How to Enable VRR on Your TV

By Ambar Jimenez | 2025-12-21 10:48:21

You've invested in a next-generation console like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S, or perhaps a high-end PC with an HDMI 2.1 graphics card, and paired it with a modern 4K TV. You're ready for stunning visuals and smooth gameplay, but you might still be experiencing the jarring, horizontal split of screen tearing during fast-paced action, or the stuttery feel of an unlocked frame rate. The secret weapon to eliminating these issues is likely already built into your TV, waiting to be activated: Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).VRR is a transformative display technology that allows your TV to dynamically synchronize its refresh rate with the exact frame rate output of your gaming source in real-time. This means no more tearing, drastically reduced stuttering, and a profoundly smoother visual experience, especially in games that use performance modes (like 60Hz or 120Hz modes). This guide is your comprehensive walkthrough for enabling and optimizing VRR on your TV, covering all major brands like LG OLED, Samsung QLED, Sony Bravia, and TCL, and ensuring it works flawlessly with your PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or Windows PC. Let's unlock the smooth, tear-free gaming your hardware is capable of.

What is VRR and Why Do You Need It on Your TV?

Traditionally, TVs have a fixed refresh rate (e.g., 60Hz, 120Hz). Your console or PC outputs frames at a variable rate that fluctuates with the game's demand. When these two are out of sync, you get screen tears or stutters.VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) solves this by allowing the TV's refresh rate to instantly match the source's frame rate. If your game is rendering at 57 FPS, your TV displays at 57Hz. If it jumps to 118 FPS, the TV adjusts to 118Hz.Key Benefits for TV Gaming:

Eliminates Screen Tearing: The most noticeable improvement. No more horizontal lines during camera pans.
Reduces Stuttering: Makes framerate fluctuations (e.g., between 50-60 FPS) feel incredibly smooth.
Lower Input Lag: In many implementations, VRR allows the TV to bypass some processing steps, shaving off precious milliseconds of delay.
Essential for "Performance Modes": Many games offer uncapped framerates or high-refresh 120Hz modes. VRR is the key to making these modes feel consistently smooth, even when the FPS dips.

Pre-Flight Checklist: What You Need Before You Start

Before digging into menus, verify you have the right setup:

A VRR-Compatible TV: Most mid-to-high-end TVs from 2019 onward support VRR. Common standards are:

HDMI Forum VRR / Adaptive-Sync: The open standard used by Xbox and most TVs.
AMD FreeSync: Often found on Samsung and LG TVs.
NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible: Less common on TVs, but some high-end LG OLEDs are certified.

A Compatible Source Device:

Xbox Series X|S: Fully supports HDMI Forum VRR.
PlayStation 5: Supports HDMI Forum VRR.
Windows PC: Requires a modern NVIDIA (GTX 10-series+) or AMD (RX 500-series+) GPU with an HDMI 2.0 or 2.1 output.

A High-Speed HDMI Cable: You must use the cable that came with your console or a certified Ultra High Speed HDMI (48Gbps) cable for full bandwidth, especially for 4K 120Hz VRR. Older "High Speed" cables may not work correctly.

The Correct HDMI Port: On many TVs, only specific HDMI ports (often labeled "HDMI 2.1," "4K@120Hz," or "Game") support VRR. Consult your TV manual. Common ports: HDMI 3/4 on Samsung, HDMI 1/4 on LG, HDMI 3/4 on Sony.

The Universal Step-by-Step Enablement Guide

Follow these steps in order. We'll cover brand-specific nuances afterward.

Step 1: Connect & Configure Your Source Device

Plug your console/PC into the correct VRR-capable HDMI port on your TV using the proper cable.
On Your Source Device:
- Xbox Series X|S: Go to Settings > General > TV & display options > Refresh rate. Select 120Hz. Then, go to "Video modes" and check the box for "Allow variable refresh rate."
- PlayStation 5: Go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output. Set "Enable 120Hz Output" to Automatic. Then, go to "VRR" and set it to "Automatic."
- Windows PC (NVIDIA): Right-click desktop > NVIDIA Control Panel > "Set up G-SYNC" > Select your TV > Check "Enable G-SYNC, G-SYNC Compatible" > Select "Enable for full screen mode."
- Windows PC (AMD): Open AMD Software: Adrenalin > "Gaming" tab > "Display" > Ensure "AMD FreeSync" is set to Enabled.

Step 2: Enable VRR & Game Mode on Your TV

Turn on your TV and ensure the correct HDMI input is selected.
Activate Game Mode: This is non-negotiable. Game Mode disables heavy post-processing that causes input lag. It is often required for VRR to function.
- Quick Access: On most TVs, press the "Settings" or "Quick Settings" button on your remote and look for a "Game Mode," "Game Optimizer," or "ALLM" (Auto Low Latency Mode) toggle. Enable it.
Find and Enable VRR: Deep within your TV's picture or external input settings, you will find the VRR toggle. The names vary by brand (see below).

Step 3: Brand-Specific VRR Menu Locations & Key Settings

Navigate to your TV's main settings menu (often a gear icon).

LG OLED (WebOS - C1, C2, C3, G Series, etc.)

Press the gear button on remote.
Go to "All Settings" > "Picture" > "Game Optimizer."
Ensure "Game Optimizer" is ON.
In the Game Optimizer dashboard, look for "VRR & G-SYNC" and set it to "On."
(Advanced) In "General" > "Devices" > "HDMI Settings," ensure "HDMI Deep Color" is ON for the port you're using.

