How to Fix ARK Survival Evolved FPS Drops on Windows 11: Effective Solutions That Work

Experiencing FPS drops in ARK Survival Evolved on Windows 11 can be frustrating, especially when you want smooth gameplay. These drops often cause lag and disrupt your overall gaming experience. Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can take to improve performance.

This guide will walk you through effective solutions to fix FPS drops in ARK Survival Evolved on your Windows 11 PC. Each step is explained in detail, so even beginners can follow along easily.

By following these instructions, you can enjoy a more stable and enjoyable gaming session. Let’s get started with some quick checks before diving into the fixes.

Improving FPS involves both software settings and hardware optimization, so make sure to try the steps in order.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

Check System Requirements: Ensure your PC meets the minimum or recommended specs for ARK Survival Evolved. Low specs can cause FPS drops no matter what you do.
Update Windows 11: Keeping your operating system updated fixes bugs and improves compatibility with games.
Close Background Applications: Other programs running in the background can consume resources and lower FPS.
Update Graphics Drivers: The latest drivers optimize your GPU for new games and fix performance issues.

Step 1: Adjust In-Game Settings

Start by lowering graphics settings inside ARK Survival Evolved. This reduces the load on your hardware.

Launch the game and go to Options > Graphics Settings.
Set Resolution to your monitor’s native resolution or lower if needed.
Reduce Texture Quality, Shadow Quality, and View Distance to medium or low.
Turn off or lower settings like Anti-Aliasing and Motion Blur.
Disable V-Sync if enabled, as it can sometimes cause stuttering.

Lowering these settings decreases the amount of work your PC has to do, which helps increase FPS and reduce lag.

Step 2: Optimize Windows 11 for Gaming

Windows 11 includes settings that can improve gaming performance. Here are some simple tweaks:

Enable Game Mode: Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and turn it on. This prioritizes gaming resources.
Disable Background Apps: Open Settings > Privacy > Background apps and turn off apps you don’t need running.
Adjust Power Settings: Choose Settings > System > Power & battery > Power mode, then select Best performance.

These settings allow your PC to dedicate more power and resources to running ARK smoothly.

Step 3: Update and Optimize Graphics Drivers

Graphics card drivers are essential for the best gaming performance. Here’s how to update them:

Identify your GPU model: Press Win + R, type dxdiag, and check under the Display tab.
Visit the GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
Download and install the latest driver specifically for your GPU and Windows 11.
Restart your computer after installation.

Updated drivers fix bugs, improve compatibility, and often enhance FPS in newer games.

Step 4: Manage Startup Programs and Services

Too many programs running at startup can slow down your PC and affect gaming performance.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Go to the Startup tab.
Disable any unnecessary programs by right-clicking and selecting Disable.

This frees up CPU and memory resources for ARK Survival Evolved.

Step 5: Adjust Virtual Memory (Paging File)

Virtual memory acts as extra RAM when your system runs low. Increasing it can help improve game performance.

Right-click This PC and select Properties.
Click Advanced system settings > Settings under Performance.
Go to the Advanced tab and click Change under Virtual memory.
Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size.
Select your system drive (usually C:), choose Custom size, and set Initial size and Maximum size to values recommended by Windows or slightly higher.
Click Set, then OK, and restart your PC.

This adjustment helps your PC better manage memory resources during gameplay.

Step 6: Verify Integrity of Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files can cause performance problems. Use Steam’s built-in tool to fix this:

Open Steam and go to your Library.
Right-click on ARK Survival Evolved and select Properties.
Go to the Local Files tab and click Verify integrity of game files.
Wait for the process to complete and relaunch the game.

This ensures all game files are intact and correctly installed.

Step 7: Consider Advanced Options (Optional)

If basic fixes don’t fully resolve FPS drops, you can try these advanced methods:

Use NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings: Force ARK to use your dedicated GPU and optimize 3D settings.
Disable Fullscreen Optimizations: Right-click the ARK executable, select Properties, go to Compatibility, and check Disable fullscreen optimizations.
Lower Windows Visual Effects: Search for Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows, choose Adjust for best performance, then customize if needed.

These tweaks can squeeze out extra performance but require careful adjustment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does ARK Survival Evolved keep dropping FPS randomly?

Random FPS drops often occur due to background processes, outdated drivers, or overheating hardware. Following the steps above usually resolves these issues.

Is it better to play ARK in fullscreen or windowed mode?

Fullscreen mode typically provides better performance because it allows the game to use system resources more efficiently. However, some users find borderless windowed mode more stable.

Can upgrading hardware fix FPS drops?

Yes, upgrading components like your GPU, RAM, or CPU can significantly improve FPS, especially if your current hardware is below the game’s recommended specs.

Does Windows 11 affect gaming performance compared to Windows 10?

Windows 11 includes optimizations for gaming, but performance depends on your hardware and drivers. Keeping everything updated is crucial to avoid issues.

How often should I update my graphics drivers?

It’s good practice to check for updates every month or after major game releases to ensure optimal performance and compatibility.

When Nothing Works

If you’ve tried all the above steps and still face FPS drops, consider the following:

Reinstall the Game: Sometimes a fresh install fixes deep file corruption.
Check for Overheating: Use monitoring software to ensure your CPU and GPU temperatures are within safe limits.
Contact Official Support: Visit the ARK Survival Evolved official forums or Steam support for help.
Consider System Restore: If problems started recently, restoring your system to a previous state might help.

Conclusion

Fixing FPS drops in ARK Survival Evolved on Windows 11 is achievable with careful adjustments and optimizations. Start by lowering in-game graphics settings and optimizing your Windows environment for gaming. Keeping your drivers updated and managing system resources effectively also plays a vital role.

If basic steps don’t solve the problem, advanced tweaks and hardware upgrades may be necessary. Remember, maintaining your PC and game files regularly ensures the best performance over time.

By following this guide, you can enjoy smoother gameplay and a better ARK Survival Evolved experience on your Windows 11 system.