General Guide for Fixing CPU, GPU, or FPS Issues in PC Games

If you’re experiencing stuttering, low FPS, crashes, or overheating while playing PC games, this step-by-step guide will help you troubleshoot and optimize your system for reliable, smooth gaming performance.

Quick Troubleshooting Flowchart

1. Are all drivers and Windows up to date?
2. Is your hardware (CPU/GPU/RAM/storage) overheating or overloaded?
3. Are in-game settings and overlays optimized?
4. Are background apps or malware consuming resources?
5. Is there evidence of hardware bottlenecking or failing storage?
6. If problems persist, verify game files or consider advanced repair.

1. Keep Everything Updated

Why it matters: Software updates address bugs, enhance compatibility, and improve performance. Starting with updates ensures troubleshooting isn’t blocked by outdated components.

• Update your BIOS/UEFI from your motherboard manufacturer’s website.
• Install the latest chipset drivers from AMD or Intel.
• Update your graphics drivers using NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Adrenalin, or Intel Arc Control.
• Make sure Windows is fully updated via Settings > Windows Update.
• Ensure your game is fully patched through your launcher (Steam, EA App, etc.).

2. Clean Install of GPU Drivers

Why it matters: Driver conflicts can cause persistent problems. A clean install resets your GPU driver environment.

• Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode to remove old GPU drivers.
• Reinstall the latest GPU drivers from the official NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel website.

3. Optimize In-Game Settings

Why it matters: Games often default to high settings that may not match your system’s capabilities. Balancing visuals and performance can eliminate stutter and boost FPS.

• Lower demanding settings like shadows, textures, and anti-aliasing.
• Disable V-Sync if it causes input lag or stuttering—but enable it if screen tearing is a problem.
• Enable upscaling technologies:
  • DLSS (NVIDIA)
  • FSR (AMD)
  • XeSS (Intel)
• Switch between fullscreen, windowed, and borderless windowed modes—some setups perform better in one than the others.
• Disable in-game overlays and telemetry features if they cause instability.
• Experiment with launch options to force a specific DirectX version as a troubleshooting step.

4. Monitor Temperatures and Usage

Why it matters: High temperatures can throttle performance or cause crashes. Monitoring thermal and usage data is essential for diagnosis.

• Use tools like HWMonitor, MSI Afterburner, or HWiNFO to monitor CPU and GPU temperatures and usage.
• Clean dust from fans and heatsinks for better airflow and cooling.
• Ensure proper airflow in your case for optimal heat dissipation.
• Reapply thermal paste if necessary. Tip: If you’re not confident, research guides or ask a professional!
• Use a performance overlay (like Xbox Game Bar or MSI Afterburner) to monitor FPS and system load in real time.

5. Close Background Apps

Why it matters: Unnecessary applications consume CPU, memory, and can interfere with games, leading to slowdowns and resource competition.

• Open Task Manager and end high-resource tasks.
• Disable unnecessary startup programs via Task Manager > Startup tab.
• Enable Game Mode in Windows for automatic optimization.
• Disable hardware acceleration in apps like Discord, Chrome, or Spotify to reduce GPU load.

6. Adjust Power Settings and BIOS Options

Why it matters: Your PC may be set to save power at the expense of performance. These tweaks unlock your hardware’s full potential.

• Set Windows to High Performance mode (Settings > Power & Sleep > Additional Power Settings).
• In BIOS:
  • Enable XMP/DOCP to run RAM at its rated speed.
  • Disable CPU power-saving features like C-States. Advanced: Use with care—seek help if unsure.
  • Enable Resizable BAR if supported by your GPU and motherboard.

7. Check for Bottlenecks

Why it matters: Hardware mismatches (for example, pairing a high-end GPU with a slow CPU) can limit game performance. Identifying bottlenecks guides upgrades or optimizations.

• Use tools like UserBenchmark, PassMark, or CPU-Z/GPU-Z to analyze your system.
• Look for signs of one component limiting another.
• Ensure you have at least 16GB of RAM for modern games—more is often better for multitasking.

8. Verify Game Files and Storage Health

Why it matters: Corrupted game files or slow drives can lead to crashes, freezes, and stuttering. Verifying game file integrity and checking drive health helps ensure smooth gaming.

• On Steam: Right-click the game > Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity.
• On EA App: Click the game > Manage > Repair.
• Install games on an SSD for faster load times and smoother performance.
• Use tools like CrystalDiskInfo to check drive health.
• Free up disk space—low storage can impact overall system and game performance.

9. Scan for Malware

Why it matters: Malware can hijack system resources and cause instability. Watch for these symptoms: unexpected slowdowns, popups, unusual crashes, or spikes in resource usage.

• Run a full scan with Windows Defender or a trusted antivirus.
• Use Malwarebytes for deeper scans and rootkit detection.

10. Reinstall the Game or OS (Last Resort)

Why it matters: If all else fails, corrupt system or game files may require a fresh start. This step can solve deep-rooted or persistent errors.

• Reinstall the game to fix corrupted or missing files.
• Consider a clean install of Windows if system-wide issues cannot be resolved another way. Tip: Always back up your important data first!

Summary

Follow these steps in order for the quickest results—start with updates, then drivers, game settings, and hardware checks before moving to advanced troubleshooting or reinstallation. If you’re new to PC hardware optimization, be cautious with advanced steps and seek help or research as needed. Use the flowchart above as a quick reference for diagnosing common game performance problems.