All Razer branded laptops come with software called Razer Synapse. Razer Synapse allows users further customization on their device and overall improves the gaming experience. Currently, the Razer Synapse is on its third iteration. However, while the software comes preinstalled on every Razer laptop (except some legacy devices), consumers who purchased and are using any Razer branded accessories and hardware, such as a mouse, are encouraged by the company to use the Razer Synapse.
In this article, we will go through each of the main features of the Razer Synapse, as well as give you some steps on how to properly install and set up the software on your computer running on Microsoft Windows 10 and Windows 11.
What is Razer Synapse?
Razer Synapse is a proprietary cloud-based hardware configuration software Razer developed for its customers to take advantage of the features its hardware offers. The recent version of this software, the Razer Synapse 3, is what we are going to talk about in this article.
In the simplest term, Razer Synapse allows you to configure your Razer hardware (with the exception of legacy devices) while simultaneously syncing your data in the cloud for seamless hardware integration.
It allows you to control everything from a Razer mouse to your laptop’s lighting and fan. It is a nifty tool for gamers who wants every control of their hardware and personalize it on their preferred configuration.
Features
The Razer Synapse 3 has a lot of new features such as cloud-based configuration and allowing up to 4 profiles on local onboard storage. In this part of the article, we will list down what we think are the best features of the latest Razer Synapse.
Free, Clean, and Easy to use
The Razer Synapse is a free cloud-based configuration software developed by Razer to provide customers more control and freedom with their purchased Razer hardware.
If you are using a Razer laptop computer, or even a just Razer mouse, you are allowed to use the software. Even if most of your PC setup is made of other brand components, as long as you are using just one Razer component, such as a fan, you are free to use the Razer Synapse. Device support varies of course.
The Razer Synapse also features a clean-looking design, employing the same neon green color the brand uses to represent the three African Boomslang snakes on its logo. The software is also dark-themed which makes things even easier for the eyes, especially in the dark.
That said, the user interface is just as easy to understand and navigate as well. The format allows users to instantly see the things they want to customize right from the home screen.
Macro
Probably one of the best features the Razer Synapse 3.0 is known for is its macro capabilities. Using the software, you can create and configure a string of complex sets of commands with a single press of a button. Of course, you need a Razer mouse to do this.
Getting it to work is also very easy. You just need to launch the Razer Synapse, and right from the home screen, navigate through the section called Macro. It is always at the right far end of all the options. Please note that if you can’t see the Macro option, then you might need to reinstall the module.
From there, you may add a Macro combination to the list by recording all the commands or assigning a shortcut key. The following are the full step-by-step instructions on how to do it:
- Launch the Razer Synapse, then navigate to the Macro module.
- Inside the Macro module, click the “+” beside the MACRO LIST.
- In the middle of the interface, you may be able to see the option to “Record”.
- Click the “START” button, then start performing a combination of commands you want for about three-second.
- Click “STOP”, then proceed to rename your macro command to any name that you want by clicking the saved configuration below the “MACRO LIST”.
- You may delete a macro by clicking the three dots beside the saved configuration. The drop-down will show you three options: Delete, Export, and Duplicate.
Razer Hypershift
While the Macro capabilities allow you to perform a string of complex commands with just a press of a button, the Razer Hypershift enables you to unlock a secondary set of functions on top of your existing button assignments, thus allowing you to further maximize the limited buttons on your Razer mouse.
To activate the Razer Hypershift:
- Launch the Razer Synapse, then select the Mouse module.
- Find then select your mouse from the list of devices.
- Now, start assigning functions on your mouse under the Standard mode. The following is the list of commands you can assign to your Razer mouse:
- Default
- Keyboard Function
- Mouse Function
- Sensitivity
- Macro
- Inter-Device
- Switch Profile
- Switch Lighting
- Launch Program
- Multimedia
- Windows Shortcuts
- Text Function
- After assigning commands on your mouse in Standard mode, switch your attention to the “Standard” label of the mouse.
- Click on that button then change the layout to Hypershift.
