Variable refresh rate (VRR) is a software-based technology available with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, version 1903, that helps to reduce stuttering and tearing while playing DirectX 11 games in full-screen that didn’t support this capability natively.
The new feature is similar to Nvidia G-Sync and VESA DisplayPort Adaptive-Sync, but it doesn’t replace these technologies. Instead, according to Microsoft, VRR is a feature to complement these other technologies to improve the gaming experience.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to enable variable refresh rate for games on Windows 10 version 1903 and later.
How to enable variable refresh rate using Settings
Use these steps to enable variable refresh rate for supported games running in full-screen on Windows 10:
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Open Settings.
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Click on System.
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Click on Display.
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Under the “Multiple displays” section, click the Graphics settings option.
Windows 10 Display settings -
Turn on the Optimize games for variable refresh rate toggle switch.
Variable refresh rate setting on Windows 10
Once you complete the steps, the new feature will be enable helping to reduce stuttering and tearing while playing games.
If you don’t see the option, it’s likely because your device isn’t running Windows 10 version 1903 (May 2019 Update). You don’t have a monitor with G-SYNC or Adaptive-Sync support. AND the graphics card isn’t using WDDM 2.6 or above drivers, that supports G-SYNC or Adaptive-Sync and this new version of Windows 10.
Using variable refresh rate shouldn’t cause problems with G-Sync or Adaptive-Sync.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.