Windows 11 · Windows
How to Fix Low FPS in Games on Windows 11
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Update Windows and the graphics driver, assign the game to the high-performance GPU, test Windows 11 windowed-game optimizations, and reduce measured bottlenecks. Registry cleaners and priority hacks are unnecessary.
Install supported updates
Install current Windows quality updates, then review Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates for a relevant display driver. Prefer a newer driver offered by the GPU or computer manufacturer.
Restart and record a baseline
Restart, connect a laptop to its proper power adapter, and record FPS in the same scene and settings before changing anything else.
Choose the high-performance GPU
Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics, add or select the game, choose Options > High performance, save, then restart the game.
Test windowed-game optimizations
For a supported DirectX 10 or 11 game running windowed or borderless, enable Optimizations for windowed games and restart the game.
Use an appropriate power mode
Open Settings > System > Power & battery > Power mode and choose Best performance while plugged in when the extra heat, noise, and power use are acceptable.
Remove the measured bottleneck
Close only apps visibly consuming substantial resources, then lower demanding in-game settings one at a time and rerun the same FPS test.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If all games slow after a driver update, use the GPU manufacturer's supported rollback or clean-install guidance and record both driver versions.
- If one game alone is affected, check that game's official patch notes and requirements; overheating or hardware limits need a hardware-specific diagnosis.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.