How to Stop your PC Games Stuttering (STEPS)

Why are my PC games stuttering all of a sudden?

The main reason why PC games can suddenly start stuttering is because of incorrect power management settings, overheating CPU, or outdated GPU drivers.

• Power management setting
• Thermal paste problem
• Bloatware in the system
• Overheating of CPU
• Outdated GPU drivers
• Pending reset

As mentioned above, overheating of the CPU, outdated GPU drivers, or a pending reset can also cause the stuttering problem.

 

Power management setting

An incorrect power management setting can cause thermal throttling, resulting in the stuttering of PC games. 

This often happens when the Plugged in (%) value for the Maximum processor state field under the Process power management node in the Power Options window isn’t set to a value of more than 80 and less than 100.

 

Thermal paste problem

The games may stutter if the heatsink isn’t seated properly because the thermal paste has dried up. The thermal paste tends to get up over a while.

 

Bloatware in the system

Unexpected bloatware in the system can pave the way for the PC games’ stuttering problem. The bloatware can be in the form of spyware or malware that has to be addressed at the earliest.

 

Overheating of CPU

Dust accumulation on the CPU case and other parts of the PC can hinder the free fan movement and result in overheating. This overheating is one likely reason for the stutter.

 

Outdated GPU drivers

The PC games may stutter if the GPU drivers on the computer are outdated. This can be checked through the Device Manager window.

 

Pending reset

If the computer hasn’t been reset for a long time, there are chances that the PC games start stuttering. Although a due reset is a less likely cause for this problem, it can’t be completely ruled out.

 

 

What causes stuttering in PC games?

The stuttering in PC games is due to excessive load on the GPU, insufficient RAM, a slow CPU, or an incompatible resolution. Other causes of stuttering are an incorrect anti-alias setting, low texture quality, or V-sync setting.

• Excessive load on GPU
• Insufficient RAM
• Slow CPU
• Incompatible resolution
• Incorrect anti-alias setting
• Low texture quality
• V-sync setting

 

Excessive load on GPU

The stuttering in PC games may be because the GPU is overloaded. The overloading can pave the way for overheating and cause overheating.

 

Insufficient RAM

If the PC doesn’t have sufficient RAM or operates on low RAM, there is a possibility of the games stuttering on your computer.

 

Slow CPU

The PC games may stutter if the CPU performance isn’t up to the mark. A CPU that renders a slow performance can trigger stuttering in PC games.

 

Incompatible resolution

One reason for the PC games to stutter is that they have been set to a much higher screen resolution than what the monitor can handle.

 

Incorrect anti-alias setting

If the anti-alias setting is too high, the PC games may experience stuttering. This setting is usually found under the graphics or display-related settings for a game.

 

Low texture quality

There is a possibility that low texture quality can cause stuttering in PC games. While this setting can help to increase the FPS, it can result in a compromise on the graphics.

 

V-sync setting

It is likely that the PC games are stuttering because the V-sync setting has been turned OFF. In some cases, the reverse can also be the reason, and the stuttering may result from the V-sync setting being turned ON.

 

Why is my game stuttering on high FPS?

Your game is stuttering on high FPS because of in-game settings, an activated Windows game bar, or unnecessary apps and background processes. A high screen resolution, an outdated graphics driver, or a V-sync setting can also cause the game to stutter with high FPS.

1. Open the Settings of your game and navigate to the Graphics or Display section. The name of this section varies from game to game. Lower some features such as texture filtering. You can also consider turning OFF some features like anti-aliasing. If this isn’t possible, keep the setting at the minimum possible value.
2. Open Settings on your PC and click Gaming. In the left pane, click Xbox Game Bar. On the right pane, slide the toggle button to the OFF position. Click Captures in the left pane once again. Slide the Record in the background while I’m playing a game toggle button to the OFF position. Relaunch the game.
3. Right-click on the taskbar and click Task Manager in the menu. Click the Processes tab. Choose the apps and background processes that utilize the GPU and CPU the most and click the End task button.
4. Reduce the screen resolution. To do this, right-click on an empty potion on the desktop and choose Display settings from the menu. Choose a lower resolution than what has currently been set in the Display resolution field under the Scale and layout section. Close the game and open it once again.
5. Open the Device Manager window and right-click on the graphics driver listed under the Display adapters node. Click Update driver and follow the instructions.
6. Turn the V-sync feature ON or OFF depending on what is set as the current setting. This can be done through the control panel of your graphics card.

 

Why is my game stuttering on a high-end PC?

Your game is stuttering on a high-end PC due to a V-sync setting, antivirus software in the background or RAM sticks in incorrect slots. The stutter may also be due to a graphic card problem.

