Playing Sea of Thieves on Windows 11 can sometimes lead to low FPS (frames per second), which affects your gaming experience. Low FPS causes the game to feel choppy, laggy, and less responsive. Fortunately, there are straightforward steps you can take to improve performance and enjoy smoother gameplay.
This article will guide you through easy-to-follow methods to fix low FPS issues in Sea of Thieves on Windows 11. Each step is explained in simple terms, so even beginners can apply them confidently.
By following these instructions, you will understand why certain tweaks matter and how they impact your system’s performance. Let’s get started with some quick checks before diving into detailed solutions.
Improving FPS not only makes the game look better but also enhances your overall gaming experience and responsiveness.
Quick Note: Prerequisites and Basic Checks
- Check System Requirements: Ensure your PC meets the minimum specs for Sea of Thieves. Low hardware specs can naturally limit FPS.
- Update Windows 11: Running the latest Windows updates can fix bugs and improve compatibility with games.
- Update Graphics Drivers: Your GPU drivers should be current, as outdated drivers often cause performance issues.
- Close Background Apps: Make sure non-essential programs are closed to free up CPU and memory for the game.
Once you confirm these basics, you can move forward with the following detailed steps to boost your FPS.
Step 1: Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings
Sea of Thieves offers various graphics options that affect performance. Lowering these settings can reduce the strain on your PC and increase FPS.
- Resolution: Try lowering your game resolution (e.g., from 1920×1080 to 1600×900). This reduces the number of pixels your GPU needs to render.
- Texture Quality: Set texture quality to medium or low to decrease GPU memory usage.
- Shadow Quality: Shadows are demanding; lowering or turning them off can greatly increase FPS.
- Anti-Aliasing: Reducing or disabling this setting improves frame rates by simplifying edges.
- V-Sync: Disable vertical sync to prevent FPS from being capped, though this may introduce screen tearing.
Adjust settings one at a time and test the game to find a good balance between visuals and performance.
Step 2: Optimize Windows 11 for Gaming
Windows 11 includes features designed to enhance gaming performance. Making sure these are enabled can help improve FPS.
- Enable Game Mode: Open Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and turn it on. This prioritizes resources for the game.
- Disable Background Apps: Go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps and turn off unnecessary ones.
- Power Plan: Set your power plan to High Performance via Control Panel > Power Options. This prevents CPU throttling.
- Graphics Settings: Go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics and add Sea of Thieves, then set it to High Performance.
These steps ensure Windows dedicates maximum available resources to Sea of Thieves.
Step 3: Update and Configure Graphics Drivers
Graphics drivers are essential software that help your GPU communicate with your game and operating system.
- Update Drivers: Visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers.
- Clean Installation: Use the clean install option during driver setup to remove old files that might cause conflicts.
- Graphics Control Panel Settings: Open NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings and set Sea of Thieves to use the dedicated GPU if you have a laptop with integrated graphics.
Keeping drivers updated ensures optimal performance and compatibility.
Step 4: Adjust Virtual Memory (Paging File) Settings
Virtual memory acts as extra RAM when your physical memory is full. Increasing it can help if your system has limited RAM.
- Right-click This PC and select Properties.
- Click Advanced system settings > Advanced tab > Settings under Performance.
- Go to the Advanced tab again and click Change under Virtual memory.
- Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
- Select your system drive (usually C:) and choose Custom size.
- Set Initial and Maximum size to 1.5 to 3 times your RAM size (e.g., 12GB RAM = 18000 MB).
- Click Set and then OK to apply changes.
This can reduce stuttering and improve performance during intense gameplay.
Step 5: Disable Fullscreen Optimizations and Game Bar
Windows 11’s fullscreen optimizations and game bar features sometimes interfere with game performance.
- Right-click the Sea of Thieves shortcut or executable file and select Properties.
- Go to the Compatibility tab.
- Check the box for Disable fullscreen optimizations.
- Click Apply and OK.
- Open Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and turn off the game bar completely.
Disabling these features can reduce input lag and improve FPS.
Step 6: Scan and Repair Game Files
Corrupted or missing game files can cause performance issues. Repairing the game files often fixes these problems.
- If you use Steam, right-click Sea of Thieves in your library and select Properties.
- Go to the Local Files tab and click Verify integrity of game files.
- For Microsoft Store or Xbox app, open Settings > Apps > Sea of Thieves > Advanced options and select Repair.
This process replaces any corrupted files and ensures your game is up to date.
FAQs
Why is my FPS so low in Sea of Thieves on Windows 11?
Low FPS can be caused by outdated drivers, high graphics settings, insufficient hardware, or background applications consuming resources.
Does updating Windows help with FPS?
Yes, updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes that can positively affect game performance.
Can I improve FPS without lowering graphics quality?
Yes, optimizing Windows settings, updating drivers, and closing background apps can boost FPS without sacrificing visuals.
What if my PC does not meet minimum requirements?
If your hardware is below the minimum specs, you may need to upgrade components for a better experience.
Is it safe to change virtual memory settings?
Yes, increasing virtual memory is safe and can improve performance, especially if you have limited RAM.
When Nothing Works
If you have tried all the steps above and still experience low FPS, consider the following options:
- Reinstall Sea of Thieves: A fresh installation can fix deep-seated issues.
- Check for Malware: Run a full system scan to ensure no malware is affecting performance.
- Contact Official Support: Visit the Sea of Thieves Support page for help from developers.
- Upgrade Hardware: If your system is outdated, consider upgrading your GPU, CPU, or RAM.
Conclusion
Low FPS in Sea of Thieves on Windows 11 can be frustrating but is often fixable by following simple steps. Start by verifying your system and updating drivers, then tweak in-game settings and optimize Windows for gaming. Adjusting virtual memory and disabling conflicting Windows features can also help.
Remember to test your game after each change to find the best balance between visual quality and performance. If problems persist, don’t hesitate to seek official support or consider hardware upgrades.
With patience and the right tweaks, you can enjoy smooth sailing in Sea of Thieves without performance hiccups.