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How to Fix Screen Tearing in The Last of Us Part I on PC

Screen tearing is an annoying issue that has plagued gamers for years, and it seems that even the critically acclaimed game The Last of Us Part I on PC is not immune to this problem. Players are reporting screen tearing despite having V-Sync enabled in the game's graphics settings.

Fortunately, there are effective solutions for both NVIDIA and AMD users to eliminate screen tearing in The Last of Us Part I completely. This guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to fix the screen tearing problem, and v-sync bug, and improve your gaming experience in The Last of Us Part 1.

How to Fix Screen Tearing in The Last of Us Part I on PC

What is Screen Tearing and Why Does It Occur?

Screen tearing is a graphical issue where horizontal lines, or "tears," appear on the screen, causing an image to appear disjointed or broken. This happens when the frame rate of the game does not synchronize with the refresh rate of the monitor. Essentially, the monitor is displaying multiple frames at once, leading to a distorted image.

The Role of V-Sync in Preventing Screen Tearing

V-Sync, or Vertical Synchronization, is a feature designed to eliminate screen tearing by synchronizing the frame rate of the game with the refresh rate of the monitor. When V-Sync is enabled, it caps the game's frame rate at the monitor's refresh rate, preventing the display from showing multiple frames simultaneously. However, some users may still experience screen tearing even with V-Sync enabled, indicating that an alternative solution is necessary.

NVIDIA Users: Fixing Screen Tearing in The Last of Us Part I

For NVIDIA users, the solution involves disabling V-Sync in the game settings and making changes in the NVIDIA Control Panel. Follow these steps to eliminate screen tearing in The Last of Us Part I:

  1. Launch The Last of Us Part I and navigate to the graphics settings.
  2. Turn off V-Sync in the game settings and apply your changes.
  3. Exit the game.
  4. Open the NVIDIA Control Panel by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting "NVIDIA Control Panel"
  5. Navigate to "Manage 3D settings" and click on the "Program Settings" tab.
  6. Find and select "The Last of Us Part I" from the list of programs.
  7. Set "Vertical sync" to "On"
  8. Enable "Max Frame Rate" and set it to "60" or the refresh rate of your monitor.
  9. Save your changes and relaunch The Last of Us Part I.

The screen tearing should now be resolved, providing a smoother gameplay experience.

AMD Users: Fixing Screen Tearing in The Last of Us PC

For AMD users, the process is slightly different but equally effective. Follow these steps to eliminate screen tearing in The Last of Us Part I:

  1. Start The Last of Us Part 1 and open the game's graphics settings.
  2. Disable V-Sync within the game settings and save your changes.
  3. Exit the game.
  4. Open the AMD Radeon Settings by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting "AMD Radeon Settings"
  5. Navigate to "Gaming" and click on "The Last of Us Part I"
  6. Enable "Radeon Enhanced Sync" and "Wait for Vertical Refresh"
  7. Set the "Frame Rate Target Control" to "60" or the refresh rate of your monitor.
  8. Save your changes and relaunch TLOU.

Screen tearing should now be eliminated, allowing you to enjoy the game without any graphical issues.

Alternative Solutions to Fix Screen Tearing in The Last of Us PC and Other Games

There are alternative methods to address screen tearing in The Last of Us Part I or other games. Some of these methods include:

G-Sync and FreeSync

G-Sync (NVIDIA) and FreeSync (AMD) are adaptive sync technologies designed to synchronize the frame rate of the game with the refresh rate of the monitor, reducing screen tearing and input lag. These technologies require a compatible graphics card and monitor. If your hardware supports G-Sync or FreeSync, you can enable it through the NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings, respectively.

Fast Sync

Fast Sync (NVIDIA) and Enhanced Sync (AMD) are alternative syncing technologies that aim to reduce screen tearing and input lag without the performance penalty of V-Sync. These options can be enabled through the NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings.

Triple Buffering

Triple buffering is a technique that allows for smoother gameplay by adding an additional frame buffer to the graphics pipeline. This method can help reduce screen tearing and input lag, particularly when used in combination with V-Sync. Triple buffering can be enabled through the game's graphics settings or the NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings, depending on your graphics card.

Lowering In-Game Graphics Settings

If you continue to experience screen tearing after trying the methods mentioned above, you can try reducing the in-game graphics settings, such as resolution, texture quality, or shadow quality. Lowering these settings can decrease the load on your graphics card, allowing it to maintain a more consistent frame rate and reducing the likelihood of screen tearing.

Please note that these alternative methods may not work for everyone, and some users may still experience screen tearing issues. In such cases, the solutions outlined earlier in this guide for NVIDIA and AMD users are likely to be the most effective in resolving the issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fix screen tearing in The Last of Us PC without adjusting my GPU settings?

You can also fix the screen tearing issue using G-Sync and FreeSync. While V-Sync is designed to prevent screen tearing, it might not always be effective. Therefore, the recommended solution is to follow the steps outlined in this guide for NVIDIA and AMD users. These methods have been proven to be effective in resolving screen tearing in The Last of Us Part I.

Will there be any performance consequences after adjusting GPU settings to address screen tearing?

There may be a slight performance impact due to limiting the frame rate or enabling specific features, such as Enhanced Sync. However, the performance impact should be minimal, and the overall gaming experience should be greatly improved by eliminating screen tearing.

Can enabling G-Sync or FreeSync alongside the recommended fixes cause any issues in The Last of Us?

G-Sync and FreeSync are designed to work with the recommended fixes to provide an even smoother gaming experience in The Last of Us Part 1. However, it's important to ensure your monitor and graphics card are compatible with these technologies. If you encounter issues, you can try disabling G-Sync or FreeSync and see if that resolves the problem.

How do I determine the optimal refresh rate and frame rate settings for The Last of Us?

The optimal refresh rate and frame rate settings for The Last of Us Part I depend on your monitor and graphics card capabilities. Generally, setting the frame rate to match your monitor's refresh rate (usually 60 Hz, 120 Hz, or 144 Hz) will provide the best results. To find your monitor's refresh rate, you can check its specifications or access the display settings on your PC.

Conclusion

Screen tearing in The Last of Us PC can be a frustrating issue for gamers, but with this comprehensive guide, you can now enjoy a smooth and tear-free gaming experience. By following the detailed steps for NVIDIA and AMD users, as well as exploring alternative methods, you can eliminate screen tearing and fully immerse yourself in the captivating world of The Last of Us. Moreover, these methods can also be applied to other games with similar issues, ensuring a consistently high-quality gaming experience across all your favorite titles.

In addition to addressing screen tearing, you may be interested in further optimizing your gaming experience by increasing the FPS and fixing stuttering issues in The Last of Us Part I. Be sure to check out our guide on "The Last of Us PC FPS Boost" for more tips and tricks to enhance your gameplay and get the most out of this incredible game.