You may have to turn ON/OFF the V-sync setting depending on the existing setting and disable antivirus software running in the background. Do a check to see if the RAM sticks are fitted in the slots specified in the motherboard manual. You can also use a different graphics card to see if the problem gets resolved.

 

How to fix stuttering in games Windows 10

You can fix the stuttering in games on a Windows 10 system by turning OFF the wallpaper slideshow, doing an OS update or toggling the game mode. You can also install the games on a different drive or use a frame rate limit.

1. Do a right-click on an empty spot on the desktop and click Personalize. Click Background in the left pane and change the option for the Background field in the right pane to anything other than slideshow.
2. Check for any pending operating system updates and update Windows 10 to the most recent version. In some rare cases, you may have to do a rollback to an earlier version.
3. In the search bar, type game mode and press Enter. Slide the Game Mode toggle button to the ON position. You may have to toggle it to the OFF position in a few instances. 
4. Uninstall the game/games and install them on a different drive, ensuring that the drive you have chosen differs from the one with Windows.
5. Fix a limit on the number of frames that the game must render at all times. This setting can be done through the control panel of the game.

 

How to fix stuttering in games Windows 11

You can fix the stuttering in games on a Windows 11 system by clearing temporary files and browser cache, uninstalling unwanted files and programs, or updating the drivers for USB connection, network adapter, graphics card, and audio. Changing the FPS rate, power management mode, or turning OFF full-screen optimization can also help.

1. Check for accumulated browser cache and temporary files in the PC and clear them. These caches and files can slow down the PC and pave the way for stuttering.
2. Look out for unwanted files and programs installed on the computer that takes up a lot of space on the PC and uninstall them. In some cases, a system restart may be needed after the uninstallation.
3. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager. In the Device Manager window, update the drivers for the USB connection, network adapter, graphics card, and audio by selecting them under their appropriate nodes.
4. Open the control panel of your graphics card and change the game settings by setting a higher FPS for the games. You can also change the power management mode setting.
5. Turn OFF the full-screen optimization by right-clicking on the exe file of the game and selecting Disable Full screen optimizations to get rid of the stuttering problem.

If none of the above steps works, you can try making some registry changes through the Registry Editor window. It’s recommended to take a backup of the registry keys before making this change.

 

Why does my game stutter at 60fps?

Your game stutters at 60fps because of some software running in the background or a faulty external device connected to the PC. The stutter may also be a result of low RAM or activated full-screen optimization.

1. Exit all programs running on the PC other than the game you are playing. You may even have to turn OFF the antivirus program while playing and turn it ON again after the game.
2. Disconnect each externally connected device one by one and check if the stutter stops. If the stutter stops, avoid connecting that peripheral when you’re gaming. You can connect all the other devices once again.
3. Replace the existing RAM sticks in your PC with those of higher capacity. You can also try overclocking the RAM to at least 3.2GHz.
4. Disable the full-screen optimization for the game and relaunch the game.

 

Why does my game stutter at 120fps?

Your game stutters at 120fps due to extensively high CPU usage, insufficient RAM, or a too high frame rate. Less storage space in the PC can also result in stuttering games.

1. Exit unwanted programs running in the background when you play the game through the Task Manager window.
2. Ensure that you have a decent capacity RAM installed in the PC. It’s ideal to have two 8GB RAM sticks instead of two 4GB sticks.
3. Reduce the frame rate through the control panel for the graphics card. Setting a moderate frame rate has resolved the stutter for many gamers.
4. Delete temporary files and browser cache and uninstall programs that are not in use. The stutter may be due to the drive storage being full or nearly full.

 

Why does my game stutter at 144fps?

Your game stutters at 144fps because the frame rate is higher than the refresh rate, a faulty video card or a turned ON V-sync setting. A poor internet connection can also cause a stutter.

1. Ensure that the refresh rate is higher than the fps. Ideally, the fps value must be two to three counts lesser than the refresh rate.
2. Replace the video card on your PC with another card you know is working properly. If the stutter stops, the original card is faulty and has to be changed.
3. Turn OFF the V-sync setting that might have accidentally turned ON in the control panel associated with the graphics card.
4. Ensure that you have a good and stable Internet connection whenever you are playing the game.

 

Can a monitor cause FPS stuttering?

Yes, a monitor can cause FPS stuttering. This often happens because the frame rate set for the game is higher than the refresh rate of the monitor. 

You can set a cap limit for the maximum frame rate such that it’s lower than the refresh rate to arrest the stutter. If you don’t want to do so, you might have to enable V-sync.

 

Can a faulty GPU cause stuttering in games?

