Affiliate Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Quick answer: Screen tearing is fixed by synchronizing your GPU and monitor. Enable G-Sync / FreeSync in your monitor’s OSD menu and in the GPU driver (NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Adrenalin), or turn on VSync in the game if your monitor has no adaptive sync. Capping the frame rate 3 – 4 fps below your refresh rate keeps you inside the sync range.
Fix 1 – Enable adaptive sync (best solution)
If your monitor supports FreeSync or G-Sync, this is the proper fix – the monitor refreshes exactly when a frame is ready.
- On the monitor: open the OSD menu and enable Adaptive-Sync / FreeSync.
- NVIDIA: Control Panel → Set up G-SYNC → enable for full screen (works on FreeSync monitors too, as “G-Sync Compatible”).
- AMD: Adrenalin → Settings → Display → enable AMD FreeSync.
Connect over DisplayPort for the widest sync range.
Our pick for this guide: LG 27GN800-B 27″ QHD 144Hz Monitor
Adaptive sync (G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync) eliminates tearing at the hardware level instead of relying on VSync workarounds.
Fix 2 – Cap your frame rate
Adaptive sync only works below the monitor’s maximum refresh rate. Set a frame cap 3 – 4 fps under it (e.g. 141 fps on a 144 Hz panel) using the in-game limiter, NVIDIA’s Max Frame Rate, or AMD’s Frame Rate Target Control. This keeps you permanently inside the tear-free window and also reduces GPU heat.
Fix 3 – VSync (for monitors without adaptive sync)
VSync forces the GPU to wait for the monitor, eliminating tearing at the cost of some input lag. Enable it in the game’s graphics settings. If your frame rate can stay above the refresh rate, VSync feels fine for single-player games; for shooters, pair it with a frame cap to soften the latency penalty.
Fix 4 – Check refresh rate and cables
A surprising number of “tearing” complaints come from a monitor running at 60 Hz when it supports 144 Hz or more. In Windows, go to Settings → Display → Advanced display and set the highest refresh rate. Cheap or old HDMI cables can silently limit this – use the DisplayPort cable that shipped with the monitor.
Still tearing? It might be the panel
Budget office monitors without any sync technology will always tear at uneven frame rates. If you game regularly, a modern adaptive-sync display is the single best upgrade – see our tested picks in the best 27-inch 1440p monitors roundup, and mount it properly with one of the best monitor arms.
Frequently asked questions
What causes screen tearing?
Tearing appears when the graphics card sends a new frame while the monitor is still drawing the previous one, so the display shows the top of one frame and the bottom of another. It is most visible in fast horizontal motion and happens whenever the GPU frame rate is out of sync with the monitor refresh rate.
Does VSync cause input lag?
Yes, a little. VSync forces the GPU to wait for the monitor, which can add a frame or two of delay and causes stutter when frame rates dip below the refresh rate. For competitive play, adaptive sync (G-Sync or FreeSync) plus a frame cap slightly below the refresh rate gives tear-free motion with far less lag.
Do I need a special cable for G-Sync or FreeSync?
Use DisplayPort where possible – it supports the full adaptive-sync range on virtually all gaming monitors. HDMI supports variable refresh on many newer displays (HDMI 2.1 VRR), but older HDMI ports and cables often lock you out of adaptive sync.
Turn on adaptive sync in both the monitor and the driver, cap your frame rate a few fps below the refresh rate, and tearing disappears for good.
