How to Turn VSync Off on PC

Turning VSync off can reduce the delay between your mouse or controller input and what appears on screen, especially when your frame rate is higher than your monitor’s refresh rate. The trade-off is that you may see screen tearing, where parts of two frames appear at once. You can usually change VSync in a game’s graphics settings or in your graphics-card software. Save your work and close any game you plan to change before adjusting a driver-level setting.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows PC with the game or application where you want to disable VSync.
• Access to that game’s settings, or to its graphics-card control panel if you want to change the driver-level setting.
• The graphics-card brand, if using its control panel: NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. You do not need to install extra software if the relevant control panel is already available.

Step-by-Step

1. Choose where to change the setting. Start with the game itself. An in-game VSync option usually affects only that title and is the simplest choice. Use the graphics-card control panel when the game has no VSync option or when you need to override its behavior. Avoid changing multiple settings at once; otherwise, it can be hard to tell which change worked.
2. Open the game’s video or graphics menu. Launch the game and look in Settings, Options, or Graphics. The relevant page may be called Video, Display, or Advanced Graphics. Find a setting named VSync, Vertical Sync, or Synchronization.
3. Disable VSync in the game. Set the option to Off, Disabled, or No. Some games offer alternatives such as Adaptive or Fast; these are not the same as a simple Off setting. If your aim is to disable synchronization, select Off. Apply or save the change, and restart the game if it asks you to.
4. Check whether the change took effect. Play in a scene where you can move the camera quickly, then compare the feel and image. You may notice less input delay, more variable frame rates, or tearing. If there is no change, the game may be using a driver setting, a frame-rate cap, or a different rendering mode. Continue with the matching graphics-card instructions below.
5. For NVIDIA, open NVIDIA Control Panel. Right-click the Windows desktop and choose NVIDIA Control Panel. Expand 3D Settings, then select Manage 3D settings. Open Program Settings, choose the game from the list, and use Add if it is not listed. Find Vertical sync, set it to Off, then select Apply. A program-specific setting is usually preferable to changing the global setting, which can affect other games.
6. For AMD, open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition. Open the game’s profile in the Gaming section, or find the graphics settings that apply globally. Locate Wait for Vertical Refresh and choose the option that disables or allows the application to control the setting, as available in your version. AMD’s wording and choices can vary by driver release. If you want to ensure the game controls VSync, choose an application-controlled option; if the driver provides a clear Off choice, use it for a driver-level override. Save or apply changes.
7. For Intel, open Intel Graphics Software or Intel Graphics Command Center. Look in the game-specific or 3D graphics settings for Vertical Sync or VSync. Set it to Off if the option is available, then apply the change. Some Intel graphics hardware or driver versions do not expose a VSync override. In that case, use the game’s own setting.
8. Restart the game and test again. Fully exit and reopen the title, particularly after changing a driver profile. Check that you edited the profile for the correct game executable and that you are testing the same display mode and graphics API. If the result is still unclear, return to the game’s menu and confirm its own VSync option is off.

Common Mistakes

• Changing the wrong setting: A frame-rate limit, triple buffering, and VSync are separate options. Turning off a frame cap does not necessarily turn off VSync, and lowering a cap does not guarantee less input delay.
• Editing a global profile unnecessarily: A global driver setting can change behavior in every game. Prefer a per-game profile when possible, and note the original value so you can restore it.
• Assuming every “adaptive” option means Off: Adaptive VSync, Fast Sync, and similar technologies handle frame delivery differently. Choose the explicit Off setting if you want ordinary VSync disabled.
• Expecting tearing to disappear: Tearing is a common result of VSync being off, not necessarily evidence that the setting failed. Variable refresh rate features such as G-SYNC or FreeSync may affect what you see.
• Forgetting other software can take priority: A game launcher, overlay, or driver profile may apply its own frame-sync or frame-rate rules. Change one layer at a time and retest.

Tips

• Try disabling VSync only in the game first. It is easier to reverse and leaves other titles unchanged.
• If tearing is distracting, compare VSync Off with a variable refresh rate mode, if your monitor and graphics hardware support it. These features have their own settings and do not always behave identically across games.
• Watch frame rate and input response during the same scene before and after the change. A very high frame rate can increase heat, power use, fan noise, and GPU load.
• To undo a driver change, return to the same game profile and restore the previous value or choose the default/application-controlled option. In the game, set VSync back to On.

Troubleshooting

• VSync still seems active: Verify the game’s setting, then inspect its specific driver profile. Check that the profile points to the game you actually launched; some titles use a separate executable for a launcher, menu, or alternate mode. Restart the game after changing settings.
• The option is missing or greyed out: Try changing the setting in the game rather than the driver panel. Update the graphics driver only through the manufacturer’s official software or support page. Some games, drivers, and graphics devices do not offer a driver-level override.
• The picture tears more than expected: That can be normal with VSync off. Turn VSync back on, use a supported variable refresh rate feature, or try a suitable frame-rate limit if smoother output matters more than minimizing latency.
• Performance or temperatures worsen: Disabling VSync can let the game render more frames than the monitor can display. Use the game’s frame-rate limiter or restore VSync, and monitor temperatures with a trusted tool. Do not block vents or ignore unusual heat, crashes, or fan behavior.
• Settings revert after an update: Driver updates and game patches can reset profiles. Recheck the game and its driver profile after updates, and avoid repeatedly forcing conflicting global and in-game settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning VSync off increase FPS?
It can remove a VSync-related frame-rate limit, allowing the game to render more frames if the hardware can keep up. It does not guarantee higher performance, and the monitor may not display every rendered frame.

Will turning VSync off reduce input lag?
It often reduces the delay associated with waiting for synchronized frame presentation, but the result depends on the game, graphics settings, and display. A high GPU workload can still cause noticeable input delay.

Why do I see horizontal lines after disabling it?
Those are usually screen tearing: the display shows portions of different frames during a refresh. Re-enable VSync or try a compatible variable refresh rate feature if the tearing bothers you.

Should I turn VSync off in the game or the driver?
Start with the game’s setting. Use a per-game driver option only if the game lacks a working setting or you need an override. Avoid a global override unless you want the change to affect multiple applications.

Is VSync the same as G-SYNC or FreeSync?
No. VSync synchronizes frame presentation to the display refresh cycle. G-SYNC and FreeSync are variable refresh rate technologies that adjust display refresh timing within supported limits; their interaction with VSync depends on the game and setup.

Can I turn VSync off on a console?
Consoles generally do not provide a universal VSync switch. Whether synchronization is used is usually decided by the game, so check its display options if available.