diff --git a/esphome/components/max6921/max6921.cpp b/esphome/components/max6921/max6921.cpp
index f5b09a26ec..2a1a9d2516 100644
--- a/esphome/components/max6921/max6921.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/max6921/max6921.cpp
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ const uint8_t ASCII_TO_SEG[95] PROGMEM = {
 
 void MAX6921Component::init_display_(void) {
   uint32_t freq;
-  const uint32_t PWM_FREQ_WANTED = 500;
+  const uint32_t PWM_FREQ_WANTED = 5000;
   const uint8_t PWM_RESOLUTION = 8;
 
   // setup PWM for blank pin (intensity)...