01
Enable Windows VRR for windowed games
Open **Settings > System > Display > Graphics** and turn on **Variable refresh rate**. This is required so DWM lets G-Sync drive windowed and borderless titles.
Enable **G-SYNC for windowed and full screen** in the NVIDIA Control Panel, turn on **Windows VRR**, and cap FPS 3-5 below your refresh rate.
Requirements
- A G-Sync or G-Sync Compatible monitor connected via DisplayPort
- NVIDIA GeForce driver R570 branch or newer: https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx
- Windows 11 25H2 with the game running in borderless or windowed mode
Instructions
02
Set G-Sync to cover windowed mode
Open the **NVIDIA Control Panel**, go to **Display > Set up G-SYNC**, and pick **Enable G-SYNC for windowed and full screen mode**. Confirm the monitor is selected and apply.
⚠ warningThe default is full-screen only, which is why windowed games stutter.
03
Force V-Sync on in the driver
In the NVIDIA Control Panel open **Manage 3D settings > Global**, set **Vertical sync** to **On** and **Low Latency Mode** to **On**. Driver-level V-Sync prevents tearing above the VRR range without adding the input lag of in-game V-Sync.
04
Cap the framerate below the refresh ceiling
Set **Max Frame Rate** in the same panel to 3-5 FPS below your refresh (e.g. 141 for a 144 Hz panel, 237 for 240 Hz). This keeps frames inside the VRR window.
tipRTSS works too, but the driver cap has lower overhead.
05
Disable in-game V-Sync and frame caps
In the game's video options turn **V-Sync off** and set any FPS limiter to **Unlimited**. The driver cap and driver V-Sync take over to feed G-Sync cleanly.
06
Verify G-Sync is actually active
In NVIDIA Control Panel's **Display** menu enable **G-SYNC Indicator**. Launch a windowed game; the on-screen indicator must appear, otherwise VRR is not engaging.
Common issues
G-Sync indicator never appears in a windowed game
Confirm the monitor is the primary display and that no second monitor is running a mismatched refresh rate; mixed-refresh multi-monitor setups disable windowed VRR on older drivers.
Flicker on loading screens or menus
That is low-FPS flicker in the VRR range. Set a minimum FPS floor in the game or lower graphics settings so FPS stays above ~48.
Stutter only in one game after enabling VRR
Open the game profile in NVIDIA Control Panel and set **Preferred refresh rate** to **Highest available**; some engines lock to 60 Hz otherwise.
Frequently asked
Do I need HDMI 2.1 for this?
No. DisplayPort 1.2+ is fine for G-Sync; HDMI VRR requires HDMI 2.1 on both ends.
Does this work with FreeSync monitors?
Yes, if NVIDIA lists them as G-Sync Compatible or you ticked **Enable settings for the selected display model**.
Will capping FPS below refresh hurt competitive play?
No. Staying inside the VRR window gives more consistent frame times than uncapped tearing.
How to undo this
In **Settings > System > Display > Graphics** turn **Variable refresh rate** off, then in NVIDIA Control Panel reset the 3D settings profile and set G-SYNC back to full-screen only.
Interactive version: checklist, feedback, related guides →
Free · no account needed · tracks your progress