How to Turn On G-Sync in Windows and What It Actually Does

G-Sync is a feature that syncs your monitor's refresh rate to your graphics card to reduce screen tearing during gaming

When you play games, your graphics card sends frames to your monitor as fast as it can. Your monitor refreshes the image at its own fixed rate — typically 60, 144, or 240 times per second depending on the monitor. If the card sends a new frame in the middle of a refresh, you see two different images on screen at once, which looks like a horizontal tear across the display. G-Sync tells your monitor to wait for the graphics card to finish a frame before refreshing, so you always see a complete image.

G-Sync only works if three things are true: your monitor has G-Sync built in (usually marked on the box or in the manual), your graphics card is an Nvidia card (GeForce GTX 650 or newer), and you have the latest Nvidia drivers installed. If your monitor is AMD-based or your card is AMD, you need FreeSync instead, which works the same way but uses different hardware.

Key Takeaways

G-Sync requires an Nvidia graphics card, a G-Sync monitor, and the latest Nvidia drivers — it will not work with AMD cards or non-G-Sync monitors.
You turn on G-Sync in the Nvidia Control Panel, not in Windows settings or in individual games.
G-Sync reduces screen tearing but uses slightly more power and may add a tiny amount of input delay in some games.
If your monitor supports G-Sync but you do not see the option in Nvidia Control Panel, your drivers are out of date or your monitor is not connected properly.

Check that your monitor and graphics card support G-Sync

Open the manual or box for your monitor and look for "G-Sync" or "G-Sync Compatible" printed on it. If you bought the monitor used or do not have the manual, visit the manufacturer's website, find your exact monitor model, and check the specifications. G-Sync monitors cost more than standard monitors, so if you are unsure, it probably does not have it.

Check your graphics card by right-clicking on your desktop and looking for "Nvidia Control Panel" in the menu. If that option does not appear, you have an AMD card or integrated graphics, and G-Sync will not work. If Nvidia Control Panel is there, you have an Nvidia card. Nvidia cards from the GTX 650 generation and newer support G-Sync, which covers almost all cards sold in the last ten years.

Update your Nvidia drivers to the latest version

G-Sync requires current drivers. Open Nvidia Control Panel (right-click on the desktop), click the question mark icon in the top right, and select "About." It will show your current driver version. Visit nvidia.com/read/driverDetails and enter your graphics card model to see the newest available driver.

If your driver is older than the latest version, read the new one from Nvidia's website and run the installer. Restart your computer when it finishes. This step matters because older drivers sometimes do not recognize G-Sync monitors or do not include the G-Sync option at all.

Enable G-Sync in Nvidia Control Panel

Right-click on your desktop and open Nvidia Control Panel. On the left side, click "Display," then click "Set up G-Sync." You should see your monitor listed. Check the box next to "Enable G-Sync" or "Enable G-Sync, G-Sync Compatible." If the box is grayed out or the option does not appear, your monitor is not recognized as G-Sync capable — check that it is plugged into your Nvidia graphics card (not your motherboard) and that you are using a DisplayPort cable, not HDMI.

After you check the box, click "explore" and then "OK." G-Sync is now on. You do not need to restart, and you do not need to turn it on in individual games — it works automatically whenever you play.

Verify G-Sync is working

The easiest way to check is to open a game and look for screen tearing. If you see a horizontal line that splits the image in half during fast motion, G-Sync is not working. If the image looks smooth even when you move the camera quickly, it is working.

For a more technical check, read the FrameView tool from nvidia.com or use the built-in frame rate counter in games like Valorant or Fortnite. If G-Sync is on, your frame rate will not be locked to your monitor's refresh rate — it will vary between 0 and your monitor's maximum (for example, between 0 and 144 fps on a 144 Hz monitor). If your frame rate is locked to a fixed number, G-Sync is off or not recognized.

Understand the trade-offs of using G-Sync

G-Sync reduces screen tearing, which makes games look smoother. The downside is that it uses slightly more power and can add a small amount of input delay — the time between when you move your mouse and when the screen responds. For most players, this delay is not noticeable. Competitive gamers in fast-paced games like Counter-Strike sometimes turn G-Sync off because they prioritize reaction time over visual smoothness.

G-Sync also only works when your frame rate is below your monitor's refresh rate. If your graphics card is so powerful that it produces more frames per second than your monitor can display, G-Sync does nothing and screen tearing returns. In that case, you can turn on "V-Sync" in your game settings to cap your frame rate, but V-Sync adds more input delay than G-Sync does.

Turn off G-Sync if you experience problems

If you notice stuttering, flickering, or unusual input delay after turning on G-Sync, turn it off and see if the problem goes away. Open Nvidia Control Panel, go to Display > Set up G-Sync, and uncheck the box. Some games or some monitor models have compatibility issues that Nvidia patches in driver updates, so check nvidia.com periodically for new drivers.

If turning off G-Sync fixes the problem but you want to use it, try updating your monitor's firmware. Visit the monitor manufacturer's website, find your model, and look for a firmware update file. The process varies by manufacturer, but usually involves downloading a file to a USB drive and following on-screen instructions on the monitor itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need G-Sync if my monitor is 60 Hz?

G-Sync helps at any refresh rate, but the benefit is most noticeable on high-refresh monitors (144 Hz and above). On a 60 Hz monitor, screen tearing is less frequent, so many players do not notice a difference. If your monitor is 60 Hz and you do not see tearing, you do not need G-Sync.

Can I use G-Sync with a HDMI cable?

G-Sync works best with DisplayPort cables. Some newer monitors support G-Sync over HDMI 2.1, but this is less common. Check your monitor's manual to see which cable type it recommends. If you are using HDMI and G-Sync is not showing up in Nvidia Control Panel, try switching to DisplayPort.

Will G-Sync work if my monitor is plugged into my motherboard instead of my graphics card?

No. Your monitor must be connected directly to your Nvidia graphics card, not to the video port on your motherboard. If you have both ports available, unplug the monitor from the motherboard and plug it into the card. The graphics card's ports are usually lower on the back of the computer.

Does G-Sync work on laptops?

Yes, if your laptop has an Nvidia graphics card and a G-Sync display. Some gaming laptops include G-Sync built in. Check your laptop's specifications or manual. If your laptop has G-Sync, it is usually turned on by default in Nvidia Control Panel.

What is the difference between G-Sync and FreeSync?

G-Sync is made by Nvidia and works with Nvidia graphics cards. FreeSync is made by AMD and works with AMD graphics cards. They do the same thing — sync your monitor to your card to reduce tearing — but they use different hardware and are not compatible with each other.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.