Samsung QLED/Neo QLED (Tizen - Q80T and newer, S90C, etc.)

Press the Home button > "Settings" (gear icon).
Go to "Connection" > "External Device Manager."
Select "Game Mode Settings."
Ensure "Game Mode" is "Auto" or "On."
In the same menu, toggle "Variable Refresh Rate" to On.
(Important) Also check: "Settings" > "General & Privacy" > "Game Mode" settings.

Sony Bravia (Google TV - X90J/K/L, A80K/L, etc.)

Press the gear button for quick settings.
Select "Picture & Display."
Go to "Video Signal."
Ensure "Game Mode" is "Auto" or "On."
Look for "Variable Refresh Rate" and set it to "Auto" or "On."
(Note) Some older Sony sets label it "Auto Low Latency Mode" (ALLM) in the inputs menu, which enables the feature chain.

TCL (Google TV/Roku - Series 6/Q7, etc.)

For Roku: Press the Star (*) button on remote while on the input.
Select "Game Mode" to enable it.
Go to the main Settings menu > "TV Inputs" > select your HDMI port.
Look for "HDMI Mode" and set it to "HDMI 2.1" or "Auto." VRR is often automatically enabled when Game Mode and HDMI 2.1 are active.

Step 4: Verify & Test Your Setup

On Xbox: Go back to Settings > General > TV & display options > Advanced. You should now see green checkmarks next to "Your setup supports variable refresh rate."
On PS5: Go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > VRR. It should now say "VRR: On."
Visual Test: Load a game with an uncapped performance mode (like Fortnite in 120Hz mode) and perform a fast horizontal camera pan. The image should be perfectly smooth without any tearing lines.
PC Test: Use the NVIDIA Pendulum Demo or a game with a visible FPS counter. Enable V-Sync in the NVIDIA/AMDcontrol panel (not in-game) and watch the FPS fluctuate smoothly with no tearing.

Troubleshooting Common VRR Problems

Issue: VRR option is greyed out on my console/TV.

Fix: Ensure Game Mode is ON on the TV. You are likely using the wrong HDMI port—try another one.Ensure you are using the correct, high-bandwidth HDMI cable.

Issue: The screen flickers or goes black intermittently with VRR on.

Fix: This is a known issue in some games/apps, especially near a TV's lower VRR range limit. On your TV, look for a "Fine Tune Dark Areas" (LG) or "VRR Control" (Samsung) setting and enable it. This stabilizes the gamma. On console, try disabling HDR for that specific game.

Issue: HDR looks washed out with VRR enabled.

Fix: Re-run the HDR calibration tool on your console (Settings > General > TV & display options > Calibrate HDR for games on Xbox; Screen and Video > Adjust HDR on PS5) after VRR is enabled.

Issue: My PC won't output 4K 120Hz with VRR.

Fix: In Windows Display Settings > Advanced Display, manually set the refresh rate to 120Hz. In NVIDIA Control Panel, under "Change resolution," select the "PC" resolution list (not the Ultra HD list) and choose "3840 x 2160" with "120Hz" and "GSYNC Compatible" listed.

How to Optimize and Live with VRR

Use In-Game FPS Limiters: If a game allows, cap the frame rate 2-3 FPS below your TV's maximumVRR limit (e.g., 117 FPS for 120Hz) for the absolute smoothest,lowest-latency experience.
Understand the Trade-off with Local Dimming: On some TVs (especially LED/LCD models), enabling VRR may disable orreduce the effectiveness of full-array local dimming (FALD), slightlyreducing contrast. This is a hardware limitation on some sets.
It's Not Always Perfect for Movies: Turn off VRR/Game Mode when watching film content from streaming apps or Blu-rays, as it can cause judder.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Will VRR work at 60Hz, or only at 120Hz?
A: It works at all refresh rates within its supported range (e.g., 48-120Hz). It is incredibly beneficial for standard 60Hz gaming, as it smooths out any dips below 60 FPS.

Q: Does VRR increase input lag?
A: No. In almost all cases, it reduces input lag or leaves it unchanged. Enabling VRR usually forces the TV into its lowest-latency processing path (Game Mode).

Q: My TV has FreeSync but my console/PC doesn't mention it. Will it work?
A: Yes. FreeSync over HDMI is essentially the same standard as HDMI Forum VRR.If your TV lists FreeSync, it will work with Xbox Series X|S, PS5, andmodern PCs.

Q: Do I need to enable V-Sync in games with VRR?
A: Follow this rule: Enable V-Sync in your console or GPU driver settings, but DISABLE V-Sync in the individual game's menu. This allows VRR to work perfectly and only engages V-Sync to prevent tearing if FPS exceeds the max refresh rate.

Q: Is there a downside to always having VRR enabled?
A: For pure gaming, no. For watching 24p movie content from built-in apps, it may introduce slight judder. It's best to have VRR/Game Mode set to"Auto" if your TV supports it, so it only activates when a game isdetected.

Enabling VRR is the single most impactful setting change you can make to enhance the fluidity and responsiveness of your gaming experience on a modernTV. It takes the raw power of your PS5, Xbox, or gaming PC and deliversit to your eyes without the visual artifacts that used to be a necessary evil.

Did this guide help you unlock buttery-smooth gaming on your TV? Let us know your TV model and which step was the key in the commentsbelow. If you're still running into a greyed-out menu or flickeringscreen, post your setup details and our community can help diagnose. For more guides on optimizing HDR, choosing the perfect TV settings, ornext-gen console setups, explore our full library. Now, sit back, launch your favorite game, and enjoy the seamless, tear-free performance.

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