How to Fix Screen Tearing in Games

Eliminate screen tearing in games with V-Sync, FreeSync, G-Sync, and frame rate optimization. Step-by-step troubleshooting for smooth gameplay.

  1. Enable V-Sync in your game settings. Open your game's video or graphics settings menu. Look for V-Sync, Vertical Sync, or VSync option and enable it. This synchronizes your graphics card's frame output with your monitor's refresh rate. Apply the settings and restart the game if required.
  2. Configure adaptive sync in your graphics driver. Open NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings. Navigate to 3D Settings or Gaming settings. Enable G-Sync (NVIDIA) or FreeSync (AMD) if your monitor supports it. Set the mode to Fullscreen or Windowed depending on your preference. Click Apply to save changes.
  3. Set a frame rate cap below your refresh rate. Use MSI Afterburner, RTSS, or your graphics driver to cap frames 2-3 FPS below your monitor's refresh rate. For a 60Hz monitor, cap at 57-58 FPS. For 144Hz, cap at 141-142 FPS. This prevents frame rate spikes that can cause tearing even with sync enabled.
  4. Switch to fullscreen exclusive mode. Change your game from borderless windowed or windowed mode to fullscreen exclusive mode in the video settings. This gives the game direct control over the display and reduces the likelihood of tearing. Save settings and restart the game to apply the change.
  5. Update your graphics drivers. Download the latest drivers from NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Radeon Software. Install the drivers and restart your computer. Newer drivers often include optimizations and fixes for screen tearing issues in specific games.
  6. Adjust game-specific settings for consistent frame rates. Lower graphics settings like shadows, anti-aliasing, or texture quality until you maintain a stable frame rate. Inconsistent frame rates make screen tearing more noticeable. Prioritize maintaining your target frame rate over maximum visual quality.
  7. Consider upgrading your monitor. If screen tearing persists and your monitor doesn't support adaptive sync technologies, consider upgrading to a G-Sync Compatible, FreeSync, or native G-Sync monitor. These displays eliminate tearing without the input lag associated with traditional V-Sync.

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