How to Fix Game Stuttering Issues on Windows 11 [A Step-by-Step Guide]

Only a gamer can truly understand the frustration of experiencing stutters while playing a game. A sudden drop in frames per second (FPS) can utterly spoil the gaming experience and frustrate players. This issue can arise due to various factors, including the complex processes running in the background of your PC to support game performance. In this article, we will explore these reasons and attempt to address them individually to resolve game stuttering on Windows 11.

The recent upgrade to Windows 11 has led to more frequent stuttering in games due to an unstable operating system. Although the frame rate drop is not consistent but varies, Microsoft is actively working on stabilizing the OS. In the meantime, you can attempt some solutions to either improve the stuttering or minimize its occurrence. Let's first understand the reasons behind why this issue persists.

What Causes Game Stuttering on Windows 11?

I cannot pinpoint the specific culprit responsible for this issue, but certain individuals have identified the underlying factors contributing to stutters on PCs. Let's examine some potential reasons for frame drops in Windows 11:

Game DVR: For those unfamiliar, Game DVR is a built-in game recording feature in Windows 11. It is activated by default, allowing users to record gameplay in the background. However, it utilizes significant system resources, which can lead to a lower FPS (frames per second) count.

Network or connection drivers: These support games running over the network. Outdated or corrupted network drivers can result in low FPS resolution.

Graphics card drivers: Graphics cards ensure that the Frames Per Second (FPS) meets the minimum requirements for smooth performance. Frame drops can occur if there are issues with the GPU or Physics driver.

Response rate is 1000Hz or higher: Typically referred to as "Mouse Polling Rate," Windows 11 is having difficulty maintaining a stable frame rate regardless of the system configuration. Attempt to set it to 500Hz for smoother performance.

Solutions to Resolve Game Stuttering Issues on Windows 11

Now that you understand the possible scenarios causing the fps drop, let's explore the methods to fix it. These solutions are some of the common procedures users employ to eliminate or minimize the issue.

1. Solution 1: Stop Recording Tools (DVR Game)
2. Solution 2: Close Resource-Hungry Apps Like Chrome
3. Solution 3: Set the Game as High Priority
4. Solution 4: Update Graphics Card Drivers
5. Solution 5: Update Audio Drivers

Now, let's begin with the first solution and turn off the recording tools.

Solution 1: Stop the Recording Tools (DVR Game)

Game DVR is a tool used for simultaneously recording gameplay while playing. This process can be highly resource-intensive, leading to a decrease in FPS (Frames Per Second). If your processor and graphics card are not powerful enough, they may struggle to handle both tasks, negatively impacting your FPS. If you have Game DVR or any other recording tools running in the background, close them and restart your gameplay to potentially improve FPS.

The Game DVR feature is activated by default, so we need to turn it off to prevent it from interrupting your gaming experience. Here's how to disable Game DVR in Windows 11: 1. Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings. 2. In the Settings window, click on "Gaming." 3. On the left sidebar, select "Game bar." 4. Under the "General" section, find the option that says "Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game bar." 5. Toggle the switch next to this option to the Off position. It will turn from green to gray, indicating that it's disabled. 6. You may also want to disable "Automatically record gameplay" in the same section for added assurance. 7. Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes. After completing these steps, the Game DVR should no longer interfere with your gameplay in Windows 11.

Step 1. Press Windows + R to open the Run application, then type "regedit" and press Enter to open Registry Editor.

Step 2. In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following path to locate the registry key named GameDVR_Enabled:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\System\GameConfigStore

Step 3. Change the value data to 0, and set the Base to Hexadecimal. Save the changes.

Step 4. Restart your computer to see the changes.

Solution 2: Close Resource-Intensive Apps Like Chrome

Many high-performance apps such as Chrome, YouTube, and Twitch are resource-intensive. If you're running games alongside these background processes, they can contribute to a decrease in your FPS. Even if you use separate monitors for different apps, the processor might struggle to meet the demands of all applications simultaneously.

