How to increase FPS on PC games (2026)
Quick Answer
To increase FPS on PC games, first find out what is limiting performance: the graphics card, processor, memory, storage, heat, drivers or game settings. The fastest wins usually come from lowering the most demanding graphics options, updating GPU drivers, closing background apps, checking temperatures and making sure the game is using the correct graphics processor and display settings.
Overview
Low FPS usually comes from one of a few practical causes: graphics settings that are too demanding for your hardware, out-of-date drivers, overheating, too many background programs, power-saving settings, limited system memory, storage bottlenecks during loading or stutter, or a game issue such as shaders compiling in the background. The right fix depends on diagnosis, because turning settings down will help a GPU bottleneck, but it will not solve thermal throttling, a CPU-heavy game, or a laptop running on battery saver. A sensible approach is to test one game at a time, note when FPS drops happen, and change only one thing before retesting. Watch whether the problem appears everywhere or only in one title, and whether it is constant low FPS, sudden stutter, or drops after playing for a while. Constant low FPS often points to settings or hardware limits; stutter can point to drivers, background tasks, shader compilation, RAM pressure or storage; performance that worsens over time can point to heat. This guide focuses on safe, practical changes you can make yourself in Windows and in-game. It does not assume overclocking, registry tweaks or paid utilities, because those are often unnecessary, inconsistent or risky compared with proper diagnosis and straightforward fixes.
Who this is for
PC gamers who want better frame rates or smoother gameplay on Windows desktops or laptops without making risky hardware changes.
What you’ll need
- administrator access to your PC
- your GPU manufacturer's driver software or official website
- Windows Task Manager
- game graphics settings menu
- optional hardware monitoring software from a reputable vendor
Before you start
Plug laptops into mains power, save your current game settings so you can revert changes, install any pending Windows updates, and make sure you know your PC's basic parts: CPU, GPU, RAM amount and whether the game is on an SSD or HDD.
Step-by-step
- 1
Identify the type of performance problem
Launch the game, play in the area where performance is worst, and note whether the issue is low average FPS, sudden stutter, frame-time spikes, input lag, or performance that gets worse after a while. Then open Task Manager or a reputable monitoring tool and watch CPU, GPU, RAM and disk activity while the game runs.
Why: Different symptoms point to different causes. You need to know whether the bottleneck is graphics load, processor load, memory pressure, storage activity or overheating before choosing a fix.
- 2
Update graphics drivers and the game itself
Download the latest stable graphics driver from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel, then restart the PC after installation. Also update the game, game launcher and any required components such as DirectX runtimes or platform updates supplied by the game store or publisher.
Why: Driver updates commonly improve compatibility, fix stutter, resolve crashes and optimise newer games. Game patches can also correct poor performance, shader issues or CPU scheduling problems.
- 3
Optimise in-game graphics settings in the right order
Start by reducing render resolution or enabling the game's supported upscaling feature if available. Then lower the settings that usually hit performance hardest, such as shadows, ray tracing, reflections, volumetrics, view distance and anti-aliasing mode. Keep texture quality matched to your VRAM capacity rather than dropping it first unless you are seeing texture pop-in, hitching or obvious memory pressure.
Why: Not all settings cost the same amount of performance. Reducing the most expensive effects gives larger FPS gains with less loss of visual quality than changing everything randomly.
- 4
Close background apps and disable unnecessary overlays
Shut down web browsers, launchers you are not using, screen recorders, RGB utilities, chat overlays and other non-essential software before gaming. If you use overlays from game launchers, Discord, GPU software or capture tools, turn off the ones you do not need and test again.
Why: Background processes can consume CPU time, RAM, disk bandwidth and GPU resources. Overlays can also cause conflicts, stutter or lower frame rates in some games.
- 5
Check power, display and Windows graphics settings
Set Windows to a performance-focused power mode, especially on laptops, and confirm the game is using the dedicated GPU rather than integrated graphics if your system has both. Check that your monitor refresh rate is set correctly in Windows, and review whether V-Sync, frame caps or battery-saving features are limiting performance.
Why: A PC in a power-saving mode, on the wrong GPU, or capped by display settings can perform far below its actual capability even when the hardware is otherwise fine.
- 6
Look for overheating or thermal throttling
Monitor CPU and GPU temperatures while gaming. If clocks drop and temperatures rise sharply, clean dust from vents and fans, improve airflow, use the laptop on a hard surface, and make sure fans are working properly. If the system is older, a professional clean or service may be worthwhile.
Why: When parts get too hot, they reduce speed to protect themselves. That can cause FPS to fall after several minutes even if performance starts out normal.
- 7
Check memory and storage pressure
If RAM usage is very high while gaming, close more apps, reduce browser tabs, and lower game settings that increase memory use. If the game is installed on a slow drive and you see stutter during movement or area loads, move it to an SSD if possible and make sure the drive has free space available.
Why: When the system runs short of RAM or has to stream data from a slow or nearly full drive, frame delivery can become uneven even if average FPS looks acceptable.
- 8
Retest, then isolate game-specific or hardware faults
After each change, test the same scene again. If only one game has poor performance, search its official support pages for known issues, shader compilation behaviour or recommended settings. If many games are affected and nothing helps, test hardware stability and consider professional diagnosis.
Why: Controlled retesting shows what actually works. It also helps separate a game optimisation issue from a broader PC problem.
