How to Turn On V-Sync in AMD Graphics Software

V-Sync is in your AMD graphics control panel, not in most games

V-Sync (vertical synchronization) sits in AMD Radeon Settings, the control software that came with your graphics card. You reach it by right-clicking your desktop and selecting "Radeon Settings" — not through a game's menu, though some games let you turn it on there too. The AMD panel gives you one place to control it for all your games at once, or you can override it per game if you want different settings for different programs.

The reason it's in the graphics software rather than Windows itself is that V-Sync is a graphics card feature. Your monitor refreshes its picture a fixed number of times per second — usually 60 times. V-Sync tells your graphics card to wait for that refresh moment before drawing the next frame, so the card and monitor stay in step. Without it, your card might finish a frame halfway through the monitor's refresh, which creates a visible tear line across the screen. With it on, you lose a few frames per second but the picture looks smoother.

Key Takeaways

V-Sync lives in Radeon Settings, which you open by right-clicking your desktop and selecting the option — not in Windows Settings or most game menus.
The setting is usually under "Display" or "Graphics" in Radeon Settings, labeled as "Wait for Vertical Refresh" or straightforward "V-Sync".
You can turn V-Sync on globally for all games, or turn it off globally and enable it only for specific games that need it.
V-Sync reduces screen tearing but also caps your frame rate to your monitor's refresh rate, so a 60 Hz monitor will max out at 60 frames per second.

Opening Radeon Settings on your desktop

Right-click on an empty area of your desktop — not on a file or folder, but on the blank space. A menu appears. Look for "Radeon Settings" or "AMD Radeon Settings" in that menu. Click it. The Radeon Settings window opens.

If you don't see that option when you right-click, your AMD graphics drivers may not be installed or may need an update. Visit AMD's driver read page, enter your graphics card model, and read the latest driver package. Run the installer and restart your computer. After that, the right-click menu should appear.

Finding V-Sync in the settings menu

Once Radeon Settings is open, look at the left sidebar. You'll see categories like "Gaming", "Display", or "System". Click "Display" first — V-Sync is often there. You're looking for a setting called "Wait for Vertical Refresh" or "V-Sync". It will have a toggle or dropdown next to it.

If you don't find it under Display, check the "Gaming" section. Some AMD driver versions put it there instead. The exact location shifts between driver versions, but it's always in one of these two places. Once you find it, you'll see options like "Off", "On", or "Enhanced" (which is AMD's name for adaptive V-Sync, a version that adjusts based on your frame rate).

Turning V-Sync on globally or per game

If you toggle V-Sync to "On" at the top level of Radeon Settings, it applies to every game you play. This is the simplest approach if you want consistent behavior everywhere. However, if you play competitive games where frame rate matters more than smoothness — like first-person shooters — you might want V-Sync off globally but on for single-player games.

To set it per game, leave the global setting at "Off", then scroll down in Radeon Settings to find your game listed. Click on the game name and toggle V-Sync on just for that title. This way, your fast-paced multiplayer game runs at whatever frame rate your card produces, while your story game stays smooth and tear-free.

What happens when you turn V-Sync on

When V-Sync is on, your graphics card waits for your monitor to finish drawing one frame before it sends the next one. On a 60 Hz monitor (the most common type), this means your frame rate caps at 60 frames per second, even if your graphics card could produce 100. On a 144 Hz monitor, it caps at 144. You trade raw speed for a smoother, tear-free picture.

The downside is input lag — the delay between pressing a key and seeing the result on screen. V-Sync introduces a small delay because the card is waiting for the monitor's refresh cycle. For most games this is unnoticeable, but in competitive shooters or fighting games where milliseconds matter, some players turn it off despite the screen tearing. That's a personal choice based on what bothers you less.

Adaptive V-Sync and Enhanced Sync options

AMD offers "Enhanced Sync" as an alternative to standard V-Sync. Enhanced Sync lets your card produce frames faster than your monitor's refresh rate without waiting, but it only displays a new frame when the monitor is ready. This reduces input lag compared to standard V-Sync while still cutting down on tearing. It's a middle ground if you want smoothness without the speed penalty.

Not all games work well with Enhanced Sync — some may still show tearing or stutter. If you enable it and notice problems, switch back to standard V-Sync or turn it off entirely. The best setting depends on your specific game and monitor, so you may need to test a few options to see what looks best to you.

Updating your AMD drivers if V-Sync isn't there

If you open Radeon Settings and the V-Sync option is missing entirely, your drivers are likely outdated. AMD updates its graphics software regularly, and older versions sometimes don't include all the settings. Go to AMD's official driver page, select your graphics card model (like Radeon RX 6700 or Radeon RX 7900), and read the latest driver package for your operating system.

Run the installer, let it complete, and restart your computer. When you open Radeon Settings again, V-Sync should be visible. If it's still missing after a fresh driver install, your graphics card may be very old or your system may have a different issue — in that case, check AMD's support forums or contact their support team with your card model and driver version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see screen tearing even with V-Sync on?

V-Sync only works if your frame rate stays at or below your monitor's refresh rate. If your graphics card is producing 100 frames per second but your monitor refreshes at 60 Hz, V-Sync can't sync them properly. Lower your game's graphics settings or resolution to keep your frame rate at or below your monitor's refresh rate, and the tearing should stop.

Does V-Sync make games run slower?

V-Sync caps your frame rate to your monitor's refresh rate, so yes, it limits how fast the game can run. On a 60 Hz monitor, you'll see at most 60 frames per second. On a 144 Hz monitor, you'll see at most 144. The game itself runs the same way — V-Sync just prevents the card from producing frames faster than the monitor can display them.

Can I turn V-Sync on in the game's settings instead of Radeon Settings?

Many games have their own V-Sync toggle in their graphics menu. Using the game's setting works fine and overrides the AMD setting for that game. If you prefer to control everything from one place, use Radeon Settings. If you like adjusting it per game, the game's menu is simpler. Both approaches work equally well.

What's the difference between V-Sync and FreeSync?

V-Sync locks your frame rate to your monitor's fixed refresh rate. FreeSync (AMD's technology) does the opposite — it makes your monitor's refresh rate match your graphics card's output, which can reduce tearing without the input lag of V-Sync. FreeSync only works if your monitor supports it, but if yours does, it's usually the better choice for gaming.

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