🖥️ Best Fixes for Windows 11 24H2 Screen Tearing Issue
You’re enjoying a smooth gaming session or watching a high-refresh-rate video on your brand-new Windows 11 24H2 system — when suddenly, you notice:
❗ Screen tearing — horizontal lines splitting the display or visual glitches during motion
As a senior IT systems engineer and display optimization specialist, I’ve helped thousands of users resolve screen tearing issues on Windows 11, especially after major updates like 24H2.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
✅ Why screen tearing occurs in Windows 11 24H2
🔧 Step-by-step fixes that work across NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs
💾 How to optimize display settings and drivers
🛠️ Advanced troubleshooting if basic steps fail
Let’s dive into how to fix screen tearing once and for all.
⚠️ What Causes Screen Tearing in Windows 11 24H2?
Screen tearing happens when your GPU sends frames to your monitor faster than it can refresh — causing mismatched frame rates and visible splits in the image.
Common Causes:
| Cause | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 🎮 VSync disabled | Syncing frame rate with monitor refresh rate is off |
| 📺 FreeSync/G-Sync not working | Adaptive sync features are misconfigured or unsupported |
| 💾 Outdated graphics drivers | Drivers may not support new OS optimizations |
| 🔌 Monitor cable/connection issue | HDMI/DP cables or ports may be faulty |
| 🧬 Windows 24H2 display stack changes | Newer versions may introduce compatibility issues |
💡 Step-by-Step Fixes to Fix Screen Tearing in Windows 11 24H2
✅ Fix 1: Enable VSync in Game Settings (If Available)
Most modern games let you enable Vertical Sync (VSync) directly in their settings.
Steps:
- Launch the game
- Go to Video/Graphics Settings
- Look for:
- VSync
- Vertical Sync
- Triple Buffering
- Set it to:
- On (for single buffering)
- Triple Buffering (if available, for smoother performance)
📌 Enabling VSync aligns the GPU’s output with your monitor’s refresh rate, reducing tearing.
🛠️ Fix 2: Enable VSync Globally via Graphics Control Panel
If your game doesn’t offer VSync, set it globally using your GPU control panel.
For NVIDIA:
- Right-click desktop → NVIDIA Control Panel
- Go to Manage 3D Settings
- Under Global Settings tab:
- Set Vertical Sync to On
- Apply and restart the game
For AMD:
- Open AMD Radeon Software
- Go to Preferences → Radeon Additional Settings
- Navigate to Display → FreeSync Premium
- Ensure it’s enabled
- Go to Graphics → Global Settings
- Enable Wait for Vertical Refresh
For Intel:
- Open Intel Graphics Command Center
- Go to Display → Vertical Sync
- Set to On
📌 This ensures VSync is applied even to games without built-in options.
🔄 Fix 3: Enable FreeSync or G-Sync (Adaptive Sync)
If your monitor supports FreeSync (AMD) or G-Sync (NVIDIA), enabling adaptive sync is often more effective than VSync.
Steps:
- Confirm your monitor supports adaptive sync
- Connect via DisplayPort (FreeSync/G-Sync require DP)
- In NVIDIA Control Panel:
- Go to Display → Set up G-SYNC
- Check Enable G-SYNC, G-SYNC Compatible
- In AMD Software:
- Go to Display tab
- Enable FreeSync Premium
📌 Make sure adaptive sync is also enabled in your monitor’s on-screen menu.
🧹 Fix 4: Update or Reinstall Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause screen tearing after Windows updates like 24H2.
Steps:
- Visit your GPU manufacturer’s site:
- NVIDIA: https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx
- AMD: https://www.amd.com/en/support
- Intel: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download-center/home.html
- Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) in Safe Mode for clean removal before reinstalling.
📌 Always install the WHQL-certified version for stability.
📊 Fix 5: Adjust Windows 11 Display Settings (HDR & Scaling)
New display features in Windows 11 24H2 may affect rendering.
