How to Turn On FreeSync on Your Monitor and Graphics Card

FreeSync eliminates screen tearing by syncing your monitor's refresh rate to your graphics card's output

FreeSync is a technology that matches your monitor's refresh rate to the frame rate your graphics card is producing in real time. Without it, your monitor refreshes at a fixed rate (usually 60 times per second) while your graphics card sends frames at whatever speed it can manage — sometimes faster, sometimes slower. When the timing doesn't line up, you see a visible tear or stutter across the screen. FreeSync removes that mismatch.

To use FreeSync, you need three things: a monitor that supports it, a graphics card that supports it (AMD Radeon or Intel Arc), and the setting turned on in both places. Most of the work is just finding where the setting lives on your specific hardware and flipping it on.

Key Takeaways

FreeSync requires a compatible monitor, a compatible graphics card (AMD Radeon or Intel Arc), and the setting enabled in both your monitor menu and graphics driver.
Check your monitor's manual or specifications to confirm it supports FreeSync, then look for the setting in the on-screen display menu accessed by physical buttons on the monitor.
AMD graphics card owners enable FreeSync in the Radeon Settings control panel under Display settings, while Intel Arc users find it in Arc Control.
FreeSync only works in full-screen mode in most games and applications, not in windowed mode.
If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, FreeSync will not work — NVIDIA uses a different technology called G-Sync.

Check that your monitor actually supports FreeSync

Not every monitor has FreeSync built in. Look at the physical monitor itself for a label or logo that says "FreeSync" or "AMD FreeSync". If you do not see one, check the manual that came with the monitor or search the manufacturer's website for your exact model number.

The model number is usually printed on the back of the monitor or on the base. Once you find it, go to the manufacturer's website (Dell, ASUS, LG, BenQ, etc.), search for your model, and look at the specifications list. FreeSync support will be listed there if the monitor has it. If your monitor does not support FreeSync, you cannot turn it on no matter what you do on the graphics card side.

Enable FreeSync in your monitor's on-screen menu

Most monitors have physical buttons along the bottom or side edge. Press the menu button (often labeled "Menu" or shown as three horizontal lines) to open the on-screen display. Use the arrow buttons to navigate through the menu options.

Look for a section called "Display", "Advanced", "Gaming", or "FreeSync". The exact name varies by manufacturer. Once you find it, select the FreeSync option and change it from "Off" to "On". Press the menu button again to close the menu and save the change. If you cannot find the setting, check your monitor's manual — it will show you the exact button sequence for your model.

Turn on FreeSync in AMD Radeon Settings

If you have an AMD Radeon graphics card, right-click on your desktop and look for an option that says "Radeon Settings" or "AMD Radeon Settings". Click it to open the control panel.

In Radeon Settings, click the "Display" tab on the left side. Look for an option called "FreeSync" and make sure it is set to "On". If you see a dropdown menu, select "On" or "Enabled". Close the window when you are done. The setting takes effect immediately, but FreeSync will only work in full-screen games and applications — it does not work in windowed mode.

Turn on FreeSync in Intel Arc Control

If you have an Intel Arc graphics card, open Intel Arc Control. You can find it by searching "Arc Control" in your Windows Start menu. Click on it to launch the application.

Look for a "Gaming" or "Display" section in the left menu. Find the FreeSync or "Adaptive Sync" option and toggle it on. Some versions of Arc Control label it differently, so if you do not see "FreeSync" by name, look for "Adaptive Sync" or "Variable Refresh Rate". Once it is enabled, close the application. Like AMD, Intel Arc FreeSync only works in full-screen mode.

Verify FreeSync is working in a game

Launch a game that supports FreeSync and run it in full-screen mode (not windowed). Many modern games have FreeSync support built in, including Fortnite, Valorant, Cyberpunk 2077, and most games made in the last five years. Older games may not support it.

If the game has an on-screen performance display, enable it to see your frame rate. You should notice that the frame rate no longer stays locked at 60 or 144 — it will vary depending on what is happening in the game, and the screen should feel smoother without tearing. If you still see tearing or stuttering, go back and double-check that FreeSync is on in both your monitor menu and your graphics driver settings.

What to do if FreeSync is not working

The most common reason FreeSync does not work is that the game is running in windowed mode instead of full-screen mode. Check your game's graphics settings and make sure "Full Screen" or "Exclusive Full Screen" is selected, not "Windowed" or "Borderless Windowed".

The second most common reason is that you have an NVIDIA graphics card instead of AMD or Intel Arc. NVIDIA does not support FreeSync — it uses its own technology called G-Sync. If you have an NVIDIA card, FreeSync will not work no matter what you enable. You would need to switch to an AMD or Intel graphics card to use FreeSync, or use a G-Sync monitor with your NVIDIA card instead.

If you have the right graphics card and the game is in full-screen mode but FreeSync still is not working, restart your computer. Sometimes the graphics driver needs a restart to apply the setting properly. If it still does not work after a restart, check that your monitor is connected to your graphics card with a DisplayPort cable, not HDMI — some monitors only support FreeSync over DisplayPort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need FreeSync if I already have a high refresh rate monitor?

A high refresh rate monitor (144 Hz or higher) reduces tearing compared to 60 Hz, but FreeSync still helps. Even at 144 Hz, if your graphics card is producing 110 frames per second, you will still see some tearing. FreeSync syncs the monitor to whatever frame rate you are actually getting, so the screen stays smooth regardless.

Will FreeSync work with my NVIDIA graphics card?

No. NVIDIA graphics cards do not support FreeSync. NVIDIA uses G-Sync instead, which is a different technology. If you have an NVIDIA card and a FreeSync monitor, you can still use the monitor, but you will not get the variable refresh rate benefit. You would need either an AMD or Intel Arc graphics card to use FreeSync.

Does FreeSync cost extra or require a subscription?

No. FreeSync is built into compatible monitors and graphics cards. Once you own the hardware, there is no cost or subscription to use it. You just turn it on in the settings.

Can I use FreeSync in windowed games or web browsers?

FreeSync only works in full-screen exclusive mode. Windowed games, borderless windowed mode, and web browsers do not support FreeSync. If you want FreeSync to work, you must run the game in full-screen mode.

What cable do I need for FreeSync to work?

FreeSync works best over DisplayPort. Some monitors support it over HDMI 2.1, but not all. Check your monitor's manual to see which cables support FreeSync. If you are using HDMI and FreeSync is not working, try switching to DisplayPort.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.