diff --git a/src/helpers/sync/SyncTimeline.cpp b/src/helpers/sync/SyncTimeline.cpp
index eee2237f..352120ea 100644
--- a/src/helpers/sync/SyncTimeline.cpp
+++ b/src/helpers/sync/SyncTimeline.cpp
@@ -162,13 +162,13 @@ bool CSyncTimeline::importFromSyncFileFD(uint64_t dst, int fd) {
     if (drmSyncobjImportSyncFile(drmFD, syncHandle, fd)) {
         Debug::log(ERR, "importFromSyncFileFD: drmSyncobjImportSyncFile failed");
         drmSyncobjDestroy(drmFD, syncHandle);
-        return -1;
+        return false;
     }
 
     if (drmSyncobjTransfer(drmFD, handle, dst, syncHandle, 0, 0)) {
         Debug::log(ERR, "importFromSyncFileFD: drmSyncobjTransfer failed");
         drmSyncobjDestroy(drmFD, syncHandle);
-        return -1;
+        return false;
     }
 
     drmSyncobjDestroy(drmFD, syncHandle);
diff --git a/src/managers/PointerManager.cpp b/src/managers/PointerManager.cpp
index 99d1412f..868376f1 100644
--- a/src/managers/PointerManager.cpp
+++ b/src/managers/PointerManager.cpp
@@ -448,7 +448,7 @@ void CPointerManager::renderSoftwareCursorsFor(SP<CMonitor> pMonitor, timespec*
     box.x = std::round(box.x);
     box.y = std::round(box.y);
 
-    g_pHyprOpenGL->renderTextureWithDamage(texture, &box, &damage, 1.F);
+    g_pHyprOpenGL->renderTextureWithDamage(texture, &box, &damage, 1.F, 0, false, false, currentCursorImage.waitTimeline, currentCursorImage.waitPoint);
 
     if (currentCursorImage.surface)
         currentCursorImage.surface->resource()->frame(now);
diff --git a/src/managers/PointerManager.hpp b/src/managers/PointerManager.hpp
index 68596ab7..6846c382 100644
--- a/src/managers/PointerManager.hpp
+++ b/src/managers/PointerManager.hpp
@@ -147,6 +147,8 @@ class CPointerManager {
 
         CHyprSignalListener     destroySurface;
         CHyprSignalListener     commitSurface;
+        SP<CSyncTimeline>       waitTimeline = nullptr;
+        uint64_t                waitPoint    = 0;
     } currentCursorImage; // TODO: support various sizes per-output so we can have pixel-perfect cursors
 
     Vector2D pointerPos = {0, 0};
diff --git a/src/protocols/core/Compositor.cpp b/src/protocols/core/Compositor.cpp
index c9095e03..6fad79cc 100644
--- a/src/protocols/core/Compositor.cpp
+++ b/src/protocols/core/Compositor.cpp
@@ -447,21 +447,23 @@ void CWLSurfaceResource::commitPendingState() {
     }
 }
 
-void CWLSurfaceResource::presentFeedback(timespec* when, CMonitor* pMonitor) {
+void CWLSurfaceResource::presentFeedback(timespec* when, CMonitor* pMonitor, bool needsExplicitSync) {
     frame(when);
     auto FEEDBACK = makeShared<CQueuedPresentationData>(self.lock());
     FEEDBACK->attachMonitor(pMonitor);
     FEEDBACK->discarded();
     PROTO::presentation->queueData(FEEDBACK);
 
-    if (!pMonitor || !pMonitor->outTimeline || !syncobj)
+    if (!pMonitor || !pMonitor->outTimeline || !syncobj || !needsExplicitSync)
         return;
 
     // attach explicit sync
     g_pHyprRenderer->explicitPresented.emplace_back(self.lock());
 
-    if (syncobj->acquirePoint > pMonitor->lastWaitPoint)
+    if (syncobj->acquirePoint > pMonitor->lastWaitPoint) {
+        Debug::log(TRACE, "presentFeedback lastWaitPoint {} -> {}", pMonitor->lastWaitPoint, syncobj->acquirePoint);
         pMonitor->lastWaitPoint = syncobj->acquirePoint;
+    }
 }
 
