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Start by updating Valor Mortis through Steam and installing the newest AMD or NVIDIA graphics driver. The game launched for Windows on October 13, 2026, and its First Update on October 16 fixed several common crashes, added GPU-driver detection, and continued performance work. Because this is an actively changing launch build, troubleshooting an outdated game or driver can produce misleading results.
After updating, check the published hardware and storage requirements. If you used the playtest or demo and now have stutters or a major performance drop, reset the saved graphics configuration. For controller problems, test a DualShock or DualSense pad over USB: Steam lists those Sony controllers as USB only, even though the game has full controller support overall.
First checks before changing settings
- Update the game. Open Steam, select Library, right-click Valor Mortis, choose Properties, open Updates, and allow any pending download to finish. The October 16 First Update includes crash fixes and GPU-driver detection.
- Update the graphics driver. Download and install the latest driver for your AMD or NVIDIA card from the manufacturer’s official software. The developer specifically identifies current drivers as one of the biggest performance and stability improvements.
- Restart Windows. Reboot after a driver installation so the new driver is actually loaded before you test the game again.
- Test one repeatable situation. Use the same level, route, or action each time. Record whether the problem is a brief hitch, sustained low frame rate, a complete freeze, a desktop crash, or a system shutdown.
Do not change several unrelated variables at once. If the game improves, you need to know which step mattered; if it does not, a clean record makes a support report useful.
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Understand which symptom you are seeing
“Stuttering,” “crashing,” and “the controller does not work” describe different failure points. A short hitch followed by normal play is a frame-time problem. A sustained low frame rate is a performance problem that may respond to resolution, quality, or upscaling changes. A return to the desktop is a process crash. A frozen image, reboot, or complete shutdown is more serious and should be reported separately. Controller trouble can occur even while the game runs normally, because input detection is independent of graphics performance.
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Use the symptom that actually occurs when you describe the problem. Saying that the game “lags” does not tell support whether it is a one-second pause, 20 FPS in a particular area, a desktop exit, or a lost input device.
Check that your PC meets Valor Mortis’ published baseline
Steam lists Windows 10 or Windows 11, DirectX 12, 16 GB of RAM, 60 GB of free storage, and an SSD as requirements. The minimum and recommended targets are performance goals, not guarantees for every scene or configuration.
| Target | CPU | GPU | Resolution and quality | Expected frame-rate target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i5-10600K | AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | 1080p, Low, with upscaling | 30 FPS |
| Recommended | AMD Ryzen 7 5800X or Intel Core i5-13400 | AMD Radeon RX 6800 or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 | 1440p, Medium, with upscaling | 60 FPS |
- Operating system: Windows 10 or Windows 11.
- Graphics API: DirectX 12.
- Memory: 16 GB RAM.
- Storage: 60 GB free space on an SSD. A hard-disk installation does not satisfy the stated storage requirement.
If your system is below the minimum target, lowering options may reduce load, but it cannot turn unsupported hardware into a supported configuration. If it meets the minimum but not the recommended target, use the 1080p Low target as the realistic reference rather than expecting 1440p Medium at 60 FPS.
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How to fix stuttering and sudden performance drops
1. Apply the official update and driver steps
Install the current game build and graphics driver before tuning anything else. The launch-day guidance from Lyrical Games says: “Please update your graphics drivers to the latest version for both AMD and NVIDIA cards before launching the game!” The First Update also added driver detection, so an updated build may identify a driver issue that the launch version could not.
After installation, restart Windows and launch only Valor Mortis for the first comparison. If you use a driver-maintenance utility, treat it as optional assistance after checking the AMD or NVIDIA manufacturer software yourself; the developer’s documented step is to install the latest driver, not to buy a particular utility or use a particular third-party program.
2. Reset settings left behind by the demo or playtest
A previous playtest or demo installation can leave a configuration that causes stutters or a significant performance drop in the released game. If you installed either, close Valor Mortis completely and remove this file:
AppDataLocalValorMortisSavedConfigWindowsGameUserSettings.ini
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- Exit the game and Steam’s running game process.
- Press
Windows+R, enter%LOCALAPPDATA%, and press Enter. - Open
ValorMortis, thenSaved,Config, andWindows. - Delete
GameUserSettings.ini. If you prefer a reversible test, move it to the desktop instead of deleting it. - Launch the game. It will recreate the file with fresh defaults.
- Set your resolution, quality options, and upscaling again, then repeat the same test location.
The developer’s First Update gives this remedy specifically for players who experience stutters and significant drops after playing the Playtest or Demo. It is not presented as a universal fix for every PC. If the file is absent, do not create a replacement by hand; launch the game and let it generate its own settings.
3. Use the published performance targets as your starting point
Set a baseline that matches your hardware tier. For a minimum-class system, begin at 1080p Low with upscaling and judge whether performance is near the stated 30 FPS target. For a recommended-class system, begin at 1440p Medium with upscaling and compare with the stated 60 FPS target.
