Cranking Up FPS on Your Windows 11 Laptop
Whether you’re after a smooth gaming session or just want videos to run nicely on your Windows 11 laptop, bumping up those frames per second (FPS) can make all the difference. Higher FPS means sharper visuals and a snappier feel, which everyone loves—whether gaming’s just a casual thing or your main gig. It’s not some magic trick, though; usually you just need to tweak a few settings and give your laptop a bit of a tune-up, especially if it’s not a beast of a machine.
Update Your Graphics Drivers
First up—this one’s dead important. Updating your graphics drivers can be a real game-changer. It’s easy to forget, but out-of-date drivers can hold your system back, causing lower FPS and other performance issues. GPU makers are always rolling out updates, especially when new games come out or bugs need squashing.
Pop over to your GPU manufacturer’s site—AMD, NVIDIA, Intel—whatever it is—and grab the latest driver. Sure, you can try Windows Update, but honestly, it’s a bit of a lottery. Keeping your drivers fresh usually gives a good boost in performance, and even a small update can make your system feel a lot more responsive.
To check for updates through Windows: Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates
If you want to go manual, visit their websites and run the installer—NVIDIA GeForce Experience for NVIDIA, AMD Radeon Software for AMD, or the Intel Driver & Support Assistant for Intel graphics.
Adjust Your Power Settings
This one’s a no-brainer but often gets overlooked. Switch your power plan to “High Performance”—it’s all about squeezing every bit of performance out of your laptop. Yeah, your battery will drain quicker if you’re unplugged, but if you’re plugged in, it’s worth it for a decent FPS bump.
To do this, head to Settings > System > Power & Battery and select Power Mode to “Best performance”. For more options, just type powercfg.cpl into the Run box (Win + R) and hit enter. Then go into Change advanced power settings. Make sure you set the Maximum processor state to 100% for both on battery and plugged in—no point leaving CPU power on the cheap. And if you’re keen, check your BIOS/UEFI for any throttling settings too.
Close Background Apps
It’s wild how many apps run in the background and gobble up CPU, RAM, and GPU resources without you realising. These rogue processes can slow things down, especially when gaming or streaming.
Open up Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and scan the Processes tab. End any apps you don’t need running—especially resource hogs like browsers with heaps of tabs open or file sync tools. You can also stop unnecessary startup programs under the Startup tab to help things run smoother from the get-go.
Fine-Tune In-Game Settings
If you’re serious about gaming, sometimes dialling down those graphics settings does the trick. Lower resolution and quality settings can give you a noticeable boost in FPS. Moving from 4K to full HD (1080p) can really help.
Check your game’s settings menu or look for config files in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\[GameName]\Config. Tweak options like GraphicsQuality or limit the frame rate if you can. Also, turn off V-Sync—it can actually cap your FPS and hold things back.
Turn on Game Mode
Game Mode in Windows 11 is pretty handy. It prioritises game performance and keeps background tasks from stealing resources, which can smooth out your gameplay.
To switch it on, jump into Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and flip the toggle to On. If you’re comfortable with a bit of tinkering, you can also run this PowerShell command:
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\GameBar" -Name "AllowAutoGameMode" -Value 1Then restart your laptop, and you might notice a difference. It doesn’t turn your PC into a supercomputer, but it’s a good little performance boost.
Once you’ve made these tweaks, you’ll probably see your FPS start to climb. Games run smoother, videos look sharper, and your laptop just feels a bit more alive. Be aware, though—age matters. If your laptop’s a few years old, bigger upgrades like more RAM or a cooling pad might be your best bet.
Extra Tips to Boost FPS
If you want even more juice, consider upgrading your RAM—especially if you’re running demanding games or multitasking. More memory helps everything run smoother.
Give your system a spring clean to free up space and turn off unnecessary services. Tools like disc cleanup or Storage Sense in Settings are handy. Running sfc /scannow in Command Prompt (Admin) can also help fix any underlying issues slowing you down.
Don’t forget to clean out the dust inside your laptop—that stuff heats up and can cripple performance. A cooling pad can be your best mate during long gaming sessions, especially during intense moments. Use apps like MSI Afterburner to keep an eye on temps and make sure everything stays cool.
It’s also smart to keep Windows and your drivers up to date—those patches often fix bugs and give your FPS a shot in the arm. Use Windows Update regularly and check driver websites for the latest versions.
FAQs
Why’s my laptop’s FPS so low?
Usually it’s a mix of old drivers, too many apps running in the background, or graphics settings that are a bit too high for your hardware. Tweaking these can make a big difference.
Will boosting FPS stuff up my laptop?
Normally, no. Most tweaks are safe—lowering settings or turning on Game Mode won’t cause issues. Overclocking can be a different story, though—if you go down that road, be aware it can generate more heat and potentially shorten hardware life if you’re not careful.
How do I know if my drivers are current?
The easiest way? Check your GPU maker’s website. You can also try Windows Update, but for the latest drivers, visiting the manufacturer’s site is your best bet.
Is Game Mode worth it for FPS?
Absolutely. It helps dedicate more resources to your game and keeps background stuff to a minimum. Most gamers notice it makes gameplay a bit smoother, especially if your system tends to juggle a lot of tasks.
Does lowering graphics always boost FPS?
More or less. Cutting down on graphics demand usually lifts FPS. Just find the right balance between looks and performance that works for you—sometimes dropping quality a little can make a big difference.
Getting your FPS up on Windows 11 isn’t rocket science—just some smart tweaks. Updating drivers, adjusting power and graphics settings, and making use of built-in features like Game Mode can do wonders. These tricks have been working well across all sorts of rigs.
Don’t forget, regular maintenance like cleaning out dust, keeping software up-to-date, and considering hardware upgrades like more RAM or a cooling pad can really help. With a bit of patience, you’ll be enjoying better gaming performance in no time!