How to Boost FPS on a Gaming Laptop: 12 Practical Ways to Improve Performance

To boost FPS on a gaming laptop, start by plugging in the charger, enabling the laptop’s performance mode, checking that your game uses the dedicated GPU, and lowering demanding graphics settings. These changes can improve frame rates when power limits, graphics settings, or background applications are holding performance back. If temperatures are too high or your hardware cannot meet a game’s requirements, software tweaks alone may not be enough.

This guide covers Windows 11 and Windows 10 where applicable, NVIDIA and AMD graphics options, in-game settings, cooling, driver updates, and ways to identify the actual cause of low FPS. The best approach is to change one setting at a time and measure the result rather than applying every tweak blindly.

1. Plug In Your Gaming Laptop and Enable Performance Mode

Start here before changing graphics settings. Many gaming laptops limit CPU or GPU power on battery, while their manufacturer software offers separate Quiet, Balanced, and Performance profiles.

Use the correct Windows power mode

On Windows 11:

1. Connect the laptop to its normal, compatible AC adapter.
2. Open Settings > System > Power & battery.
3. Under Power mode, select Best performance, if available.
4. Open your laptop manufacturer’s control application.
5. Select a performance-oriented profile, such as Performance or Turbo, if your model supports it.

On Windows 10, available power options depend on the laptop and Windows configuration. Check Windows power settings and the manufacturer’s control application rather than assuming every device has the same menu.

Dell documents the relationship between performance profiles, power settings, and gaming performance in its gaming performance guidance. Windows also notes that Best performance can increase power consumption and operating temperatures. Microsoft power and performance guidance

How to check: Run the same game scene before and after changing the profile. Compare average FPS, frame-time consistency, fan noise, and temperatures.

Trade-off: Higher performance modes can increase heat, fan noise, and electricity use. Keep the laptop on a suitable surface with unobstructed air intakes.

2. Make Sure the Game Uses the Dedicated GPU

Many gaming laptops contain both integrated graphics and a discrete NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon GPU. If a game uses the integrated GPU when the dedicated GPU would perform better, graphics performance may suffer.

Set the game to high performance in Windows 11

1. Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
2. Find the game in the application list.
3. If it is missing, add the game using its executable file.
4. Select the game, then choose Options.
5. Select High performance, if that option is available.
6. Save the change and restart the game.

The setting tells Windows which graphics preference to use for that application. Actual GPU routing can also depend on the laptop’s hybrid graphics implementation and manufacturer software.

Official instructions are available in Microsoft’s Windows 11 graphics settings guide.

Check your GPU while playing

Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select Performance, and inspect the GPU graphs while the game is running. Windows may label integrated and discrete GPUs separately.

If the game is using the expected GPU already, changing this setting may make little or no difference.

3. Enable Game Mode and Reduce Background Activity

Windows Game Mode is designed to prioritize gaming-related activity and can help reduce interference from background tasks. Its effect varies by system, game, and workload, so measure the result instead of assuming it will increase FPS.

Turn on Game Mode

On Windows 11:

1. Open Settings > Gaming > Game Mode.
2. Turn Game Mode on.
3. Restart the game if needed and compare performance.

Windows 10 has a similar Game Mode setting under Settings > Gaming > Game Mode.

Close unnecessary background applications

Before launching a demanding game:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Review the Processes tab.
3. Close applications you recognize and do not need, such as unused browser windows, launchers, or resource-intensive editing software.
4. Check the Performance tab for unusually high CPU, memory, or disk usage.

Do not end unfamiliar Windows processes simply because they use resources. Some are required for system stability, drivers, audio, or laptop controls.

What to expect: Closing a resource-heavy application can help when CPU time or RAM is limited. It will do little for a game that is already limited by GPU performance.

4. Update Graphics Drivers Safely

Graphics drivers can include game-specific optimizations, compatibility fixes, and performance improvements. Updating is particularly worth considering if low FPS began after a game update, a Windows update, or a driver problem.

