How to view monitor refresh rate in macOS?
I just purchased a Dell P2175Q monitor for my 15" MBP w/Touchbar. I'm connecting with a USB-C to DisplayPort cable, but when I go to Apple > System Preference > Displays, there is nothing about the Refresh Rate. Pressing the Option key does not show any additional options.
I've seen countless screenshots where this information should appear. Is there another way to check the refresh rate?
I'm on macOS 10.13.4
Thanks.
After pressing the option key while clicking the "Scaled" radio button, tick the box "Show low resolution modes." This will show the refresh rate.
You need to hold down the option-key while clicking the "Scaled" radio button to bring up the hidden part of the interface.
However, usually this does not give you any information on Refresh rate on this type of monitor as you cannot set it anyways.
You can click the Apple-logo in the top-left corner of the display, choose "About this Mac" and then "System Report" to bring up the system report. Choose "Graphics/Displays" and you'll have the information on the monitor. In the listing "Resolution" you'll see the refresh rate.
Note: Changing refresh rate might not be supported for the built-in display on some models, and in that case this option only appears if an external display that supports changing the refresh rate is connected to your Mac.
You can also use a command-line tool called cscreen
# install homebrew if you don't have it already
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
# install cscreen
brew install cscreen
# list displays
cscreen -l
The output will look like this
(base) 12:06:41 jupyter ~$ cscreen -l
DisplayID Index Depth Width Height Refresh
1c81fe45 1 32 2560 1440 60
4281006 2 32 1680 1050 0
Note that with macOS Catalina, the first time you try to open the cscreen the os will not allow it because it isn't signed. You have to go to "Security & Privacy" in "System Preferences" and allow it.