How to Enable Ray Tracing in Games

What ray tracing does in a game

Ray tracing simulates the physical behavior of light to create realistic shadows, reflections, and global illumination. Instead of using pre-baked lighting effects, the graphics card calculates how light rays interact with objects in real time. This makes scenes look more lifelike, especially in areas with reflective surfaces or dynamic lighting. For a deeper explanation, see ray tracing explained for gaming.

Not every game includes ray tracing. A title must be designed to support the feature, and the option appears only when the game detects a compatible graphics card. On a PC, this typically means a GPU with dedicated ray tracing cores, such as an NVIDIA RTX series card or an AMD Radeon card with ray acceleration hardware.

The effect is most visible in games with detailed environments, like open-world adventures or simulation titles, where light changes as you move through the world. For competitive shooters, the visual improvement may be less noticeable, but the feature can still be enabled if the game supports it.

Check that your GPU supports ray tracing

Before you look for the setting, confirm that your graphics card can handle ray tracing. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20, 30, 40, and 50 series cards include dedicated ray tracing cores. The RTX 50 series, for example, features fourth-generation ray tracing cores, as listed on NVIDIA's product pages. AMD Radeon RX 6000, 7000, and 9000 series cards also support ray tracing, though the implementation differs. If you are unsure which GPU tier fits your needs, read what GPU is enough for 1440p gaming.

If you have an older card without ray tracing support, the option will not appear in the game's settings. You can still play the game with traditional lighting, but you will not be able to enable the ray tracing effects.

For a prebuilt gaming PC, check the graphics card model in the system information or in the GPU control panel. This tells you whether the card is an RTX series or a Radeon card with ray tracing capability. Our guide on what to check before buying a prebuilt gaming PC explains how to identify the GPU.

Update your graphics drivers first

Graphics drivers control how the GPU communicates with games and enable new features. For ray tracing to work correctly, you need a driver that supports the game and the specific ray tracing effects. NVIDIA provides Game Ready Drivers for RTX cards, which are optimized for new game releases. The NVIDIA App is the recommended tool for keeping these drivers current. Learn more about how to update graphics drivers.

On AMD systems, use AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition to check for driver updates. The software scans for the latest version and installs it automatically. Keeping the driver up to date ensures that the ray tracing option appears and that the game runs as intended.

If the ray tracing toggle is missing after a game update, a driver update may be required. Game developers and GPU vendors coordinate to release drivers that match new game patches.

Enable ray tracing in the game's settings

Most games place the ray tracing option in the video or graphics settings menu. Look for a section labeled 'Ray Tracing,' 'Graphics Quality,' or 'Advanced Graphics.' The option is usually a toggle that you switch on, and some games let you choose between different ray tracing effects, such as reflections, shadows, or ambient occlusion.

When you enable ray tracing, the game may automatically adjust other graphics settings to balance the load on the GPU. Some titles require a restart for the change to take effect, while others apply it immediately. Check the game's settings menu for a note about restarting.

If the option is greyed out, it may be because the game does not detect a compatible GPU, or because the graphics driver is outdated. Verify that your GPU is supported and that the driver is current.

Adjust ray tracing quality for your GPU tier

Ray tracing is computationally intensive, so the quality level you choose should match your graphics card's capability. On a high-end RTX 50 series card, you can enable ray tracing at higher quality settings. On a mid-range card, you may need to lower the ray tracing quality or combine it with upscaling technology like DLSS or FSR to maintain a playable frame rate. For more on upscaling, see DLSS and FSR upscaling explained.

NVIDIA DLSS and AMD FSR are upscaling technologies that render the game at a lower resolution and then upscale it, which reduces the load on the GPU. This allows you to enable ray tracing without sacrificing as much performance. The RTX 50 series supports DLSS 5, which includes features like Ray Reconstruction to improve ray tracing quality.

For a 1440p or 4K display, ray tracing demands more from the GPU. A card with more graphics memory, such as 12GB or 16GB, can handle higher quality ray tracing effects. Check the graphics card specifications before choosing a quality level. If you are building or buying a system, see best 1440p gaming PCs for recommended configurations.

Troubleshooting common ray tracing issues

If ray tracing does not appear in the settings, first verify that your GPU supports it. Then update the graphics driver to the latest version. Some games require a specific driver version for ray tracing to work.

If the game crashes or shows visual glitches after enabling ray tracing, try lowering the ray tracing quality or disabling other demanding features like DLSS or FSR. This reduces the strain on the GPU and may resolve stability issues.

Another common issue is that the game does not detect the GPU correctly. This can happen if the graphics card is not seated properly or if the driver is corrupted. Reinstalling the driver or checking the GPU connection may help. For a step-by-step approach, refer to how to choose a gaming PC for ray tracing.

What to pick for your play

Questions

Why is the ray tracing option greyed out in my game?

The option is greyed out when the game does not detect a compatible GPU or when the graphics driver is outdated. Check that your graphics card supports ray tracing and update the driver to the latest version. For more details, see how to choose a gaming PC for ray tracing.

Can I enable ray tracing on an AMD Radeon GPU?

Yes, AMD Radeon RX 6000, 7000, and 9000 series cards support ray tracing. The option appears in the game's settings when the GPU is detected, and you can update drivers through AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.

Does ray tracing work on all games?

No, ray tracing must be implemented by the game developer. Only games that include ray tracing support will show the option in the settings.

Will ray tracing affect my frame rate?

Ray tracing increases the computational load on the GPU, which can lower the frame rate. Using upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR can help maintain a playable frame rate while keeping ray tracing enabled. Learn more about DLSS and FSR upscaling explained.