Elden Ring Screen Tearing: Causes & Fixes
Screen tearing in Elden Ring appears as a horizontal split or misalignment in the image, most noticeable during camera movement or fast action. The fix depends on your platform: enable V-Sync and cap the frame rate on PC, or use a VRR display (G-Sync/FreeSync) on both PC and console. Below is a detailed breakdown of why it happens and how to eliminate it.
What Causes Screen Tearing in Elden Ring
Screen tearing occurs when the monitor refreshes its image while the GPU is still sending a new frame. The display shows two (or more) different frames at once, creating a visible horizontal seam. Elden Ring is particularly prone to this because its frame rate is uncapped on PC and often fluctuates between 40–60 FPS depending on the area. When the frame rate does not match the monitor’s refresh rate (e.g., 60Hz), the mismatch triggers tearing.
On consoles, the game targets 60 FPS but occasionally drops, which can also cause tearing if the TV does not support VRR. The PS5 and Xbox Series X versions include a “Performance� mode that prioritizes frame rate, but without V-Sync or VRR, drops below 60 FPS can still tear.
How V-Sync and VRR Work
V-Sync (Vertical Sync) forces the GPU to wait until the monitor is ready to refresh before sending a new frame, aligning the frame delivery with the display’s refresh cycle. This eliminates tearing but can introduce input lag and stutter if the frame rate drops below the refresh rate.
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) — including G-Sync (NVIDIA), FreeSync (AMD), and HDMI 2.1 VRR — lets the monitor dynamically adjust its refresh rate to match the GPU’s output. This prevents tearing without the input lag penalty of V-Sync, as long as the frame rate stays within the display’s VRR range (typically 40–60Hz on many TVs, but 30–144Hz on gaming monitors).
Fixing Screen Tearing on PC
On PC, the most reliable way to eliminate tearing is to enable V-Sync in the game’s graphics settings. However, Elden Ring’s in-game V-Sync may not work perfectly on all hardware, so you may need to force it through your GPU driver.
- Open the game’s System menu → Screen → set Screen Mode to Borderless Windowed or Full Screen.
- Enable V-Sync in the game’s graphics options. If tearing persists, turn it off in-game and force V-Sync via your GPU control panel (NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Software).
- Cap the frame rate to your monitor’s refresh rate (e.g., 60 FPS for a 60Hz monitor). Use the game’s Maximum Framerate option or a third-party tool like RTSS (RivaTuner Statistics Server) to set a limit.
- If you have a G-Sync or FreeSync monitor, enable VRR in the monitor’s OSD and in the GPU driver. Then set the game to Borderless Windowed and disable V-Sync in-game (or leave it on if the driver recommends it).
If you still see tearing after these steps, try disabling any overlays (Steam, Discord) that might interfere with the graphics pipeline, and update your GPU drivers.
Fixing Screen Tearing on Consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X|S)
On PS5 and Xbox Series X, screen tearing is less common but can occur if your TV does not support VRR. Here’s what to do:
- Enable VRR on your console: PS5 → Settings → Screen and Video → Video Output → VRR (set to Automatic). Xbox Series X|S → Settings → General → TV & display options → Video modes → check the box for Variable refresh rate.
- Ensure your TV supports HDMI 2.1 VRR or FreeSync. Check the TV’s input settings and enable the “Game Mode� or “VRR� option.
- If your TV lacks VRR, the only way to reduce tearing is to play in the game’s Quality mode (which targets 30 FPS) — but that won’t eliminate tearing if the frame rate fluctuates. Many TVs have a “Game Mode� that reduces input lag but does not fix tearing.
- On PS5, some users report that setting the console’s resolution to 1080p or 1440p can help maintain a more stable frame rate, indirectly reducing tearing.
Common Misconceptions
“Screen tearing is a GPU issue.� It’s actually a display synchronization issue. Even a high-end GPU can tear if the monitor and GPU are not synced.
“V-Sync always fixes tearing.� V-Sync eliminates tearing when the frame rate is above or equal to the refresh rate. If the frame rate drops below the refresh rate, V-Sync can cause stutter, and some implementations may still tear.
“VRR is only for PC.� Modern consoles support VRR over HDMI 2.1, and many TVs (like LG OLEDs) support it. It’s the best solution for consoles if your TV has it.
Performance vs. Quality Trade-offs
Elden Ring’s “Performance� mode on consoles aims for 60 FPS but often dips to 45–50 FPS in heavy areas like Caelid or Limgrave’s forests. These dips are where tearing appears. If you have a VRR display, the dips are still smooth. Without VRR, you have two choices:
- Play in Quality mode (30 FPS) — tearing is less noticeable because the frame rate is more consistent, but the lower frame rate can feel sluggish.
- Play in Performance mode and accept occasional tearing, or cap the frame rate to 50 FPS on PC (if your monitor supports 50Hz) to reduce the mismatch.
On PC, you can also use the “Maximum Framerate� setting to cap at 60 FPS, but if your GPU cannot maintain a solid 60 FPS, you’ll get stutter. A better approach is to cap at 50 FPS and set your monitor to 50Hz — this is a common trick for demanding games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Elden Ring have screen tearing on PS5?
Yes, some players report screen tearing on PS5, especially in Performance mode when the frame rate drops. Enabling VRR on the console and using a VRR-capable TV eliminates it.
Is screen tearing a sign of a broken GPU?
No, screen tearing is a normal synchronization issue, not a hardware defect. It happens on all GPUs when the frame rate and refresh rate are out of sync.
Will capping FPS to 60 fix screen tearing?
Only if your monitor is 60Hz and you have V-Sync enabled. Capping the frame rate alone does not sync the GPU and display; you still need V-Sync or VRR.
Can I fix screen tearing with mods?
There are mods that unlock the frame rate or adjust graphics settings, but they don’t directly fix tearing. The best mod-related fix is to use a frame rate limiter like RTSS, which can help smooth out frame pacing.
Why does screen tearing happen in borderless windowed mode?
Borderless windowed mode uses the Windows compositor (DWM), which may force V-Sync on some systems but can also introduce tearing if the compositor is not syncing properly. In Elden Ring, borderless windowed mode often works better with VRR, but some users see tearing because the compositor adds latency.
Is screen tearing worse on a 144Hz monitor?
Yes, if your frame rate is lower than 144 FPS (which it always is in Elden Ring), tearing can be more noticeable because the display refreshes faster. VRR or V-Sync is essential on high refresh rate monitors.
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