G-Sync is the synchronization between your monitor's refresh rate and your graphics card's output — turning it off means your monitor refreshes on its own schedule instead

Nvidia G-Sync reduces screen tearing and stuttering by matching your monitor's refresh rate to your graphics card's frame output. If you want to disable it, you have two places to turn it off: your graphics card settings and your monitor's on-screen menu. Most people only need to disable it in one place, but disabling it in both ensures it stays off.

You might want to disable G-Sync if you're experiencing input lag in competitive games, if your monitor doesn't support it properly, or if you want to test performance without it. The process takes about five minutes and you can turn it back on the same way if you change your mind.

Key Takeaways

  • G-Sync is controlled in two places: your Nvidia graphics card settings and your monitor's physical menu buttons.
  • The fastest way to disable it is through the Nvidia Control Panel on your computer, which takes about two minutes.
  • Your monitor may also have a G-Sync toggle in its on-screen display menu, accessed through buttons on the back or side of the monitor.
  • Disabling G-Sync does not harm your graphics card or monitor — you can turn it back on anytime.
  • If you don't see G-Sync options in your Nvidia Control Panel, your monitor may not support it or your graphics card drivers need updating.

Disable G-Sync through Nvidia Control Panel

The Nvidia Control Panel is the main place to turn off G-Sync on your graphics card. Right-click on your desktop and look for "Nvidia Control Panel" in the menu. If you don't see it, open the Windows Start menu, type "Nvidia Control Panel," and click the result.

Once the Control Panel opens, look on the left side for a menu. Click "Display" to expand it, then click "Set up G-Sync." A window will open showing your monitor and G-Sync settings. You'll see a checkbox next to "Enable G-Sync." Uncheck this box to turn it off. Click "Apply" at the bottom right, then click "OK." G-Sync is now disabled on your graphics card.

If you don't see "Set up G-Sync" in the Display menu, your monitor may not support G-Sync, or your Nvidia drivers are outdated. You can update your drivers by right-clicking on your desktop, selecting "Nvidia GeForce Experience," and looking for a "Drivers" tab where you can check for updates.

Disable G-Sync on your monitor's menu

Many Nvidia G-Sync monitors have their own on-screen display menu where you can toggle G-Sync on and off. Look for small buttons on the back or bottom edge of your monitor — usually labeled with arrows or a menu symbol. Press these buttons to open the monitor's menu on your screen.

Navigate through the menu using the arrow buttons until you find an option labeled "G-Sync," "Nvidia G-Sync," or sometimes "Variable Refresh Rate." Highlight this option and press the button again to toggle it off. Exit the menu by pressing the back or home button. The exact button names and menu layout vary by monitor brand, so check your monitor's manual if you can't find the option.

Not all G-Sync monitors have this menu option — some only control G-Sync through the graphics card settings. If you can't find it after checking your manual, disabling it in the Nvidia Control Panel is enough.

Check that G-Sync is actually off

After disabling G-Sync, you can verify it's off by opening the Nvidia Control Panel again and checking "Set up G-Sync." The checkbox next to "Enable G-Sync" should now be empty. If it's checked again, the setting didn't save — try unchecking it and clicking Apply once more.

You can also test whether G-Sync is working by running a game or benchmark tool and watching for screen tearing — the horizontal lines that appear when your monitor and graphics card are out of sync. If you see tearing, G-Sync is off. If the image is smooth, G-Sync may still be on or your graphics card is simply keeping up with your monitor's refresh rate.

Turn G-Sync back on if you change your mind

If you want to re-enable G-Sync, follow the same steps: open the Nvidia Control Panel, go to Display > Set up G-Sync, and check the box next to "Enable G-Sync." Click Apply and OK. If your monitor has an on-screen menu, you can also toggle it back on there.

There's no penalty for turning G-Sync on and off repeatedly. Your graphics card and monitor won't be damaged, and you can experiment to see which setting feels better for your games and workflow.

What to do if G-Sync options don't appear

If you open the Nvidia Control Panel and don't see "Set up G-Sync" under Display, one of three things is likely happening: your monitor doesn't support G-Sync, your graphics card drivers are out of date, or you're using an older version of the Nvidia Control Panel.

First, check your monitor's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm it supports Nvidia G-Sync — some monitors only support AMD FreeSync instead. Next, update your Nvidia drivers by opening GeForce Experience (right-click your desktop) and clicking the Drivers tab. If you still don't see the option after updating, your monitor probably doesn't support G-Sync and there's nothing to disable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off G-Sync make my games run faster?

No, disabling G-Sync doesn't increase your frame rate. It may reduce input lag in some games, which can feel more responsive, but your graphics card will produce the same number of frames per second. The difference is that without G-Sync, your monitor refreshes independently instead of waiting for your card to finish each frame.

Will disabling G-Sync damage my monitor or graphics card?

No, turning off G-Sync is completely safe. It's a software setting that controls how your monitor and graphics card communicate — disabling it doesn't wear out hardware or cause any damage. You can turn it on and off as many times as you want.

What's the difference between G-Sync and FreeSync?

G-Sync is Nvidia's technology and works with Nvidia graphics cards. FreeSync is AMD's version and works with AMD graphics cards. If you have an Nvidia card, you'll only see G-Sync options. If your monitor supports both, you can use whichever matches your graphics card.

Why would I want to disable G-Sync if it reduces screen tearing?

Some players disable G-Sync in competitive games because they feel it adds input lag — the delay between moving your mouse and seeing the result on screen. Others disable it for troubleshooting if their monitor is flickering or if they want to test performance without it. You can always turn it back on if you prefer the smoother image.

Do I need to restart my computer after disabling G-Sync?

No, you don't need to restart. The change takes effect immediately after you click Apply in the Nvidia Control Panel. If you're in the middle of a game, you may need to close and reopen the game for the setting to apply to that specific application.