Frame Drops and Stutter After 24H2: A Gamer’s Fix List

29 Jul 2026

You install a Windows 11 update, restart the computer and launch a game that ran perfectly the day before. The average frame rate still looks respectable, but movement no longer feels smooth.

You may notice:

Sudden frame-time spikes
Brief freezes when turning the camera
Lower minimum frame rates
Stuttering despite the FPS counter remaining high
Delayed mouse or controller input
Poor performance after waking the PC from sleep
Problems that only affect windowed or borderless games

Reports of gaming regressions following Windows 11 24H2 have continued across different combinations of processors, graphics cards, displays and drivers. Microsoft and hardware manufacturers have issued numerous performance and compatibility fixes, but some systems can still experience game-specific or hardware-specific problems after later cumulative and driver updates.

That does not necessarily mean Windows 11 24H2 is fundamentally broken on every gaming PC. It means there is rarely one universal fix.

The best approach is to work through the likely causes in a controlled order.

First, Confirm That You Actually Have a Frame-Time Problem

Average FPS does not tell the entire story.

A game running at an average of 100 FPS can still feel unpleasant when individual frames take significantly longer to render. These irregular delivery times are often described as poor frame pacing or frame-time spikes.

Signs include:

The game feels like 30 FPS despite reporting 60 FPS
Camera movement looks uneven
Stutter occurs when entering new areas
Performance drops when assets or shaders load
The problem appears every few seconds
The 1% low frame rate is much worse than the average

Before changing anything, record a short test in the same game, location and graphics settings. Note the average FPS, 1% lows, GPU usage, CPU usage, temperatures and frame-time graph where possible.

Having a repeatable test prevents you from mistaking normal variation for an improvement.

1. Install the Latest Windows 11 Updates

Start by checking whether the problem has already been addressed.

Open:

Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates

Install the latest cumulative update, restart the computer and check again.

Also look under:

Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates

Microsoft has continued releasing performance and reliability changes for Windows 11 24H2, including work intended to reduce stuttering in certain high-resolution display scenarios.

Do not assume that the original 24H2 installation is the final version of 24H2. Monthly cumulative updates can substantially change the build and include fixes published after the feature update first arrived.

2. Restart the PC Properly

Choose:

Start > Power > Restart

Do not simply shut the laptop lid or leave the computer using Fast Startup.

A proper restart reloads:

Graphics drivers
Audio drivers
Windows gaming services
Display management
Power profiles
Anti-cheat components
Hardware monitoring services

If performance is initially smooth but worsens after sleep or hibernation, compare a cold boot with a resumed session. That can help identify a driver or power-state problem.

3. Update the Graphics Driver

Graphics-driver issues are among the most likely causes of new stutter following a Windows update.

Download the appropriate driver directly from:

NVIDIA
AMD
Intel
The laptop or PC manufacturer

Laptop owners should check the manufacturer’s support page as well as the graphics-chip provider. Some gaming laptops require customised drivers to handle switchable graphics, power limits and display routing correctly.

Release notes matter. AMD, for example, continues to document game-specific stuttering fixes and known performance issues in individual driver releases, demonstrating that not every stutter problem is caused by Windows itself.

Restart after installing the driver, even if the installer does not insist on it.

4. Roll Back the Graphics Driver

If the stutter began immediately after installing a graphics driver, the newest release may not be the best one for your combination of hardware and games.

To roll back through Windows:

Right-click Start.
Open Device Manager.
Expand Display adapters.
Double-click your graphics card.
Open the Driver tab.
Select Roll Back Driver, if available.
Restart the computer.

Alternatively, install a previous stable driver from the GPU manufacturer.

Test one known-good version rather than repeatedly jumping between multiple releases.

5. Perform a Clean Graphics-Driver Installation

Updating over an existing driver can leave old profiles, shader data and software components behind.

Both NVIDIA and AMD installers provide clean-install or factory-reset options on supported configurations. Use the official installer and select the clean-install option where available.

Before doing so:

Save custom graphics profiles
Note any colour or scaling settings
Close overclocking software
Disconnect unnecessary monitors
Download the replacement driver first

Third-party driver-removal utilities can be useful in difficult cases, but they should not be the automatic first step. Incorrect use can remove components needed by laptops, docks or hybrid-graphics systems.

6. Allow Shader Compilation to Finish

After a major Windows update, graphics-driver change or game update, shader caches may be rebuilt.