Lowering resolution or quality reduces the work the GPU must do; upscaling can preserve a higher output resolution while rendering internally at a lower one. Make one adjustment at a time and replay the same scene. The published figures are targets, not a promise of perfectly even frame times, so occasional traversal or shader hitches should be distinguished from persistent low performance.
If lowering resolution produces little improvement, note that result rather than repeatedly lowering every option. It can indicate that the tested scene is limited by the CPU, storage behavior, or a title-specific issue rather than raw GPU workload. The official material does not publish a universal setting combination that guarantees smooth frame times.
4. Confirm the game is on an SSD
Valor Mortis lists an SSD as a requirement, not merely a recommendation. If the installation is on a mechanical hard drive, move it to an SSD with enough free capacity for the game and Windows’ normal operating overhead. A 1 TB NVMe SSD can provide additional space for the required 60 GB installation and other games, but storage capacity alone does not guarantee the elimination of stutter or crashes.
After moving the installation, repeat the same route or action used in your original test. Keep the resolution, preset, and upscaling unchanged for that first comparison so that the storage change is not mixed with several graphics changes.
5. Capture a reproducible pattern if stutter remains
After the update, driver installation, requirements check, and (where applicable) configuration reset, write down:
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- GPU model and exact driver version.
- CPU, installed RAM, Windows version, and whether the game is on an SSD.
- Whether the demo or playtest was installed on that PC.
- Resolution, quality preset, upscaling choice, and the approximate frame rate.
- The level, location, or action that reliably produces the hitch.
- Whether the problem is a single pause, repeated hitching, or a sustained drop.
- Whether the same behavior occurs after a fresh launch and after changing only one setting.
This information lets the developer distinguish a saved-setting problem from a hardware-specific or scene-specific issue. Include the shortest repeatable sequence: for example, loading a named area, entering a particular fight, or opening a menu. Do not describe an unrepeatable feeling as a confirmed hardware fault.
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How to troubleshoot Valor Mortis crashes
Update before diagnosing a crash
Use the latest game build and graphics driver first. The October 16 First Update fixed several common crashes and added GPU-driver detection. Testing an old build can reproduce a problem already addressed by that update.
Check for the documented Radeon issues
The launch-day known-issues notice identifies two specific Radeon cases:
- Radeon RX 7600: possible system shutdowns.
- Radeon RX 7900 XT: possible GPU crashes.
- AMD Anti-Lag 2: may not function correctly.
If you use one of these cards, include the exact model in any report and treat a full system shutdown differently from an ordinary game crash. A shutdown is a hardware-protection event or system-level failure symptom; repeatedly relaunching without documenting it can make diagnosis harder. The notice does not establish a universal setting that resolves these cases, so do not present an unverified Windows tweak as a confirmed fix.
For an RX 7600 shutdown, stop testing if the PC repeatedly powers off and record the circumstances. For an RX 7900 XT GPU crash, record whether the game alone closes or whether the display driver recovers. These distinctions help support separate a game-process failure from a system-level event. AMD Anti-Lag 2 should be treated as a known compatibility concern, not as a guaranteed performance remedy.
Reset the configuration when the crash follows demo or playtest use
If the crash began alongside stutters or a major performance decline after the demo or playtest was installed, follow the configuration-reset procedure in the stutter section and let the game create a new GameUserSettings.ini. This addresses the documented transition case without changing unrelated Windows files.
Prepare a useful crash report
The developer asks players to submit crash reports and additional information. Include:
- GPU model and driver version.
- CPU, RAM, Windows version, and whether the game is installed on an SSD.
- The game version shown after updating.
- The level or area where the crash occurred.
- The action immediately before the crash, such as loading, entering a fight, opening a menu, or changing a setting.
- Whether the crash reproduces and the shortest sequence that triggers it.
- Whether the PC returned to the desktop, froze, rebooted, or shut down.
Do not claim that a generic registry edit, compatibility mode, or other Windows tweak is an official Valor Mortis solution; the official guidance does not document one.
Why your controller may not work
Steam advertises Valor Mortis with “Full Controller Support,” but its compatibility details distinguish controller types. Xbox controllers are listed as supported, while DualShock and DualSense controllers are marked USB Only. That means a Sony controller that is not detected wirelessly should be tested with a USB data connection rather than assumed to be defective.
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DualShock or DualSense: test USB first
- Connect the controller directly to the PC with a USB cable that carries data, not a charge-only cable.
- Wait for Windows to detect it before launching the game, or reconnect it while the game is closed.
- Start Valor Mortis and test movement and menu navigation.
- If input works over USB but not wirelessly, the result matches Steam’s USB-only compatibility note; use the wired connection for this title.
A USB data cable or a wired controller is therefore a conditional accessory for Sony-pad users, not a general performance upgrade. If a cable only charges the pad, Windows may show a battery state without exposing usable game input, so test a known data cable and another USB port.
Verify that Windows sees the controller
Before changing graphics options, check the input path itself. In Windows, open Settings and look under Bluetooth & devices for the controller. You can also open the legacy USB game-controller panel by pressing Windows+R, entering joy.cpl, and testing the buttons and sticks. If Windows does not list or respond to the device, fix the cable, USB port, pairing, or controller hardware first; the game cannot receive input that Windows never exposes.
