How to Set Dlss in Supported Games (2026): Step-by-Step

Deep Learning Super Sampling, or DLSS, can make a supported game look sharper while improving performance, but only when it is configured for the right display resolution and frame-rate target. Set it poorly and you may see ghosting around moving objects, shimmering foliage, a soft image, unstable frame pacing, or little performance improvement at all. A mode that works well at 4K can look noticeably blurry at 1080p, while an aggressive setting may create distracting artifacts in fast games.

This guide explains how to set DLSS in supported games without guessing. The menus vary by title, but the basic process is similar across games available in 2026. DLSS requires a compatible NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card and a game that includes the feature. It will not appear on systems using unsupported hardware or in games that offer only another upscaling technology.

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What You Need

DLSS is not a board game or a physical accessory, so products such as card games, pawn sets, dice, cables, and decorative furniture will not enable it. The setting is controlled entirely through compatible PC hardware, drivers, and game software.

Step-by-Step

1. Confirm your hardware and game support (2–3 minutes)

Open the game’s system requirements or graphics menu and look for “DLSS,” “NVIDIA DLSS,” or “Super Resolution.” Confirm that your computer has an RTX graphics card. Press the Windows key, type “System Information,” and check your display adapter in the relevant hardware settings, or use the graphics card’s control software.

Also check your monitor’s native resolution. DLSS renders the game internally at a lower resolution and reconstructs the image for your display, so the output resolution should generally remain set to the panel’s native resolution. Do not lower the monitor resolution simply because DLSS is enabled.

2. Update the graphics driver (5–10 minutes)

Install the latest stable NVIDIA driver available for your graphics card. Choose the standard game-ready option unless you have a specific reason to use a different driver branch. Restart the computer after installation if prompted.

If the game already worked correctly, avoid changing several unrelated graphics settings at the same time. Keeping a simple before-and-after comparison makes it easier to identify whether DLSS helped or introduced a problem.

3. Open the correct graphics menu (1–2 minutes)

Launch the game and open Settings, Options, or Video. DLSS is commonly located under Graphics, Display, or Upscaling. Some games separate it into two controls: an upscaling method and an upscaling quality mode.

Set the display resolution to your monitor’s native resolution first. If the menu includes a render scale, leave it at 100% while configuring DLSS unless the game’s instructions specifically say otherwise. A separate render scale can compound the resolution reduction and make the image excessively soft.

4. Select DLSS Super Resolution (1–2 minutes)

Find the upscaler menu and select NVIDIA DLSS or DLSS Super Resolution. You may see these quality choices:

• DLAA: Uses DLSS technology for anti-aliasing at native resolution. It usually improves image quality but can reduce frame rate.
• Quality: The best starting point for 1440p and 4K. It favors clarity while still reducing the internal rendering load.
• Balanced: A middle option for demanding scenes or higher refresh rates.
• Performance: Useful when the GPU is struggling at 4K or with heavy ray tracing, but it can look soft at lower resolutions.
• Ultra Performance: Intended mainly for very high output resolutions and unusually demanding workloads. It is rarely a good first choice for 1080p.

As a general starting point, choose Quality at 2560 × 1440 or 3840 × 2160. At 1920 × 1080, try native resolution with DLAA or use Quality only if the game offers a clear performance benefit.

5. Choose additional DLSS features carefully (2–4 minutes)

If available, Frame Generation creates additional frames to increase displayed smoothness. It generally works best when the game already produces a reasonably stable base frame rate, often around 60 frames per second or more. It does not replace low underlying performance, and it can add latency or visual artifacts in some situations.

Ray Reconstruction may improve the appearance of ray-traced lighting and reflections in supported titles. Enable it only if the game supports it and you are using ray tracing. It is not a universal replacement for every image-quality setting.

Keep sharpening moderate. A value around 10% to 30% is a reasonable place to test, but excessive sharpening can emphasize flicker, grain, and bright outlines around objects.

6. Set a frame-rate limit (2–3 minutes)

Match your target to the display. For a 60Hz screen, cap the game near 60 frames per second. For a 144Hz monitor, a cap around 138 to 141 frames per second can leave a small margin for adaptive-sync operation. If performance varies widely, choose a lower target that the system can maintain consistently, such as 60 instead of an unstable 90.

Turn on G-SYNC or compatible adaptive sync if your monitor and graphics card support it. Avoid stacking multiple frame limiters unless necessary; use the in-game limiter first because it is usually easier to manage.

7. Test a repeatable scene (5–10 minutes)

Load the same save, benchmark, or busy area before and after enabling DLSS. Watch for three things: average frame rate, smoothness during camera movement, and image quality. Look closely at thin wires, foliage, signs, hair, water, and distant moving objects. These areas often reveal ghosting or shimmering.

If the image is too soft, move from Performance to Balanced or Quality. If the frame rate is still too low, reduce ray-tracing settings, shadows, volumetric effects, or reflections before choosing Ultra Performance. If Frame Generation causes distracting artifacts or controls feel delayed, turn it off while keeping Super Resolution enabled.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Using DLSS on unsupported hardware: The option may be missing, greyed out, or replaced by another upscaler.
• Choosing Performance at 1080p: The internal image can become too low-resolution, especially on a large monitor.
• Confusing Frame Generation with extra real performance: It can raise the displayed frame count without proportionally raising the underlying game responsiveness.
• Changing resolution and DLSS together: Alter one variable at a time so you can judge the result.
• Ignoring CPU limitations: DLSS mainly reduces GPU rendering work. If the processor is limiting the game, frame rates may barely change.
• Leaving the wrong refresh rate selected: Windows or the game may default to 60Hz even when the monitor supports 120Hz, 144Hz, or more.
• Judging from a static screenshot only: DLSS artifacts often appear during movement, camera pans, and animation.

How Often

Review DLSS settings whenever you install a major game update, upgrade the graphics driver, change monitors, or alter ray tracing. Otherwise, a one-time setup is usually enough. Recheck the settings every few months if you play several demanding releases, because patches can add new DLSS versions, Frame Generation support, or different quality presets.

When to Call a Pro or Replace

Seek technical help if the game crashes whenever DLSS is enabled, the driver repeatedly fails to install, the display shows artifacts outside the game, or the graphics card overheats and throttles. Persistent black screens, sudden shutdowns, or burning smells require immediate power-down and professional inspection.

Consider replacing hardware only after confirming that the game, driver, cooling, and power supply are suitable. A GPU upgrade may be worthwhile when your card cannot maintain your chosen target even at DLSS Performance, but check physical clearance, connector requirements, and power-supply capacity first. Many modern cards need roughly 250W to 450W of board power, while complete systems may require a 650W to 1,000W supply depending on the processor and graphics card.

FAQ

Should I use DLSS Quality or Balanced?

Start with Quality. It usually offers the clearest image, especially at 1440p and 4K. Move to Balanced if you need more performance and the image remains clean during movement.

Does DLSS reduce image quality?

It can, depending on the mode, output resolution, and game implementation. Quality and DLAA often look very good, while Performance and Ultra Performance are more likely to show softness, ghosting, or shimmering.

Should I turn on DLSS Frame Generation?

Try it when your base frame rate is already stable and you want smoother motion. Turn it off if latency, visual artifacts, or uneven frame pacing bothers you. Super Resolution and Frame Generation are separate settings.

Why is DLSS missing from my game?

The game may not support DLSS, your GPU may not be compatible, the driver may be outdated, or the option may appear only after selecting a supported rendering mode. Check the graphics menu, restart the game after updating drivers, and confirm that you are using the PC version rather than a console edition.