Gaming Laptop FPS Drops Randomly, Plugged in or Not

For a lot of gamers, having a top-notch laptop means you get the best of two worlds: awesome performance and the ability to play anywhere. This setup lets you game at coffee shops, while traveling, or pretty much anywhere you fancy. But what if your gaming starts to stutter, lag, or your Frames Per Second (FPS) take a nosedive?

Even weirder, these problems can pop up out of the blue and seem to change depending on whether your laptop is plugged in or running on battery. We’re going to tackle why these sudden FPS drops happen on Windows 11 or Windows 10 laptops, and how you can fix it, whether you’re plugged in or not.

Understanding FPS and why it matters

Before we get into fixing things, let’s get why FPS—or Frames Per Second—is a big deal in gaming. FPS measures how many images your computer shows every second. Basically, it tells you how smooth your game runs.

A high FPS means your game looks and feels smoother. But if your FPS drops, your game might start stuttering, freezing, or lagging, messing up your gameplay. For games where every second counts, like shooters or racing games, having a steady, high FPS can mean the difference between winning big or getting frustrated.

Also see: GPU 100% Usage When Idle or Gaming (Good or Bad)

What causes FPS drops on laptops

A few things can mess with your laptop’s gaming performance. If you’re trying to figure out why your FPS drops randomly, keep these in mind:

1. Power settings: Laptops can lower their performance to save power, especially noticeable when you’re not plugged in.
2. Thermal throttling: Gaming laptops have powerful parts packed tightly. If it gets too hot, your laptop might slow down to cool off.
3. Background processes: Apps running in the background can eat up resources and slow down your game.
4. Graphics settings: If your game’s settings are too high for your laptop, your FPS might drop.

If you’re playing a game that doesn’t show FPS, check out: How to Show FPS in Games on Windows 11.

Now that we know the basics, let’s look at some solutions based on whether your laptop is plugged in or running on battery.

Recommended reading: Force App or Game to Use Nvidia GPU or Integrated Graphics

Fixing FPS drops on laptops when plugged in

When your laptop is plugged in, it’s supposed to run at full power. If you’re seeing FPS drops, try these steps:

1. Check your power plan settings:
   • Right-click the battery icon in the taskbar.
   • Choose “Power Options”.
   • Make sure it’s set to “High performance” to let your laptop use all its power.
2. Update your graphics drivers: Outdated drivers can cause issues.
   • Visit the website for your graphics card or laptop maker.
   • Download and install the latest drivers for your model.
3. Keep an eye on temperatures: Overheating can slow you down.
   • Use apps like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner to watch your GPU and CPU temps.
   • If it’s too hot, consider a cooling pad or cleaning out vents and fans.
4. Tweak your game settings:
   • Adjust your game’s graphics to match what your laptop can handle.
   • Try lowering things like resolution or texture quality for better FPS.
5. Close background apps:
   • Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
   • Under “Processes”, shut down apps that are hogging CPU, memory, or disk space.

Pro tip: 30+ Windows 11 Services to Disable for Gaming Performance

Fixing FPS drops on laptops when not plugged in

Gaming on battery power can be tricky, as laptops often switch to power-saving modes. Here’s how to keep things smooth:

1. Adjust power settings for battery use:
   • Access “Power Options” like before and tweak battery settings for better performance, though it might shorten battery life.
2. Check your battery’s health: A weak battery might not hold up.
   • Use tools to check battery health.
   • If it’s bad, consider getting a new battery.
3. Lower your game settings: Even strong laptops can struggle on battery.
   • Drop the graphics settings for smoother play without the charger.
4. Turn off NVIDIA’s Battery Boost (if you have an NVIDIA laptop):
   • Open NVIDIA Control Panel.
   • Head to “Manage 3D settings”.
   • Switch off “Battery Boost” to stop it from limiting your performance to save battery.

Remember, playing on battery drains it fast. Keep an eye on your battery level to avoid your laptop shutting down unexpectedly.

