What Causes Screen Tearing and How to Fix It

Screen tearing is one of the most distracting visual problems PC gamers can encounter. It usually appears as a horizontal split across the display, where different parts of two frames seem to be visible at the same time. The issue is especially noticeable during fast camera movements, racing games, first-person shooters, and other titles with lots of motion.

The good news is that screen tearing usually does not mean your monitor is damaged. In most cases, it happens because the graphics card and display are not properly synchronized.

What Is Screen Tearing?

A monitor refreshes its image at a specific rate, such as 60Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz, or higher. At the same time, your GPU continuously renders new frames.

Problems can occur when the GPU delivers a new frame while the monitor is still displaying the previous one. The screen can then show portions of multiple frames simultaneously, producing a noticeable horizontal tear.

For example, a 60Hz display refreshes approximately every 16.7 milliseconds. If the GPU sends another frame while that refresh is already underway, part of the display may show the previous frame while another section shows the newer frame.

What Causes Screen Tearing?

Several factors can contribute to screen tearing.

1. GPU and Monitor Are Out of Sync

The most common cause is a mismatch between the GPU's frame output and the monitor's refresh cycle.

If your graphics card is producing frames faster than the display can refresh, the monitor may begin displaying a new frame before finishing the previous one.

2. V-Sync Is Disabled

V-Sync, or vertical synchronization, is designed to synchronize the GPU's frame output with the monitor's refresh rate. With V-Sync enabled, the GPU waits for an appropriate display-refresh point before presenting another frame.

Turning V-Sync off can provide higher frame rates and potentially lower latency, but it can also make tearing more visible.

3. Unstable Frame Rates

Tearing isn't necessarily caused only by very high FPS. Large variations in frame delivery can also contribute to an inconsistent gaming experience.

A game running at 100 FPS one moment and dropping to 55 FPS in a demanding scene can create synchronization problems, particularly when display synchronization is not configured correctly.

4. Incorrect Refresh-Rate Settings

Your monitor may support 144Hz or 165Hz, but Windows or the graphics driver could be configured to use a lower refresh rate.

Checking your operating-system and GPU settings is therefore an important troubleshooting step.

5. VRR Configuration Problems

Modern gaming monitors often support Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technologies such as AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-SYNC.

These technologies dynamically adjust the monitor's refresh behavior to better match the GPU's frame output, helping reduce tearing and stuttering.

However, an incorrectly configured or incompatible VRR setup can sometimes introduce other display problems, including flickering.

How to Fix Screen Tearing

Enable V-Sync

The simplest solution is to enable V-Sync in the affected game's graphics settings.

V-Sync limits frame delivery to the monitor's refresh rate and prevents the GPU from presenting frames at inappropriate points in the refresh cycle.

The downside is that traditional V-Sync can increase input latency and may reduce performance when your GPU cannot consistently maintain the required frame rate.

For slower-paced or single-player games, however, the improvement in image quality may be worth it.

Enable FreeSync or G-SYNC

If your monitor supports VRR, enabling adaptive synchronization is often a better solution.

• AMD FreeSync works with compatible AMD graphics hardware and displays.
• NVIDIA G-SYNC is designed to synchronize compatible NVIDIA GPUs and displays.
• Many modern monitors support adaptive-sync functionality across different GPU platforms.

Make sure VRR is enabled both on the monitor and in the appropriate graphics software when required.

Limit Your FPS

Another useful solution is to place a frame-rate limit on the game.

For example, if your monitor operates at 144Hz, you can experiment with a frame-rate cap slightly below the maximum refresh rate when using VRR. This can help keep the GPU inside the display's synchronization range.

Many games include their own FPS limiter. GPU software and third-party utilities can also provide frame-rate controls.

Check Your Monitor's Refresh Rate

Make sure your operating system is actually using the refresh rate your monitor supports.

If you purchased a 144Hz display but the system is running it at 60Hz, you are not getting the full benefit of the panel.

In Windows, check the display's advanced settings and select the appropriate refresh rate. You should also check the monitor's own on-screen menu.

Update or Reinstall Graphics Drivers

A graphics-driver problem can sometimes contribute to display issues. If tearing suddenly appears after a driver or system update, consider checking whether the problem is related to the new driver.

Updating to a newer driver can help, while reverting to an earlier stable driver may be useful if the problem began immediately after an update.

Check the Display Cable

Don't overlook the connection between your graphics card and monitor.

A poor-quality, damaged, or inappropriate cable can create various display problems. Make sure the cable is securely connected and supports the resolution and refresh rate you're trying to use.

For high-refresh-rate gaming, use a suitable DisplayPort or HDMI connection supported by both your GPU and monitor.

V-Sync vs. VRR: Which Should You Use?

Traditional V-Sync remains useful, but VRR technologies generally provide a more flexible solution because the display can adapt to changes in GPU frame output.

What If Screen Tearing Only Happens in One Game?

If tearing appears in only one particular title, first check that game's graphics settings.

Look for options such as:

• V-Sync
• Frame Rate Limit
• Adaptive Sync
• Refresh Rate
• Windowed/Fullscreen Mode

Try enabling V-Sync or setting an appropriate FPS limit. If the game supports VRR, make sure the feature is enabled in both the game and your graphics settings.

If the problem started after changing a graphics setting, restoring the game's default display settings can also help.

Does a Higher Refresh Rate Eliminate Screen Tearing?

Not by itself.

A 144Hz or 240Hz monitor can make motion look considerably smoother, but tearing can still occur if the GPU and display are not synchronized.

The best results usually come from combining a high-refresh-rate monitor with an appropriate frame rate and VRR technology.

Final Thoughts

Screen tearing is primarily a synchronization problem between your GPU and display rather than a sign that your monitor is failing. The easiest solution is to enable V-Sync, while users with modern gaming monitors should generally consider using FreeSync or G-SYNC.

If tearing continues, check your refresh-rate configuration, experiment with an FPS cap, update or roll back your graphics driver, and verify that your display cable is suitable for your monitor's resolution and refresh rate.

With the right combination of refresh rate, frame-rate control, and adaptive synchronization, you can achieve a much smoother gaming experience with little or no visible tearing.