G-Sync/FreeSync Not Working? Do This

• You turned G-Sync/FreeSync on, but still see tearing.
• FPS is fine, yet motion feels juddery.
• The VRR indicator never lights up.
  Good news: it’s usually settings, cable, or FPS cap—not your hardware.

Also read: [Hz vs FPS: What Actually Matters for Gaming] for why matching FPS to refresh matters even with VRR.

Quick test (1 minute)

1. In Windows, set your monitor to its native refresh (e.g., 144/165/240 Hz).
2. Launch a game in exclusive fullscreen.
3. Toggle V-Sync OFF in-game, VRR ON in driver.
4. Move the camera slowly across a high-contrast scene.
   • No tearing + smooth motion → VRR is working.
   • Tearing/judder → follow the steps below.

The VRR setup that actually works

1) Monitor OSD (on-screen display)

• Turn on Adaptive-Sync/FreeSync (AMD) or G-Sync Compatible (NVIDIA-tested).
• Disable any conflicting motion features (e.g., backlight strobing/ELMB).
• Confirm DisplayPort is set to the correct version (e.g., DP 1.4).

2) Use the right cable

• Prefer DisplayPort over HDMI for PC VRR.
• Use a certified DP cable (short, good quality). Bad cables = random dropouts.

3) Windows settings

• Settings → System → Display → Advanced display → set refresh rate to native (e.g., 144/165/240 Hz).
• Make sure Game Mode is On (reduces background noise).
• If you use HDR, calibrate it but test VRR first with HDR Off to isolate issues.

4) NVIDIA path (GeForce)

1. NVIDIA Control Panel → Set up G-SYNC
   • Check Enable G-SYNC, G-SYNC Compatible.
   • Select Enable for full screen mode (or windowed and full screen if you must).
2. Manage 3D settings (Global/Program)
   • Monitor Technology: G-SYNC Compatible.
   • Vertical sync: Use the 3D application setting (or On if you prefer driver-VSync with VRR).
   • Max Frame Rate: set 2–3 FPS below refresh (e.g., 141 for 144 Hz) or cap in-game/RTSS.
3. Optional: enable G-SYNC indicator to verify engagement.

5) AMD path (Radeon)

1. AMD Software → Settings → Display
   • Toggle Adaptive Sync Compatible = On.
2. Gaming → (Your game) → Graphics
   • Radeon Enhanced Sync: Off (start simple).
   • Wait for Vertical Refresh: Always off, unless application specifies.
3. Cap FPS 2–3 below refresh (in-game or via driver/RTSS).
4. Optional: enable Performance Overlay and add Adaptive Sync readout.

6) Cap FPS correctly (the secret sauce)

• With VRR, set FPS cap ≈ refresh − 2 or −3 (e.g., 237 on 240 Hz, 141 on 144 Hz).
• This prevents misses at the top of the VRR range and avoids driver V-Sync fallback, keeping frametimes flat.

Common edge cases (and fixes)

• Borderless-windowed games: some engines don’t enable VRR properly. Try exclusive fullscreen.
• Multiple monitors: mismatched refresh/VRR can cause stutter. Test with one display first.
• Backlight strobing (ELMB/ULMB): not compatible with VRR on many panels—disable it when testing VRR.
• HDMI 2.0: limited bandwidth; VRR support varies. Use DP when possible.
• Overlays/recorders: some capture hooks break VRR. Disable extra overlays and retest.
• Laptop dGPU→iGPU (Optimus/MUX): set dGPU direct (MUX on) if available for reliable VRR.

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“It still tears” checklist

• OSD: Adaptive-Sync/G-Sync = On
• DisplayPort cable (short, certified)
• Windows: refresh = native
• Driver: VRR On, V-Sync App-controlled, cap FPS = refresh-2/-3
• Game: Exclusive fullscreen, upscaler Quality if needed
• Kill duplicate overlays; test single-monitor

If these are all correct and VRR still won’t engage, ping me—sometimes it’s a panel firmware or a driver version quirk, and I’ll point you to a stable combo.

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FAQ

Do I need V-Sync with VRR?
You can leave V-Sync App-controlled or On in the driver with a proper FPS cap. The cap keeps you in VRR so V-Sync doesn’t add latency.

Is 240 Hz better than 144 Hz if I can’t hold 240 FPS?
Not automatically. What matters is frametime stability. A capped, steady 144 often feels better than spiky 200+.

Does frame generation affect VRR?
VRR still works, but input latency can change. Great for single-player; test carefully for competitive play.