How to Fix Low FPS in PC Games

Low FPS can make a PC game feel slow, uneven, or difficult to control. A game may run smoothly one day and stutter the next, or a new title may perform poorly even though your computer appears to meet its requirements. The good news is that many frame-rate problems can be improved without buying new hardware.

This guide explains how to fix low FPS in PC games using safe, practical steps for Windows 11. Start with the quick checks, test the game after every change, and stop when performance becomes stable. Changing several settings at once makes it harder to identify what actually solved the problem.

What Does Low FPS Mean?

FPS means frames per second. It measures how many images the game produces every second. A higher and more stable frame rate usually makes movement appear smoother and controls feel more responsive.

Low FPS is different from internet lag. If the picture becomes choppy while an offline game is running, the cause is probably related to hardware, drivers, graphics settings, heat, or background software. If characters jump around online while the local frame rate remains smooth, the problem may instead be latency or packet loss.

Low FPS Problems at a Glance

1. Restart the Game and Check the Basics

A restart is simple, but it clears temporary processes, releases memory, and completes updates that may be waiting in the background. Close the game fully, restart Windows, and launch only the game before opening a browser, video editor, or other demanding software.

If performance returns to normal after a restart but becomes worse later, watch for background apps or rising temperatures. That pattern is useful because it suggests the problem develops over time instead of being a permanent hardware limitation.

Check the Game's PC Requirements

Compare your processor, graphics card, memory, Windows version, and available storage with the game's official minimum and recommended requirements. Minimum requirements usually mean the game should run at reduced settings; they do not guarantee high resolution or a stable 60 FPS.

Open Task Manager > Performance to identify the CPU, memory, GPU, and storage drives in your PC. If your hardware is below the official minimum, software changes may improve stability but cannot completely remove the limitation.

Do not use rumored requirements to plan an expensive upgrade. For example, Rockstar has not announced official computer specifications for GTA 6. Our guide to the GTA 6 PC release date explains what is confirmed and why unofficial requirement lists should be treated carefully.

2. Install Game and Windows Updates

Game updates can fix performance bugs, shader problems, crashes, and compatibility issues. Open the launcher you normally use and check whether the game has a pending update. Read the latest patch notes if the FPS problem started immediately after a new version.

Next, open Settings > Windows Update and check for Windows updates. Restart when installation finishes. Avoid downloading unofficial system patches or modified game files from random websites.

3. Update the Graphics Driver Safely

A current graphics driver may include performance improvements and fixes for newly released games. Use the official application or support page for your GPU:

• NVIDIA App for supported GeForce graphics cards.
• AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition for supported Radeon products.
• Intel Driver & Support Assistant or the PC manufacturer's support page for Intel graphics.

On some laptops, the manufacturer provides customized graphics drivers. Check the laptop maker's support page when a generic driver causes a problem. Never use unknown “driver updater” programs that request payment or install unrelated software.

If low FPS began immediately after a driver update, check the manufacturer's release notes and support information. A newer driver is usually helpful, but a specific game may occasionally need another update before the problem is resolved.

4. Close Unnecessary Background Apps

Browsers with many tabs, cloud synchronization, video recording, launchers, RGB utilities, and update services can use CPU time, memory, storage, or GPU resources. Open Task Manager and look at the Processes page while the game is closed.

Close only applications you recognize and do not need during play. Do not end Windows system processes simply because they show activity. If the whole computer feels slow outside games, follow our separate guide on how to speed up a slow Windows 11 PC.

Temporarily disable unnecessary overlays

Performance overlays, browser overlays, chat overlays, and gameplay recording can affect some systems. Disable one optional overlay at a time, restart the game, and compare the result. Keep an overlay enabled when you actually use its features and it causes no measurable problem.

5. Use the Correct Power Mode and GPU

Windows may reduce power use on a laptop, especially when it is running on battery. Connect the manufacturer's correct charger, then open:

Settings > System > Power & battery > Power mode > Best performance

Microsoft notes that Best performance maximizes performance, although it can increase power consumption and heat. Return to a balanced mode when you do not need maximum performance. Some computers manage power through a separate manufacturer application, so available options can vary.

Make the Game Use the High-Performance GPU

A laptop may contain both integrated graphics and a faster dedicated GPU. If a game launches on the integrated chip, FPS can be much lower than expected.

1. Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
2. Select the game from the app list or add its executable file.
3. Choose Options.
4. Select High performance, then save the change.
5. Restart the game.

Windows also offers Optimizations for windowed games for supported DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 titles running in windowed or borderless-windowed mode. Test it with the affected game rather than assuming every title will respond the same way.

6. Lower the Settings That Affect FPS Most

Do not immediately change every option to Low. Begin with the settings that commonly have the largest performance cost, then test the same scene after each adjustment:

• Ray tracing: disable it first when the GPU cannot maintain the target frame rate.
• Resolution or render scale: reduce gradually rather than making a large jump.
• Shadows: move from Ultra to High or Medium.
• Reflections and volumetric effects: lower these in demanding games.
• View distance and crowd density: reduce them when the CPU is heavily loaded.
• Anti-aliasing: use a less demanding option if necessary.
• Textures: lower them when video memory is full, but leave them higher when VRAM is sufficient.

Use a game's built-in benchmark when available. Otherwise, choose one repeatable area and record the average FPS before and after each change. A consistent test is more useful than comparing two completely different locations.