• NVIDIA: Check the official GeForce driver page.
• AMD: Use the official AMD Drivers and Support page.
• Laptop-specific drivers: Check the manufacturer’s support page for your exact laptop model, especially if it uses hybrid graphics or manufacturer-specific power controls.

NVIDIA notes that laptop manufacturers may provide certified drivers for their specific notebooks. The newest generic driver is not automatically the best choice for every model. See NVIDIA’s Game Ready driver guidance.

After installing a driver, restart Windows if requested and repeat the same in-game benchmark or scene.

If performance gets worse after an update, check the laptop manufacturer’s recommended driver or use the supported driver rollback option where available. Avoid third-party driver-updater utilities and unnecessary driver-removal procedures.

5. Lower the Graphics Settings That Cost the Most FPS

If your laptop is already using its dedicated GPU and running in performance mode, in-game graphics settings are often the next place to look.

Start with settings that commonly impose a substantial rendering workload. Exact results depend on the game engine, GPU, resolution, and available video memory.

These are starting points, not universal performance rankings. For example, reducing texture quality may do little when video memory is sufficient, while ray tracing can be especially demanding in games that implement it heavily.

Use a sensible adjustment order

1. Turn off ray tracing if enabled.
2. Reduce shadows, volumetric effects, and reflections.
3. Lower render resolution or use an appropriate upscaling option if GPU-limited.
4. Adjust texture quality if the game is running short of VRAM.
5. Test the result before changing more settings.

Change one or two settings at a time so you can identify what actually helps.

6. Use DLSS, FSR, or XeSS When the Game Supports Them

Upscaling technologies render a game at a lower internal resolution and reconstruct an image for display. Depending on the game and hardware, they can improve FPS while preserving more detail than simply reducing the output resolution.

• NVIDIA DLSS: Available in supported games on compatible NVIDIA GPUs.
• AMD FSR: Available in supported games across a range of compatible graphics hardware, depending on the implementation.
• Intel XeSS: Available in supported games on compatible hardware, with features varying by implementation and GPU.

Choose a quality-oriented mode first if image clarity matters. Try a more performance-oriented mode if FPS remains too low.

Keep these distinctions in mind:

• Upscaling can improve rendering performance when the GPU is the bottleneck.
• Frame generation, where supported, creates additional displayed frames but does not make the underlying game simulation run at the same rate as the displayed FPS.
• Native rendering may look sharper, particularly at lower display resolutions, depending on the upscaler and game.

Check the game’s own graphics menu for supported options. Do not assume every version of DLSS, FSR, or XeSS works on every GPU or in every game.

7. Check Your Laptop’s MUX Switch or GPU Mode

Some gaming laptops support a MUX switch, a discrete-GPU-only mode, or an automatic graphics-switching feature. These options affect how rendered frames reach the internal display and can influence performance in some configurations.

On supported ASUS laptops, for example, GPU modes may be managed through Armoury Crate or MyASUS. Other manufacturers use different control applications, and many laptops do not provide a manual GPU mode switch.

If your laptop supports this feature:

1. Open its official control application.
2. Look for GPU Mode, Graphics Mode, Discrete GPU, or a similarly named option.
3. Review the manufacturer’s description before switching.
4. If available, select the discrete-GPU mode while connected to AC power.
5. Restart if prompted, then repeat your performance test.

ASUS explains the performance and battery-life trade-offs in its official MUX switch guide.

Important: Discrete-GPU mode may consume more power, increase heat, and require a reboot. Some implementations can interact with device encryption or BitLocker, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ensure you can access your recovery key before changing system-level GPU modes.

If the laptop has no such option, skip this step. There is no need to modify the BIOS or install unofficial tools to force it.

8. Set the Correct Refresh Rate and Frame Rate Limit

A laptop with a high-refresh-rate display may still be running at a lower refresh rate than expected. Also, a game can appear capped at a particular FPS because of its own settings or a driver-level limit.

