Where to find the G-Sync setting and why you might want to turn it off
G-Sync is a feature that synchronizes your monitor's refresh rate with your graphics card's output, which reduces screen tearing — the horizontal lines you see when the image updates unevenly. You can disable it in two places: your Nvidia graphics card control panel on your computer, or directly on your monitor if it has a built-in menu. Most people turn it off because they want to use a different monitor, they are troubleshooting a performance problem, or they prefer the older behavior of their display.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you have a desktop or laptop, and whether your monitor has physical buttons. This guide covers both the software side (your graphics card settings) and the hardware side (your monitor's menu), so you can disable G-Sync completely.
Key Takeaways
- G-Sync disables in your Nvidia control panel under Display settings, and the change takes effect when ready without restarting.
- If your monitor has a built-in menu (usually accessed by pressing a button on the back or side), you can also turn off G-Sync there for a complete disable.
- Disabling G-Sync in the control panel alone does not turn off the monitor's G-Sync hardware, so both locations matter if you want it fully off.
- Some monitors require you to disable G-Sync in the monitor menu before the graphics card setting will show up in your control panel.
Disable G-Sync in the Nvidia control panel on Windows
Open the Nvidia control panel by right-clicking on your desktop and selecting Nvidia Control Panel from the menu. If you do not see this option, your Nvidia drivers may not be installed or up to date. You can also open it by searching for "Nvidia Control Panel" in the Windows search bar at the bottom left of your screen.
Once the control panel is open, look on the left side for a menu. Click Display, then click Set up G-Sync. You will see a checkbox next to "Enable G-Sync". Uncheck this box. The setting takes effect when ready — you do not need to restart your computer. Close the control panel when you are done.
If you do not see the "Set up G-Sync" option, your monitor may not be G-Sync compatible, or G-Sync may already be disabled. You can also check by clicking Display and looking for any mention of G-Sync in the options listed.
Disable G-Sync on your monitor using its built-in menu
Many G-Sync monitors have a physical menu button on the back or side of the monitor frame. Press and hold this button for a few seconds until a menu appears on your screen. Use the arrow buttons (usually near the menu button) to navigate to G-Sync or Adaptive Sync, then select Off or Disabled.
The exact menu structure varies by monitor brand and model. Common paths include: Setup → G-Sync → Off, or Display Settings → Adaptive Sync → Disabled. If you cannot find the option, check your monitor's manual — you can usually find this online by searching for your monitor model number plus "manual".
Some monitors do not have a physical menu at all. In this case, you can only disable G-Sync through the Nvidia control panel on your computer. If your monitor has no menu and you have already disabled it in the control panel, G-Sync is fully off.
Why disabling G-Sync in both places matters
The Nvidia control panel controls your graphics card, and your monitor's menu controls the monitor itself. Disabling G-Sync in only one place leaves the feature partially active. For example, if you disable it in the control panel but not on the monitor, the monitor is still looking for a G-Sync signal from your graphics card, which can cause unexpected behavior or lag.
For a complete disable, turn it off in both locations if your monitor has a menu. If your monitor has no menu, disabling it in the control panel is sufficient.
What to do if G-Sync does not appear in your control panel
If you open the Nvidia control panel and do not see a "Set up G-Sync" option under Display, one of three things is happening: your monitor is not G-Sync compatible, your graphics card does not support G-Sync, or G-Sync is already disabled on your monitor's hardware.
To check compatibility, look at your monitor's manual or the sticker on the back of the monitor — it should say "G-Sync" or "G-Sync Compatible" if the feature is built in. If your monitor does not mention G-Sync, the feature is not available on that model. If your monitor does have G-Sync but the option is missing from the control panel, try enabling G-Sync on the monitor itself using its physical menu, then check the control panel again.
Troubleshooting if G-Sync still seems active after disabling
If you have disabled G-Sync in both the control panel and your monitor menu but you still see screen tearing or other visual problems, the issue may not be G-Sync. Screen tearing can also happen when your frame rate is very high or very low compared to your monitor's refresh rate.
Try enabling Vsync (vertical sync) in the Nvidia control panel as an alternative. Open the control panel, go to Manage 3D Settings, find Vertical Sync, and set it to On. This is an older method of syncing your graphics card to your monitor, and it works on any monitor. Vsync can introduce slight input lag, but it stops screen tearing without requiring G-Sync hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to restart my computer after disabling G-Sync?
No. Changes to G-Sync in the Nvidia control panel take effect when ready. If you changed the setting on your monitor's menu, that also takes effect right away. You do not need to restart.
Will disabling G-Sync make my games run faster?
Not necessarily. G-Sync does not slow down your graphics card — it only changes how the image is displayed on your monitor. Disabling it may reduce input lag slightly in some games, but frame rate (how many frames per second you get) stays the same.
Can I disable G-Sync for just one game?
Yes. In the Nvidia control panel, go to Manage 3D Settings, click the Program Settings tab, and add the game you want to change. Then find G-Sync in the settings list and set it to Off for that game only. Other games and applications will still use your global G-Sync setting.
What is the difference between G-Sync and G-Sync Compatible?
G-Sync monitors use Nvidia's proprietary hardware and are certified by Nvidia. G-Sync Compatible monitors use the open standard called FreeSync but work with Nvidia graphics cards. Both disable the same way — through the Nvidia control panel and your monitor's menu.
If I disable G-Sync, can I turn it back on later?
Yes. Open the Nvidia control panel, go to Display → Set up G-Sync, and check the box next to "Enable G-Sync". You can also re-enable it on your monitor's menu the same way you disabled it. The change takes effect when ready.