How to enable variable refresh rate for games on Windows 10

Windows 10 version 1903, May 2019 Update, now brings variable refresh rate support for DX11 games that didn't support this feature natively, and here's how to enable it.

Variable refresh rate (VRR) on Windows 10 1903 and later
Variable refresh rate (VRR) on Windows 10 1903 and later

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:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on System.

  3. Click on Display.

  4. Under the “Multiple displays” section, click the Graphics settings option.

    Windows 10 Display settings
    Windows 10 Display settings
  5. Turn on the Optimize games for variable refresh rate toggle switch.

    Variable refresh rate setting on Windows 10
    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.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, 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.