Guild Wars Reforged brings a modern visual overhaul to a classic world, but many PC players are facingFix Guild Wars Reforged FPS drop low FPS, stuttering, lag spikes, and unstable frame pacing. These performance drops can ruin immersion and make combat feel sluggish. Fortunately, you can fix most issues with a few targeted tweaks. This guide walks you through the best methods to stabilize FPS and get smoother gameplay on any PC.
🔍 Why Guild Wars Reforged Has Low FPS
Several factors can cause the FPS to drop:
Outdated graphics drivers
Incorrect in-game settings
Background programs eating CPU or RAM
Shader compilation hitches
Windows Game Mode or overlays
Overheating or GPU throttling
Insufficient VRAM or high textures
Missing system updates
Once you identify the error issues, you can apply the right fix. Let’s get started.
🎮 1. Update Your GPU Drivers
Updating your graphics drivers is the fastest way to boost FPS. New drivers often include optimizations for newly released or updated games like Guild Wars Reforged.
NVIDIA
Open GeForce Experience then Drivers then go to Check for Updates → Install
AMD
Open Adrenaline Software → Check for Updates → Install
Intel ARC
Open Intel ARC Control → Driver Updates → Install
Restart after installation to apply changes.
⚙️ 2. Optimize In-Game Settings for Better FPS
Adjusting just a few settings can significantly improve performance.
Recommended Settings:
Resolution: Native or 90% scaled
Anti-Aliasing: FXAA or Low
Shadows: Medium
Textures: Medium (High requires VRAM > 6GB)
Reflections: Low
Post-Processing: Medium
Ambient Occlusion: Off or Low
V-Sync: Off
Frame Cap: Unlimited or 144
These changes reduce GPU load and stabilize FPS during battle scenes.
🚫 3. Disable Overlays (They Cause FPS Drops)
Many overlays conflict with the game and cause stutters.
Turn off:
Discord Overlay
Steam Overlay
Xbox Game Bar
GeForce Overlay
MSI Afterburner Overlay (RTSS)
Disabling overlays usually removes frame pacing issues instantly.
🧽 4. Close Background Apps to Free RAM and CPU
Guild Wars Reforged needs a good amount of RAM and CPU cores.
Close apps like:
Chrome / Edge
Spotify
Video capture tools
Background launchers
Open Task Manager → Processes → End Task on unnecessary apps.
This helps reduce micro-stutter and improves smoothness.
🔥 5. Fix GPU Overheating & Throttling
If your GPU gets too hot, it automatically reduces speed, causing FPS drops.
How to Check
Use MSI Afterburner to monitor:
GPU temp
Clock speed
Fan speed
If overheating:
Clean your PC fans
Increase fan curve using MSI Afterburner
Lower graphics settings
Ensure good airflow in your room
A cool GPU performs better.
🪟 6. Turn Off Windows Fullscreen Optimization
This Windows feature can conflict with many games.
Right-click Guild Wars Reforged exe
Select Properties
Go to Compatibility
Check Disable Fullscreen Optimizations
Click Apply
This improves frame stability.
🔧 7. Set the Game to High Priority
This forces Windows to give more CPU power to the game.
Open Task Manager
Right-click Guild Wars Reforged
Choose Go to Details
Right-click the program → Set Priority → High
Avoid Realtime, as it can cause system instability.
📦 8. Update Windows & Visual C++ Runtimes
Missing runtimes can lead to FPS issues and crashes.
Update Windows:
Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update
Install latest:
Visual C++ Redistributables
.NET Framework
DirectX Runtime
These help with engine performance and shader compilation speed.
🌐 9. Fix FPS Drops During Online Play
If your FPS drops only during online activities, it might be network-related.
Try:
Using a wired Ethernet connection
Restarting your router
Closing VPN apps
Disabling bandwidth-heavy downloads
Low ping + stable bandwidth helps maintain smoother combat.
🧩 10. Verify or Repair Game Files
Corrupted files can cause severe stutters or poor performance.
Steam:
Library → Right-click game → Properties → Installed Files(previously known as Local Files) → Verify Integrity
Epic / Others:
Use their repair option.
This restores missing or damaged game assets.
🏁 Conclusion
Low FPS in Guild Wars Reforged can be frustrating, but most performance issues are easy to fix with the steps above. Make sure your drivers are updated, in-game settings optimized, and background processes cleaned up. With the right tweaks, you can enjoy smooth exploration, fluid combat, and stable frame rates throughout the world of Tyria.