Useful tip: How to Allocate More RAM to a Game in Windows 11 or 10

Keeping your gaming laptop in great shape

To avoid problems in the first place, it’s a good idea to take care of your laptop. Here are some tips to keep it running well:

1. Clean it regularly:
   • Dust can build up and make your laptop hot, slowing it down. Use compressed air to clean out vents. Turn off and unplug your laptop first, and hold the fans to stop them from spinning.
   • Keep the keyboard and touchpad clean with a soft, damp cloth. This keeps your gaming space nice and tidy.
2. Stay updated:
   • Make sure your operating system and games are up to date. Updates can fix bugs and improve performance.
   • Keep your game launchers, like Steam or Epic Games Launcher, updated too.
3. Control startup programs:
   • Too many programs starting with Windows can slow your laptop. Use Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc > Startup tab) to stop unnecessary ones from starting up.
4. Keep your storage tidy:
   • If you have an HDD, defrag it regularly for faster data access. Don’t defrag SSDs though—it wears them out.
   • Check your SSD’s health with tools like CrystalDiskInfo to avoid slowdowns from a failing SSD.
5. Think about external cooling:
   • External cooling pads can help keep your laptop cool during heavy gaming sessions.
6. Join forums and communities:
   • Places like Reddit or specific laptop brand forums are great for tips, tricks, and help with common issues.

See also: How to Fix Game Stuttering on Windows 11

Customizing settings for each game

Each game has its own needs. Adjusting settings for each one can boost performance:

1. Game settings:
   • Lower resolutions need less power. If FPS is low, try dropping the game’s resolution.
   • Start with a lower graphics preset and tweak from there to find the right balance between looks and performance.
   • V-Sync can smooth things out but might lower FPS. See if turning it off helps.
2. Graphics control panels:
   • For NVIDIA GPUs, right-click the desktop to open NVIDIA Control Panel, then adjust settings, especially the Manage 3D settings section, for each game.
   • AMD users, right-click the desktop and choose AMD Radeon Settings to adjust game-specific settings.
3. Turning on or off G-Sync or FreeSync can help with screen tearing but might affect FPS. Check if your setup supports these features and adjust accordingly.
4. Third-party software like NVIDIA GeForce Experience can suggest settings based on your hardware.
5. Community mods and patches can improve older or poorly optimized games. Make sure to download from trusted sources.
6. Keep an eye on game updates for performance improvements.

Linked issue: Game Lag When Watching YouTube or Twitch on Chrome

Upgrading hardware for better FPS

If you’ve tried everything and your laptop still struggles, consider these upgrades:

1. More RAM can help with multitasking and demanding games. Check compatibility first.
2. Switching to an SSD from an HDD can greatly improve load times and system responsiveness.
3. An external GPU (eGPU) can give your laptop a significant graphics boost, letting you play more demanding games at higher settings.

Just remember, not every laptop is upgradable in these ways. It’s important to check your laptop’s specs and possibly consult with the manufacturer before buying any new hardware.

Related problem: Game Stuttering and Lag on Dual Monitor (Fix)

Game ping (latency) and FPS

While many gamers focus on FPS for smooth gameplay, your network connection can also affect your gaming experience, especially in online games.

1. Latency vs. FPS:
   • Latency (or Ping) is about the delay in communication between your computer and the game server. High latency can make games feel laggy or unresponsive.
   • Unlike FPS, which deals with how smoothly graphics are rendered, latency is all about the speed of data transmission.
2. Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet:
   • Wi-Fi might be more convenient but it’s often less stable and slower than a wired Ethernet connection.
   • For a more reliable and faster connection, especially in competitive gaming, consider using an Ethernet cable.
3. Checking network health:
   • Tools like Speedtest.net can help you check your internet speed and latency. If you’re not getting what you’re paying for, it could be time to talk to your ISP.
   • Don’t forget to restart your router/modem occasionally and keep its firmware updated for the best performance.
4. Game servers:
   • Sometimes, the issue isn’t your connection but the game’s server. Look for server status updates on game forums or social media if you’re having trouble.
   • 
5. Optimize for gaming:
   • Modern routers often come with Quality of Service (QoS) settings to prioritize gaming traffic. Check if you can adjust this to improve your online gaming experience.
   • Minimize other internet usage during gaming to ensure the best performance, like pausing large downloads or streaming.

Related resources: How to Check Game Ping with Task Manager in Windows 11/10

Tweaking in-game network settings

Some online games let you adjust network settings for a smoother experience:

1. Server selection: Choosing a server closer to your location can greatly reduce latency.
2. Limit FPS: Some competitive games let you cap FPS to match server tick rates for more consistent play.
3. Adjust bandwidth: Lowering how much bandwidth a game uses can smooth things out, especially if your network is shared.

Some ending thoughts

Gaming should be about getting into other worlds, but stutters, lags, and FPS drops can quickly snap you back to reality, especially on a gaming laptop. Thankfully, with a little know-how and some adjustments, you can tackle these issues head-on. From tweaking your laptop settings to getting to know the ins and outs of the games you play, every little adjustment can contribute to achieving the smooth, immersive gameplay experience you’re after. And remember, it’s not always about splurging on the fanciest gear; sometimes, it’s just about making sure everything you have works well together.