NVIDIA’s new Smooth Motion feature helps reduce stuttering and frame rate drops by interpolating frames, making games and videos feel more fluid and smooth. It’s designed to improve visual smoothness without requiring game-specific support. But it isn't something you should turn on for all games, and it isn't supported on all graphics cards. So follow along as we show you how to enable it and when to best use Smooth Motion.

Takeaways:

  1. Learn how to best use the new NVIDIA Smooth Motion feature to get smoother gameplay.
  2. What is NVIDIA Smooth Motion, and what hardware do you need to use it?

What are the Requirements for NVIDIA Smooth Motion?

Unfortunately, Smooth Motion is only available on GeForce RTX 40-series graphics cards and newer. If you have an older GPU, the option won’t appear in the NVIDIA App. But there are still options; check out Lossless Scaling instead. It's not free, but it's cheap enough and works really well on older devices.

How to Use NVIDIA Smooth Motion in the NVIDIA App

Before using Smooth Motion, make sure you’re on the latest version of the NVIDIA App and graphics drivers. Once you have everything up to date, follow the steps below to enable Smooth Motion. Again, remember that this is only available on RTX 40 series GPUs and newer.

  • Open the NVIDIA App.
  • Go to the Settings tab.
  • Check for updates and install them if available.
  • Launch the NVIDIA App.
  • Navigate to Graphics or Display settings.
  • Scroll down until you see Smooth Motion (listed under experimental or advanced features).
  • Toggle Smooth Motion to On.
  • Restart the app or your PC if prompted.

How to Use NVIDIA Smooth Motion in the NVIDIA App

Note: If you have a game running already, you will need to restart it in order for the change to take effect.

When to Use Smooth Motion When Not to

  • Smooth Motion works best in games that don’t already support DLSS Frame Generation, and it's great for older or unsupported titles as it adds fluidity without needing game updates.
  • But it's not needed in DLSS 3+ games and games with Frame Generation already providing smoother motion.
  • It's best never to use it in competitive shooters as it may introduce input lag.

Troubleshooting NVIDIA Smooth Motion

  • Option Missing > Check that you have an RTX 40-series card or newer.
  • Performance Drops > Lower Smooth Motion settings or turn it off in demanding titles.
  • Visual Glitches > Adjust preferences or disable for specific games.

Keep Smooth Motion as a fallback for games without DLSS Frame Generation. For supported titles, stick to DLSS for the best balance of smoothness, performance, and input response.