What Is Screen Tearing? And How do You Fix it?

What Is Screen Tearing? And How do You Fix it?

Smooth visuals make a big difference in how we experience our screens every day. It's pretty annoying when your display suddenly shows those weird horizontal splits where the image doesn't line up properly. 

Whether you're working on a project, enjoying your favourite game or just browsing online, these splits, called screen tearing, can show up out of nowhere and really spoil things. Getting to know what causes these display issues is your first step to fixing them and getting clean, smooth visuals.

What is Screen Tearing?

Screen tearing happens when your display shows portions of multiple frames simultaneously, creating a visible horizontal split or "tear" across the screen. It appears as though the image has been sliced and misaligned, with the top portion showing one frame while the bottom shows another.

The effect most commonly comes on during fast-moving scenes in games or videos, where the horizontal misalignment becomes especially noticeable as objects appear to split momentarily. This breaks immersion and disrupts the viewing experience.

What Causes Screen Monitor Tearing?

Screen tearing results from a timing mismatch between your graphics card and monitor. This misalignment occurs when these two components operate at different rates without synching.

Your display refreshes at a fixed rate measured in Hertz (Hz), such as 60Hz or 144Hz. This tells you how many times per second your monitor draws a new image. Your graphics card, however, renders frames at a variable rate that changes based on what's happening on screen. When these rates don't match up, your screen can display parts of multiple frames at once, creating that torn look.

The most common scenarios that cause this mismatch are:

  • When your GPU produces frames faster than your monitor can display them (e.g., 100 FPS on a 60Hz monitor).
  • When performance fluctuates dramatically during gameplay.
  • When VSync or other synchronisation technologies are turned off.
  • When you're using outdated graphics drivers that lack proper timing management.

The Technical Explanation

To really understand what's happening when your screen tears, let's break down the process step-by-step. Here’s exactly what happens but as your screen tears:

  1. Your graphics card sends a new frame to the monitor.
  2. The monitor begins displaying this frame.
  3. Before the monitor completes drawing the current frame, the graphics card sends another frame.
  4. The monitor switches to displaying the newer frame mid-refresh.
  5. The display changes before the previous frame leaves the screen and a visible split occurs.

The more significant the difference between frame production and display refresh rates, the more severe and frequent the tearing becomes.

How to Fix Screen Frame Tearing

There are many ways to address screen tearing, ranging from simple software adjustments to hardware upgrades. The best approach depends on your specific hardware capabilities and performance requirements.

Here are some things to try.

VSync Tearing Solutions

Vertical Synchronisation (VSync) is the most basic solution for graphics tearing. This technology forces your graphics card to synchronise its frame delivery with your monitor's refresh cycle.

How VSync works:

  1. The graphics card holds completed frames until the monitor begins its refresh cycle
  2. The GPU delivers exactly one frame per refresh cycle
  3. This synchronisation eliminates tearing by ensuring frame changes only occur between refresh cycles

How to enable VSync:

  • In-game settings: Most games include a VSync option in their video or graphics settings menu.
  • In NVIDIA: Right-click desktop > NVIDIA Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings > Vertical Sync > On.
  • In AMD: Gaming > Global Graphics > Wait for Vertical Refresh > Always On.

VSync effectively prevents screen tearing but may introduce input lag, reduce frame rates or cause stuttering in certain scenarios.

Use Adaptive Sync Technologies

Modern synchronisation technologies have variable refresh rates that adapt to your GPU's output.

G-Sync (NVIDIA):

NVIDIA's G-Sync technology creates adaptive synchronisation between compatible NVIDIA graphics cards and G-Sync-certified monitors.

How G-Sync works:

  1. The monitor adjusts its refresh rate dynamically to match the GPU's frame rate.
  2. This creates perfect synchronisation even as frame rates fluctuate.
  3. Graphics tearing is eliminated without introducing the lag or stuttering associated with traditional VSync.

FreeSync (AMD):

AMD's FreeSync technology offers similar adaptive synchronisation for AMD graphics cards and compatible monitors.

How FreeSync works:

  1. Uses the VESA Adaptive-Sync standard to dynamically adjust monitor refresh rates.
  2. Synchronises display refreshes with frame delivery.
  3. Eliminates screen frame tearing without fixed refresh rate limitations.

Enhanced Sync and Fast Sync

Both AMD and NVIDIA offer intermediate technologies that combine aspects of traditional and adaptive synchronisation.

Enhanced Sync (AMD):

  • Allows frame rates above refresh rate without tearing.
  • Reduces input lag compared to traditional VSync.
  • Provides a middle ground between VSync off and on.

Fast Sync (NVIDIA):

  • Permits high frame rates without tearing.
  • Reduces input lag while maintaining visual quality.
  • Works best when frame rates significantly exceed the refresh rate.

These technologies provide good alternatives when adaptive sync monitors aren't available.

Hardware Upgrades

For persistent screen frame tearing issues, hardware upgrades might provide the most comprehensive solution.

Higher refresh rate monitors naturally reduce screen tearing visibility, with 144Hz, 240Hz and 360Hz displays progressively minimising the issue while also decreasing input lag. Browse our gaming monitor collection to explore these high refresh rate options.

For the best experience, pair a GPU that can consistently match your monitor's refresh rate and select displays with compatible adaptive sync technology for your graphics card brand. 

Finding The Right Solution For You

Monitor tearing is a common but solvable display issue resulting from mismatched timing between graphics cards and monitors. Various solutions exist, from simple software toggles to hardware upgrades.

The best approach depends on your specific needs, hardware capabilities and performance priorities. Modern technologies offer excellent compromises that eliminate tearing while minimising other drawbacks.

Explore our collections of gaming monitors and graphics cards to find compatible hardware that delivers tear-free visual experiences.