- Now, assign the commands you missed on the Standard mode to the Hypershift mode.
- Finally, click “SAVE”.
Profile management with Cloud
With Razer Synapse 3.0, everything you do is saved on the cloud for easy profile management and seamless device setup and integration. This basically means, that whichever Razer device you are using, as long as you have access to the internet, and has installed the Razer Synapse 3.0, you can easily copy and use the same configuration that was set up for your main device or hardware. Think of it like an iCloud, which saves all the data (in this case, settings) and makes it available for your other devices.
Alexa Support
You may also add more modules on your Razer Synapse like Amazon’s Alexa virtual assistant and voice service. Amazon Alexa allows you to activate and manage features like the Philips Hue and Nanoleaf smart lighting, alongside third-party Razer Chroma-connected devices. If you are using a Philips Hue, you may even tell Alexa to set the lighting in your room based on your mood.
Razer and Amazon are also partnering with game developers to integrate Razer Chroma and Amazon Alexa into games, which could further improve service integration in the future.
Chroma Connect
Finally, Razer Synapse 3.0 features Chroma Connect which lets you control and sync all Chroma-enabled apps and other third-party hardware devices right from the convenience of your dashboard.
Note that this is an add-on module, and you may need to install it first to access it. The following are the steps on how do it. Make sure that you are running the latest Razer Synapse 3.0 software to successfully install this module.
- Launch the Razer Synapse 3.0, then select modules.
- Hover through the Chroma Connect, then select Add. Wait for the Razer Synapse to successfully download the module.
- After successfully downloading the Chroma Connect, click on “INSTALL & RESTART”.
- If Chroma Connect is successfully downloaded, you will be able to see the “CONNECT” tab right on your home screen.
- If, for some reason, you need to remove or re-install Chroma Connect, follow the first step then hover over Chroma Connect, then click on the “x” icon.
- Finally, click on the “REMOVE” button, then follow steps 1 to 4 to properly reinstall the module. Note that you need to be running on the latest Razer Synapse 3.0 to do this.
How to Install Razer Synapse 3
If all the features we discussed above convinced you to use the Razer Synapse 3.0, then the following are the steps on how to install it:
Note that the Razer Synapse 3 is only compatible with Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11.
- Download Razer Synapse Installer setup.
- Run the Windows installer, then select RAZER SYNAPSE.
- Now, click on INSTALL to begin the installation process. Note that this will take a few minutes to complete.
- Toggle “Launch Razer Synapse” in the middle of the screen, then click on the “GET STARTED” in the bottom right corner.
- Finally, login using your Razer ID to automatically sync all your settings from the cloud.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q – What does Razer Synapse do?
Razer Synapse allows you to control and manage your Razer hardware, while simultaneously syncing all the settings in the cloud. This should allow the users to access their saved user configurations on any Razer devices as long as they are connected to the internet.
Q – Is Razer Synapse free?
Yes. Razer Synapse is a free cloud-based hardware configuration tool that is available to all Razer users, with the exception of some legacy devices. As long as you are running a 64-bit Windows or Windows 11, then you are allowed to install the software for free.
Q – Why does Razer Synapse not recognize or detect my Razer device?
There are many reasons why Razer Synapse is not recognizing or detecting your device. You can tell what the issue is by doing the following troubleshooting methods:
- The USB port is not working. Try using another USB port for your Razer device.
- Your Razer device has a damaged cord. Check for any flaws in your Razer device, especially the cable as it may as well fray in the long run.
- Check if you are running the latest Razer Synapse software. Sometimes, outdated software may not work as intended, or not detect newer Razer hardware.
- Reinstall your Razer mouse driver.
- Reinstall your device driver.
- Check if your device is on the list of supported hardware on the official Razer page. Your device will not appear on the list if it is out of service or considered a legacy device.
- Reinstall the Razer Synapse 3.0.
Q – Will my existing Razer Synapse 2.0 profile work with Razer Synapse 3?
No. Razer Synapse 2 profiles are not compatible with the Razer Synapse 3, and thus cannot be imported/exported.
