Alt Tab causes low FPS in games on PC [Fix]

For many users, the Alt-Tab keyboard shortcut has become an essential tool for navigating between applications on Windows computers. However, gamers have reported experiencing a noticeable drop in frames per second (FPS) when utilizing this shortcut during gameplay. If you find yourself facing this issue, a series of solutions can help restore your gaming experience.

Fix Alt-Tab causes low FPS in games on Windows PC

Should you encounter low FPS while using Alt-Tab on your Windows 10 or 11 system, consider the following recommendations:

Adjust your system for the best performance
Disable startup apps and the weather widget
Troubleshoot in a Clean Boot state
Perform a clean installation of the graphics card driver
Uninstall any recent Windows updates (if applicable)
Reset your PC

Each of these fixes is elaborated upon below.

1] Adjust your system to the best performance

The first step involves optimizing your system settings for peak performance. Follow these steps:

Open the Settings menu on Windows 10 or 11.
Navigate to System > About.
Click on the Advanced system settings link to open the System Properties window.
In the Advanced tab, click Settings under the Performance section.
Select Adjust for best performance.
Click Apply, then OK.

2] Disable the startup apps and the weather widget

To maximize your system’s performance, it’s advisable to close any unnecessary startup applications. Access the Task Manager to terminate background processes and close any unwanted windows. Additionally, consider disabling the Weather widget, which can be reactivated once your gaming session concludes.

3] Troubleshoot in a Clean Boot state

If the FPS issue persists, it may be due to a third-party background service. To identify the culprit, start your computer in a Clean Boot state. Launch your game and use the Alt-Tab shortcut to see if the FPS remains stable. If it does, you may need to investigate which third-party service is causing the problem.

4] Perform a clean installation of the graphics card driver

A corrupt graphics card driver could also lead to performance issues. Ensure your driver is updated to the latest version, which can typically be downloaded from your computer manufacturer’s official website. If updating doesn’t resolve the issue, consider performing a clean installation of the driver. To do this, download and install the Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) tool. Boot your system in Safe Mode and use DDU to completely remove the existing GPU driver. Afterward, install the latest driver from the manufacturer’s site.

5] Uninstall the recent Windows Update (if applicable)

If you’ve noticed a decline in performance following a recent Windows update, uninstalling that update may alleviate the problem.

6] Reset your PC

As a last resort, resetting your PC to factory default settings may be necessary. When doing so, select the option to Keep my files to ensure your personal data remains intact. Nonetheless, it’s prudent to back up important files prior to proceeding with this step.

In summary, while Alt-Tab is a convenient tool for multitasking, it can sometimes lead to performance hiccups in gaming. By following these steps, you can enhance your gaming experience and maintain optimal system performance.

Is Alt-Tabbing bad?

No, Alt-Tabbing is not detrimental. It serves as a quick method for switching between open applications on a Windows computer. While it’s possible to navigate between windows using a mouse, the keyboard shortcut offers a more efficient alternative.

Why is my Alt-Tabbing not working smoothly?

The most common reason for a lack of smoothness when Alt-Tabbing is insufficient RAM available to support the open applications. Monitoring RAM and CPU usage via the Task Manager can provide insights. Closing unnecessary background applications may help alleviate this issue.

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