DISPLAY TROUBLESHOOTING

How to Fix Screen Tearing in Games

Severe horizontal screen tearing during PC gameplay caused by mismatched frame rate and monitor refresh rate.

Noticed horizontal lines cutting across your screen while gaming? That is screen tearing, and it happens when your graphics card and monitor fall out of sync. This guide covers how to fix it using refresh-rate settings, frame-rate limits, V-Sync, G-SYNC, FreeSync, and updated graphics drivers.

SCREEN TEARING REFRESH RATE V-SYNC G-SYNC & FREESYNC
Severe horizontal screen tearing during PC gameplay caused by mismatched frame rate and monitor refresh rate.

SCREEN TEARING EXPLAINED

What Causes Screen Tearing in Games?

Screen tearing happens when your graphics card and monitor display frames at different times. Portions of multiple frames can appear on the screen at once, creating a visible horizontal split during movement.

What Keeps Gameplay in Sync

Frame synchronization helps the monitor display complete frames instead of portions of multiple frames. The correct combination of refresh-rate settings, adaptive sync, and frame-rate control can provide smoother motion without visible tearing.

Correct monitor refresh rate
NVIDIA G-SYNC or AMD FreeSync
An appropriate frame-rate limit
Properly configured V-Sync
Updated graphics drivers

What Puts Frames Out of Sync

Screen tearing occurs when the graphics card begins sending a new frame before the monitor has finished displaying the previous one. This is most noticeable during fast movement or when frame rates fluctuate.

Frame rate and refresh rate are out of sync
G-SYNC or FreeSync is disabled
FPS exceeds the monitor’s refresh range
Windows is using the wrong refresh rate
Synchronization settings are misconfigured

Screen tearing usually does not mean your monitor or graphics card is damaged. In most cases, it can be corrected through refresh-rate, synchronization, or frame-rate settings.

REFRESH RATE CHECK

Confirm Your Monitor Is Running at the Correct Refresh Rate

Before changing synchronization settings, confirm that Windows is running your monitor at its intended refresh rate. A 144Hz, 165Hz, 240Hz, or 360Hz gaming monitor can sometimes remain set to 60Hz after Windows setup, a cable change, or a graphics-driver update.

Open Settings → System → Display → Advanced display and check the refresh rate shown for your gaming monitor.

For complete instructions, supported refresh-rate checks, and common setup mistakes, check out our full refresh rate guide.

Setting the correct refresh rate may improve motion clarity, but it does not always eliminate screen tearing by itself. If the correct rate is already selected, continue to G-SYNC, FreeSync, and frame-rate settings.

NVIDIA G-SYNC

How to Enable G-SYNC in the NVIDIA App

G-SYNC helps reduce screen tearing by matching a compatible gaming monitor’s refresh rate to the frames produced by an NVIDIA graphics card. Before continuing, confirm that Adaptive-Sync, G-SYNC, or FreeSync is enabled through the monitor’s built-in display menu.

01

Open the NVIDIA App

Open the NVIDIA app from the Start menu or system tray. Confirm that your NVIDIA graphics driver is installed and updated before changing the display settings.

02

Open the Displays Tab

Select System from the left navigation, then open the Displays tab. When more than one monitor is connected, select the gaming monitor where screen tearing is occurring.

03

Open the G-SYNC Settings

Find the G-SYNC section near the top of the Displays page and select the edit icon. This opens the synchronization settings for the selected monitor.

04

Turn On G-SYNC

Select On, then choose Full screen or Full screen and windowed. Use the windowed option when you frequently play games in borderless or windowed display modes.

05

Apply and Test the Setting

Enable Show indicator when you want confirmation that G-SYNC is active, then select Apply. Reopen the game and check whether the visible screen tearing has improved.

NVIDIA app G-SYNC settings with G-SYNC enabled for full-screen and windowed games

Enable G-SYNC in the NVIDIA app under System → Displays, then choose support for full-screen or windowed games.

AMD FREESYNC

How to Enable AMD FreeSync in AMD Software

AMD FreeSync synchronizes a compatible gaming monitor’s refresh rate with the frame rate produced by an AMD Radeon graphics card. This helps reduce screen tearing and stuttering when frame rates change during gameplay.

01

Enable FreeSync on the Monitor

Open the monitor’s built-in display menu and enable FreeSync, Adaptive-Sync, or Variable Refresh Rate. Some monitor presets may prevent FreeSync from appearing in AMD Software.

02

Open AMD Software

Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition from the Start menu, desktop shortcut, or system tray.

03

Open Display Settings

Select Gaming, then open the Display tab. If multiple monitors are connected, select the gaming monitor where screen tearing is occurring.