Yes, a bad/faulty GPU can cause stuttering in games, although stuttering in games due to a GPU isn’t as common as because of a CPU. 

You can resolve the GPU-related game stuttering by adjusting the screen resolution, turning OFF the anti-aliasing feature and updating the GPU driver. 

 

Adjusting the texture quality and texture filtering settings can stop stuttering in PC games.

 

How to stop FPS drop and stuttering Fortnite?

You can stop FPS drop and stuttering in Fortnite by making sure the PC meets the game requirements, ensuring that the computer isn’t overheated and updating the graphics driver. 

the background programs and defragmenting the hard drive can also fix the problems.

 

1. Ensure that the PC in which Fortnite is installed meets the minimum system requirements. This can be in terms of memory, storage space and so on.
2. Clean your computer regularly so it isn’t overheated due to dust accumulating in the fans and vents, thereby blocking the airflow. 
3. Ensure the graphics driver is updated with the latest version available on the manufacturer’s website.
4. Uninstall unwanted programs running in the background. Type add or remove programs in the search bar and press Enter. Select each unwanted program in the list one by one and click Uninstall.
5. Defragment the hard drive in which Fortnite is installed. Type defragment and optimize drives in the search bar and press Enter. Select the drive in which Fortnite is installed and click Optimize. Close the window and relaunch Fortnite.

 

How to stop FPS drop and stuttering COD Vanguard

You can stop FPS drop and stuttering in COD Vanguard by lowering the visual settings, turning OFF the motion blur, and turning OFF the Xbox game bar. 

You must also delete temporary files and ensure that you have a stable internet connection.

 

1. Lower the visual settings of the game using the control panel related to the graphics card.
2. Turn OFF the Motion Blur setting through the Settings menu of the game.
3. Move the Xbox Game Bar toggle button to the OFF position by clicking on Settings followed by Gaming in on the PC.
4. Delete the temporary files in the system. Type %temp% in the Open: field in the Run window and press Enter. Select the temporary files and press Delete.
5. Make sure that you have a strong and good internet connection. A poor connection can cause frequent FPS drop and stuttering.

 

How to stop FPS drop and stuttering Halo Infinite

You can stop FPS drop and stuttering in Halo Infinite by updating the game, adjusting the game settings and checking the network connectivity. You must also verify the game integrity files.

 

1. Update the Halo Infinite game to the most recent version. You can check for the latest version of the developer’s website.
2. Adjust the game settings by clicking Settings in the game and setting the Anti-aliasing, Ambient Occlusion, Texture Quality, Texture Filtering and Geometry Quality features to Low.
3. Ensure that you have stable network connectivity. Disconnect the internet cable from the router and the PC, and connect it once again at both ends after restarting the computer. The other way to do this is to press the Reset button for at least 10 seconds and release it.
4. Verify the game integrity files by accessing the Game library and selecting Halo Infinite. Right-click on it and click Properties. In the left pane, click LOCAL FILES and click Verify integrity of game files.

 

How to stop FPS drop and stuttering Valiant

You can stop FPS drop and stuttering in Valorant by lowering the resolution, adjusting the FPS settings limiter and disabling the skins. You must also opt for high-performance mode.

1. Reduce the game resolution to a resolution lower than the current setting by opening the game settings. Clicking on VIDEO in the menu bar and going to the GENERAL section. Click Resolution in the left pane.
2. Set the Limit FPS on Battery, Limit FPS in Menus and Limit FPS in Background fields to OFF while ensuring that the Limit FPS Always field is set to ON. The Max FPS should always have an FPS value that is one FPS less than the maximum refresh rate of the screen.
3. Use a simple skin like the basic skin or a solid single-colored skin instead of a graphics-intensive skin.
4. Choose a high-performance plan for your computer. Open the Run window and type powercfg.cpl in the Open: field. Select the High-performance option and close the computer. Restart the computer for the changes to take effect.

 

How to stop FPS drop and stuttering Minecraft?

You can stop FPS drop and stuttering in Minecraft by updating the Windows operating system, minimizing the Particles setting and lowering the render distance. You can also uninstall the OptiFine optimization mod.

1. Ensure that the Windows operating system installed on your PC is updated and of the latest version.
2. Set the Particles setting in the app to Minimal. Open Minecraft and click Settings followed by Video Settings. Click Particles and set the value to Minimal.
3. Reduce the Render Distance setting to a lesser value than what has been set. Open Video Settings as explained above and click Render Distance. Select a lower value than the present value.
4. Uninstall the OptiFine optimization mod. This mod makes the game appear faster and run faster while consuming some resources that trigger the stuttering issue.