Screen tearing splits your display into misaligned horizontal sections during fast motion. We tested every fix in this guide on a Windows 11 PC with an NVIDIA RTX 4060 and a 144Hz monitor, plus a second rig with an AMD RX 7600 and a 60Hz panel.
- Screen tearing happens when your GPU sends frames faster or slower than your monitor’s refresh rate
- VSync eliminates tearing instantly but adds 1-3 frames of input lag on most systems
- G-Sync and FreeSync remove tearing without the input lag penalty that VSync introduces
- Outdated graphics drivers cause frame pacing issues that trigger tearing even on high-end hardware
- Upgrading from a 60Hz to a 144Hz monitor reduces visible tearing by over 50% in most games
#What Causes Screen Tearing?
Your monitor refreshes at a fixed rate, usually 60 or 144 times per second. Your GPU renders frames at a variable rate that changes based on scene complexity. When the GPU pushes a new frame while the monitor is halfway through drawing the previous one, you see a horizontal line where two frames overlap.
In our testing on the RTX 4060 system, tearing was most visible in games running above 100 FPS on the 60Hz monitor. The GPU was sending nearly double the frames the display could handle. According to NVIDIA’s adaptive sync documentation, this mismatch is the single most common cause of visible tearing artifacts.
First-person shooters show tearing the worst. Horizontal camera movement exposes the frame boundary more than any other motion type. If you’re seeing a purple screen or complete display corruption, that’s a driver crash, not a frame sync issue.
#How Do You Enable VSync to Stop Tearing?
VSync (Vertical Synchronization) forces your GPU to wait until the monitor finishes its current refresh before sending the next frame. It’s the fastest fix and works on every GPU.
In NVIDIA Control Panel:
- Right-click your desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel
- Go to Manage 3D Settings > Global Settings
- Set Vertical sync to On
- Click Apply
In AMD Radeon Software:
- Right-click your desktop and select AMD Software
- Go to Gaming > Graphics
- Toggle Wait for Vertical Refresh to Always On
In-game settings also work. Most games have a VSync toggle under graphics or display options. We found that using in-game VSync introduced about 2 frames of input lag on our 60Hz test setup, which is noticeable in competitive shooters but fine for single-player games.
The downside of VSync is that when your GPU can’t maintain the target frame rate, the frame rate drops sharply. On a 60Hz monitor, a dip below 60 FPS forces VSync down to 30 FPS, causing stutter. If that happens, try capping your frame rate to a few FPS below your refresh rate instead.
#G-Sync and FreeSync: The Best Fix for Most Setups
If your monitor supports adaptive sync, it’s a better solution than VSync. G-Sync (NVIDIA) and FreeSync (AMD) dynamically adjust the monitor’s refresh rate to match the GPU’s frame output. No tearing, no input lag penalty.
According to AMD’s FreeSync technology page, FreeSync monitors cover a variable refresh range, typically 48-144Hz on mid-range displays. Your GPU needs to stay within that range for tearing-free output.
To enable G-Sync:
- Open NVIDIA Control Panel
- Go to Display > Set up G-SYNC
- Check Enable G-SYNC, G-SYNC Compatible
- Select your monitor and click Apply
To enable FreeSync:
- Open AMD Software
- Go to Gaming > Display
- Toggle AMD FreeSync to On
In our testing, G-Sync on the RTX 4060 with a 144Hz panel produced zero visible tearing across 8 different games over a weekend of play. FreeSync on the RX 7600 with the 60Hz monitor worked well within the supported range but showed tearing below 48 FPS in demanding titles.
Not every monitor supports adaptive sync. Check your monitor’s spec sheet or the on-screen display (OSD) menu. Budget monitors under $150 often lack this feature. If your PC is also struggling with high CPU usage from wsappx or other background processes, fixing those first can stabilize frame rates enough to reduce tearing.
#Updating Graphics Drivers
Outdated drivers introduce frame pacing bugs that cause tearing even when VSync is enabled. Driver updates from NVIDIA and AMD frequently include fixes for specific tearing issues in popular games.
For NVIDIA GPUs:
- Download GeForce Experience or visit the NVIDIA driver page
- Click Check for Updates and install any available driver
- Restart your PC after installation
For AMD GPUs:
- Open AMD Software and go to the Home tab
- Click Check for Updates under the driver section
- Install and restart
We measured a noticeable improvement in frame pacing after updating from driver version 551.23 to 555.85 on our NVIDIA test system. A game that previously tore at consistent 80 FPS ran smoothly after the update. Microsoft’s DirectX documentation recommends keeping GPU drivers current for proper frame presentation timing.
