How to Increase FPS on Laptop Windows 11: Boost Gaming Performance

Nothing is more frustrating for a gamer than low FPS (frames per second), stuttering, or lag while playing on a laptop. Even with Windows 11’s modern optimizations, you might still struggle to achieve smooth gameplay, especially on budget or mid-range laptops. The good news? With the right tweaks, you can increase FPS on a laptop running Windows 11 and enjoy a much better gaming experience.

In this detailed step-by-step guide, we’ll cover everything from optimizing Windows 11 settings to GPU driver updates and advanced performance tweaks. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to get the most frames out of your hardware.

📌 Key Takeaways

Update your GPU drivers for maximum performance.
Enable Game Mode and Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling in Windows 11.
Lower in-game graphics settings for a big FPS boost.
Optimize power settings and disable background apps.
Advanced tweaks include overclocking, undervolting, and cooling adjustments.

What is FPS and Why Does It Matter in Gaming?

FPS (frames per second) measures how many images your GPU renders per second.

30 FPS → Playable, but not smooth for fast-paced games.
60 FPS → Standard smooth gameplay.
120 FPS+ → Competitive-level responsiveness.

Higher FPS means smoother visuals, faster reactions, and less input lag — crucial for shooters, racing games, and eSports titles.

Step 1: Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated GPU drivers are the #1 cause of low FPS.

Press Win + X → Select Device Manager.
Expand Display Adapters.
Right-click your GPU → Select Update driver.
Or, download directly from:
- NVIDIA GeForce Experience
- AMD Radeon Software
- Intel Arc/HD Graphics Drivers

👉 Pro Tip: Always choose the Game Ready driver (NVIDIA) or Adrenalin edition (AMD) for optimized performance.

Step 2: Enable Game Mode in Windows 11

Windows 11 includes Game Mode, which prioritizes gaming performance.

Press Win + I → Open Settings.
Navigate to Gaming > Game Mode.
Toggle Game Mode ON.

This reduces background processes and improves stability while gaming.

Step 3: Turn On Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling

This feature lowers latency and can boost FPS on supported GPUs.

Open Settings > System > Display.
Scroll down → Select Graphics.
Under Default settings, enable Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling.
Restart your laptop.

Step 4: Optimize Power Settings

Windows 11 sometimes limits performance to save battery.

Press Win + I → Go to System > Power & battery.
Under Power mode, select Best Performance.
If on battery, keep the laptop plugged in for maximum power delivery.

Step 5: Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings

Even a powerful laptop can struggle with ultra settings. Adjust these:

Resolution → Lower slightly for big FPS gains.
Shadows & Reflections → Set to medium or low.
Anti-Aliasing → Use FXAA or TAA instead of MSAA.
V-Sync → Turn off for higher FPS (may cause screen tearing).
Texture Quality → Keep at medium if VRAM is limited.

👉 Tip: Competitive gamers often sacrifice visuals for maximum FPS.

Step 6: Disable Background Apps & Startup Programs

Background apps eat RAM and CPU cycles.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Open Task Manager.
Go to Startup apps → Disable unnecessary ones.
End background tasks like browsers, updaters, and chat apps while gaming.

Step 7: Update Windows 11

Sometimes, Microsoft releases patches that fix gaming performance issues.

Press Win + I → Open Windows Update.
Click Check for updates.
Install all pending updates.

Step 8: Optimize Storage & RAM Usage

Slow storage and memory bottlenecks can cause stutter.

Use an SSD instead of HDD for faster game loading.
Increase virtual memory (paging file size):
1. Press Win + S, type Performance Options.
2. Under Advanced > Virtual memory, set custom size (1.5x your RAM).

Step 9: Use Performance-Boosting Software

NVIDIA GeForce Experience / AMD Adrenalin → Auto-optimizes games.
MSI Afterburner → For GPU overclocking and monitoring.
Razer Cortex → Closes background processes before gaming.

Step 10: Keep Your Laptop Cool

Overheating reduces FPS because of thermal throttling.

Use a cooling pad.
Clean laptop vents and fans.
Lower room temperature if possible.

Step 11: Advanced Tweaks (Optional)

For power users:

Overclock GPU/CPU (MSI Afterburner or Intel XTU).
Undervolt CPU to reduce heat, keeping clocks higher.
Disable full-screen optimizations in game properties.

⚠️ Overclocking/undervolting carries risks — proceed carefully.

Common Problems and Fixes

❓ FPS Drops After Windows 11 Update

Reinstall GPU drivers.
Turn off unnecessary background services.

❓ Games Stutter Despite High FPS

Enable V-Sync or use G-Sync/FreeSync if supported.
Check for thermal throttling.

❓ Low FPS on Integrated Graphics (Intel/AMD)

Allocate more VRAM in BIOS (if possible).
Play on low settings and reduce resolution.

Best Practices for Long-Term Performance

Regularly update drivers and Windows.
Keep storage at least 20% free.
Defragment HDDs (skip if SSD).
Clean laptop fans every 6 months.

Conclusion

Boosting gaming performance on a laptop running Windows 11 doesn’t require expensive upgrades. By updating drivers, tweaking Windows settings, lowering in-game graphics, and keeping your laptop cool, you can increase FPS and enjoy smoother gameplay.

Remember: every laptop is different, so experiment with these settings to find the perfect balance between visuals and performance. With the right optimizations, even an entry-level laptop can feel like a gaming beast. 🎮🔥

FAQs: How to Increase FPS on Laptop Windows 11

1. Does Game Mode really increase FPS in Windows 11?
Yes, it reduces background activity, though the FPS gain is modest (5–10%).

2. Should I update Windows 11 for better gaming performance?
Yes, updates often fix bugs and optimize system performance.

3. Can overclocking a laptop GPU improve FPS?
Yes, but it increases heat and power usage — use with caution.

4. What’s the easiest way to boost FPS instantly?
Lower in-game graphics settings and enable Best Performance mode.

5. Does more RAM increase FPS?
Only if your system was running out of memory. For gaming, 16GB is ideal.