This can cause temporary stuttering when:

Launching a game for the first time
Entering a new map
Seeing a new effect
Moving through an unfamiliar area
Changing graphics APIs
Updating the graphics driver

Some games compile shaders before reaching the menu. Others compile them during play.

If stutter gradually improves after repeated sessions, shader compilation is a likely cause.

Avoid clearing shader caches repeatedly unless you are troubleshooting suspected cache corruption. Constantly deleting them can force the game to repeat the compilation work and recreate the stutter.

7. Check Whether the Game Is Using the Correct GPU

This is particularly important on laptops with integrated and dedicated graphics.

Go to:

Settings > System > Display > Graphics

Select or add the affected game, open Options, and choose:

High performance

You should also check the graphics manufacturer’s control panel.

A Windows or driver update may change application preferences, causing the game to launch on the integrated graphics processor.

In Task Manager, add the GPU engine column to confirm which GPU the game is actually using.

8. Test Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling

Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling can improve latency or performance on some systems, but it may produce poorer results with certain drivers, games or capture tools.

Go to:

Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings

Locate Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling.

Test the opposite of its current state:

If it is on, turn it off.
If it is off, turn it on.

Restart the computer after changing it and repeat the same game test.

There is no single correct setting for every machine.

9. Test Optimisations for Windowed Games

Windows 11 includes Optimisations for windowed games for compatible DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 titles running in windowed or borderless modes. Microsoft says the feature can improve performance and reduce frame latency in supported games.

Go to:

Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings

Toggle Optimisations for windowed games and restart the affected game.

You can also change the setting for an individual application through its graphics preferences.

This is particularly worth testing when:

Fullscreen works but borderless stutters
Alt-tabbing triggers the problem
The game uses DirectX 11
Stutter appears only with overlays
Multiple monitors are connected

10. Compare Fullscreen, Borderless and Windowed Modes

Run the same section of the game in:

Exclusive fullscreen, where available
Borderless windowed
Standard windowed mode

If only one mode stutters, the issue may involve:

Desktop composition
Variable refresh rate
Windowed-game optimisation
Overlays
Capture software
Monitor refresh-rate handling
Multi-monitor presentation

Keep the resolution and graphics settings unchanged during the comparison.

11. Check Your Monitor Refresh Rate

A Windows update or graphics-driver installation may reset the display to 60 Hz.

Go to:

Settings > System > Display > Advanced display

Select the gaming monitor and confirm that the correct refresh rate is selected, such as:

120 Hz
144 Hz
165 Hz
240 Hz
360 Hz

Also check the GPU control panel. Some resolutions expose different refresh-rate options depending on the selected colour depth or connection.

A game rendered at high FPS on a monitor accidentally running at 60 Hz can feel far less smooth than expected.

12. Test Variable Refresh Rate, G-SYNC or FreeSync

Variable Refresh Rate can provide smoother gameplay by matching the monitor’s refresh cycle to the GPU’s output.

However, incorrect configuration can also cause:

Flicker
Judder
Frame-time irregularities
Problems near the lower refresh-rate limit
Poor behaviour in windowed applications
Stutter when frame generation is enabled

Temporarily test with G-SYNC, FreeSync or Adaptive Sync disabled.

If the problem disappears, re-enable it and review:

Whether it applies to fullscreen only or windowed applications
The monitor’s supported refresh range
Frame-rate caps
Vertical synchronisation settings
Cable and port compatibility
Multi-monitor refresh-rate differences

Avoid changing several settings simultaneously, or you will not know which one made the difference.

13. Apply a Sensible Frame-Rate Cap

Allowing a game to run at the absolute limit of the GPU can create inconsistent frame times and additional input latency.

Try setting a frame-rate cap slightly below the monitor’s maximum refresh rate.

For example, on a 144 Hz display, test a cap around 140 or 141 FPS.

A frame cap can be applied through:

The game’s own settings
NVIDIA Control Panel
AMD Software
Intel Graphics Software
A trusted frame-limiting utility

An in-game limiter is usually the simplest starting point.

14. Test V-Sync Properly

V-Sync can prevent tearing, but the wrong combination of V-Sync, frame caps and variable refresh rate may produce stutter.

Test these configurations individually:

In-game V-Sync off
In-game V-Sync on
Driver-level V-Sync
Variable refresh rate with an FPS cap
Variable refresh rate temporarily disabled

Do not enable conflicting V-Sync controls in several places without understanding which one takes priority.

15. Disable Overlays and Recording Features

Overlays hook into the game’s rendering process. After a Windows, game or driver update, an overlay that previously worked correctly may begin causing frame-time spikes.

