Apex Legends FPS Drop Fix: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re experiencing sudden FPS drops in Apex Legends, this guide walks you through the most effective fixes, from simple in-game settings to deeper system tweaks. You’ll learn how to identify the cause, apply each fix in order, and get back to smooth, competitive gameplay.

What You’ll Need

• Access to Apex Legends settings (in-game)
• Windows 10 or 11 (steps are for these versions)
• Administrator rights on your PC (for some fixes)
• Optional: A tool like MSI Afterburner to monitor GPU/CPU usage (not required but helpful)

Step-by-Step

1. Update your graphics drivers. Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers are the #1 cause of FPS drops. Go to your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and download the latest driver for your specific card. Use the “Clean Installâ€� option if available. Restart your PC after installing.
2. Adjust in-game video settings. Launch Apex Legends, go to Settings > Video. Set the following:
   • Display Mode: Fullscreen (not Borderless)
   • V-Sync: Disabled
   • Adaptive Resolution FPS Target: 0 (off)
   • Anti-aliasing: None or TSAA (avoid MSAA)
   • Texture Streaming Budget: Set to match your GPU’s VRAM (e.g., 4GB, 6GB, 8GB)
   • Ambient Occlusion: Disabled
   • Sun Shadow Coverage / Detail: Low or Disabled
   • Spot Shadow Detail: Low or Disabled
   • Volumetric Lighting: Disabled
   • Dynamic Spot Shadows: Disabled
   • Model Detail: Medium or High (not Ultra)
   • Effects Detail: Medium
   • Impact Marks: Low
   • Ragdolls: Low
   • FOV: Adjust to your preference (higher FOV can impact performance)

   Apply changes and test in a match.

3. Disable fullscreen optimizations. Right-click the Apex Legends shortcut or the game’s .exe (in the game folder) > Properties > Compatibility tab. Check “Disable fullscreen optimizations.â€� Also click “Change high DPI settingsâ€� and check “Override high DPI scaling behaviorâ€� – set to “Application.â€� Apply and restart the game.
4. Close background programs. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. Under “Processes,â€� look for any high CPU/GPU/RAM usage (e.g., browsers, Discord, streaming software). Right-click and “End taskâ€� for anything you don’t need. Also check the “Startupâ€� tab and disable unnecessary apps that launch with Windows.
5. Set Apex Legends to High Priority. In Task Manager, while Apex is running, go to “Details� tab, right-click on “r5apex.exe� (or “Apex Legends�), select “Set priority� > “High.� This tells Windows to give the game more CPU resources. Note: This resets each time you launch the game.
6. Adjust Windows power settings. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options. Select “High Performanceâ€� (or “Ultimate Performanceâ€� if available). If you’re on a laptop, also make sure it’s plugged in and the power mode in Windows Settings (System > Power & battery) is set to “Best Performance.â€�
7. Verify game files. If you’re on Steam: Right-click Apex Legends in your library > Properties > Installed Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files. On EA app: Go to My Library > click the game > Manage > Repair. This fixes corrupted game files that can cause stutters.
8. Disable Windows Game Mode and Game Bar. Go to Windows Settings > Gaming > Game Mode – turn it OFF. Then go to Captures and turn OFF “Record in the background while I’m playing.â€� These features can interfere with performance.
9. Update Windows. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install any pending updates. Also check for optional driver updates under “View optional updates.�
10. Adjust NVIDIA/AMD control panel settings. For NVIDIA: Open NVIDIA Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings > Program Settings > add Apex Legends. Set:
    • Power Management Mode: Prefer Maximum Performance
    • Max Frame Rate: Off (or set to your monitor’s refresh rate)
    • Vertical Sync: Off
    • Low Latency Mode: Ultra (if you have a good CPU)

    For AMD: Open Radeon Software > Gaming > Apex Legends. Set “Radeon Anti-Lag� to Enabled, “Radeon Chill� to Disabled, and “Power Tuning� to Maximum.