04

Enable AMD FreeSync

Find AMD FreeSync under Display Options and confirm that it is set to Enabled. Compatible displays are normally enabled automatically, but the setting should still be verified.

05

Reopen and Test the Game

Close AMD Software, reopen the game, and check whether screen tearing has improved. If tearing remains when FPS exceeds the monitor’s refresh rate, continue to the frame-rate limit and V-Sync settings.

AMD Radeon Software display settings showing AMD FreeSync enabled on a gaming monitor to reduce screen tearing

AMD Software layouts may vary by driver version. If the Display tab is not shown, search for “Display” in AMD Software and open Display Settings.

FRAME-RATE CONTROL

Set a Frame-Rate Limit to Reduce Screen Tearing

G-SYNC and FreeSync work best when the game’s frame rate remains within the variable refresh-rate range supported by the monitor. When FPS rises above the monitor’s maximum refresh rate, adaptive sync may no longer control frame delivery effectively, allowing screen tearing to return.

A practical starting point is to limit the game slightly below the monitor’s maximum refresh rate. For example, try 141 FPS on a 144Hz monitor, 162 FPS on a 165Hz monitor, 237 FPS on a 240Hz monitor, or 357 FPS on a 360Hz monitor. This small margin helps keep the frame rate inside the adaptive-sync range during brief performance fluctuations.

Use the game’s built-in frame-rate limiter whenever one is available. It may appear under the graphics or display settings as Frame Rate Limit, Maximum FPS, or FPS Cap. When the game does not include a limiter, a maximum frame rate can also be configured through the NVIDIA app, NVIDIA Control Panel, or AMD Software.

Apply the frame-rate limit, reopen the game when necessary, and test the same area where the tearing was previously visible. The goal is not simply to reduce FPS, but to keep frame delivery stable and synchronized with the gaming monitor.

VERTICAL SYNCHRONIZATION

Use V-Sync When Screen Tearing Remains

V-Sync synchronizes frame presentation with the monitor’s refresh cycle to prevent portions of multiple frames from appearing on the screen at once. It can eliminate screen tearing, although traditional V-Sync may introduce additional input latency or visible stuttering when performance falls below the monitor’s refresh rate.

Configure G-SYNC or FreeSync and set an appropriate frame-rate limit before relying on V-Sync. If the game still tears when frame rates briefly exceed the monitor’s adaptive-sync range, V-Sync can provide an additional safeguard.

Start with the V-Sync option built into the game’s graphics or display settings. Apply the change and test the same movement or gameplay area where tearing was previously visible. When a game does not include V-Sync or its implementation behaves poorly, the setting can instead be managed through NVIDIA or AMD graphics software.

Change only one V-Sync setting at a time while troubleshooting. Avoid forcing V-Sync through both the game and graphics driver simultaneously, since this can make it harder to determine which setting is controlling frame delivery.

DISPLAY MODE

Test Fullscreen and Borderless Windowed Mode

A game’s display mode can affect how frames are presented to the monitor and how G-SYNC, FreeSync, and V-Sync operate. Some games behave best in exclusive fullscreen, while others provide smoother results in borderless windowed mode.

Start by testing Fullscreen in the game’s graphics or display settings. This mode may give the game more direct control over resolution, refresh rate, and synchronization settings, which can help resolve persistent screen tearing.

If tearing remains, switch to Borderless Windowed and test the same gameplay area again. Borderless mode works through the Windows desktop environment and may perform better in games that do not handle exclusive fullscreen correctly.

After changing the display mode, confirm that the game is still using the monitor’s intended resolution and refresh rate. Test one mode at a time without changing the frame-rate limit or synchronization settings so you can accurately compare the results.

GRAPHICS DRIVERS

Update Your NVIDIA or AMD Graphics Driver

An outdated or incomplete graphics driver can interfere with display synchronization, game profiles, and monitor features such as G-SYNC or FreeSync. Updating the driver may also provide game-specific support, compatibility improvements, and fixes for known graphics issues.

For an NVIDIA graphics card, open the NVIDIA app, select the Drivers tab, and check for an available Game Ready Driver. Download and install the update, then restart the PC when prompted.

For an AMD Radeon graphics card, open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition and check for updates. AMD Software displays the installed driver version and any available Recommended or Optional updates within its software-update controls.

After the installation is complete, reopen the game and confirm that the correct refresh rate, adaptive-sync setting, frame-rate limit, and display mode are still selected. Driver updates can occasionally reset or change graphics profiles, so verify the settings before testing for screen tearing again.

For a broader explanation of graphics, chipset, network, audio, and other essential system drivers, see our Gaming PC Drivers Explained guide.

