Faster. Smoother. Smarter.
Multi-threaded device isolation
Razer rewrote Synapse 4 around a multi-threaded architecture. Official testing in July 2023 compared it with Synapse 3 on a desktop with an Intel i5-8600K, 8 GB RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060. Razer reports overall processing up to 30% faster for tasks such as macro creation, settings changes, and driver installation. Your results will differ.
Devices are compartmentalized. Installing or upgrading one product does not interrupt other devices that are already in use. Navigation uses a new dashboard, floating tips, and a single place for extra settings.
Input
Hypershift, Rapid Trigger, Snap Tap, macros
These features shipped with Synapse 3 favorites and expanded in Synapse 4. Snap Tap is the one that did not exist on Synapse 3 for most boards.
| Feature | What it does in Synapse 4 | Where it lives |
|---|---|---|
| Key and button remap | Change keyboard keys, mouse buttons, and supported controller inputs. Windows and FN cannot be remapped on some products. | Device Customize tab |
| Hypershift | A held modifier opens a second command layer on top of existing assignments. Used for media, push-to-talk, or extra binds. An August 2026 build fixed stuck output after release, some mice that ignored Hypershift binds, and a laptop F-key that defaulted to fan toggle without an eGPU. | Button assignment |
| Rapid Trigger | Shorter reset travel for rapid repeats on analog and supported switches. Continuous Rapid Trigger is a named mode. The names stay in English in every language pack. | Actuation / keyboard settings |
| Snap Tap | Prioritizes the latest key in a pair without requiring the previous key to be released. Toggle in Customize or with FN + Left Shift. Up to four extra pairs in Synapse. Huntsman V3 Pro stores a pair onboard. Other keyboards and Blade laptops need Synapse 4 running. Requires an updated Synapse 4 build; Huntsman V3 Pro also needs current firmware. | Customize |
| Advanced macros | Record keystrokes, mouse functions, and delays. The Macro module includes a drag-and-drop command chain and a PDF tutorial. Assign from the device dashboard. Delete from the ellipsis menu beside the macro dropdown. | Macro module |
| On-the-Fly Macro Recording | Only works while Synapse 4 is installed and the tray icon is visible. Without Synapse, the recording LED blinks three times and turns off. | Hardware LED + tray process |
| Mouse DPI, polling, calibration | Set DPI stages and a supported polling rate. Surface calibration: Calibration, then Add a Surface, then pick the closest Razer mouse pad if there is no Custom option. | Mouse Performance / Calibration |
| Gaming Mode | Blocks the Windows key and similar interruptions on compatible keyboards during play. | Keyboard settings |
If Snap Tap settings vanish after a restart, open the Snap Tap guide →
Synapse 3 to 4
Profile Migration
When you upgrade, the tool detects Synapse 3 profiles, macros, and Chroma effects and can move them in one click. You can also hand-pick only the profiles you want. Razer warns against importing a Synapse 3 profile file manually because the format was redesigned.
Synapse 3 cloud syncing ended on 3 February 2026. Installed devices can still be configured in Synapse 3 until you uninstall them. After a full uninstall, customization continues in Synapse 4. Installing 4 removes 3 automatically.
Dashboard modules
Install only what you use
Missing a module? Scroll the dashboard to Modules, or open Devices and Modules, hover the module, and choose Install.
- Linked Games
- More menu, then Modules, then Linked Games. Pick a game and attach a Razer device or Chroma effect. Non-game apps can appear in the list. Browsers, media players, and productivity software are not monitored for events or telemetry.
- Alexa
- Optional module for voice control of supported Razer devices. Install from Modules if you use it. Skip it if you do not.
- Gamer Room
- Listed among supported Synapse 4 modules for room-level device grouping. Install from the dashboard when your hardware list includes it.
- Recommendations
- Synapse 4 can show hardware suggestions from the Razer catalog. It is a discovery panel, not a required device-control step.
- Browser quick control
- Razer also offers a browser path to change settings, switch onboard profiles, and apply Chroma Quick Effects. Update device firmware before you use it. Device coverage is a subset of the desktop app.
Lighting
Chroma App, Quick Effects, Screen Sync
Open a device, choose Lighting, then Quick Effects or Advanced Effects. The installer checks “Include RAZER CHROMA APP” by default. Uncheck it if you only want Synapse.
The 11 August 2026 Chroma update added Screen Sync (map on-screen color to Chroma devices), Mood Analyzer (lighting from the tone of audio, not a bass meter), and Razer Resonance (haptics from in-game sound on supported hardware). Synapse 4 remains compatible with Razer Cortex and Razer Central. Razer App Engine now launches Synapse 4 and Chroma App, so Central is no longer required for that job.
Next
Download the Windows 4.0.86 installer
Then follow the install guide if you need to skip Chroma App or Cortex.