 CWLCompositorResource::CWLCompositorResource(SP<CWlCompositor> resource_) : resource(resource_) {
diff --git a/src/protocols/core/Compositor.hpp b/src/protocols/core/Compositor.hpp
index 0d85a5c9..5e6413c8 100644
--- a/src/protocols/core/Compositor.hpp
+++ b/src/protocols/core/Compositor.hpp
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ class CWLSurfaceResource {
 
     void                                   breadthfirst(std::function<void(SP<CWLSurfaceResource>, const Vector2D&, void*)> fn, void* data);
     CRegion                                accumulateCurrentBufferDamage();
-    void                                   presentFeedback(timespec* when, CMonitor* pMonitor);
+    void                                   presentFeedback(timespec* when, CMonitor* pMonitor, bool needsExplicitSync = false);
     void                                   lockPendingState();
     void                                   unlockPendingState();
 
diff --git a/src/render/OpenGL.cpp b/src/render/OpenGL.cpp
index 38916854..10633218 100644
--- a/src/render/OpenGL.cpp
+++ b/src/render/OpenGL.cpp
@@ -1253,16 +1253,17 @@ void CHyprOpenGLImpl::renderTexture(SP<CTexture> tex, CBox* pBox, float alpha, i
     scissor((CBox*)nullptr);
 }
 
-void CHyprOpenGLImpl::renderTextureWithDamage(SP<CTexture> tex, CBox* pBox, CRegion* damage, float alpha, int round, bool discardActive, bool allowCustomUV) {
+void CHyprOpenGLImpl::renderTextureWithDamage(SP<CTexture> tex, CBox* pBox, CRegion* damage, float alpha, int round, bool discardActive, bool allowCustomUV,
+                                              SP<CSyncTimeline> waitTimeline, uint64_t waitPoint) {
     RASSERT(m_RenderData.pMonitor, "Tried to render texture without begin()!");
 
-    renderTextureInternalWithDamage(tex, pBox, alpha, damage, round, discardActive, false, allowCustomUV, true);
+    renderTextureInternalWithDamage(tex, pBox, alpha, damage, round, discardActive, false, allowCustomUV, true, waitTimeline, waitPoint);
 
     scissor((CBox*)nullptr);
 }
 
 void CHyprOpenGLImpl::renderTextureInternalWithDamage(SP<CTexture> tex, CBox* pBox, float alpha, CRegion* damage, int round, bool discardActive, bool noAA, bool allowCustomUV,
-                                                      bool allowDim) {
+                                                      bool allowDim, SP<CSyncTimeline> waitTimeline, uint64_t waitPoint) {
     RASSERT(m_RenderData.pMonitor, "Tried to render texture without begin()!");
     RASSERT((tex->m_iTexID > 0), "Attempted to draw NULL texture!");
 
@@ -1287,6 +1288,13 @@ void CHyprOpenGLImpl::renderTextureInternalWithDamage(SP<CTexture> tex, CBox* pB
     float glMatrix[9];
     matrixMultiply(glMatrix, m_RenderData.projection, matrix);
 
+    if (waitTimeline != nullptr) {
+        if (!waitForTimelinePoint(waitTimeline, waitPoint)) {
+            Debug::log(ERR, "renderTextureInternalWithDamage: failed to wait for explicit sync point {}", waitPoint);
+            return;
+        }
+    }
+
     CShader*   shader = nullptr;
 
     bool       usingFinalShader = false;
@@ -2742,20 +2750,24 @@ std::vector<SDRMFormat> CHyprOpenGLImpl::getDRMFormats() {
 
 SP<CEGLSync> CHyprOpenGLImpl::createEGLSync(int fenceFD) {
     std::vector<EGLint> attribs;
-    int                 dupFd = fcntl(fenceFD, F_DUPFD_CLOEXEC, 0);
-    if (dupFd < 0) {
-        Debug::log(ERR, "createEGLSync: dup failed");
-        return nullptr;
-    }
+    int                 dupFd = -1;
+    if (fenceFD > 0) {
+        int dupFd = fcntl(fenceFD, F_DUPFD_CLOEXEC, 0);
+        if (dupFd < 0) {
+            Debug::log(ERR, "createEGLSync: dup failed");
+            return nullptr;
+        }
 
-    attribs.push_back(EGL_SYNC_NATIVE_FENCE_FD_ANDROID);
-    attribs.push_back(dupFd);
-    attribs.push_back(EGL_NONE);
+        attribs.push_back(EGL_SYNC_NATIVE_FENCE_FD_ANDROID);
+        attribs.push_back(dupFd);
+        attribs.push_back(EGL_NONE);
+    }
 
