What Is VRR? How It Works and How to Turn It On

What is VRR? VRR stands for variable refresh rate, a feature that lets your monitor or TV change how often it redraws the screen so it follows the frame rate your PC or console is producing. The result is less screen tearing and smoother motion when your FPS goes up and down. This guide explains how it works, how the different names (FreeSync, G-Sync, HDMI VRR) fit together, whether you need it, and how to turn it on.

What is VRR in Simple Terms?

A normal screen refreshes on a fixed schedule, such as 60 or 144 times per second. Your graphics card doesn’t work that way. In a game, it finishes frames at an uneven pace: quickly in a quiet corridor, slowly during an explosion.

When those two rhythms don’t match, you get problems. Variable refresh rate is the ability of your screen to vary how often it refreshes in order to match the frame rate. Instead of the monitor ticking away on its own clock, it waits for each new frame and shows it right away. slashgear

You’ll see the benefit most when your FPS bounces around in the range between about 40 and your monitor’s top speed. If you want the background on the problem VRR fixes, read our guide to screen tearing.

How does VRR work?

Here is the process in plain steps:

1. Your GPU finishes a frame at whatever time it’s ready.
2. It tells the display that a new frame is coming, through the cable.
3. The display refreshes at that moment instead of waiting for its next scheduled tick.
4. The cycle repeats, so the refresh rate rises and falls with your FPS.

That’s why VRR removes tearing without the lag that traditional V-Sync can add. If you’re curious about the older approach, see our V-Sync guide.

The VRR range

Every VRR screen only works inside a range, such as 48 to 144Hz. Inside it, the refresh rate follows your FPS. Below the minimum, some screens use a trick called low framerate compensation (LFC), which lets the feature keep working when the frame rate falls under the display’s minimum refresh rate. Without LFC, a drop below the range brings the stutter and tearing back. Always check a monitor’s VRR range in its spec sheet, not just its maximum refresh rate. trustedreviews

VRR vs G-Sync vs FreeSync: what’s the Difference?

These names cause most of the confusion. VRR is the general idea. The others are specific ways of delivering it.

For the brand-specific details, we cover each one separately: What Is G-Sync? and What Is FreeSync? Most modern monitors support more than one of these, so you rarely have to choose.

Does VRR Increase FPS?

No. VRR doesn’t make your game run faster. It makes the frames you already have look smoother by displaying each one at the right moment. If your FPS is low because your hardware is the limit, VRR can’t fix that. To find out what’s holding you back, read about the GPU bottleneck or what a PC bottleneck is.

VRR also pairs well with upscaling and frame generation tools, because those change your frame rate from moment to moment. Our guide to What Is DLSS? explains how that works.

Do you Need VRR?

It’s worth having if:

• your games don’t hold a steady frame rate
• your FPS sits somewhere between 40 and your monitor’s maximum
• you notice tearing or uneven motion
• you play on a console connected to a TV with HDMI 2.1

You can skip it if:

• your games always run at or above your monitor’s maximum refresh rate
• you play older or light games at a locked frame rate
• you only use the screen for office work and video

For most people buying a gaming monitor today, VRR comes included at no real extra cost, so it’s more a question of switching it on than paying for it.

How to Turn on VRR

The right place depends on your device. Menu names can change between software versions, so treat these as a guide.

On a Windows PC

1. Turn it on in the monitor’s menu first. Look for FreeSync, Adaptive Sync, G-Sync, or VRR in the on-screen display. On some monitors it’s off by default.
2. Use the right cable. DisplayPort is the safest choice for PC monitors. Our HDMI vs DisplayPort guide explains which ports support what.
3. Open Windows settings. Go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics, then change the default graphics settings and switch on Variable refresh rate. This setting helps games that don’t use VRR by themselves.
4. Enable it in your graphics driver. On Nvidia, use the Nvidia Control Panel’s “Set up G-SYNC” page. On AMD, use the Adrenalin software and turn on FreeSync. Our guides to G-Sync and FreeSync cover each one.
5. Check it’s working. On Nvidia, you can switch on an on-screen indicator, and Nvidia’s official help page shows how.

On a console

The PS5 and Xbox Series X/S support VRR, which you get through the HDMI 2.1 standard. You need a TV or monitor with an HDMI 2.1 port, and the setting sits in your console’s video or display options. The PS4 doesn’t support VRR in any version, including the Pro. stuffwhathifi

Tips for the best results

• Cap your frame rate a few FPS below your monitor’s maximum, so you stay inside the VRR range instead of hitting the ceiling.
• Keep your graphics driver up to date. If you’re not sure how, follow our graphics driver update guide.
• Use a good cable. A damaged or low-quality cable can cause dropouts that look like VRR problems.

VRR Troubleshooting

Flickering with VRR on

This is the most common complaint. It tends to appear when the frame rate swings a lot, such as in menus and loading screens, and some OLED panels are more prone to it. TechRadar’s explainer discusses an issue VRR has with OLED displays. Try these: techradar

• cap your FPS and avoid unlocked menus
• turn VRR off for that one game to confirm it’s the cause
• update your driver and the monitor’s firmware
• switch cables or ports

Our monitor flickering guide walks through every fix in order, including the G-Sync and FreeSync step.

VRR not appearing as an option

Check that your monitor’s VRR setting is on, you’re using a supported cable and port, and your graphics card supports the feature. On older HDMI ports, VRR may simply not be available.

Stutter at low FPS

If your frame rate falls below the monitor’s VRR range and it has no LFC, stutter and tearing can return. A monitor with a wider range solves this.

Frequently asked questions

What does VRR stand for?
Variable refresh rate.

Is VRR the same as FreeSync or G-Sync?
No. VRR is the general idea. FreeSync and G-Sync are brand names for specific ways of providing it.

Does VRR reduce input lag?
It usually helps compared with V-Sync, because the screen doesn’t wait for a fixed refresh tick. It isn’t a lag-reduction tool by itself.

Do I need HDMI 2.1 for VRR?
For consoles and most TVs, yes. For PC monitors, DisplayPort usually supports VRR, and many monitors also offer it over HDMI.

Should I leave VRR on all the time?
For most games, yes. If a particular game flickers or behaves oddly, turn it off for that game.

Does VRR work in windowed mode?
Sometimes. Windows and your graphics driver both have options for this, and results depend on the monitor and game.

Does VRR help in competitive games?
It can make motion smoother, but many competitive players prefer a very high, locked FPS where VRR matters less.

Is VRR good for movies?
It’s mainly a gaming feature. Some TVs also use it to match the frame rate of video, but the benefit is smaller.

Can I use VRR on a laptop?
Yes, if the laptop’s screen or external monitor supports it. Some laptops also use a related feature to save battery power.

Conclusion

VRR makes your display follow your game’s frame rate, which removes tearing and smooths out the uneven moments when your FPS rises and falls. It doesn’t add frames, and you may not need it if your games already sit at your monitor’s maximum, but for most gamers it’s a free improvement.

Switch it on in your monitor menu, enable it in Windows and your graphics driver, and cap your frame rate just below the refresh rate. If something flickers, start with our monitor flickering guide. For a closer look at either brand, read about G-Sync or FreeSync.