Check your display refresh rate

On Windows 11:

1. Open Settings > System > Display > Advanced display.
2. Select your laptop’s internal display.
3. Check the listed refresh rate.
4. Choose a higher supported refresh rate if available and appropriate.

A 144 Hz display can refresh up to 144 times per second, but that does not mean the GPU can render 144 FPS in every game.

Check for FPS caps

Look for frame-rate limits in:

• The game’s video or graphics settings.
• NVIDIA Control Panel’s Manage 3D settings > Max Frame Rate, if available.
• Laptop utilities with Whisper, Quiet, or battery-saving modes.
• Third-party frame limiters you have intentionally installed.

NVIDIA documents how its frame-rate limiter interacts with power-saving features in its Max Frame Rate support guide.

For competitive games, an uncapped frame rate may help if the hardware can render additional frames. However, a sensible cap can reduce heat and power consumption, and may improve consistency on some systems. Test both options rather than assuming uncapped FPS is always better.

9. Improve Cooling and Check for Thermal Throttling

Gaming laptops produce substantial heat under sustained CPU and GPU loads. When a processor reaches its thermal limits, protective controls can reduce operating speed. This can contribute to FPS drops, especially after a game has been running for a while.

Intel explains this behavior in its processor throttling guidance.

Try these steps:

1. Use a hard, flat surface. Avoid beds, blankets, and soft furniture that can obstruct air intakes.
2. Keep vents clear. Check for dust around intake and exhaust openings.
3. Raise the rear slightly if the design permits. Maintain clearance around the ventilation openings.
4. Clean accessible vents carefully. Follow the laptop manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.
5. Monitor temperatures and clock speeds. Use the manufacturer’s utility or a reputable monitoring application.
6. Compare performance at the beginning and after 15–30 minutes of gameplay. Look for falling clock speeds and worsening frame times as the system heats up.

A laptop’s temperature reading must be interpreted against its specific CPU or GPU limits. A high number alone does not prove a fault, and different sensors measure different parts of the system.

If FPS drops alongside thermal warnings, unusually low clock speeds, or repeated shutdowns, contact the laptop manufacturer or a qualified repair technician. Internal cleaning, fan replacement, or thermal-paste work may be appropriate, but opening a laptop can affect warranty coverage and damage delicate components.

10. Choose the Right Graphics Driver and GPU Settings

If you have an NVIDIA laptop, open NVIDIA Control Panel and select Manage 3D settings. Where supported, the power-management options can affect GPU clock behavior.

NVIDIA documents Prefer maximum performance as an option for keeping GPU frequencies higher in relevant workloads. It may increase power consumption and heat, and the option’s availability or behavior can differ by driver and laptop. It is not necessary to force this setting globally for every game.

For AMD systems, AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition provides graphics profiles and, on supported hardware, performance-tuning controls. See the official AMD graphics settings guide and GPU performance-tuning guide.

Recommended approach: Prefer per-game profiles over global overrides. Start with default settings, change one relevant option, and restore defaults if the change causes instability or worse performance.

Avoid aggressive overclocking or voltage changes as a first step. Laptop cooling and power limits are model-specific, and extra heat can erase any short-term performance gain.

11. Check RAM, VRAM, and Storage Bottlenecks

Software settings cannot overcome every hardware limitation. If FPS remains low after the basic optimizations, investigate resource usage.

RAM

Insufficient system memory can contribute to stuttering when a game and background applications compete for RAM. Check Task Manager’s Performance > Memory while playing.

Closing unnecessary applications is a sensible first step. If memory remains consistently constrained, check the laptop’s specifications to determine whether RAM is upgradeable and what capacity and memory type it supports. Some models have soldered memory that cannot be upgraded.

VRAM

Video memory stores graphics assets and other data needed by the GPU. When a game exceeds available VRAM, performance may deteriorate or become less consistent, depending on the game and its memory-management behavior.

Reduce texture quality, resolution, or other memory-intensive settings if monitoring and in-game warnings indicate a VRAM limitation. Lowering textures is not automatically beneficial when the GPU has sufficient video memory.