     EGLSyncKHR sync = m_sProc.eglCreateSyncKHR(m_pEglDisplay, EGL_SYNC_NATIVE_FENCE_ANDROID, attribs.data());
     if (sync == EGL_NO_SYNC_KHR) {
         Debug::log(ERR, "eglCreateSyncKHR failed");
-        close(dupFd);
+        if (dupFd >= 0)
+            close(dupFd);
         return nullptr;
     }
 
@@ -2764,6 +2776,28 @@ SP<CEGLSync> CHyprOpenGLImpl::createEGLSync(int fenceFD) {
     return eglsync;
 }
 
+bool CHyprOpenGLImpl::waitForTimelinePoint(SP<CSyncTimeline> timeline, uint64_t point) {
+    int fd = timeline->exportAsSyncFileFD(point);
+    if (fd < 0) {
+        Debug::log(ERR, "waitForTimelinePoint: failed to get a fd from explicit timeline");
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    auto sync = g_pHyprOpenGL->createEGLSync(fd);
+    close(fd);
+    if (!sync) {
+        Debug::log(ERR, "waitForTimelinePoint: failed to get an eglsync from explicit timeline");
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    if (!sync->wait()) {
+        Debug::log(ERR, "waitForTimelinePoint: failed to wait on an eglsync from explicit timeline");
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    return true;
+}
+
 void SRenderModifData::applyToBox(CBox& box) {
     if (!enabled)
         return;
diff --git a/src/render/OpenGL.hpp b/src/render/OpenGL.hpp
index 4c972a8f..712b87f3 100644
--- a/src/render/OpenGL.hpp
+++ b/src/render/OpenGL.hpp
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 #include "../helpers/Timer.hpp"
 #include "../helpers/math/Math.hpp"
 #include "../helpers/Format.hpp"
+#include "../helpers/sync/SyncTimeline.hpp"
+#include <cstdint>
 #include <list>
 #include <unordered_map>
 #include <map>
@@ -152,7 +154,8 @@ class CHyprOpenGLImpl {
     void     renderRectWithBlur(CBox*, const CColor&, int round = 0, float blurA = 1.f, bool xray = false);
     void     renderRectWithDamage(CBox*, const CColor&, CRegion* damage, int round = 0);
     void     renderTexture(SP<CTexture>, CBox*, float a, int round = 0, bool discardActive = false, bool allowCustomUV = false);
-    void     renderTextureWithDamage(SP<CTexture>, CBox*, CRegion* damage, float a, int round = 0, bool discardActive = false, bool allowCustomUV = false);
+    void     renderTextureWithDamage(SP<CTexture>, CBox*, CRegion* damage, float a, int round = 0, bool discardActive = false, bool allowCustomUV = false,
+                                     SP<CSyncTimeline> waitTimeline = nullptr, uint64_t waitPoint = 0);
     void     renderTextureWithBlur(SP<CTexture>, CBox*, float a, SP<CWLSurfaceResource> pSurface, int round = 0, bool blockBlurOptimization = false, float blurA = 1.f);
     void     renderRoundedShadow(CBox*, int round, int range, const CColor& color, float a = 1.0);
     void     renderBorder(CBox*, const CGradientValueData&, int round, int borderSize, float a = 1.0, int outerRound = -1 /* use round */);
@@ -203,6 +206,7 @@ class CHyprOpenGLImpl {
     std::vector<SDRMFormat>                           getDRMFormats();
     EGLImageKHR                                       createEGLImage(const Aquamarine::SDMABUFAttrs& attrs);
     SP<CEGLSync>                                      createEGLSync(int fenceFD);
+    bool                                              waitForTimelinePoint(SP<CSyncTimeline> timeline, uint64_t point);
 
     SCurrentRenderData                                m_RenderData;
 
@@ -284,7 +288,7 @@ class CHyprOpenGLImpl {
     CFramebuffer* blurMainFramebufferWithDamage(float a, CRegion* damage);
 
     void          renderTextureInternalWithDamage(SP<CTexture>, CBox* pBox, float a, CRegion* damage, int round = 0, bool discardOpaque = false, bool noAA = false,
-                                                  bool allowCustomUV = false, bool allowDim = false);
+                                                  bool allowCustomUV = false, bool allowDim = false, SP<CSyncTimeline> = nullptr, uint64_t waitPoint = 0);
     void          renderTexturePrimitive(SP<CTexture> tex, CBox* pBox);
     void          renderSplash(cairo_t* const, cairo_surface_t* const, double offset, const Vector2D& size);
 
diff --git a/src/render/Renderer.cpp b/src/render/Renderer.cpp
index fe7cab96..90e3ea65 100644
--- a/src/render/Renderer.cpp
+++ b/src/render/Renderer.cpp
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 #include "../protocols/DRMSyncobj.hpp"
 #include "../protocols/LinuxDMABUF.hpp"
 #include "../helpers/sync/SyncTimeline.hpp"
+#include "debug/Log.hpp"
 
 extern "C" {
 #include <xf86drm.h>
@@ -114,21 +115,8 @@ static void renderSurface(SP<CWLSurfaceResource> surface, int x, int y, void* da
 
