How to Fix CS:GO FPS Drops When Shooting on Windows 11 – Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Experiencing FPS drops in CS:GO when shooting can be frustrating, especially if you rely on smooth gameplay to perform well. These sudden dips in frame rate often affect your accuracy and overall experience. Fortunately, many common issues causing this problem can be fixed with simple steps on Windows 11.

This guide walks you through easy-to-follow troubleshooting methods to improve your FPS stability while shooting in CS:GO. No need to be a tech expert, as each step is explained clearly and logically. By the end, you should have a better understanding of what causes FPS drops and how to solve them.

Before diving deep into technical fixes, it’s important to check some basics first. These quick checks can often solve the problem immediately or help you avoid unnecessary troubleshooting.

Let’s get started and make your CS:GO gameplay smoother and more enjoyable.

Quick Note: Basic Checks Before Troubleshooting

Update Windows 11: Make sure your system is fully updated. Windows updates often include important performance fixes.
Update Graphics Drivers: Outdated drivers can cause FPS issues. Visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers.
Close Background Applications: Programs running in the background can use CPU, RAM, or disk resources, lowering game performance.
Check Power Settings: Ensure your PC is set to “High Performance” mode in Windows Power Options to avoid throttling.

Step 1: Adjust CS:GO Video Settings for Better Performance

CS:GO is highly dependent on your graphics settings. If settings are too high, your system may struggle when many particles or gunshots occur. Adjusting these can reduce FPS drops.

Lower Resolution: Try reducing your game resolution (e.g., from 1920×1080 to 1280×720). This reduces the load on your GPU.
Set Graphics to Low: Set all video settings like texture quality, shadows, and effects to low or disabled.
Disable Multisampling Anti-Aliasing (MSAA): This can save GPU resources.
Turn off V-Sync: While V-Sync can reduce screen tearing, it may introduce input lag and affect FPS.

These adjustments help your system focus on maintaining a steady FPS, especially during action-packed moments like shooting.

Step 2: Optimize Windows 11 for Gaming

Windows 11 has built-in features that can impact gaming performance. Tweaking these can help reduce FPS drops when shooting.

Enable Game Mode: Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and turn it on. This prioritizes resources for your game.
Disable Fullscreen Optimizations: Find the CS:GO executable file (csgo.exe), right-click > Properties > Compatibility tab, and check “Disable fullscreen optimizations.” This can improve frame stability.
Disable Background Apps: In Settings > Privacy > Background Apps, turn off unnecessary background processes that may consume resources.
Adjust Graphics Performance Preference: In Settings > System > Display > Graphics, add CS:GO and set it to “High Performance” to ensure GPU priority.

Step 3: Manage CPU and RAM Usage

Sometimes FPS drops happen because your CPU or RAM are overloaded, especially during intense moments like shooting. Managing these can help.

Check Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and look for high CPU or RAM usage. Close any unnecessary apps.
Disable Startup Programs: In Task Manager, go to the Startup tab and disable programs you don’t need launching with Windows.
Increase Virtual Memory: Go to System Properties > Advanced > Performance Settings > Advanced tab > Virtual Memory. Increase the paging file size to help if you have low RAM.
Consider Upgrading Hardware: If your CPU or RAM is consistently maxed out, upgrading may be necessary for smoother gameplay.

Step 4: Check In-Game Network and Latency

Although FPS drops are mostly related to hardware and software, sometimes network issues can feel like FPS problems.

Use a Wired Connection: Wi-Fi can introduce lag spikes. A wired Ethernet connection is more stable.
Check Ping and Packet Loss: Use the in-game console command net_graph 1 to monitor your network stats.
Close Bandwidth-Heavy Apps: Stop downloads, streaming, or other heavy network usage during gameplay.

Step 5: Advanced Fixes and Alternative Methods

If the previous steps didn’t help, try these more advanced options.

Set CPU Priority to High: While running CS:GO, open Task Manager, right-click the csgo.exe process, and set priority to “High.” This allocates more CPU resources to the game.
Disable Windows Game Bar and DVR: These features can cause performance issues. Go to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and turn it off. Also, disable Game DVR under Settings > Gaming > Captures.
Verify Game Files: In Steam, right-click CS:GO > Properties > Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files. Corrupted files can cause performance problems.
Use Launch Options: In Steam, right-click CS:GO > Properties > Set Launch Options. Add commands like -novid -high -threads X (replace X with your CPU core count) to optimize startup.

FAQs

Why does my FPS drop only when I shoot in CS:GO?

Shooting causes multiple effects like muzzle flash, smoke, and recoil animations, which increases GPU and CPU load. If your system is struggling, FPS drops are more noticeable during these moments.

Is my PC hardware causing the FPS drops?

Possibly. Older or lower-end CPUs, GPUs, and insufficient RAM can lead to FPS dips during intensive gameplay. Check your system specs against CS:GO’s recommended requirements.

Can background programs really affect FPS?

Yes, background apps use system resources that could otherwise help your game run smoothly. Closing unnecessary apps frees up CPU, RAM, and disk usage.

Does Windows 11 affect CS:GO performance?

Windows 11 is optimized for gaming, but some settings may need adjustment. Features like Game Mode help, but others like fullscreen optimizations or background apps can cause issues if not managed.

Will updating graphics drivers fix FPS drops?

Often yes. Updated drivers include performance optimizations and bug fixes that improve game stability and FPS.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and still experience FPS drops when shooting, it may be time to look at other options:

Reinstall CS:GO to ensure a clean installation.
Check for overheating issues by monitoring your CPU and GPU temperatures. Overheating can reduce performance.
Consult official CS:GO forums or Steam support for game-specific issues.
Visit Microsoft support for Windows 11 performance troubleshooting.
Consider clean installing Windows 11 if system issues persist.

Conclusion

FPS drops in CS:GO when shooting can be caused by many factors, from in-game settings to background applications and hardware limitations. Starting with basic updates and settings adjustments often resolves the issue for most players. Optimizing Windows 11 and managing system resources further enhances performance. For persistent problems, advanced tweaks and official support channels are your best bet. Following this guide step-by-step will help you enjoy smoother and more responsive gameplay in CS:GO.