Why this works
FPS improves when you reduce the amount of work the PC must do each frame or remove bottlenecks that stop frames being delivered on time. Better settings choices, correct drivers, stable temperatures, enough memory and proper power and GPU selection all help the CPU and GPU maintain consistent performance.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Changing many settings at once, so you cannot tell which change helped or caused a problem
- Lowering texture quality first when the real bottleneck is shadows, ray tracing, CPU-heavy settings or resolution
- Assuming low FPS always means the graphics card is too weak
- Using unofficial driver downloads or dubious 'FPS booster' tools
- Ignoring heat, battery mode or the game running on integrated graphics
Troubleshooting
FPS is low in every game
Check that the monitor is connected to the dedicated GPU on desktops, update graphics drivers, confirm Windows is not in a power-saving mode, and make sure the system is not overheating or running on integrated graphics.
Game runs smoothly at first, then FPS drops after a while
Monitor temperatures and clock speeds. Clean dust, improve airflow, use a laptop on a firm surface, and check for fan problems or thermal throttling.
Average FPS is acceptable but gameplay feels stuttery
Look for background tasks, overlays, shader compilation, RAM pressure and storage activity. Try limiting frame rate in-game, moving the game to an SSD, and waiting for shaders to finish compiling if the game does that.
A laptop has much worse FPS on battery
Plug into mains power, switch to a performance-focused power mode, and check the manufacturer's control software for battery-preserving limits.
Only one game has poor FPS
Reset that game's graphics settings, update it fully, verify game files through the launcher, and check the publisher's official support pages for known performance issues.
After changing settings, the game crashes or looks corrupted
Revert the last changes, remove any overclocking, update or reinstall the graphics driver from the manufacturer's official source, and verify game files.
Compare your options
Lower in-game graphics settings
Best for: Immediate FPS gains without spending money
Pros: Fast, safe, reversible, often very effective
Cons: Reduces image quality and may not fix CPU, heat or driver problems
Update drivers and software
Best for: Fixing compatibility issues, stutter and underperformance after game or Windows changes
Pros: Free, low effort, can solve game-specific problems
Cons: Not every update improves every game, and occasional new driver issues can happen
Improve cooling and reduce background load
Best for: FPS drops over time, noisy systems, laptops, hot rooms
Pros: Can improve stability as well as performance
Cons: May require cleaning, maintenance or professional servicing
Upgrade hardware
Best for: Systems that remain bottlenecked after optimisation
Pros: Largest long-term performance improvement
Cons: Costs more, compatibility matters, and installation may require expertise
| Option | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower in-game graphics settings | Immediate FPS gains without spending money | Fast, safe, reversible, often very effective | Reduces image quality and may not fix CPU, heat or driver problems |
| Update drivers and software | Fixing compatibility issues, stutter and underperformance after game or Windows changes | Free, low effort, can solve game-specific problems | Not every update improves every game, and occasional new driver issues can happen |
| Improve cooling and reduce background load | FPS drops over time, noisy systems, laptops, hot rooms | Can improve stability as well as performance | May require cleaning, maintenance or professional servicing |
| Upgrade hardware | Systems that remain bottlenecked after optimisation | Largest long-term performance improvement | Costs more, compatibility matters, and installation may require expertise |
Alternatives
- Use the game's built-in upscaling feature or dynamic resolution if available
- Cap frame rate slightly below the maximum stable level for smoother frame delivery
- Play at a lower display resolution if the GPU is the clear bottleneck
- Use platform or game-specific performance presets provided by the developer
Pro tips
- Test in the same location each time so comparisons are meaningful
- Write down your original settings before changing them
- If a game offers a benchmark mode, use it for repeatable results
- Keep some free space on your system and game drives to avoid general slowdowns
- On desktops, make sure the display cable is plugged into the graphics card rather than the motherboard video output if you use a dedicated GPU
Safety notes
- Power the PC down before cleaning inside a desktop case or around laptop vents
- Do not block vents or run a laptop on soft bedding or cushions while gaming
- Avoid unknown 'optimiser' utilities, driver download sites and aggressive registry tweaks
- Be cautious with overclocking or undervolting unless you understand the risks and your manufacturer guidance
What this guide does not cover: This guide does not cover detailed overclocking, BIOS tuning, Linux-specific steps, game-by-game settings lists, or exact hardware upgrade recommendations for every PC build.
Cost considerations
Most effective fixes are free: driver updates, settings changes, background app cleanup and better power settings. Costs only arise if you need professional cleaning, extra RAM, an SSD, improved cooling or a hardware upgrade.
Frequently asked questions
Should I lower resolution or individual settings first?+
If FPS is far below your target, lowering render resolution or using supported upscaling usually gives the quickest gain. If you are only slightly short, reduce the most demanding settings first, especially shadows, ray tracing and reflections.
Why is my FPS high but the game still feels bad?+
The issue may be frame-time instability rather than low average FPS. Background tasks, shader compilation, storage streaming, overheating, overlays or poor frame pacing can all cause stutter even when the FPS number looks fine.
Will more RAM increase FPS?+
It can help if your current RAM is being exhausted and the system is using virtual memory heavily, which often causes stutter. If memory use is already comfortable, extra RAM may make little difference to average FPS.
Does an SSD increase FPS?+
Usually not average FPS on its own, but it can reduce load times and help with stutter in games that stream assets while you play. It is most useful when a game on a slower drive hitches during movement or area transitions.
Is overclocking the best way to get more FPS?+
Not usually as a first step. Proper settings changes, driver updates, cooling fixes and background cleanup are safer and often give more reliable improvements. Overclocking can add instability or heat if done badly.
Sources & references
Guidance on this page is traced to documented sources. Last checked 25 September 2026.
- NVIDIA Driver Downloads · manufacturer
Supports obtaining current official GPU drivers from the manufacturer.
- Intel Download Center · manufacturer
Supports obtaining current official graphics and platform drivers from Intel.
The overall troubleshooting process is stable, but game engines, drivers, Windows features and vendor tools change regularly.