     // explicit sync: wait for the timeline, if any
     if (surface->syncobj && surface->syncobj->acquireTimeline) {
-        int fd = surface->syncobj->acquireTimeline->timeline->exportAsSyncFileFD(surface->syncobj->acquirePoint);
-        if (fd < 0) {
-            Debug::log(ERR, "Renderer: failed to get a fd from explicit timeline");
-            return;
-        }
-
-        auto sync = g_pHyprOpenGL->createEGLSync(fd);
-        close(fd);
-        if (!sync) {
-            Debug::log(ERR, "Renderer: failed to get an eglsync from explicit timeline");
-            return;
-        }
-
-        if (!sync->wait()) {
-            Debug::log(ERR, "Renderer: failed to wait on an eglsync from explicit timeline");
+        if (!g_pHyprOpenGL->waitForTimelinePoint(surface->syncobj->acquireTimeline->timeline, surface->syncobj->acquirePoint)) {
+            Debug::log(ERR, "Renderer: failed to wait for explicit timeline");
             return;
         }
     }
@@ -191,8 +179,10 @@ static void renderSurface(SP<CWLSurfaceResource> surface, int x, int y, void* da
     }
 
     if (windowBox.width <= 1 || windowBox.height <= 1) {
-        if (!g_pHyprRenderer->m_bBlockSurfaceFeedback)
+        if (!g_pHyprRenderer->m_bBlockSurfaceFeedback) {
+            Debug::log(TRACE, "presentFeedback for invisible surface");
             surface->presentFeedback(RDATA->when, RDATA->pMonitor);
+        }
 
         return; // invisible
     }
@@ -245,8 +235,10 @@ static void renderSurface(SP<CWLSurfaceResource> surface, int x, int y, void* da
             g_pHyprOpenGL->renderTexture(TEXTURE, &windowBox, ALPHA, rounding, false, true);
     }
 
-    if (!g_pHyprRenderer->m_bBlockSurfaceFeedback)
+    if (!g_pHyprRenderer->m_bBlockSurfaceFeedback) {
+        Debug::log(TRACE, "presentFeedback for visible surface");
         surface->presentFeedback(RDATA->when, RDATA->pMonitor);
+    }
 
     g_pHyprOpenGL->blend(true);
 
@@ -1099,8 +1091,10 @@ bool CHyprRenderer::attemptDirectScanout(CMonitor* pMonitor) {
     if (!pMonitor->mirrors.empty() || pMonitor->isMirror() || m_bDirectScanoutBlocked)
         return false; // do not DS if this monitor is being mirrored. Will break the functionality.
 
-    if (g_pPointerManager->softwareLockedFor(pMonitor->self.lock()))
+    if (g_pPointerManager->softwareLockedFor(pMonitor->self.lock())) {
+        Debug::log(TRACE, "Direct scanout failed: soft locked / HW cursors failed");
         return false;
+    }
 
     const auto PCANDIDATE = pMonitor->solitaryClient.lock();
 
@@ -1126,7 +1120,8 @@ bool CHyprRenderer::attemptDirectScanout(CMonitor* pMonitor) {
 
     timespec now;
     clock_gettime(CLOCK_MONOTONIC, &now);
-    PSURFACE->presentFeedback(&now, pMonitor);
+    Debug::log(TRACE, "presentFeedback for DS");
+    PSURFACE->presentFeedback(&now, pMonitor, true);
 
     if (pMonitor->state.commit()) {
         if (m_pLastScanout.expired()) {
@@ -1458,16 +1453,27 @@ bool CHyprRenderer::commitPendingAndDoExplicitSync(CMonitor* pMonitor) {
     // apply timelines for explicit sync
     bool anyExplicit = !explicitPresented.empty();
     if (anyExplicit) {
-        pMonitor->output->state->setExplicitInFence(pMonitor->inTimeline->exportAsSyncFileFD(pMonitor->lastWaitPoint));
+        Debug::log(TRACE, "Explicit sync presented begin");
+        auto inFence = pMonitor->inTimeline->exportAsSyncFileFD(pMonitor->lastWaitPoint);
+        if (inFence < 0)
+            Debug::log(ERR, "Export lastWaitPoint {} as sync explicitInFence failed", pMonitor->lastWaitPoint);
+
+        pMonitor->output->state->setExplicitInFence(inFence);
 
