How to Fix G-Sync Option Greyed Out in the NVIDIA App

Nvidia G-Sync is one of the most effective technologies for improving gaming visuals and responsiveness. It synchronises your graphics card with your monitor’s refresh rate, eliminating screen tearing, reducing stuttering, and cutting input lag. Windows 11 also includes its own Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) feature, but this is a software implementation designed mainly for compatibility. Though G-Sync remains the more powerful and reliable solution for supported games and hardware. In this guide, we show you how to enable G-Sync using the new Nvidia App on Windows 11 and how to fix it if the option is greyed out.

What is Nvidia G-Sync?

G-Sync is Nvidia’s proprietary variable refresh rate technology.

• G-Sync Ultimate monitors include a dedicated hardware module that ensures perfect synchronisation with Nvidia GPUs and are certified for features like HDR and ultra-low latency.
• G-Sync monitors include the hardware module but may not support the highest-end features.
• G-Sync Compatible monitors do not have the module but are certified by Nvidia for meeting VRR performance standards using the VESA Adaptive-Sync standard (the same standard that AMD FreeSync uses).

Windows 11 also has its own VRR setting. This does not replace G-Sync but rather complements it. When you enable G-Sync through the Nvidia App, the operating system often turns on VRR automatically in advanced graphics settings. G-Sync takes priority in games that support it, while VRR helps in windowed modes or games without native G-Sync support.

AMD also has FreeSync which is basically the same as G-Sync in a ton of ways and also still better than Windows 11 VRR so if you have an AMD card and a FreeSync monitor use that instead of Windows settings.

Preparing to Enable G-Sync

Before enabling the feature, confirm that your monitor supports G-Sync, G-Sync Ultimate, or G-Sync Compatible. Nvidia maintains an updated list of certified monitors on its website. Many FreeSync or Adaptive-Sync monitors also work with Nvidia GPUs.

Check your monitor’s on-screen display menu. Some models require that Adaptive-Sync or G-Sync be enabled in the monitor settings before the PC can use the feature. Make sure you are connected through DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1. Older HDMI connections do not support VRR on Nvidia cards.

How to Enable G-Sync or FreeSync with the Nvidia App

• Open the Start menu on Windows 11.
• Search for Nvidia and select the Nvidia App.
• Go to the System section.
• Open the Displays tab.
• Select the monitor you want to configure under Displays.
• Click Display Properties.
• Turn on the G-Sync toggle.

Your screen will flicker black a few times, then G-Sync will be enabled, and Windows will also enable its Variable Refresh Rate option under Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Default graphics settings.

How to Fix G-Sync Option Greyed Out in the NVIDIA App

For a lot of people, the G-Sync toggle in the Nvidia App will appear greyed out. This can happen in two ways. It might be greyed out in green and locked on, meaning you cannot disable it. Or it might be locked in the off position, meaning you cannot enable it. This usually means that something is overriding the setting, so you'll need to go back to the good old NVIDIA Control Panel.

• Right-click on the desktop and select Nvidia Control Panel.
• In the Control Panel, expand Display in the left-hand menu and select Set up G-SYNC.
• Check Enable G-SYNC, G-SYNC Compatible. Choose whether you want it enabled for full-screen mode only or for both windowed and full-screen mode.
• Select the monitor you want to use.
• Click Apply to save your changes.

Once applied, everything will flicker black again, and the settings will take effect. It might also unlock the toggle in the Nvidia App, but even if it does not, G-Sync will still function correctly based on the Control Panel configuration. If you have problems once G-Sync is enabled, check out this guide.