Ever noticed a horizontal line slicing across your screen while gaming or watching videos? That annoying visual glitch is called screen tearing—and once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

If you’re searching for how to fix screen tearing, you’re in the right place. In this guide, I’ll break down what causes it and show you exactly how to fix screen tearing on PC, monitor, AMD, NVIDIA, and even without VSync. Whether you’re gaming competitively or just browsing, these solutions will help you get smooth, tear-free visuals.

What Is Screen Tearing?

Screen tearing happens when your GPU sends more frames than your monitor can display. The monitor refreshes at a fixed rate (like 60Hz or 144Hz), but your graphics card might be pushing out frames faster or inconsistently.

The result?
Two (or more) frames get displayed at the same time — creating a visible “tear” across the screen.

Common Causes:

• Mismatched refresh rate and FPS

• Disabled VSync

• Outdated GPU drivers

• Incorrect display settings

• Weak GPU struggling with demanding games

How to Fix Screen Tearing on PC

Let’s go step-by-step. Start with the easiest fixes first.

1. Enable VSync

VSync (Vertical Sync) forces your GPU to match your monitor’s refresh rate.

How to enable VSync:

• Open your game settings

• Go to Graphics or Video settings

• Turn VSync ON

Best for: Casual gaming
Downside: May increase input lag

If you’re wondering how to fix screen tearing in games, this is usually the fastest solution.

2. Adjust Your Monitor’s Refresh Rate

Sometimes Windows defaults to a lower refresh rate.

How to check:

1. Right-click Desktop

2. Click Display Settings

3. Go to Advanced Display Settings

4. Select the highest available refresh rate

This is especially helpful if you’re searching for how to fix screen tearing on monitor.

3. Limit Your FPS

If your GPU produces 200 FPS on a 60Hz monitor, tearing is almost guaranteed.

You can:

• Enable in-game FPS limiter

• Use NVIDIA Control Panel

• Use AMD Radeon Software

• Use tools like MSI Afterburner

Set FPS equal to or slightly below your monitor’s refresh rate.

Example:

• 60Hz monitor → Cap at 60 FPS

• 144Hz monitor → Cap at 144 FPS

How to Fix Screen Tearing Without VSync

Some players avoid VSync due to input lag. Here are better alternatives:

4. Enable G-Sync or FreeSync

These technologies dynamically match refresh rate to FPS.

If you have NVIDIA GPU:

Enable G-Sync in NVIDIA Control Panel.

If you have AMD GPU:

Enable FreeSync in AMD Radeon Settings.

✔ Eliminates tearing
✔ Reduces input lag
✔ Best solution for competitive gaming

This is the ideal fix for those searching how to fix screen tearing without vsync.

5. Use Borderless Windowed Mode

Some games tear more in fullscreen mode.

Switch to:

• Borderless Windowed

• Windowed Mode

It’s not perfect, but surprisingly effective in certain titles.

How to Fix Screen Tearing NVIDIA

If you’re using an NVIDIA GPU:

Steps:

1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel

2. Go to Manage 3D Settings

3. Turn on:

   • Vertical Sync → ON (or Adaptive)

   • Max Frame Rate → Set to monitor refresh rate

4. Enable G-Sync (if supported)

You can also check driver updates via the official NVIDIA website (external link suggestion: nvidia.com).

Updating drivers often fixes compatibility issues.

How to Fix Screen Tearing AMD

For AMD users:

Steps:

1. Open AMD Radeon Software

2. Go to Settings > Display

3. Enable:

   • AMD FreeSync

   • Radeon Enhanced Sync

4. Update drivers from the official AMD website (external link suggestion: amd.com)

Enhanced Sync is a great option for those who want low input lag without traditional VSync.

How to Fix Screen Tearing in Games

Some games are more prone to tearing.

Example: How to Fix Screen Tearing Fortnite

For Fortnite:

1. Open Settings

2. Turn ON VSync (or cap FPS manually)

3. Use Performance Mode if GPU is weak

4. Enable G-Sync/FreeSync

5. Set FPS limit equal to refresh rate

Also ensure your graphics drivers are updated before troubleshooting further.

Advanced Fixes (If Nothing Works)

If screen tearing persists, try these:

• Replace HDMI cable (use DisplayPort if possible)

• Disable Windows Game Bar

• Update Windows

• Lower graphics settings

• Check for overheating GPU

• Reset GPU settings to default

Quick Comparison: Best Fix by Situation

FAQs About Screen Tearing

1. What causes screen tearing?

It happens when FPS and monitor refresh rate are out of sync.

2. Does VSync completely fix screen tearing?

Yes, but it may increase input lag.

3. Is screen tearing bad for my monitor?

No. It’s a visual issue, not hardware damage.

4. Why does screen tearing happen even with high FPS?

Because high FPS exceeding refresh rate can still cause desynchronization.

5. Can HDMI cause screen tearing?

Old or low-quality HDMI cables can contribute. DisplayPort is generally better.

6. Should I use G-Sync or VSync?

G-Sync (or FreeSync) is better if your monitor supports it.

Conclusion

Now you know exactly how to fix screen tearing — whether it’s on PC, monitor, AMD, NVIDIA, or even without VSync.

For most users, enabling VSync or G-Sync/FreeSync solves the issue instantly. Competitive gamers should focus on adaptive sync technologies and proper FPS caps for the smoothest experience.

If you’re serious about clean visuals and better performance, start with refresh rate settings, then optimize your GPU control panel. Small tweaks can make a massive difference.

Want smoother gameplay overall? Consider upgrading to a high-refresh-rate monitor or exploring our guide on boosting FPS for even better performance.