7. Enable Supported Upscaling Carefully

Modern games may support NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, Intel XeSS, or another upscaling method. These technologies render at a lower internal resolution and reconstruct the image, often improving performance.

Start with the Quality mode. Use Balanced only when more performance is needed, and check image quality during movement. Frame-generation options can raise the displayed frame rate on supported hardware, but they work best when the game already has a reasonably stable base frame rate.

Use the option built into the game and supported by your hardware. Do not download unofficial files that promise to add a newer upscaler to every game.

8. Check Resolution and Refresh Rate

Running a game at 4K requires the GPU to process many more pixels than 1440p or 1080p. If resolution is the main limit, choose a lower resolution or use a supported upscaling mode before reducing every other visual option.

Also confirm that Windows is using the correct monitor refresh rate:

Settings > System > Display > Advanced display > Choose a refresh rate

A higher refresh rate does not create extra FPS, but it allows a compatible monitor to display more frames when the PC produces them. Microsoft provides a detailed guide for changing the refresh rate in Windows.

9. Watch for Overheating and Throttling

If FPS is good at first and falls after several minutes, the CPU or GPU may be reducing speed as temperature rises. Place a laptop on a hard, flat surface instead of a bed, blanket, or cushion. Make sure external ventilation openings are not blocked.

Shut down and unplug the computer before cleaning dust from accessible exterior vents. Do not open a power supply, force objects into fans, or disassemble a device when you are unsure of the safe procedure. Persistent overheating, unusual fan noise, sudden shutdowns, or a burning smell should be checked by a qualified technician.

10. Repair the Game and Test Windows Gaming Settings

If only one game performs badly or crashes after an update, use the launcher's built-in file verification or repair option. This checks the installation and downloads replacements for missing or damaged files without requiring a complete reinstall.

The wording differs by launcher, but it is usually found in the game's Properties, Manage, or Installed Files menu. Back up local save files when the game does not support cloud saves.

Test Game Mode and Windowed Optimizations

Open Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and make sure Game Mode is enabled. It helps Windows prioritize the gaming experience and limit some background activity. If the problem affects a borderless-windowed game, also test Windows 11's windowed-game optimization described earlier.

Features behave differently across games and PCs. Keep a setting enabled when it improves or stabilizes performance; reverse the change if it introduces stutter or another problem.

Avoid Fake FPS Booster Apps and Risky Tweaks

Programs that promise to double FPS with one click are often unnecessary and may change Windows settings without explaining them. Registry “gaming packs,” modified drivers, pirated optimizers, and unknown scripts can create instability or security problems.

Do not overclock the CPU or GPU as a first troubleshooting step. It adds heat and can make crashes harder to diagnose. Stable default settings, official drivers, sensible game options, and good cooling should come first.

How to Measure Whether the Fix Worked

Use the same resolution, graphics preset, location, and character movement for each test. Record three things:

• Average FPS: the general performance level.
• Frame-time consistency: whether motion remains smooth instead of suddenly stuttering.
• Temperature and noise: whether the improvement creates excessive heat or fan noise.

A stable 60 FPS can feel better than a frame rate that repeatedly jumps between 70 and 120. Choose a realistic target for the hardware and the type of game instead of chasing the largest number.

When a Hardware Upgrade May Be Necessary

An upgrade may be reasonable when the PC remains below the game's official minimum requirements, the graphics card lacks required features, memory is consistently full, or the processor cannot keep up even at low graphics settings.

Identify the limiting component before spending money. Lowering resolution mainly reduces GPU load, while reducing crowd density or simulation detail may help a CPU-limited game. Adding memory helps only when insufficient RAM is actually causing heavy storage use or applications to close.

If you want a game that better matches your current hardware, see our list of the best PC games to play in 2027, which includes demanding releases and lighter options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my FPS suddenly low?

A recent driver or game update, a background process, the wrong GPU, power-saving mode, overheating, or a changed graphics setting can cause a sudden drop. Restart first, then check what changed immediately before the problem began.

Does updating the graphics driver improve FPS?

It can improve performance or fix issues in supported games, especially new releases. Download drivers only from NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Windows Update, or the computer manufacturer's official support page.

Which graphics settings should I lower first?

Start with ray tracing, resolution or render scale, shadows, reflections, volumetric effects, view distance, and crowd density. Texture quality mainly depends on available video memory.

Why does FPS drop after playing for 20 minutes?

Heat, memory pressure, or a background task may build up over time. Check that vents are clear, close unnecessary apps, and compare temperatures and resource use at the beginning and end of the session.

Will more RAM always increase FPS?

No. More RAM helps when the system does not have enough memory, but it may produce little improvement when the main limitation is the graphics card or processor.

Is low FPS the same as high ping?

No. FPS describes how quickly the PC renders frames. Ping describes network delay between your computer and an online server. Both can make gameplay feel poor, but they require different fixes.

Final Thoughts

Most low-FPS problems should be approached in a clear order: restart, update the game and Windows, install an official graphics driver, close unnecessary apps, select the correct GPU and power mode, then adjust the most demanding graphics settings. Test after every change so you know which step helped.

If performance still remains below the official minimum target, the hardware may be the real limit. Avoid risky booster tools and expensive guesses. A careful diagnosis will tell you whether the solution is a simple setting, better cooling, a repaired installation, or a future hardware upgrade.