So, you’re having a yarn with Windows 11 and reckon that tiny FPS (frames per second) counter flashing at you during your gaming sesh is a bit much? No worries—sometimes it’s handy, but other times just a bloody distraction, especially if you’ve seen it enough to not give a toss anymore. The good news? Turning it off isn’t a big drama, and it’s pretty simple using the Xbox Game Bar, which is built into Windows. But of course, Windows has to make things a bit tricky—why’s there a performance overlay in the first place, and why does it sometimes refuse to switch off? If you’ve tried toggling stuff without luck, don’t stress—there’s usually a way to fix it.
How to Turn Off the FPS Counter in Windows 11
Open the Xbox Game Bar
First up, press Windows key + G. If that brings up the Xbox Game Bar, beauty. If not, check if it’s turned on in Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar. Windows tends to hide some settings behind menus, so give it a quick look to make sure it’s enabled. Sometimes the overlay just isn’t set up right, or updates can throw a spanner in the works, so it’s worth double-checking that setting. When it’s open, you’ll see a bunch of widgets floating around—like capture, audio, and performance tools.
Find and open the Performance Widget
Look for the icon that looks like a tiny graph—usually labelled ‘Performance.’ If it’s not there, click on the widgets menu (that sidebar or overlay list) and select ‘Performance.’ This widget shows real-time stats, including your current FPS. Now, here’s where it gets a bit wonky—sometimes, on certain setups, the FPS counter won’t hide straight away after turning it off, or the widget might be glitchy. A quick restart of the Xbox Game Bar or even a full reboot of your PC can help if it’s playing up.
Disable the FPS Counter
Inside the Performance widget, find the checkbox next to ‘FPS.’ Uncheck it—that’s what tells Windows to stop showing the FPS numbers on screen. Sometimes, on certain machines, this might not take straight away, or the box might be unresponsive until you restart the overlay. But after you uncheck it, the FPS display should vanish. Just remember, this only switches off the on-screen view, not the actual tracking in the background, so it won’t hurt your system or anything.
Close the Xbox Game Bar
Press Windows key + G again or click the close button to hide the overlay. The FPS counter should be gone for good, and your game should look heaps cleaner. If it’s still hanging around, try opening the overlay again and double-check that the setting saved properly. Sometimes Windows updates or system quirks can reset things, so keep an eye on it if it keeps coming back.
And yep, turning it off doesn’t affect game performance—it’s just a visual thing. But because of how Windows handles overlays, sometimes you might need a few toggles or a reboot to get it exactly how you want it.
Tips for Turning Off the FPS Counter in Windows 11
- Make sure your Xbox Game Bar app is up to date through the Microsoft Store—old versions can bug out.
- If the FPS counter stubbornly sticks around, try restarting your PC or toggling the feature off and on in settings.
- Check if any third-party overlay apps are clashing; they can sometimes interfere with Windows’ built-in tools.
- If pressing Windows key + G doesn’t bring up the overlay, double-check your Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and turn it on.
- Remember, disabling the on-screen display doesn’t stop Windows from tracking FPS in the background. It just hides it from view. Performance stays the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is the FPS counter?
It’s that little number showing how many frames your game’s rendering each second. Basically, it helps you see if your system is struggling or running smoothly. Sometimes it’s useful, other times it’s just clutter.
Can I turn the FPS counter back on later?
Too easy. Just follow the same steps and recheck the FPS box in the Performance widget. It’s a toggle, after all.
Will turning off the FPS display affect game performance?
Nah. It only removes the on-screen overlay—it doesn’t impact how your game runs behind the scenes.
Why can’t I get the Game Bar to open?
Check if it’s enabled in Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar. If it’s off, flick it back on and try again. Sometimes a quick reboot after updates or changes helps too.
Does the FPS counter work with all games?
Most of the time, yeah. But some games or system setups might block the overlay or ignore it altogether. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty reliable for most titles.
Summary
- Open the Xbox Game Bar with Windows key + G.
- Find and select the Performance widget.
- Uncheck the FPS box to hide the display.
- Close the overlay, and you’re all set—no more FPS clutter.
Wrap-up
Turns out, ditching that FPS counter isn’t too hard once you know where to look. Windows can be a bit tricky, and sometimes your settings don’t save straight away, but with a few tweaks, your gaming screen can be as tidy as you like. Just keep in mind that performance data is still being collected in the background—you’re just not seeing it. So if you want a distraction-free view and smoother gaming sessions, this method’ll do the trick.
Hopefully, this helps a few blokes and sheilas save some time and frustration. It worked similar across most Windows 11 setups, but a few bits may vary. Good luck, and enjoy your game without that annoying flashing number hanging around!