Temporarily disable:

Xbox Game Bar
Background recording
NVIDIA overlay
AMD overlay
Steam overlay
Discord overlay
Hardware-monitoring overlays
RGB and peripheral overlays
Third-party capture software

To check Windows capture settings, open:

Settings > Gaming > Captures

Turn off background recording while testing.

If performance improves, re-enable overlays one at a time until the culprit is identified.

16. Disable Unnecessary Startup and Monitoring Software

Gaming PCs often run many background utilities, including:

Motherboard control software
RGB applications
Fan-control utilities
Peripheral suites
Overclocking tools
Audio enhancement software
Update assistants
Cloud-sync clients
Hardware monitoring
Launcher updaters

Open Task Manager > Startup apps and temporarily disable non-essential entries.

Do not disable security software or unfamiliar system components simply because their names are unclear.

Monitoring tools can themselves cause stutter when they poll sensors too frequently. Temporarily close them and retest.

17. Check Windows Game Mode

Open:

Settings > Gaming > Game Mode

Game Mode is generally intended to prioritise gaming workloads and reduce background interference.

Test with it enabled first. If the problem persists, temporarily disable it and compare results.

Again, the important point is controlled comparison. Different systems and older games can react differently.

18. Check the Windows Power Mode

Go to:

Settings > System > Power & battery

Choose Best performance while testing on a desktop or a laptop connected to power.

You should also review the manufacturer’s performance utility. Gaming laptops may offer modes such as:

Silent
Balanced
Performance
Turbo

A Windows or firmware update can reset these profiles.

A laptop in silent or battery-saving mode may limit CPU and GPU power severely enough to create frame drops.

19. Check Temperatures and Clock Speeds

Not every performance drop after an update is caused directly by the update.

Monitor:

CPU temperature
GPU temperature
GPU hotspot temperature
CPU clock speed
GPU clock speed
GPU power consumption
Fan speed
CPU and GPU utilisation

If clock speeds fall as temperatures rise, the machine may be throttling.

Possible causes include:

Dust-blocked vents
Failed fans
Incorrect fan profiles
Dry thermal compound
Poor laptop ventilation
Power limits being reset
Firmware changes
Overclock instability

Use monitoring software from a trusted source and avoid running several sensor applications at the same time.

20. Remove CPU and GPU Overclocks Temporarily

An overclock that was stable under one Windows or driver version may become unstable after scheduling, power-management or driver changes.

Return the following to default values:

CPU multiplier
GPU core clock
GPU memory clock
CPU undervolt
GPU undervolt
Memory overclock
PBO or automatic boosting settings

This includes factory-overclock profiles and one-click tuning modes.

If performance becomes stable at default settings, reintroduce changes gradually.

21. Check Memory Stability

Unstable RAM can appear as:

Random game stutter
Application crashes
Shader-compilation failures
Driver resets
Texture corruption
Inconsistent performance

Temporarily disable XMP or EXPO in the BIOS and test the system at standard memory settings.

If that resolves the problem, the memory profile, motherboard BIOS or CPU memory controller may need adjustment.

Do not assume that a system is fully stable simply because it can start Windows.

22. Install the Latest Chipset Driver

Chipset drivers affect:

CPU power management
Core scheduling
PCI Express communication
USB controllers
Storage
Platform security
Processor performance features

Download the current chipset package from AMD, Intel or the computer manufacturer.

AMD has explicitly added Windows 11 24H2 support across multiple chipset components, including power-management and 3D V-Cache-related drivers.

Restart after installation.

23. Update the BIOS Carefully

Motherboard and laptop manufacturers may issue BIOS updates containing:

Processor microcode
Memory compatibility improvements
Power-management fixes
Resizable BAR changes
Security updates
Scheduling improvements
Stability fixes

Check the manufacturer’s release notes before updating.

Record your existing settings, because BIOS updates can reset:

XMP or EXPO
Resizable BAR
Fan curves
Virtualisation
Boot order
Secure Boot
Integrated graphics
Power limits

Do not interrupt a BIOS update once it has started.

24. Confirm Resizable BAR Is Still Enabled

Resizable BAR allows the processor to access larger portions of graphics memory and can improve performance in supported games.

Check its status in the NVIDIA, AMD or Intel graphics software.

A BIOS update or reset may disable the required settings, typically including:

Above 4G Decoding
Resizable BAR
UEFI boot mode

Do not enable unfamiliar BIOS settings without checking motherboard guidance.

25. Check Storage Performance and Free Space

Modern games constantly stream textures, shaders and other assets.

