How to Enable Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) in Windows 11?
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) is a display technology that allows a monitor to dynamically adjust its refresh rate according to the frame rate produced by the GPU. Normally, monitors refresh at a fixed rate such as 60Hz, 120Hz, or 144Hz. When the GPU outputs frames at a different rate, the mismatch can cause screen tearing, where parts of multiple frames appear on the screen at once.
VRR solves this issue by synchronizing the monitor’s refresh rate with the GPU’s output. As a result, the display refreshes only when a new frame is ready. This creates smoother visuals, especially during fast-paced gaming or graphics-intensive applications.
Windows 11 includes a built-in option that enables VRR even with DirectX 11 games that lack native support. When enabled, the operating system manages the synchronization between the GPU and the display.
Before enabling VRR, make sure your system meets the following requirements:
- Your monitor must support Variable Refresh Rate technologies such as FreeSync or G-SYNC.
- Your graphics card must support VRR.
- You must install the latest graphics drivers.
- Your monitor must be set to a high refresh rate, such as 120Hz or 144Hz.
Once these requirements are met, you can enable VRR through the Windows 11 graphics settings.
Now, let’s learn to enable or disable VRR in Windows 11 in detail!.
How to Enable Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) in Windows 11?
To enable Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) in Windows 11, open Settings, go to System, select Display, click Graphics, open Default Graphics Settings, and toggle Variable Refresh Rate to On. This allows Windows 11 to reduce screen tearing in games that do not support VRR natively.
Now, follow the detailed process!
Step 1: Open Windows 11 Settings
The first step is to open the Windows Settings application, where all system-level display options are located.
Click the Start Menu on the taskbar and select Settings. You can also press Windows + I on your keyboard to open the settings window instantly. This keyboard shortcut is the fastest way to access Windows configuration options.
Inside the Settings window, you will see different categories such as System, Bluetooth & Devices, Network & Internet, Personalization, and Apps. The VRR setting is located inside the System category because it is related to display hardware and graphics configuration.
Opening the correct section ensures that you can access advanced display settings and configure features like refresh rate and graphics preferences.
Step 2: Navigate to Display Settings
After opening the System category, locate and click Display.
The Display page contains all options related to screen resolution, brightness, refresh rate, scaling, and multiple monitors. If you are using more than one display, you will also see a visual representation of connected monitors.
Scroll down the page and look for the section labeled Related Settings. Under this section, you will find a link named Graphics. This option allows you to manage graphics performance preferences for applications and configure advanced display features like VRR.
Click Graphics to open the graphics configuration panel.
Step 3: Open Default Graphics Settings
Inside the Graphics settings page, you will see options for graphics performance preference, where you can assign specific GPUs to applications.
Scroll further until you find the option called Default Graphics Settings. This section contains global graphics features that affect how Windows handles games and graphical applications.
Click Change Default Graphics Settings to access these advanced options.
The Default Graphics Settings page includes features such as Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling and Variable Refresh Rate. These settings allow Windows to optimize rendering performance and improve visual output.
Step 4: Turn On Variable Refresh Rate
Once you are inside Default Graphics Settings, locate the Variable Refresh Rate toggle.
This option allows Windows 11 to enable VRR for games that use DirectX 11 and do not support VRR automatically. When the toggle is switched on, Windows helps synchronize the refresh rate of the monitor with the GPU frame output.
To enable it, simply switch the Variable Refresh Rate toggle to On.
After enabling the option, the operating system will begin using VRR whenever compatible games or applications are launched.
You may need to restart the game or restart your computer for the change to fully apply.
Step 5: Verify Your Monitor Refresh Rate
After enabling VRR, it is recommended to verify that your monitor is running at the correct refresh rate.
Return to the Display settings page and scroll down to Advanced Display.
Here you can view the current refresh rate of your monitor. If your display supports higher refresh rates such as 120Hz or 144Hz, select the highest available option.
Running the monitor at its maximum refresh rate ensures that VRR works effectively and provides smoother visual performance.
How to Disable Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) in Windows 11?
Sometimes users may want to disable VRR due to compatibility issues, display flickering, or troubleshooting graphics problems. Windows 11 allows you to disable this feature easily through the same graphics settings panel.
Step 1: Open the Windows Settings App
Click the Start button and select Settings, or press Windows + I on your keyboard.
The Settings window will open and display various system configuration options. From here, select System to access display-related features.
Step 2: Go to Graphics Settings
Inside the System menu, click Display.
Scroll down to the Related Settings section and click Graphics. This will open the graphics configuration page, where Windows manages GPU preferences and advanced rendering options.
Next, select Default Graphics Settings.
Step 3: Turn Off Variable Refresh Rate
Inside the Default Graphics Settings page, locate the Variable Refresh Rate option.
Toggle the switch from On to Off.
Once disabled, Windows will stop adjusting the refresh rate dynamically. Your monitor will return to using its fixed refresh rate during gameplay and other graphical tasks.
If you experience issues with screen flickering or inconsistent frame pacing, disabling VRR can help identify whether the feature is causing the problem.
FAQs
What is Variable Refresh Rate in Windows 11?
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) is a display feature that synchronizes the refresh rate of the monitor with the frame rate produced by the graphics card. This reduces screen tearing and provides smoother gameplay.
Does every monitor support VRR?
No. Only monitors that support Adaptive Sync technologies such as AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-SYNC can use VRR effectively. Standard monitors without these technologies may not benefit from the feature.
Why can’t I see the VRR option in Windows 11?
If the Variable Refresh Rate option is missing, it usually means that your graphics driver is outdated, your monitor does not support VRR, or the system is not connected using a compatible cable such as DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1.
Does VRR improve gaming performance?
VRR does not increase the frame rate itself. Instead, it improves the visual smoothness of gameplay by matching the display refresh rate to the GPU output. This reduces tearing and stuttering.
Should I always keep VRR enabled?
Most gamers prefer to keep VRR enabled because it improves visual consistency during gameplay. However, if you experience compatibility issues or display flickering, you may temporarily disable it.