Games can feel choppy for different reasons: the game may be rendering fewer frames, frames may arrive unevenly, or the display may be refreshing at an unsuitable rate. Those are related but not interchangeable problems, so start by identifying which one you are seeing before changing drivers or buying hardware.
The Windows checks below can help narrow down the issue, but none identifies the cause on every PC. Work through the checks that match your symptom, and note the exact game, Windows version, graphics hardware, and what changed before the problem began.
First, identify what feels wrong
Separate a sustained low frame rate from brief hitches and uneven-looking motion. A problem limited to one game points you toward that game’s settings or recent update; trouble across several games makes shared Windows, driver, GPU-selection, or display settings worth checking. This distinction narrows the investigation, but does not establish a cause by itself.
- Low rendered FPS: The game reports or visibly delivers fewer frames over time.
- Periodic hitching: Motion pauses or jumps intermittently, even if the average FPS seems adequate.
- Uneven display motion: The FPS reading may be high, but motion still looks inconsistent.
Write down the game, when the symptom occurs, whether it is repeatable, and any recent game or driver changes. Avoid treating a single setting as a guaranteed fix.
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Verify the graphics adapter and driver
Before changing hardware or installing software, confirm which display adapter Windows sees. Open Device Manager > Display adapters, or run dxdiag and inspect the Display tab. If Windows lists “Microsoft Basic Display Adapter,” it is using a generic built-in driver rather than the specific adapter driver. Microsoft recommends using the driver for the actual display adapter for the best experience; see Microsoft’s guide to Microsoft Basic Display Adapter.
Get the appropriate driver from Windows Update or from the PC or graphics-adapter manufacturer, following guidance for your exact computer or adapter model. For laptops, use the laptop maker’s instructions where applicable. Avoid random driver-update utilities.
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If the issue began after a driver update
Rolling back the display driver is one troubleshooting option when a problem starts after an update. Microsoft documents rollback, update, and uninstall/reinstall steps for display flickering or scrambled screens—not as proof that a driver caused game stutter. If you choose to uninstall or change a driver, know how you will restore a working driver first. See Microsoft’s display-driver troubleshooting steps.
Make sure the game is using the intended GPU
On a Windows 11 PC with integrated and discrete graphics, check the per-app graphics preference for the game. Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics, select the game, and review Graphics preference. Windows offers Let Windows decide, Power saving, and High performance. Choose the setting appropriate to your setup, then restart the game. A different preference is not guaranteed to improve performance on every PC. Microsoft documents this setting in its Windows 11 graphics and windowed-game guidance.
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Check window mode and Windows 11 game optimization
Windows 11 has an Optimizations for windowed games feature for compatible DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 games running in windowed or borderless-windowed mode. Microsoft says the feature moves compatible games to a newer flip model to reduce frame latency and enable supported features such as Auto HDR and variable refresh rate (VRR). It is not documented as a universal fix for all stutter, or for every display mode.
Find the option under Settings > System > Display > Graphics. If you change a relevant setting, restart the game to apply it. Test the same game and scene before and after so you can tell whether the change helped.
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Distinguish rendered FPS from refresh rate
FPS describes how many frames the game renders; a monitor’s refresh rate describes how many times per second its display updates. Changing the refresh rate can affect how motion is presented, but does not by itself explain or repair a low rendered-FPS reading.
Open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display to inspect the selected refresh rate and reported VRR capability. For a motion-smoothness problem, check that the selected rate is appropriate for the display and whether VRR is supported.
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When Dynamic Refresh Rate may matter
Microsoft says Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) requires a VRR-capable display and a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz. If a favorite game appears to run at a lower refresh rate with DRR enabled, Microsoft recommends turning DRR off. These display checks address refresh behavior; they do not prove why the game’s own rendered FPS may be low. See Microsoft’s instructions for changing monitor refresh rate.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use DxDiag for information, not as a performance fix
Run dxdiag and check the System tab for the DirectX version. DxDiag also reports details about DirectX components and drivers. DirectX is a set of Windows components that helps games and other software work with video and audio hardware; seeing a version number is diagnostic context, not evidence that DirectX is causing a performance problem or that an upgrade will cure it. Microsoft’s DirectX information includes version details for the Windows versions it explicitly names.
If the stutter continues, gather details for targeted help
When the Windows checks do not explain the symptom, collect enough information for advice tied to your particular game and PC:
- Game title and whether the issue affects one game or several.
- Windows version, graphics adapter, and driver version.
- Display mode (fullscreen, windowed, or borderless), monitor refresh rate, and whether VRR or DRR is enabled.
- What the symptom looks like, when it occurs, and the steps that reliably reproduce it.
- Recent game, Windows, or driver changes.
These details help focus game-specific or hardware-specific troubleshooting. Without them, a low-FPS or stutter report alone does not establish whether the cause is the game, driver, graphics selection, or display behavior.
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