Introduction
One of the most frustrating issues PC gamers face while using emulators is Fix screen tearing. It occurs when the graphics card and monitor are out of sync, leading to horizontal splits in the display. For users of Xenia Canary, this problem is common, especially when running graphically demanding Xbox 360 games.
Fortunately, screen tearing is not permanent. With the right configuration and a few adjustments, you can eliminate it and enjoy smooth, uninterrupted gameplay on Xenia Canary.
What Causes Screen Tearing in Xenia Canary?
Screen tearing usually happens when the frame rate output of the GPU does not match the refresh rate of the monitor. Since Xenia Canary is an experimental build, it does not always handle synchronization perfectly. The main causes include:
Disabled V Sync Without vertical synchronization, frames are rendered faster than the monitor refresh rate.
High Frame Rates Some patches unlock 60FPS but cause instability.
Improper Graphics Backend Using DirectX12 instead of Vulkan can increase tearing.
Driver Conflicts Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers lead to unstable performance.
Methods to Fix Screen Tearing in Xenia Canary
1. Enable V Sync in Xenia Canary
Open the xenia.config.toml file in your Xenia Canary folder.
Search for the graphics section.
Set V Sync = true.
Save changes and restart the emulator.
V-Sync forces the GPU to synchronize with your monitor’s refresh rate, removing tearing lines.
2. Use Vulkan Instead of DirectX12
Open Xenia Canary.
Go to Graphics Settings.
Select Vulkan as the rendering backend.
Vulkan is more stable and better optimized for most games, significantly reducing tearing.
3. Limit Frame Rate Using Patches
Sometimes screen tearing happens when games run at unlocked frame rates. Applying a 30FPS or 60FPS cap patch helps stabilize performance.
Download the correct patch for your game.
Place it in the patches folder.
Relaunch the emulator to apply it.
4. Enable V Sync in GPU Control Panel
If enabling V Sync in Xenia Canary doesn’t work, force it through your GPU software:
NVIDIA:
Open NVIDIA Control Panel → Manage 3D Settings.
Find xenia canary.exe.
Turn Vertical Sync ON.
AMD:
Open Radeon Settings.
Go to Graphics → Wait for Vertical Refresh.
Set it to Always On.
5. Use Enhanced Sync or G Sync / FreeSync (If Supported)
If your monitor supports G Sync (NVIDIA) or FreeSync (AMD), enable it. These technologies dynamically match your monitor’s refresh rate with the game’s frame rate, eliminating tearing.
6. Update Your GPU Drivers
Visit NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel’s official site.
Download and install the latest drivers.
Restart your PC before launching Xenia Canary again.
Updated drivers often contain fixes for tearing and stuttering in Vulkan/DirectX environments.
7. Run Xenia Canary in Full Screen Mode
Sometimes windowed or borderless mode can cause synchronization issues. Always run the emulator in exclusive full screen mode for the best performance.
Extra Tips to Prevent Screen Tearing
Avoid running background applications like OBS, browsers, or Discord overlays.
Keep your monitor’s refresh rate set to 60Hz or 120Hz depending on your hardware.
Experiment with triple buffering (in GPU settings) for smoother frame pacing.
Conclusion
Screen tearing in Xenia Canary can be frustrating, but it’s fixable with the right tweaks. By enabling V Sync, switching to Vulkan, applying frame rate patches, or using GPU control panel settings, you can achieve smooth gameplay without visual interruptions. Keeping drivers updated and running in full screen mode will further improve your experience.
With these fixes, you can enjoy Xbox 360 emulation on Xenia Canary without the annoyance of screen tearing.