11. Check for overheating. Download a temperature monitoring tool (like HWMonitor). Run Apex and watch your CPU/GPU temps. If they exceed 90°C, your PC may be throttling. Clean dust from fans, ensure proper airflow, and consider reapplying thermal paste if old.

Common Mistakes

• Not updating drivers after a Windows update. Windows updates can overwrite or break driver settings. Always reinstall your GPU driver after a major Windows update.
• Using “Borderlessâ€� mode. Borderless windowed mode can cause performance drops in many games. Always use Fullscreen for the best FPS.
• Setting Texture Streaming Budget too high. If your VRAM is maxed out, the game will stutter. Set it to a value that matches your GPU’s VRAM exactly.
• Ignoring background apps. Even a browser with many tabs can eat up RAM and cause stutters. Close them before gaming.
• Not restarting after changes. Some settings (like drivers) require a restart to take effect. Always restart your PC after major changes.

Tips

• Use a frame cap. If your FPS fluctuates wildly, cap it to a value your PC can consistently maintain (e.g., 60, 120, 144). This reduces stutter. In Steam, you can use the launch option +fps_max 144 (replace 144 with your cap).
• Lower your resolution. Dropping from 1440p to 1080p can give a huge FPS boost. Even a small reduction (like 100% to 90% render scale) helps.
• Disable Origin/EA overlay. In the EA app, go to Settings > In-Game Overlay and turn it off. Steam overlay can also be disabled for Apex in Steam settings.
• Keep your system clean. Regularly run disk cleanup, uninstall unused programs, and keep your PC free of malware. A cluttered system can cause background activity that hurts FPS.
• Monitor your FPS. Use the in-game FPS counter (Settings > Gameplay > Performance Display > FPS) to see if changes are helping. You can also use MSI Afterburner to track CPU/GPU usage and find bottlenecks.

Troubleshooting

If you’ve tried all the steps and FPS drops persist:

• Check for server issues. Sometimes the problem isn’t your PC. Go to a site like down detector or the Apex Legends status page to see if servers are having issues. If so, wait and try later.
• Test with a different game. If other games also have FPS drops, the issue is likely your hardware or Windows, not Apex. Run a benchmark like 3DMark or just try another demanding game.
• Check your hard drive space. Apex needs at least 20GB free. Low disk space can cause stuttering. Clear some space.
• Try a clean boot. Use msconfig to disable all non-Microsoft services and startup items, then launch Apex. If it’s smooth, a third-party service is the culprit. Re-enable services one by one to find it.
• Reinstall Apex Legends. As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall the game. This fixes any corrupted files that verification might miss.
• Overclocking instability. If you have overclocked your CPU/GPU, revert to stock settings. Unstable overclocks can cause random FPS drops and crashes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does my FPS drop only in fights? This is usually due to effects and shadows. Lower “Effects Detail,� “Dynamic Spot Shadows,� and “Sun Shadow Detail� to reduce the load during gunfights.
2. Does Apex Legends use CPU or GPU more? It’s a mix. At 1080p, it’s more CPU-bound; at higher resolutions, GPU becomes more important. If your CPU usage is near 100% while GPU is low, your CPU is the bottleneck.
3. Will disabling fullscreen optimizations really help? Yes, for many players it reduces input lag and stuttering. It’s a simple fix worth trying.
4. How do I know if my PC meets the minimum requirements? Apex’s official minimum specs are a Core i3-6300 or FX-4350, 6GB RAM, and a GT 640 or Radeon HD 7730. If you’re below these, consider upgrading.
5. Is there a launch option to improve FPS? Yes, common ones are +fps_max 144 (cap FPS), -novid (skip intro), and -high (set high priority). You can add them in Steam launch options or on the EA app.
6. Can a VPN cause FPS drops? Yes, a VPN adds latency and can reduce bandwidth, causing rubber-banding or stutters. If you use a VPN, try disabling it while playing.

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