Xrandr message: Rate 144.0 Hz not available for this size

When I type xrandr and press enter, the output I get says that I have 144.0 hz available to use on my 1920x1080 resolution, but when I try the command:

xrandr -s 1920x1080 -r 144.0

or 144 without .0 I get the message:

Rate 144.0 Hz not available for this size

I get that message with every possible refresh rate, even the current using refresh rate (60 Hz). I have nvidia-settings installed which also handles the refresh rate, might the problem be there?

I had the same problem with my 144hz monitor. You might try using a full set of parameters. For example, to get my 2560x1440 screen to operate at 144hz, I had to do the following:

1. Run xrandr to find the name of your connected display output. In this case, DP-0 is my connected DisplayPort:

   $ xrandr
   Screen 0: minimum 8 x 8, current 2560 x 1440, maximum 16384 x 16384
   DVI-I-0 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
   DVI-I-1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
   HDMI-0 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
   DP-0 connected primary 2560x1440+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 598mm x 336mm
   2560x1440     59.95*+ 144.00   120.00    99.95    84.98    23.97  
   DP-1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
   

2. Then use the xrandr command again with the --output, --mode, and --rate parameters. For my 2560x1440 monitor, I specified the following:

   $ xrandr --output DP-0 --mode 2560x1440 --rate 144.00
   

The monitor blinks and switches to the new rate. I'm not sure how to properly use the -s parameter.