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For smoother, tear-free gaming, first set Windows to the monitor’s highest refresh rate at your chosen resolution. Then enable the monitor’s variable refresh rate (VRR), turn on the matching NVIDIA G-SYNC or AMD FreeSync option, and configure Windows’ windowed-game optimization when it applies. These settings work together, but none guarantees perfectly even frame pacing: your monitor, graphics card, connection, game and preferred balance between latency and tearing all matter.
1. Set the monitor’s refresh rate in Windows
Windows may be using a lower refresh rate than your monitor supports. In Windows 11, open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display, select the monitor you want to configure, and choose the highest refresh rate listed for the resolution you intend to play at. The available choices depend on the display. See Microsoft’s instructions for changing a monitor’s refresh rate.
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Check the selected resolution as well as the refresh rate. A starred refresh-rate option can change the resolution; confirm both values after applying it. The Advanced display information panel also reports the current resolution and refresh rate and whether Windows detects VRR support.
2. Enable VRR on the monitor and in the graphics software
VRR lets a compatible display adjust its refresh rate to follow the graphics card’s output within the display’s supported range. It is separate from selecting a refresh rate in Windows: the display and graphics software must also be configured for the relevant VRR technology.
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For NVIDIA G-SYNC or G-SYNC Compatible
You need a compatible display and supported graphics hardware. NVIDIA’s setup guidance calls for connecting and enabling the display, setting it as the primary display in NVIDIA Control Panel, and enabling G-SYNC on the Set up G-SYNC page. In Manage 3D Settings, check that Monitor Technology is set to G-SYNC or G-SYNC Compatible, and set the display to its highest available refresh rate. NVIDIA’s help page is older, so labels may differ in a current driver; use the corresponding controls in the installed NVIDIA Control Panel if the wording has changed. See NVIDIA’s G-SYNC setup guidance.
For AMD FreeSync
Use a FreeSync-capable display with supported Radeon hardware. Enable FreeSync in the monitor’s on-screen menu; the setting’s name and location vary by model, so consult the monitor manual if needed. Then open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition and check the display’s FreeSync status under Display. Compatible systems may enable it automatically, but verify the status for the screen you use. See AMD’s FreeSync setup instructions for Adrenalin Edition.
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G-SYNC and FreeSync are distinct vendor technologies, not interchangeable certifications. Check your exact graphics card, monitor support, connection, resolution and VRR range rather than assuming any VRR display will work with any GPU.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3. Optimize compatible windowed games in Windows 11
For compatible DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 games running windowed or borderless, Windows 11 offers Optimizations for windowed games. Microsoft says the feature moves compatible games from the legacy blt presentation model to a newer flip model, which can reduce frame latency and enable VRR on supported displays.
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- Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
- Turn on Optimizations for windowed games.
- Restart the game for the change to take effect.
The feature does not apply to every game or presentation mode. Microsoft notes that Auto HDR also turns this optimization on automatically. More details are in Microsoft’s Windows 11 windowed-game guidance.
4. Treat Dynamic Refresh Rate as a separate setting
Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) is a Windows 11 feature that adjusts refresh rate based on activity; it is not the same thing as enabling G-SYNC or FreeSync. Microsoft says DRR requires a VRR-capable display and a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz. It should not affect games designed for VRR, but it can limit the maximum refresh rate of some other games.
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If a game appears capped after you enable DRR, turn DRR off and compare. Check the current Windows refresh-rate and DRR options in Settings > System > Display > Advanced display. Requirements and behavior are described in Microsoft’s refresh-rate guidance.
5. Handle frame rates that exceed the display’s refresh rate
If a game’s frame rate regularly exceeds the display’s refresh rate, AMD recommends enabling V-Sync or capping the frame rate to help avoid tearing. Start by checking the game’s own display or graphics options; the available controls and behavior vary by game and graphics API. There is no single frame-cap value established here for every monitor and game. AMD’s advice is conditional, not a universal instruction to enable V-Sync in every setup. See AMD’s FreeSync overview.
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Why a setting or feature may be unavailable
- The highest refresh rate is missing: Confirm the intended display is selected in Advanced display, then check the offered rates at the resolution you want. A starred mode may change resolution. Available options depend on the monitor and its current display mode.
- VRR is not reported or does not activate: Check Windows’ Advanced display information, the monitor’s on-screen VRR setting, and the matching vendor software. Each step depends on compatible display and graphics hardware.
- A vendor option or menu label differs: NVIDIA’s cited help page is older, and monitor menus vary by model. Check the current installed driver interface and the monitor manual rather than relying on a particular label appearing everywhere.
- A game still tears or feels uneven: The setup steps cannot guarantee even frame pacing. Check whether the game is exceeding the display’s refresh rate and try its V-Sync or frame-cap option when appropriate; actual results depend on the game and hardware.
Windows 10 note
These instructions focus on Windows 11. Microsoft says Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; feature availability and settings can differ by version.
Choosing a monitor if yours lacks VRR
If you are shopping for a replacement, look for a variable-refresh-rate gaming monitor, but verify the exact monitor’s certification and supported range, your GPU’s compatibility, the connection you will use, and the refresh rate at your intended resolution. A VRR label alone does not establish that a particular display and graphics card combination supports the mode you want.
Quick Recap
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