What should I check first if I see signs of screen tearing?

First, proceed with the ‘Check Windows display settings’ step. You can correct incorrect resolution, refresh rate, HDR, and expansion settings. We recommend that you avoid changing multiple settings at once and check to see if your symptoms change after each step.

How do I check for the possible cause ‘frame and refresh rate synchronization mismatch’?

If there is no change in the first step, compare in order through ‘Check cable and port specifications.’ If symptoms disappear immediately after certain actions or the conditions for their occurrence change, this can be an important clue in narrowing down the cause.

Screen tearing in games or videos: When do I need a professional inspection?

Even if you follow the above solution steps in order, if the screen tearing symptom recurs or hardware abnormality signals such as a burning smell, abnormal noise, overheating, or failure to recognize parts appear, we recommend backing up important data and having a professional inspection.

PC FIX

Computer Troubleshooting Guide

Display

Screen tearing issue in games or videos

If “screen tearing” repeats, it is better to narrow the scope to frame and refresh rate synchronization issues and V-Sync/VRR setting issues rather than changing several settings at once. Resolution, refresh rate, HDR, VRR and cable bandwidth must be checked together to distinguish between setup issues and hardware limitations.

Solving Order
We've organized the methods starting with the simplest and least expensive ones. Please check the solutions one by one, starting from the top.

Do you have these symptoms?

screen tearing
tearing
Game screen splits horizontally

main causes

Frame and refresh rate synchronization mismatch
V-Sync·VRR setting problem

How to solve

Please check them in order from the top. If the issue is resolved, you do not need to proceed to the next step.

Check Windows display settings

You can correct incorrect resolution, refresh rate, HDR, and expansion settings.

Difficulty Easy time 3-5 minutes cost 0 won

1Open Settings → System → Display.
2Select the recommended resolution.
3Under Advanced Display, select the refresh rate supported by your monitor.

confirmation point

See if your “screen tearing” symptoms decrease or disappear after these steps. If there is no change, the possibility of frame and refresh rate synchronization is also checked in the next step.

Check cable and port specifications

High resolution and high refresh rates are limited by cable and port bandwidth.

Difficulty Easy time 5-10 minutes cost 0 won

1If possible, replace with a certified HDMI/DisplayPort cable.
2Remove the gender/hub and connect directly.
3Check your monitor documentation to determine the maximum resolution and refresh rate for your input.

Update or reinstall graphics drivers

Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can cause the symptom.

Difficulty Moderate time 10~30 minutes cost 0 won

1Check the device in Device Manager.
2Check your PC or component manufacturer's site for graphics drivers for your current model.
3If the problem started immediately after an update, consider rolling back to the previous stable version.
4After installing the driver, restart your PC.

Turn off VRR, HDR, and overlay one by one and compare

The combination of variable refresh rate, HDR, and overlay may create flickering or transition issues in certain environments.

Difficulty Moderate time 10-20 minutes cost 0 won

1Temporarily turn off G-Sync/FreeSync/VRR.
2Turn off HDR for a moment.
3Temporarily turn off the game/recording overlay.
4Compare items one by one to see if any symptoms disappear.

Cross-test with other monitors, cables, and ports

This is the most reliable way to isolate whether the problem is with the PC or the monitor.

Difficulty Moderate time 10-20 minutes cost 0 won

1If possible, connect to another monitor or TV.
2Connect another device to the current monitor.
3Check which device the problem is going along with.

Frequently Asked Questions

We've put together a list of things we frequently check regarding this issue.

Related issues

If the symptoms do not match exactly, please check the issue below.

Display

Screen flickers or flashes repeatedly

When troubleshooting a screen that keeps flickering or flashing, it is important to rule out the causes one at a time. Based on the “screen flickering” symptom, check for graphics driver, refresh rate, or cable issues before proceeding to the next step. Resolution, refresh rate, HDR, VRR and cable bandwidth must be checked together to distinguish between setup issues and hardware limitations.

View solutions →

Display

Problem with monitor 120Hz, 144Hz, 165Hz not being selected

If you see the “No 144hz” symptom, candidate causes include cable bandwidth limitations, resolution/refresh rate combination limitations, etc. Resolution, refresh rate, HDR, VRR and cable bandwidth must be checked together to distinguish between setup issues and hardware limitations.

View solutions →

Display

Second monitor not recognized in dual monitors

If the symptom of “one side of the dual monitor is not working” appears, possible causes include cable/port problems, display mode settings, etc. Resolution, refresh rate, HDR, VRR and cable bandwidth must be checked together to distinguish between setup issues and hardware limitations.

View solutions →

Display

Issue where desired screen resolution is not selected

If you see the “Resolution not selected” symptom, possible causes include not installing graphics drivers, cable/adapter restrictions, etc. Resolution, refresh rate, HDR, VRR and cable bandwidth must be checked together to distinguish between setup issues and hardware limitations.

View solutions →

Look for other symptoms too

If you enter the symptoms you are currently seeing in the PC FIX search box, we will find the related problem.

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