Separate detection from mapping
If the controller works in Windows but not in the game menus, record the model, whether it is wired or wireless, the storefront used to install the game, and whether keyboard input still works. The official pages do not publish a Valor Mortis-specific remapping workaround, so avoid presenting a third-party mapper or an invented key layout as a confirmed solution. Keyboard input continuing to work indicates that the game is running while the controller path is the part requiring investigation.
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Test from the title screen and an in-game menu, not only during a fight. If keyboard and mouse work while the pad does not, document that exact split. If neither input method works, report it as a broader game hang or crash instead of a controller-only problem.
Choosing hardware and settings without overpromising
| Decision | Published option | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Performance tier | Minimum CPU/GPU | 30 FPS target at 1080p Low with upscaling. |
| Performance tier | Recommended CPU/GPU | 60 FPS target at 1440p Medium with upscaling. |
| Storage | SSD | Required by the Steam listing; 60 GB free space is required. |
| Storage | Hard disk | Does not meet the stated requirement. |
| Sony controller | USB connection | Supported connection identified by Steam for DualShock and DualSense. |
| Sony controller | Wireless connection | Not covered as supported for those models by the USB-only listing. |
Use the table to decide what to test, not to infer a guarantee. The official material does not publish benchmark averages, a percentage of affected players, or a setting that ensures perfectly smooth frame times on every system.
The useful comparison is not simply “newer hardware versus older hardware.” It is the published minimum target of 1080p Low and 30 FPS against the recommended target of 1440p Medium and 60 FPS, plus whether the installation meets the SSD requirement. A controller comparison is similarly specific: Xbox support is listed generally, while DualShock and DualSense support is identified through USB.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A concise escalation checklist
Contact the game’s support or submit the requested crash report after completing the official steps. Attach a concise description rather than a general statement that the game is “laggy.” A strong report contains:
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- Windows version and DirectX 12 status.
- CPU, GPU, RAM, driver version, and SSD or hard-drive location.
- Whether the demo or playtest had been installed.
- For stutter: resolution, quality, upscaling, approximate frame rate, and repeatable location.
- For crashes: the action before failure and whether the result was desktop exit, freeze, reboot, or shutdown.
- For controllers: model, USB or wireless connection, storefront, Windows detection result, and whether keyboard input works.
That package gives the developer the context requested in the October 13 launch-day notice and October 16 First Update and avoids conflating three different problems: frame-time instability, a process crash, and an input-device compatibility issue.
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Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first if Valor Mortis stutters on PC?
Update Valor Mortis through Steam, install the latest AMD or NVIDIA graphics driver, restart Windows, and compare performance in the same repeatable scene. If you used the demo or playtest, reset GameUserSettings.ini before changing many graphics options.
Where is Valor Mortis’ settings file?
It is at AppDataLocalValorMortisSavedConfigWindowsGameUserSettings.ini. Close the game, remove or move the file, then relaunch so Valor Mortis creates fresh defaults.
Can an HDD cause Valor Mortis stutter?
An SSD is a stated requirement, so an installation on a mechanical hard drive does not meet the published specification. Move the game to an SSD, then repeat the same test; an SSD is not a guaranteed cure for every issue.
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The launch-day notice documented possible system shutdowns on Radeon RX 7600, GPU crashes on RX 7900 XT, and malfunctioning AMD Anti-Lag 2. Update the game and driver, record the exact symptom, and include the GPU model in a crash report.
Does Valor Mortis support DualShock and DualSense wirelessly?
Steam marks DualShock and DualSense controllers as USB Only. Connect the pad with a USB data cable and test it in Windows and the game menus. Wireless operation is not identified as supported for those models.
What frame rate should my PC target?
The minimum target is 30 FPS at 1080p Low with upscaling using a Ryzen 5 3600/Core i5-10600K and RX 5600 XT/GTX 1660 Ti class system. The recommended target is 60 FPS at 1440p Medium with upscaling using a Ryzen 7 5800X/Core i5-13400 and RX 6800/RTX 3070 class system.
Is there an official registry edit or compatibility-mode fix?
No such generic Windows tweak is documented in the developer’s launch guidance or First Update. Use the update, driver, requirements, demo/playtest configuration reset, and documented controller checks first.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat information should I send with a support report?
Include the game version, Windows version, CPU, GPU, RAM, driver version, SSD status, demo/playtest history, exact level or action, settings and approximate frame rate for stutter, and whether a crash produced a desktop exit, freeze, reboot, or shutdown. For controller problems, add the model, wired or wireless connection, storefront, Windows detection result, and keyboard-input status.
The Bottom Line
Update Valor Mortis and your AMD or NVIDIA driver first. Match your PC to the 1080p Low/30 FPS minimum or 1440p Medium/60 FPS recommended target, and install the game on an SSD. If you played the demo or playtest, reset GameUserSettings.ini. For DualShock or DualSense detection, test a USB data connection because Steam lists those pads as USB only. If the issue remains, report a repeatable scenario with complete hardware, driver, settings, and symptom details.
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