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HP PCs - Improve computer game performance to prevent game lockup, freeze, or lag (Windows)

When playing a game, your computer locks up or freezes, which might indicate an issue with hardware, software, or game system requirements. You might be able to resolve this issue and improve game performance to prevent your computer from locking up or freezing.

Note:

If you are using a notebook PC, connect the AC adapter that was included with the PC for the best gaming performance.

Checking the hardware and software requirements for computer games

Computer games have specific hardware and software requirements to play the game as intended.

Close any open applications you do not need to play the game, and then compare your computer specifications to the minimum requirements for the game. The minimum requirements can be found using an online search.

If the issue persists when unnecessary applications are closed, and the computer meets the minimum requirements, the issue might be an unreliable internet connection.

Make sure that you have installed the officially licensed version of the game.

Updating the game software

Game manufacturers frequently release patches on their website to repair known bugs, compatibility, and gameplay issues.

Open the game launcher.

  • If the game starts to automatically update, wait until it is finished, and then play the game.

  • If the game does not automatically update, there might not be an update or the auto-update feature might not be enabled. Go to the website of the game developer to check for updates, patches, and other support information.

  • In Steam or another game launcher, verify the integrity of the game files. See the game launcher documentation for instructions.

If the issue persists, try to uninstall and reinstall the video card driver.

Perform critical HP and Windows software updates

System performance decreases when the BIOS, software, applications, and drivers are out of date. Use Windows Update to install critical and optional software and driver updates.

See HP PCs - Updating drivers and software with Windows Update (Windows 11, 10) for more information.

You can also check the graphics card manufacturer website for video driver updates. See the following websites for NVIDIA and AMD drivers.

Search for online support resources

To help resolve game performance issues, you might be able to find troubleshooting information from the game manufacturer or game launcher service. See their support websites.

Top game manufacturers include the following:

A game launcher is a centralized location to store and access games that you purchase. Game launcher support sites include the following:

Online forums serve as a central location for game enthusiasts to share advice, tips, and suggestions. Online forums include the following:

Using HP Support Assistant to troubleshoot a performance issue

Use HP Support Assistant to troubleshoot the performance issue.

  1. In Windows, search for and open HP Support Assistant. If the app is not installed on your computer, download the latest version from the HP Support Assistant website.

  2. On the My devices tab, find your computer, click Troubleshooting and fixes > Performance Tune-up check.

  3. Wait while HP Support Assistant works, and then close the tool when it finishes.

For more information on troubleshooting performance issues, see HP PCs - Improving PC Performance (Windows 10).

If the issue persists, you might need to change your video display settings.

Change the video display settings to match game requirements

To troubleshoot game lock-ups or freezing, change the video display settings to match the minimum display requirements for the game.

  1. Right-click an open space of the Windows desktop (not on an icon), and then click Display settings.

  2. Change the resolution to match the game’s recommended display settings. Recommended display settings can be found using an online search.

  3. Click OK to accept the change.

  4. If prompted, accept the new settings. The display reverts to the prior settings if the changes are not accepted.

  5. If prompted, select the option to restart the computer, and then try playing the game again.

Adjust the game settings to be less GPU intensive

In the game settings, change the graphics quality settings from ultra to a lower setting to reduce lag, increase FPS, and be less GPU intensive.

  • Adjust the overall graphics quality.

  • Adjust the shadows, texture quality, lighting, and other available settings to improve performance.

  • For advanced graphics cards, change the DLSS to Performance.

  • Disable ray-tracing.

Use OMEN Performance Control

For OMEN by HP and Victus by HP PCs, change the Performance Control setting to Performance in OMEN Gaming Hub.

On the Performance Control dashboard, CPU temperature, GPU temperature, and CPU utilization are displayed in real-time.

Performance Control screen set on Default

Improve latency

When playing online video games, the terms latency and lag describe the delay between when you complete an action and when your action is executed in the game.

Actions that can improve latency include the following:

  • Use an Ethernet cable rather than a Wi-Fi connection.

  • Reset the router or modem.

  • Limit internet use by other devices on the home network.

  • Close applications that are using the home network.

    Note:

    Carefully read any warnings generated by closing applications. Improperly terminating applications can cause errors.

  • Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

  • For OMEN by HP and Victus by HP computers, use the Network Booster settings to prioritize the game. For more information, see HP PCs - OMEN Gaming Hub.

Turn on Game Mode

Game Mode is a Windows feature that improves gaming performance by limiting the use of system resources by background processes and programs while a game is running.

  1. Press the Windows key + g to open the Game bar.

  2. Click the Settings icon on the Game bar.

  3. Select the check box next to the game title to enable Game Mode for that game.

Additional support options

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