Make sure to close such apps before playing the game to minimize stuttering.

Solution 3: Set the Game as High Priority

There might be instances where you need to close certain background applications to dedicate all processing power to the gaming experience. In such scenarios, you can utilize the Task Manager to set the game as a high priority, thereby allocating maximum resources to the game.

Steps to set the game as a high priority using Task Manager: 1. **Open Task Manager:** - Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` on your keyboard to directly open Task Manager. - Alternatively, right-click on the taskbar and select "Task Manager" from the context menu. 2. **Navigate to the "Processes" tab:** - Once Task Manager is open, you will see various tabs at the top. Click on the "Processes" tab to view all running processes. 3. **Find the game process:** - Scroll through the list of processes and locate the one related to the game you want to prioritize. It might be named after the game's title or the executable file (e.g., "Game.exe"). 4. **Right-click on the game process:** - Once you find the game process, right-click on it to reveal a context menu. 5. **Select "Set Priority":** - From the context menu, choose "Set Priority" to open a sub-menu. 6. **Choose "High" priority:** - In the sub-menu, click on "High" to set the game's priority to high. This will allocate more system resources to the game, potentially improving its performance. 7. **Caution:** - Be careful when setting processes to high priority, as it can affect the performance of other running applications. Only do this for short periods or when you need optimal gaming performance. 8. **Close Task Manager:** - After setting the priority, you can close Task Manager by clicking on "File" and selecting "Exit" or by pressing `Alt + F4`. Remember that setting a game to high priority may not always guarantee better performance, as other factors like hardware limitations, background apps, and system settings also play a role.

Step 1. Search for Task Manager and open it.

Step 2. Go to the Details section and right-click on the gaming app icon.

Step 3. In the dropdown, select "Set Priority" and set it to "High" or "Above Normal."

Additionally, if you have certain apps that require resources even when running in the background, they might be assigned too low a priority.

Solution 4: Update Graphics Card Drivers

Drivers play a crucial role in ensuring seamless coordination between hardware and software. If they are outdated or corrupted, their performance can be compromised. Hence, it is imperative to keep essential drivers up to date. For high-end gaming without disruptions, powerful graphics cards are required. If you have NVIDIA or AMD graphics cards in your PC, it's advisable to update them from their official websites.

Steps to update graphics card drivers on your computer:

Step 1. Press the Windows key + X simultaneously and select "Device Manager" from the options.

Step 2. In the Device Manager window, expand the category "Display Adapters."

Step 3. Select your graphics card, right-click on it, and choose "Update driver."

If you're still encountering the issue, uninstall any pre-installed NVIDIA or AMD drivers, and then reinstall the necessary files directly from the official websites.

Solution 5: Update Audio, Network, and USB Drivers (Device Manager)

Aside from graphics card drivers, other crucial drivers include audio, network, and USB drivers.

Update Utility Drivers

These utility drivers are crucial for maintaining audio quality, network connections, and devices related to the game, ensuring they function optimally and stabilize the game's minimum system requirements. You can find and update these drivers through the Device Manager. To do this, open Device Manager, locate the relevant drivers, and update them. For more information on fixing game stuttering issues in Windows 11, refer to this article from MakeUseOf.

Final Verdict can be translated into English as " Ultimate Ruling" or "Final Judgment."

There could be numerous other reasons why you encounter game stuttering on Windows 11. Occasionally, the causes might be unidentified as well, but the solutions mentioned above are common culprits behind the stuttering issue.

In general, the FPS (Frames Per Second) is related to the Graphics Card. If the demand for graphical performance is high, you might experience FPS drops. It's advisable to check the game's system requirements and adjust the graphics settings accordingly to optimize performance.

I hope you enjoy the articles and discover solutions for game stuttering issues in Windows 11. Please share it with your friends and leave a comment about your experience. If you have any questions, feel free to post them below.