220-1101 Question 188
Single answerRefresh ratesA user reports that a new 27-inch monitor connected to their desktop feels "laggy" when scrolling and gaming. In Windows display settings, the monitor is running at 1920x1080, but the refresh rate is set to 60 Hz. The monitor supports up to 144 Hz at 1080p, and the graphics adapter also supports 144 Hz. The image is stable and clear, but motion is not as smooth as expected. Which action should the technician take FIRST to address the user's complaint?
- A
Increase the refresh rate for the display to 144 Hz in the operating system or graphics settings
- B
Lower the screen resolution to 1280x720 so the monitor can refresh faster
- C
Replace the monitor because a laggy display indicates hardware failure
- D
Increase the color depth to 32-bit so motion appears smoother
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
This question tests practical troubleshooting of refresh-rate configuration, a common A+ Core 1 display topic. Refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz), affects perceived smoothness of motion on the screen. A monitor running at 60 Hz updates the display 60 times per second, while 144 Hz updates it 144 times per second, producing noticeably smoother movement. When a user complains about choppy or less-fluid motion but the image is otherwise stable, a technician should first verify that the configured refresh rate matches the supported rate of both the monitor and graphics adapter. Best practice is to confirm supported modes in the operating system's advanced display settings, the GPU vendor control panel, and the monitor specifications. Resolution, color depth, and hardware replacement are not the appropriate first actions in this scenario because the root issue is a configuration mismatch rather than a failed component.
- A. Correct.
Correct. Refresh rate determines how many times per second the display updates the image. If both the monitor and GPU support 144 Hz at 1920x1080, setting the display from 60 Hz to 144 Hz is the most direct and appropriate first step to improve perceived motion smoothness. In a real support scenario, technicians should verify and configure the refresh rate in Windows Advanced display settings or the GPU control panel.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Lowering the resolution is not the first or best fix when the current resolution already supports the monitor's maximum refresh rate. While reducing resolution can sometimes help in performance-limited gaming scenarios, the problem here is that the display is configured to 60 Hz despite supporting 144 Hz at 1080p.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. The monitor is displaying a stable, clear image, which does not suggest hardware failure. The complaint is specifically about motion smoothness, and the scenario already states the display supports 144 Hz. Replacing hardware before correcting configuration settings would be poor troubleshooting practice.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Color depth affects how many colors can be displayed, not how often the image refreshes. Increasing color depth will not make scrolling or gaming appear smoother. This option reflects a common misconception between image quality settings and motion-related settings.