How to Change Refresh Rates and Display Resolution on Android TV Using ADB

If you've ever faced stuttering or juddering while watching sports or movies on your Android TV, you're not alone. Many Android TV models lock certain features, like changing the refresh rate, but there’s a workaround for devices that support ADB (Android Debug Bridge). In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of using ADB to change the display resolution and refresh rate on Android TV. This method won’t work on all TVs—some manufacturers, like Sony, lock this feature—but it’s a great option for many other Android TV models.

Let’s dive in and see how you can do this step-by-step.

What Is ADB, and Why Use It?

ADB is a powerful tool that allows you to connect to your Android device and perform various tasks via command line. With ADB, you can access system settings that aren’t available through the standard Android TV interface. This is especially useful when you want to fine-tune your TV’s display settings, such as resolution and refresh rate.

Step 1: Set Up ADB on Your Windows PC

To use ADB, you first need to install it on your computer. Here’s how:

1. Download ADB

Go to the Android SDK Platform Tools website and download the tools for Windows.
Extract the contents of the downloaded ZIP file to a folder on your PC, for example, C:\ADB

2. Enable Developer Options on Your Android TV

Go to Settings > Device Preferences > About.
Scroll down to Build Number and click it several times (usually 7) until you see a message saying, “You are now a developer.”

3. Enable Debugging

In Settings > Device Preferences > Developer Options, enable USB Debugging or Network Debugging (depending on your setup).

Step 2: Connect Your PC to Your Android TV

1. Find Your TV’s IP Address

Navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > Your Network.
Note down the IP Address, e.g., 192.168.1.50

2. Connect via ADB

Open Command Prompt (in the Windows search bar type:) cmd
Navigate to the folder where you extracted ADB, e.g., cd C:\ADB
Type the following command to connect to your TV:
```
adb connect <your_tv_ip_address>
```
Replace <your_tv_ip_address> with the IP address of your TV. For example:
```
adb connect 192.168.1.50
```
If prompted, confirm the debugging request on your TV screen.

Step 3: Use ADB to Change Resolution and Refresh Rate

Once connected, you can start sending commands to your TV.

1. Check Current Settings

Run the following command to see the current display resolution and refresh rate:
```
adb shell dumpsys display
```

Look for entries like 1920 x 1080 @ 60Hz to identify the current settings.

2. Change the Resolution

To change the display resolution to Full HD (1920x1080), use:
```
adb shell wm size 1920x1080
```

3. Change the Refresh Rate

For TVs that support refresh rate adjustments via ADB, you can use:
```
adb shell settings put system display_refresh_rate 50
```
Replace 50 with the desired refresh rate (e.g., 60 or 30).

Note: Not all TVs support this command. If your TV doesn’t respond, the feature may be locked by the manufacturer.

4. Combine Resolution and Refresh Rate (If Supported)

Some Android TVs allow you to set both parameters together. For example:

adb shell wm size 1920x1080
adb shell settings put system display_refresh_rate 50

5. Revert to Default Settings

If something goes wrong or the screen doesn’t display correctly, you can reset the settings:
```
adb shell wm size reset
adb shell settings delete system display_refresh_rate
```

Step 4: Verify the Changes

After making the changes, restart your TV to ensure the settings take effect.
Test your content, such as a sports stream or movie, to see if the stuttering or juddering is gone.

Limitations and Workarounds

Manufacturer Locks

As mentioned earlier, some manufacturers (e.g., Sony) lock these features, making it impossible to change the refresh rate using ADB. In such cases, you’ll need an external device like an Android TV box or Google Chromecast with Google TV.

External Devices

External devices like the Mi Box S, Nvidia Shield TV, or Google Chromecast with Google TV allow you to change refresh rates and resolutions seamlessly.

Final Thoughts

Changing the refresh rate and resolution on your Android TV can make a huge difference in your viewing experience, especially for sports or high-motion content. While some TVs may have restrictions, ADB is a powerful tool for those that don’t.

If you’re using an external device like the Mi Box S, you’ll enjoy more flexibility with display settings. It’s a reliable solution for achieving smooth playback on any TV, whether it's old or new.

Have you tried using ADB or external devices to improve your viewing experience? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below!