If updating doesn’t help, try a clean reinstall. Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) in Safe Mode to remove all driver traces, then install the latest version fresh. Systems with video scheduler internal errors or NVIDIA backend issues often benefit from this approach.
#Capping Your Frame Rate
Frame rate caps keep your GPU from rendering more frames than your monitor can display. This is the simplest tearing fix that doesn’t add input lag.
In NVIDIA Control Panel:
- Go to Manage 3D Settings
- Set Max Frame Rate to 3 FPS below your monitor’s refresh rate (for example, 57 for a 60Hz monitor or 141 for 144Hz)
In AMD Radeon Software:
- Go to Gaming > Graphics
- Enable Radeon Chill and set the max FPS
In-game frame limiters work too. Many games have a built-in FPS cap under graphics settings.
Setting the cap slightly below your refresh rate gives VSync a buffer zone, preventing the sharp drop to half-rate that happens when the GPU barely misses a refresh deadline. This trick worked on every game we tested and is our go-to recommendation when adaptive sync isn’t available.
#Hardware Upgrades That Fix Tearing
When software fixes aren’t enough, hardware changes make the biggest difference.
A higher refresh rate monitor is the single most effective upgrade. Moving from 60Hz to 144Hz means the monitor refreshes 2.4 times more often, giving the GPU more opportunities to deliver frames without visible tearing. According to Tom’s Guide’s 2025 monitor recommendations, 144Hz monitors now start at around $120, making them an affordable fix for persistent tearing.
A more powerful GPU helps if your current card can’t maintain stable frame rates. Fluctuating FPS between 40-70 on a 60Hz monitor produces the worst tearing because the frame delivery is inconsistent. Check our GPU recommendations for compatible upgrade options.
Better cables matter too. DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 support higher bandwidth than older versions. If you’re using an old HDMI 1.4 cable on a 144Hz monitor, it might be limiting your refresh rate to 60Hz, negating any adaptive sync benefits.
#Bottom Line
Start with VSync or a frame rate cap since those fix tearing on any system without spending money. If you have a G-Sync or FreeSync monitor, enable adaptive sync for the best results. Update your GPU drivers regardless because outdated drivers cause tearing even when sync settings are correct. For persistent tearing on a 60Hz panel, upgrading to a 144Hz monitor is the most effective long-term solution.
#Frequently Asked Questions
Does VSync cause input lag?
Yes. VSync adds 1-3 frames of input lag depending on your setup because the GPU holds each frame until the monitor is ready. For competitive multiplayer games, this delay is noticeable. For single-player and casual games, most people don’t feel the difference.
Can screen tearing damage my monitor?
No. It’s purely a visual artifact. Your monitor, GPU, and cables are all fine. Enable any sync method or cap your frame rate and the tearing stops instantly.
Is G-Sync better than FreeSync?
Both solve the same problem. NVIDIA now supports “G-Sync Compatible” mode on many FreeSync monitors, so the practical difference is minimal. Pick whichever matches your GPU brand.
Why does tearing happen only in some games?
Games that push frame rates well above or below your monitor’s refresh rate show tearing most. A game running at exactly 60 FPS on a 60Hz monitor rarely tears. A game fluctuating between 45-90 FPS on the same monitor tears constantly because the frame delivery is unpredictable.
Does screen tearing happen on consoles?
Yes. Consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X can tear when running games in unlocked frame rate modes. Enabling VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) in the console’s display settings fixes it, but your TV needs to support HDMI 2.1 VRR for it to work. Most TVs sold after 2022 include this feature.
Should I turn off VSync if I have G-Sync or FreeSync?
Yes, turn it off. Running both together stacks input lag for no benefit. Cap your frame rate 3 FPS below your refresh rate instead.
Can overheating cause screen tearing?
Yes, indirectly. Overheating throttles your GPU’s clock speed, which drops your frame rate unpredictably, and those sudden FPS dips trigger tearing. Keep your GPU below 85 degrees Celsius under load by cleaning dust from fans and improving case airflow.
Does changing the resolution help with screen tearing?
Lowering your resolution reduces GPU load, which can stabilize your frame rate and reduce tearing. But it doesn’t fix the underlying sync issue. You’ll get better results from VSync, adaptive sync, or a frame rate cap combined with whatever resolution you prefer.