Stutter can occur when:

The game is installed on a failing drive
The SSD is nearly full
A hard drive is being used for a demanding modern title
Windows Update is still working in the background
Antivirus is scanning large game files
Another application is saturating the drive
The page file is being used heavily

Open Task Manager > Performance and watch disk activity while the stutter occurs.

Keep adequate free space on the Windows and game drives. Also check the SSD manufacturer’s health utility where available.

26. Check for Background Windows Activity

After a large Windows update, the operating system may continue working on:

Search indexing
Defender scanning
Component cleanup
App updates
OneDrive synchronisation
Store updates
Driver installation
Telemetry and diagnostics

Open Task Manager and sort by:

CPU
Disk
Memory
GPU

If a Windows process is using significant resources, allow it to finish before judging gaming performance.

27. Repair the Game Files

A Windows or driver update may coincide with a game patch or corrupted local files.

Use the game launcher’s repair or verification feature.

Common options include:

Verify integrity of game files
Scan and repair
Verify installation
Repair game

Also reset the game’s shader cache or configuration only when you have backed up any important custom settings.

28. Reset the Game’s Graphics Configuration

Old configuration files can preserve settings that no longer behave correctly after a driver or game update.

Back up the game’s configuration folder and allow it to create a fresh one.

This can resolve:

Incorrect resolution
Broken upscaling settings
Invalid graphics API selection
Outdated frame-generation configuration
Corrupted shader options
Conflicting display modes

Reapply settings gradually rather than copying the entire old file back.

29. Switch Graphics APIs

Where the game supports more than one graphics API, compare:

DirectX 11
DirectX 12
Vulkan

One API may perform better on a particular driver and hardware combination.

DirectX 12 games can also stutter while building shaders or pipeline caches. DirectX 11 may provide smoother delivery in some titles, even when its average FPS is slightly lower.

Use the game’s official settings or launch options, and change only one variable at a time.

30. Test Upscaling and Frame Generation

Temporarily disable:

DLSS
FSR
XeSS
Frame Generation
Multi Frame Generation
Dynamic resolution

Then test at a fixed native or lower resolution.

If the stutter disappears, re-enable the features individually.

Frame generation can make the displayed FPS counter look high while the underlying frame rate and input response remain poor. It also relies on stable base performance and correctly configured synchronisation.

31. Disconnect Additional Monitors

Multi-monitor setups can introduce complications when the displays use different:

Refresh rates
Resolutions
HDR modes
Scaling levels
Colour depths
Variable-refresh technologies

Temporarily disconnect secondary displays and test with only the gaming monitor attached.

Microsoft has addressed scenarios in which applications querying a monitor’s supported modes could produce momentary stutter on very high-resolution displays, so monitor configuration is a legitimate area to investigate.

Also test without USB display adapters or docking stations.

32. Test HDR and Auto HDR

Temporarily disable HDR under:

Settings > System > Display > HDR

Also disable Auto HDR while testing older games.

If the problem stops, check:

GPU-driver colour settings
Monitor firmware
Windows HDR calibration
Fullscreen versus borderless mode
Multiple-monitor HDR combinations

Re-enable HDR once you have isolated the cause.

33. Check USB Devices and High-Polling-Rate Peripherals

Gaming mice can operate at polling rates of 1,000 Hz, 4,000 Hz or even 8,000 Hz.

High polling rates increase how often the system processes mouse input. On some combinations of games and hardware, this can increase CPU load or contribute to stutter.

Temporarily reduce the mouse polling rate to 1,000 Hz or 500 Hz.

Also disconnect unnecessary:

USB hubs
Capture devices
Controllers
Webcams
Audio interfaces
RGB controllers

Microsoft has previously made Windows performance improvements specifically related to high-report-rate gaming mice, showing that peripheral input can affect gaming smoothness.

34. Check Audio Drivers and Enhancement Software

Audio processing can sometimes create system-wide latency or stutter.

Potential components include:

Nahimic
Sonic Studio
Dolby software
DTS software
USB headset suites
Virtual surround sound
Audio interfaces
Broadcast noise-removal tools

Update the audio and chipset drivers, then temporarily disable enhancement software.

If the stutter occurs alongside audio crackling or popping, driver latency becomes a stronger suspect.

35. Review Antivirus and Anti-Cheat Software

Real-time scanning and anti-cheat services can interact with game files, memory and drivers.

Make sure:

The game and anti-cheat are fully updated
Windows Security definitions are current
No second antivirus product is conflicting
The game is installed in a trusted location
The launcher has completed all repairs

Do not disable security software permanently.

