FPS Drops / Stuttering
Riot Games Valorant
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
FPS drops and stuttering in Valorant are almost always caused by outdated GPU drivers, Windows power plan set to Balanced, or too many background apps using CPU and GPU resources. Updating your GPU driver and switching Windows to High Performance mode gives the biggest improvement for most players.
Affected Models
- Valorant (PC — Windows 10 and Windows 11)
Common Causes
- GPU driver is outdated — older drivers lack game-specific optimisations
- Windows power plan is set to Balanced, limiting CPU performance
- Too many background applications using CPU, RAM, or GPU resources
- Overheating CPU or GPU causing thermal throttling
- In-game settings too high for your hardware
How to Fix It
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Update your GPU driver. For NVIDIA, use GeForce Experience or download from nvidia.com. For AMD, use Radeon Software or amd.com. For Intel integrated graphics, check intel.com.
An outdated GPU driver is the single most impactful fix for FPS drops. Always download drivers directly from the manufacturer website, not Windows Update.
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Change your Windows Power Plan to High Performance. Search for Power Plan in the Start menu, open Power Options, and select High Performance.
The default Balanced power plan limits CPU speed to save energy. High Performance allows the CPU to run at full speed, which significantly reduces stuttering in fast-paced games like Valorant.
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Close background applications before playing — web browsers, Discord (or set it to reduce graphics), streaming apps, and automatic update services.
Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager and check which apps are using high CPU or RAM. Closing them frees resources for Valorant.
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In Valorant's Settings > Video, set Graphics Quality to a lower preset, or reduce individual settings: lower Multi-Threaded Rendering should be ON, Shadows and Bloom can be turned off.
Valorant is designed to run well on low-end hardware. If FPS is still dropping on Low settings, the hardware may be below the minimum specification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good FPS target for Valorant?
Most players aim for at least 60 FPS for comfortable play. Competitive players typically target 144 FPS or higher to match high-refresh-rate monitors. Valorant is optimised to run at high frame rates even on modest hardware.
Can overheating cause FPS drops in Valorant?
Yes — when a CPU or GPU overheats, it automatically reduces its speed to prevent damage. This is called thermal throttling and causes sudden FPS drops, often when the game has been running for 20-30 minutes. Cleaning dust from vents and ensuring good airflow prevents this.