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How to Force Vsync in Iracing

Clear steps to force VSync in iRacing for tear-free, smoother gameplay. Aimed at iRacing drivers — follow quick fixes to stop tearing and fix stutter fast.

If you’re asking “how to force vsync in iracing”, the short answer is: turn off any in-sim VSync and force vertical sync from your GPU control panel (NVIDIA or AMD), or run iRacing in exclusive fullscreen and enable VSync there. You’re in the right place — below are plain steps and troubleshooting tips.

What’s really going on

VSync (vertical sync) locks your game frames to your monitor’s refresh rate to prevent screen tearing (when parts of two frames show at once). iRacing can request VSync itself, but graphics drivers can override or ignore that depending on whether you use fullscreen or borderless and whether G-SYNC/FreeSync is active. Forcing VSync in the GPU driver is the most reliable way to get consistent, tear-free output.

Step-by-step: how to force vsync in iracing

  1. Close iRacing. Always make changes with the sim closed so settings apply cleanly.
  2. Set iRacing to exclusive fullscreen. In iRacing’s graphics settings pick Fullscreen (not Borderless/Windowed). VSync behaves best in fullscreen.
  3. NVIDIA users: open NVIDIA Control Panel → Manage 3D settings → Program Settings → add iRacingSim64.exe (or select iRacing). Set “Vertical sync” = On. If you use G-SYNC, set “Monitor Technology” properly and try “Adaptive” if you want VSync only above refresh.
  4. AMD users: open Radeon Settings → Gaming → Add iRacing → set “Wait for Vertical Refresh” to “Always On.” For FreeSync, ensure it’s enabled in the global display options.
  5. Turn off any VSync option inside iRacing (if present) or set it to “off” so the driver’s forced setting is the one in effect. Restart iRacing.
  6. Test on-track: if tearing stopped, you’re done. If you still see tearing, cap your framerate to your monitor refresh (use in-sim limiter or RTSS) and re-test.

Extra tips / checklist

  • Use exclusive fullscreen for the best VSync/driver control. Borderless often bypasses driver forcing.
  • If you use G-SYNC/FreeSync, try “Adaptive VSync” (NVIDIA) or let the variable refresh handle tearing — forcing VSync can conflict.
  • If you get input lag, try Adaptive/Off combinations or use a frame limiter equal to your refresh rate.
  • Ensure you force the correct executable: iRacing’s 64-bit app is iRacingSim64.exe.
  • After driver changes, restart your PC if issues persist.

FAQs

Q: Will forcing VSync add input lag? A: Yes, plain VSync can add a little input lag. Adaptive VSync or G-SYNC/FreeSync with a frame limiter often reduces perceived lag while preventing tearing.

Q: Can I force VSync if I run iRacing borderless window? A: Usually no — borderless windowed lets Windows compositor control frames. Switch to exclusive fullscreen for reliable forcing.

Q: Do I need to change iRacing settings after forcing VSync in the driver? A: Turn off any in-sim VSync so there’s no conflict. Keep iRacing in fullscreen and test.

Q: What if tearing still appears with G-SYNC enabled? A: Make sure your driver’s G-SYNC setting matches your monitor and try in-sim frame limiting to the refresh rate. Some driver combos require “Allow G-SYNC for windowed and full screen” toggled.

Short wrap-up

To force VSync in iRacing: run iRacing in exclusive fullscreen, force vertical sync in your GPU control panel for iRacingSim64.exe, and disable any in-sim VSync. If you see lag or conflicts, try Adaptive VSync or use a frame limiter and test until the tearing stops.