Input lag is the delay between your action and the result on screen. Cut it by turning on your TV's game mode, running a high refresh rate with variable refresh rate enabled, keeping frame rates high and stable, using latency features such as NVIDIA Reflex or AMD Anti-Lag where games support them, and using wired or 2.4GHz connections instead of Bluetooth.
Lag builds up across your whole chain: controller, PC or console, display and settings.
Biggest wins first
| Fix | Where | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Game mode on TVs | Display settings | High |
| Higher refresh rate | Display and GPU | High |
| VRR (G-Sync, FreeSync, HDMI VRR) | Display and system | Medium |
| Latency modes (Reflex, Anti-Lag) | Game settings | Medium |
| Wired or 2.4GHz input | Peripherals | Low to medium |
| Disable motion smoothing | TV settings | High on TVs |
On PC
- Set Windows to your monitor’s maximum refresh rate.
- Enable VRR and cap frames slightly below refresh.
- Lower settings that drop frame rate in busy scenes.
On console
- Use the HDMI 2.1 port on your TV if it has one; see TV setup for consoles.
- Turn on game mode or ALLM.
- Enable 120Hz output where games support it.
Choosing new hardware? See how to choose a gaming monitor. Browse monitors and displays.
Common questions
What is a good input lag for gaming?
Many monitors and TVs in game mode measure under about 10 to 20 ms of display lag. Lower is better for competitive play.
Does V-Sync add input lag?
Traditional V-Sync can. Variable refresh rate with a frame cap a few frames below your refresh rate is a common low-lag setup.
Does a wired controller reduce lag?
Usually slightly. Bluetooth controllers add a little delay; wired or dedicated wireless dongles reduce it.