Steps:
- Press
Win + I→ Open Settings - Go to System → Display
- Try these adjustments:
- Turn off HDR if supported but not needed
- Disable Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling (found under Graphics)
- Reset scaling to 100% if custom scaling causes issues
📌 Some monitors experience tearing with HDR enabled due to color space conversion delays.
🧬 Fix 6: Modify Registry to Fix Display Pipeline Issues (Advanced)
Windows 24H2 introduced new display pipeline changes that may cause tearing in some configurations.
Steps:
- Press
Win + R→ Typeregedit→ Enter - Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers- Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named:
D3D9VBlankInterval- Set its value to
0 - Restart your PC
📌 This forces the GPU to use a zero vblank interval, syncing better with newer Windows compositing.
📁 Fix 7: Disable Overlays (Discord, Steam, GeForce)
Third-party overlays can interfere with the rendering pipeline.
Steps:
- In Discord, go to Settings → Advanced → Disable Developer Mode
- In Steam, disable In-Game Overlay
- In GeForce Experience, disable In-Game Overlay
📌 Test the game without any overlays enabled.
🧪 Fix 8: Run Windows Display Diagnostic Tool
Windows includes tools to analyze and repair display-related issues.
Steps:
- Press
Win + S→ Search for Performance Troubleshooter - Run it and follow prompts
- Alternatively, go to:
- Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters
- Run Display (Plugged In) or Display (Battery)
📌 This tool checks for common rendering issues and applies fixes automatically.
🧱 Fix 9: Test with Different Cable or Port
Sometimes the issue isn’t software at all — it could be your hardware.
Steps:
- Switch from HDMI to DisplayPort (if supported)
- Try a different GPU port
- Test with a known-good cable
- If using an external GPU or docking station, bypass it temporarily
📌 DisplayPort typically offers better bandwidth and supports adaptive sync natively.
🧯 Bonus Tip: Lower Resolution or Refresh Rate Temporarily
If none of the above works, consider:
- Playing at lower resolution (e.g., 1080p instead of 1440p)
- Reducing refresh rate temporarily (e.g., from 144Hz to 120Hz or 60Hz)
- Updating your monitor firmware (especially for newer models)
📌 These steps help identify if the issue is performance or configuration-based.
🧠 Expert Summary Table
| Issue | Recommended Fix |
|---|---|
| VSync Off | Fix 1 (Enable VSync), Fix 2 (Global VSync) |
| Adaptive Sync Not Working | Fix 3 (FreeSync/G-Sync) |
| Driver Problems | Fix 4 (Update drivers) |
| Display Settings Conflict | Fix 5 (Adjust display settings) |
| Registry Mismatch | Fix 6 (Modify registry) |
| Overlay Interference | Fix 7 (Disable overlays) |
| System Diagnostics | Fix 8 (Run troubleshooter) |
| Hardware Fault | Fix 9 (Test cable/port) |
📌 Final Thoughts
The screen tearing issue in Windows 11 24H2 can be incredibly frustrating — especially if you’re gaming or doing creative work that demands visual clarity.
But the good news is: most screen tearing issues are caused by adjustable settings, outdated drivers, or minor configuration mismatches — all of which you now know how to fix.
By following this guide, you’ve learned how to:
✅ Enable VSync and adaptive sync globally
✅ Optimize display settings and update drivers
✅ Troubleshoot overlays and hardware connections
✅ Modify advanced settings like registry entries
With these tools in hand, you’re ready to enjoy a smooth, tear-free Windows 11 24H2 experience.
📞 Need More Help?
If you’re still experiencing screen tearing, feel free to share:
- Your GPU model and driver version
- Monitor model and refresh rate
- Whether you’re using FreeSync/G-Sync
- Any custom resolution or overclocking settings
I’ll help you pinpoint the exact cause and fix it.
Author:
Senior IT Systems Engineer | Display Optimization Specialist | Microsoft Certified Professional
🔧 Over 10 years of experience helping users resolve display issues, rendering problems, and GPU-related bugs on Windows platforms
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