresh rate.

Windows

1. Open Display Settings → Advanced display settings.
2. Select the monitor.
3. Click Display adapter properties → Monitor tab.
4. Make sure Refresh rate is set to 60 Hz.
5. If it’s set correctly but you still see issues, click Apply to force a refresh.

macOS

• Open System Settings → Displays.
• Hold Option and click Scaled to see available refresh rates.
• Select 60 Hz.

If you cannot see 60 Hz as an option, the graphics driver may be misconfigured.

Step 4: Update Graphics Drivers

Out‑of‑date drivers can misreport supported resolutions and refresh rates.

1. Windows

   • Press Win + X → Device Manager.
   • Expand Display adapters.
   • Right‑click on the GPU → Update driver → Search automatically.
   • Alternatively, download the latest driver from the GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).

2. macOS

   • macOS drivers are bundled with the OS; ensure you’re running the latest macOS version via System Settings → General → Software Update.

After updating, restart the computer and recheck the refresh rate.

Step 5: Use the BenQ OSD to Reset to Default

BenQ monitors provide an on‑screen display (OSD) that lets you adjust settings without a computer.

1. Press the Menu button on the monitor.
2. Navigate to Reset or Factory Reset.
3. Confirm the reset.

This restores all OSD parameters to factory defaults, removing any inadvertent changes that may have impacted the refresh rate.

Step 6: Adjust the Scaling Settings in Windows

Sometimes the desktop scaling can interfere with the monitor’s refresh rate.

1. Go to Display settings → Scale & layout.
2. Set Scale to 100 %.
3. Apply the changes and restart the computer.

Higher scaling values can force the GPU to render at a lower effective refresh rate to match the display’s capabilities.

Step 7: Disable Power‑Saving Features

Both the monitor and GPU can reduce the refresh rate under power‑saving mode.

• Monitor

  • In the OSD, locate Energy Saver or Eco Mode.
  • Set it to Off.

• GPU

  • Open your GPU control panel (NVIDIA Control Panel, AMD Radeon Settings, or Intel Graphics Settings).
  • Look for Power Management or Power Saving settings.
  • Choose Maximum Performance.

Disabling these settings ensures the monitor runs at its maximum capacity.

Step 8: Reinstall the Monitor Driver

If the monitor driver is corrupted, Windows may default to a lower refresh rate.

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Monitors.
3. Right‑click on BenQ GW2780 → Uninstall device.
4. Check Delete the driver software for this device.
5. Restart the computer.
6. Windows will reinstall a generic monitor driver that should correctly expose the 60 Hz option.

If you prefer, you can download a specific driver from BenQ’s support site and install it manually.

Step 9: Test with a Different Computer

A quick way to isolate the problem is to connect the monitor to another PC.

• If the monitor shows 60 Hz on a different computer, the issue lies with the original PC’s graphics or settings.
• If the problem persists on multiple computers, the monitor itself may be faulty.

A simple cross‑check can save you time in the long run.

Step 10: Update Monitor Firmware (If Available)

BenQ occasionally releases firmware updates that improve compatibility and performance.

1. Visit BenQ Support and search for GW2780 firmware.
2. Download the latest file if one exists.
3. Follow the on‑screen instructions, typically involving a USB drive or direct PC connection.

Firmware updates can resolve bugs that affect refresh rate and other functions.

Step 11: Check for Interference or Environmental Factors

Certain environmental conditions can interfere with signal integrity.

• Power cables: Ensure the monitor and GPU power cables are not running parallel to video cables for long stretches.
• Near electromagnetic devices: Keep large speakers, routers, or microwaves away from the monitor and cable.
• USB hubs: If using a USB hub to connect peripherals, try a direct USB port on the PC.

While not a direct cause of a lower refresh rate, stray interference can degrade signal quality, leading the monitor to lower its output.

Step 12: Use Third‑Party Software for Fine Tuning

When default settings fail, specialized tools can give you more control.

• Custom Resolution Utility (CRU) on Windows allows you to create custom refresh‑rate profiles.
  • Install CRU, run it, add a new profile for 60 Hz at 1920×1080.
  • Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in safe mode to clean old drivers before installing the new profile.
• SwitchResX on macOS lets you create custom resolutions and refresh rates.

These tools can bypass driver limitations and force the monitor to run at the desired refresh rate.

Step 13: Verify the Display Mode in Video Editing Software

If you primarily use video or design software, the application may enforce its own refresh rate.

• In Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve, check the playback settings and ensure Frame Rate matches the monitor’s 60 Hz.
• In Microsoft Office, adjust the Zoom level to 100 % to avoid unnecessary scaling that can impact refresh.

Aligning application settings with the monitor’s capabilities eliminates unnecessary strain.

Step 14: Monitor the Temperature

Both the GPU and monitor can throttle performance if they get too hot.

• Use HWMonitor or GPU-Z to keep an eye on GPU temperature.
• If the GPU temperature consistently exceeds 80 °C, consider improving case airflow or using a cooling pad for laptops.

Thermal throttling can drop the effective refresh rate even if the monitor supports 60 Hz.

Step 15: When Professional Help Is Needed

If all the above steps fail, you may be dealing with a hardware fault.

• Inspect for physical damage: Look for dents or broken connectors on the back panel.
• Consult BenQ support: Provide them with the steps you’ve taken and any error logs.
• Consider a repair or replacement if the monitor is still under warranty.

A persistent refresh‑rate issue may indicate a failing DisplayPort controller or an internal component failure.

Quick Reference Checklist

• [ ] Cable is certified and undamaged.
• [ ] Monitor shows 60 Hz in display settings.
• [ ] Graphics driver is up to date.
• [ ] Monitor OSD is reset to default.
• [ ] Scaling is set to 100 %.
• [ ] Power‑saving features are disabled.
• [ ] Monitor firmware is current.
• [ ] No environmental interference.
• [ ] Temperature is within safe limits.

If all boxes are checked and the issue remains, reach out to BenQ support.

Final Thoughts

A refresh‑rate problem on the BenQ GW2780 can be frustrating, but most issues are solvable with a methodical approach. By checking cables, drivers, power settings, and even environmental factors, you can restore the monitor’s full performance. Keep this guide handy, and you’ll be ready to troubleshoot any future display hiccups quickly and confidently.

Remember: a stable 60 Hz refresh rate is more than a convenience—it’s a foundation for a comfortable, productive home office experience.