For testing, use the security product’s documented troubleshooting process or contact support.

36. Run Windows System Repairs

Open Terminal as Administrator and run:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

After that completes, run:

sfc /scannow

Restart the PC when both scans have finished.

These tools can repair damaged Windows components and protected system files, although they will not solve game-specific performance problems.

37. Test a Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with a reduced set of third-party services and startup applications.

This can help identify conflicts involving:

RGB software
Audio enhancements
Overclocking utilities
Peripheral applications
Monitoring tools
VPN clients
Capture software
Manufacturer utilities

Do not disable Microsoft services.

If the game runs correctly during a clean boot, restore third-party services in groups until the conflict returns.

38. Uninstall the Most Recent Windows Update Only as a Test

If the problem began immediately after a particular cumulative update and all other likely causes have been ruled out, you may be able to uninstall it temporarily.

Go to:

Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates

Before proceeding:

Create a backup
Record the update’s KB number
Check whether it contains important security fixes
Confirm that the issue began after that exact installation
Pause updates only briefly while testing

Removing security updates permanently is not a safe long-term fix.

Microsoft may also use safeguard holds to prevent incompatible hardware or software from receiving a feature update until an issue is resolved. Do not force an upgrade onto a device that Microsoft or the manufacturer has blocked.

39. Use System Restore Where Available

If System Restore was enabled before the problem began, you may be able to return Windows settings and drivers to an earlier state.

Search for:

Create a restore point

Open System Restore, choose a point created before the stutter began and review the affected programs.

System Restore is not a replacement for a proper backup, and it may remove applications or drivers installed after the chosen point.

40. Consider a Repair Installation Before Resetting the PC

If several games are affected and Windows itself appears unstable, an in-place repair installation may be appropriate.

This reinstalls Windows components while normally retaining applications and personal files.

Back up important data first and make sure you have:

Your BitLocker recovery key
Account credentials
Application licences
Current drivers
Adequate free storage

A full reset or clean installation should normally be a last resort, not the first troubleshooting step.

A Gamer’s Recommended Fix Order

For the fastest diagnosis, work through the fixes in this order:

Install the latest Windows cumulative update.
Restart the PC properly.
Update or roll back the graphics driver.
Allow shader compilation to complete.
Confirm that the game is using the dedicated GPU.
Check the monitor refresh rate.
Compare fullscreen and borderless modes.
Test Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling.
Test windowed-game optimisations.
Disable overlays and background recording.
Apply a sensible FPS cap.
Test G-SYNC, FreeSync and V-Sync settings.
Check temperatures, clock speeds and power modes.
Remove overclocks and undervolts temporarily.
Install chipset and BIOS updates.
Check storage and background activity.
Repair the game and reset its configuration.
Test a different graphics API.
Disconnect secondary monitors and USB accessories.
Perform a clean boot.
Test uninstalling the latest update only when the timing clearly matches.
Consider a Windows repair installation as a last resort.

Avoid the “Change Everything at Once” Trap

The biggest troubleshooting mistake is changing ten settings, restarting the computer and discovering that performance has improved without knowing why.

Instead:

Choose a repeatable test area.
Record the existing result.
Change one setting.
Restart where required.
Repeat the test.
Keep or reverse the change.
Move to the next step.

This takes slightly longer at first but produces a reliable result.

It also makes it easier to explain the issue to technical support.

How Hamilton Group Can Help

Gaming performance problems are not always caused by the graphics card.

A post-update stutter can involve Windows, firmware, chipset drivers, display settings, storage, thermals, memory stability or background software. Replacing hardware without identifying the cause can be expensive and may not solve anything.

Hamilton Group can help diagnose:

Windows 11 24H2 performance problems
Graphics and chipset-driver conflicts
CPU and GPU thermal throttling
Storage bottlenecks
BIOS and firmware issues
RAM instability
Display and refresh-rate configuration
Background software conflicts
Laptop power and docking problems
Hardware faults and upgrade requirements

We can test the complete system, identify the cause and recommend a practical solution rather than relying on random online tweaks.

Get Your Gaming PC Running Smoothly Again

If your games started dropping frames or stuttering after Windows 11 24H2, do not immediately reinstall Windows or replace your graphics card.

Work through the likely causes in order, keep your tests consistent and pay attention to frame times rather than average FPS alone.

For expert help diagnosing Windows performance, driver or hardware issues, call Hamilton Group on 0330 043 0069 or book a call with one of our experts today.

Previous Next