DISPLAY CONNECTION

Check the Monitor Cable and Graphics Card Connection

The display connection can affect the refresh rates and variable refresh-rate features available to the monitor. A damaged, low-specification, or incorrectly connected cable may prevent G-SYNC, FreeSync, or the monitor’s highest refresh rate from working as expected.

Confirm that the monitor is connected directly to the ports on the dedicated graphics card, not the video outputs on the motherboard. On most gaming PCs, the graphics card ports are positioned lower on the rear of the case, while the motherboard display ports sit near the USB and network connections.

For a complete overview of connecting a monitor, power cable, keyboard, mouse, and other equipment to a new gaming PC, see our First Boot and System Setup Guide.

Use the DisplayPort or HDMI cable recommended for your monitor’s resolution and refresh rate. When troubleshooting persistent screen tearing, reseat both ends of the cable and test another compatible graphics-card port when available. Avoid unnecessary adapters, docks, or cable extensions while testing.

After reconnecting the display, confirm that Windows still shows the correct resolution and refresh rate. Then verify that G-SYNC or FreeSync remains enabled before reopening the game.

FINAL CHECKLIST

Screen Tearing Troubleshooting Checklist

Use this checklist to confirm the key screen tearing settings on your gaming PC are configured correctly.

Review each item after adjusting your monitor refresh rate, G-SYNC or FreeSync, FPS limit, V-Sync, display mode, graphics driver, and monitor connection. These checks cover the most common causes of screen tearing in PC games.

Test the same game and camera movement after every change. Changing one setting at a time makes it easier to identify which adjustment fixes the tearing without adding stuttering, input latency, or conflicting graphics settings.

The gaming monitor is connected directly to the graphics card

Windows is using the monitor’s intended resolution and refresh rate

Adaptive-Sync, FreeSync, or G-SYNC is enabled in the monitor menu

G-SYNC or AMD FreeSync is enabled in the graphics software

The FPS limit is set slightly below the monitor’s maximum refresh rate

V-Sync has been tested if screen tearing continues

Fullscreen and borderless windowed display modes have both been tested

The NVIDIA or AMD graphics driver is updated and the game has been retested

SCREEN TEARING FAQ

Screen Tearing Questions

Common answers about screen tearing in PC games, monitor refresh rates, FPS limits, V-Sync, NVIDIA G-SYNC, AMD FreeSync, graphics drivers, and display connections.

Start by confirming that Windows is using the monitor’s correct refresh rate. Then enable G-SYNC or FreeSync, set an appropriate FPS limit, test V-Sync, update the graphics driver, and compare fullscreen with borderless windowed mode.

No. Screen tearing is a frame-synchronization issue and does not normally indicate damage to the gaming monitor or graphics card. It can usually be corrected through refresh-rate, adaptive-sync, V-Sync, FPS-limit, driver, or display-mode settings. Visit our Support Center if tearing continues after completing this guide.

G-SYNC and FreeSync can significantly reduce or eliminate screen tearing while the game remains within the monitor’s supported variable refresh-rate range. Tearing may return when FPS exceeds that range or adaptive sync is not enabled correctly.

Set the FPS limit slightly below the monitor’s maximum refresh rate. Common starting points include 141 FPS for 144Hz, 162 FPS for 165Hz, 237 FPS for 240Hz, and 357 FPS for 360Hz.

An outdated or incorrectly installed NVIDIA or AMD graphics driver can interfere with game profiles, refresh-rate settings, G-SYNC, FreeSync, and display synchronization. Update the driver and verify your settings again after installation. If the problem began immediately after a driver update, our Windows 11 System Restore Guide explains how to return Windows to an earlier working configuration.

Screen tearing happens when the graphics card sends a new frame before the gaming monitor has finished displaying the previous one. Portions of multiple frames appear at the same time, creating a visible horizontal split or misaligned image during movement.

V-Sync can stop screen tearing by synchronizing frame presentation with the monitor’s refresh cycle. Traditional V-Sync may add input latency or stuttering, so it often works best alongside G-SYNC or FreeSync and a properly configured frame-rate limit.

Screen tearing can continue when the frame rate exceeds the monitor’s maximum refresh rate, Windows is using the wrong refresh rate, adaptive sync is disabled in the monitor menu, or the game’s V-Sync and display-mode settings conflict.

Valhalla Support

Still Seeing Screen Tearing?

If screen tearing continues after checking the refresh rate, adaptive-sync settings, FPS limit, V-Sync, graphics driver, and monitor connection, Valhalla owners can visit our Support Center for additional gaming PC troubleshooting and setup assistance.

Gaming monitor and custom PC setup for checking refresh rate settings

Support for Valhalla owners.

View Setup & Maintenance Guides View Refresh Rate Guide

For more Windows 11, monitor, maintenance, and system configuration resources, browse our PC Setup and Maintenance Guides.