Storage

A nearly full or unhealthy drive can cause broader performance and loading problems, but replacing a working SSD does not automatically increase average FPS. Investigate storage when you experience long loading times, asset-streaming stutters, drive warnings, or other evidence of a storage-related problem.

Microsoft’s Windows performance troubleshooting guide covers resource usage, background applications, storage space, and other causes of reduced system responsiveness.

12. Use the Right Display Mode and Windows Graphics Options

Windows 11 includes a setting called Optimizations for windowed games. Microsoft says it improves presentation and latency for compatible DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 games running in windowed or borderless-windowed modes.

To enable it:

1. Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
2. Find Optimizations for windowed games under the default graphics settings.
3. Turn it on if it is available.
4. Restart the game and compare the result.

This feature is not a universal FPS boost, and it does not apply to every game or rendering API. If a particular game performs worse after changing display options, restore the previous setting and test again.

How to Tell What’s Limiting Your Gaming Laptop’s FPS

Before buying new hardware or applying more aggressive tweaks, identify the likely bottleneck.

These are diagnostic clues, not definitive diagnoses. CPU and GPU utilization readings can be misleading when sampling is limited or a game has a bottleneck in a particular thread.

For a useful comparison, keep the same resolution, graphics preset, game scene, and power mode before and after each change. Record average FPS and, if available, 1% lows or frame-time data. A higher average alone may not indicate a smoother experience if stuttering becomes more frequent.

What Not to Do When Trying to Boost FPS

Some commonly shared tweaks carry unnecessary risk or provide little reliable benefit.

• Do not use registry boost scripts. Unverified changes can cause system problems without improving gaming performance.
• Do not install RAM cleaners. They cannot replace adequate physical memory and may interfere with normal memory management.
• Do not disable Windows security features just to chase FPS. Any performance impact depends on the configuration and workload, while weakening security introduces additional risks.
• Do not flash a modified BIOS or GPU firmware. The risk is disproportionate to an uncertain performance gain.
• Do not disable thermal protection. These safeguards help prevent damage from excessive temperatures.
• Do not buy a cooling pad expecting a guaranteed FPS increase. Results depend on the laptop’s intake design, cooling condition, and existing thermal limits.

If the laptop is already operating within its intended power and thermal limits, there may be little additional performance available without changing hardware or reducing graphics quality.

FAQ

1. How can I boost FPS on a gaming laptop without upgrading hardware?

Start by plugging in the charger, enabling the laptop’s performance profile, assigning the game to the dedicated GPU, and lowering demanding graphics settings. Update appropriate drivers and check temperatures if performance remains low.

2. Does plugging in a gaming laptop increase FPS?

It can increase FPS when the laptop limits CPU or GPU power on battery. The actual improvement depends on the model, battery mode, adapter, and game, and some laptops can still restrict performance under certain conditions.

3. Does lowering resolution increase FPS on a gaming laptop?

Lowering resolution can increase FPS when the GPU is the main bottleneck because fewer pixels need to be rendered. It may have little effect in a CPU-limited game, and the image will generally look less sharp.

4. Why does my gaming laptop get lower FPS after playing for a while?

Heat-related throttling, power limits, background activity, or changing game workloads can cause performance to decline during a session. Check temperatures, clock speeds, resource usage, and ventilation before assuming a component needs replacement.

Final Verdict

The most effective way to boost FPS on a gaming laptop is to address the actual limitation rather than apply every available tweak. Start with AC power, performance mode, dedicated-GPU selection, and demanding in-game graphics settings. Then check driver updates, cooling, refresh-rate settings, and resource usage.

If FPS remains low, compare performance under consistent conditions and determine whether the CPU, GPU, RAM, VRAM, or thermal system is limiting the game. Some laptops can gain useful performance through configuration changes; others are already close to their hardware limits. The goal is a measurable improvement in frame rate and consistency without sacrificing stability or unnecessarily increasing heat.