Conan Exiles is an exciting survival game, but FPS drops can seriously affect your gameplay experience. Many Windows 11 users face performance issues that cause lag or stuttering. Fixing FPS drops can make your game much smoother and more enjoyable.
This guide will walk you through simple steps to troubleshoot and improve your FPS on Windows 11. Each step is explained in an easy-to-understand way, so even beginners can follow along.
By the end, you should notice fewer drops and more stable performance in Conan Exiles. Let’s get started with some quick checks before diving into fixes.
These tips work for most setups and cover both software and hardware adjustments.
Quick Note Before You Start
- Check your system specs: Make sure your PC meets the minimum or recommended requirements for Conan Exiles. Low hardware can cause FPS drops no matter what.
- Update Windows 11: Always keep your operating system up to date for best performance and compatibility.
- Close background apps: Other programs running while you play can consume CPU and memory, leading to FPS issues.
- Verify your game files: Corrupted files can cause performance problems. Use the game launcher to check and repair them.
Step 1: Update Your Graphics Drivers
Your graphics card is crucial for running games smoothly. Outdated drivers often cause FPS drops and stuttering. Here’s how to update them:
- Press
Windows + Sand type Device Manager, then open it. - Expand the Display adapters section to find your graphics card.
- Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers. Windows will find and install the latest driver if available.
- Alternatively, visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) to download and install the latest drivers manually.
Why this helps: Updated drivers optimize game performance and fix bugs that might cause FPS drops.
Step 2: Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings
Sometimes your game settings are too demanding for your hardware. Lowering some settings can improve FPS significantly.
- Open Conan Exiles and go to Settings > Graphics.
- Reduce settings like Texture Quality, Shadow Detail, and Anti-Aliasing.
- Set Resolution Scale to 100% or lower if needed.
- Turn off unnecessary effects such as motion blur or depth of field.
Why this helps: Lower graphical demands reduce the load on your GPU and CPU, leading to smoother gameplay.
Step 3: Disable Fullscreen Optimizations and Set High Priority
Windows 11 sometimes interferes with games through fullscreen optimization features. Disabling this can improve FPS.
- Navigate to your Conan Exiles installation folder (usually in
C:Program Files (x86)SteamsteamappscommonConan Exiles). - Right-click the game’s executable file (
ConanSandbox.exe) and select Properties. - Go to the Compatibility tab.
- Check the box for Disable fullscreen optimizations.
- Click Apply and then OK.
- While the game is running, open Task Manager (
Ctrl + Shift + Esc), findConanSandbox.exeunder Processes. - Right-click it, go to Set priority, and select High.
Why this helps: Disabling fullscreen optimizations removes potential conflicts, and setting high priority tells Windows to allocate more resources to your game.
Step 4: Optimize Power Settings
Windows power plans can limit your PC’s performance to save energy. Switching to a high-performance plan can boost FPS.
- Press
Windows + S, type Power & Sleep settings, and open it. - Click on Additional power settings on the right side.
- Select the High performance plan. If you don’t see it, click Create a power plan and set it to high performance.
Why this helps: High-performance power plans prevent your CPU and GPU from throttling down during gaming.
Step 5: Adjust Virtual Memory (Pagefile) Settings
Virtual memory helps your system manage RAM better. Increasing it can reduce stuttering caused by insufficient memory.
- Press
Windows + S, type View advanced system settings, and open it. - Under the Advanced tab, click Settings in the Performance section.
- Go to the Advanced tab and click Change under Virtual memory.
- Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
- Select your system drive (usually C:), choose Custom size.
- Set the initial size and maximum size to 1.5 to 2 times your installed RAM (for example, if you have 8 GB RAM, set values around 12288 MB).
- Click Set, then OK and restart your PC.
Why this helps: Increasing virtual memory allows your system to handle more data when RAM is full, preventing FPS drops due to memory shortages.
Step 6: Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs
Many programs automatically start with Windows and use resources in the background.
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto open Task Manager. - Go to the Startup tab.
- Review the list and disable any non-essential programs by right-clicking and selecting Disable.
Why this helps: Freeing up system resources ensures more CPU and RAM are available for Conan Exiles.
Step 7: Use Game Mode and Graphics Settings in Windows 11
Windows 11 includes features to enhance gaming performance.
- Open Settings > Gaming > Game Mode.
- Make sure Game Mode is turned On.
- Go to Graphics settings.
- Under “Choose an app to set preference,” select Conan Exiles if listed, or add it by browsing the executable.
- Click Options and set it to High performance.
Why this helps: Game Mode prioritizes gaming resources, and high performance graphics settings ensure your GPU is fully utilized.
FAQs
Why does Conan Exiles lag even on high-end PCs?
Background applications, outdated drivers, or incorrect game settings can cause lag regardless of hardware. Follow the steps above to troubleshoot.
Can overclocking my GPU help with FPS drops?
Overclocking can improve FPS but should be done cautiously. It may cause overheating or instability if not done properly.
Is it better to play in fullscreen or windowed mode?
Fullscreen mode usually offers better performance due to exclusive control over the display, but disabling fullscreen optimizations as described can help if problems persist.
How often should I update my graphics drivers?
Check for updates every 1-2 months or when you notice performance issues.
Does disabling antivirus improve FPS?
Temporarily disabling antivirus or adding Conan Exiles as an exception can reduce interruptions but do this carefully to avoid security risks.
When Nothing Works
If you have tried all the above and still experience FPS drops, consider the following options:
- Reinstall Conan Exiles: Sometimes a clean installation fixes corrupted files or settings causing issues.
- Check for overheating: Use monitoring software to ensure your CPU and GPU temperatures are within safe limits.
- Contact official support: Visit the Conan Exiles support page for help and updates.
- Community forums: Join forums like Reddit or Steam Community to find fixes shared by other players.
Conclusion
Fixing FPS drops in Conan Exiles on Windows 11 involves a combination of updating drivers, adjusting game and system settings, and managing background processes. Starting with simple fixes like updating your GPU driver and lowering in-game graphics often resolves the problem.
For more stubborn issues, tweaking power options, virtual memory, and Windows gaming settings can help stabilize your FPS. Remember to keep your system clean and updated for the best experience.
Following this guide step-by-step will greatly improve your gameplay smoothness and let you enjoy Conan Exiles without frustrating performance hiccups.