         for (auto& e : explicitPresented) {
+            Debug::log(TRACE, "Explicit sync presented releasePoint {}", e->syncobj && e->syncobj->releaseTimeline ? e->syncobj->releasePoint : -1);
             if (!e->syncobj || !e->syncobj->releaseTimeline)
                 continue;
             e->syncobj->releaseTimeline->timeline->transfer(pMonitor->outTimeline, pMonitor->commitSeq, e->syncobj->releasePoint);
         }
 
         explicitPresented.clear();
-        pMonitor->output->state->setExplicitOutFence(pMonitor->outTimeline->exportAsSyncFileFD(pMonitor->commitSeq));
+        auto outFence = pMonitor->outTimeline->exportAsSyncFileFD(pMonitor->commitSeq);
+        if (outFence < 0)
+            Debug::log(ERR, "Export commitSeq {} as sync explicitOutFence failed", pMonitor->commitSeq);
+
+        pMonitor->output->state->setExplicitOutFence(outFence);
+        Debug::log(TRACE, "Explicit sync presented end");
     }
 
     pMonitor->lastWaitPoint = 0;
@@ -1475,23 +1481,25 @@ bool CHyprRenderer::commitPendingAndDoExplicitSync(CMonitor* pMonitor) {
     const auto COMMITTED_OUT = pMonitor->output->state->state().explicitOutFence;
     const auto COMMITTED_IN  = pMonitor->output->state->state().explicitInFence;
 
-    if (!pMonitor->state.commit()) {
+    bool       commited = pMonitor->state.commit();
+    if (!commited) {
+        Debug::log(TRACE, "Monitor state commit failed");
         // rollback the buffer to avoid writing to the front buffer that is being
         // displayed
         pMonitor->output->swapchain->rollback();
         pMonitor->damage.damageEntire();
-        return false;
     }
 
     if (COMMITTED_IN >= 0)
         close(COMMITTED_IN);
 
     if (COMMITTED_OUT >= 0) {
-        pMonitor->outTimeline->importFromSyncFileFD(pMonitor->commitSeq, COMMITTED_OUT);
+        if (commited)
+            pMonitor->outTimeline->importFromSyncFileFD(pMonitor->commitSeq, COMMITTED_OUT);
         close(COMMITTED_OUT);
     }
 
-    return true;
+    return commited;
 }
 
 void CHyprRenderer::renderWorkspace(CMonitor* pMonitor, PHLWORKSPACE pWorkspace, timespec* now, const CBox& geometry) {
@@ -2687,13 +2695,10 @@ void CHyprRenderer::endRender() {
     if (m_eRenderMode == RENDER_MODE_FULL_FAKE)
         return;
 
-    if (isNvidia() && *PNVIDIAANTIFLICKER)
-        glFinish();
-
     if (m_eRenderMode == RENDER_MODE_NORMAL) {
         PMONITOR->output->state->setBuffer(m_pCurrentBuffer);
 
-        if (PMONITOR->output->state->state().explicitOutFence >= 0) {
+        if (PMONITOR->inTimeline) {
             auto sync = g_pHyprOpenGL->createEGLSync(-1);
             if (!sync) {
                 m_pCurrentRenderbuffer->unbind();
@@ -2713,7 +2718,7 @@ void CHyprRenderer::endRender() {
                 return;
             }
 
-            bool ok = PMONITOR->outTimeline->importFromSyncFileFD(PMONITOR->commitSeq, dupedfd);
+            bool ok = PMONITOR->inTimeline->importFromSyncFileFD(PMONITOR->commitSeq, dupedfd);
             close(dupedfd);
             if (!ok) {
                 m_pCurrentRenderbuffer->unbind();
@@ -2722,8 +2727,12 @@ void CHyprRenderer::endRender() {
                 Debug::log(ERR, "renderer: couldn't import from sync file fd in endRender");
                 return;
             }
-        } else
-            glFlush();
+        } else {
+            if (isNvidia() && *PNVIDIAANTIFLICKER)
+                glFinish();
+            else
+                glFlush();
+        }
     }
 
     m_pCurrentRenderbuffer->unbind();