Fix: Fallout 4 Stuttering, Lags, or Freezing constantly

Fallout 4, an action role-playing game developed by Bethesda Game Studios, has gained immense popularity since its release in 2015. However, many players have reported encountering frustrating issues such as stuttering, lagging, and freezing during gameplay. These technical glitches can significantly impact the gaming experience and leave players feeling annoyed and disappointed.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various methods to troubleshoot and fix these common issues in Fallout 4. From checking PC specifications to modifying game files and adjusting settings, we will cover a range of solutions to help you enjoy a smooth and immersive gaming experience. So, let’s dive in and put an end to those frustrating stutters and lags in Fallout 4!

Check Your PC Specifications

Before diving into the troubleshooting process, it’s crucial to ensure that your PC meets the minimum system requirements for Fallout 4. Insufficient hardware specifications can often lead to performance issues and game freezes. To check your PC specifications, follow these steps:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run window.
2. Type dxdiag and click OK to open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
3. Under the System tab, check your operating system, processor, and memory specifications.
4. Switch to the Display tab to identify your graphics device.

Compare your PC specifications with the minimum and recommended system requirements provided by Steam for Fallout 4. If any of your hardware components do not meet the minimum requirements, consider upgrading them for a smoother gaming experience.

Extending the Storage Partition

If you find that your hard drive doesn’t have enough space to accommodate Fallout 4 or if the partition where you installed the game is running out of space, you can extend the partition using a professional third-party program like MiniTool Partition Wizard.

Follow these steps to extend the target partition without data loss:

1. Download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard.
2. Launch the program and locate the partition you want to extend.
3. Right-click on the partition and select Extend.
4. In the pop-up window, choose a partition to take space from and adjust the new size of the target partition using the slider.
5. Click OK to confirm the operation and then click Apply to execute the extending process.

By extending your storage partition, you can ensure that you have enough space to install and run Fallout 4 without encountering storage-related issues.

Change PC Resolutions

Running Fallout 4 in borderless mode can enhance your gaming experience, but it may also lead to stuttering issues. To resolve this problem, try changing the resolutions in the game to match the recommended size of your monitor. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Right-click on any blank area on your desktop and select Display settings.
2. Scroll down to the Display Resolution section and check the recommended resolution setting for your monitor. If it’s not already set to the recommended resolution, change it accordingly.
3. Launch Fallout 4 and navigate to the Options settings in the launcher menu.
4. Set the Resolution to the recommended size obtained in the previous step.
5. Save the settings and check if the Fallout 4 stuttering or lagging issue has been resolved.

Adjusting the resolutions to match your monitor’s recommended size can help eliminate compatibility issues and improve overall performance.

Modify Game Files to Change Game Mode and Resolutions

If you’re still experiencing stuttering issues after changing PC resolutions, you can try modifying a game file of Fallout 4 to change the game mode and resolutions. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Double-click on This PC on your desktop and navigate to the Fallout 4 game documents located atC:UsersYourUserNameDocumentsMy GamesFallout4.
2. Access the Fallout4 folder and right-click on the file Fallout4Prefs.ini. Select Open with > Notepad.
3. Locate the following items in the file and change their values to the corresponding numbers:

• bMaximizeWindow=1
• bBorderless=1
• bFull Screen=0
• iSize W=1440
• iSize H=900

To quickly find each item, you can press Ctrl + F and search for the specific item names. Ensure that you change the values ofiSize W andiSize H to match your recommended display resolutions.

4. Save the file and exit Notepad.
5. Launch Fallout 4 and check if the stuttering issue has been resolved.

Modifying the game file allows you to customize the game mode and resolutions to better suit your system and preferences, potentially eliminating stuttering and lagging problems.

Adjust the Frame Rate

The frame rate (FPS) determines how smoothly the game runs on your system. If the frame rate drops below a certain threshold, Fallout 4 may experience slowdowns and even freezing. Adjusting the frame rate can help minimize stuttering and increase overall FPS. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the Fallout 4 game documents located atC:UsersYourUserNameDocumentsMy GamesFallout4.
2. Open the Fallout 4 folder and right-click on the file Fallout4Prefs.ini. Select Open with > Notepad.
3. In Notepad, locate the setting namediFPSClamp and set it to58 (iFPSClamp=58).

To quickly find the target item, press Ctrl + F, typeiFPSClamp, and click Find Next.

4. Save the file and close Notepad.
5. Launch Fallout 4 and check if the game runs smoothly without stuttering or freezing issues.

Adjusting the frame rate can optimize the performance of Fallout 4 and ensure a more enjoyable gaming experience.

Close Background Processes and Change Priority

Running resource-intensive programs and processes in the background can significantly impact the performance of Fallout 4, leading to stuttering and lagging issues. To address this problem, it’s important to close unnecessary background processes and adjust the game’s priority. Follow these steps:

1. Press Shift + Ctrl + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Under the Processes tab, right-click on each unnecessary process and select End task to close them.
3. Restart Fallout 4 and check if the problem has been resolved. If the issue persists, proceed to the next step.
4. In Task Manager, switch to the Details tab.
5. Right-click on the Fallout 4 process and select Set priority > Realtime or High.
6. Launch the game again and check if it runs smoothly without any stuttering or freezing.

Closing background processes and adjusting the game’s priority ensures that Fallout 4 has access to sufficient system resources, resulting in improved performance and reduced lag.

Run the Game in Compatibility Mode

Compatibility issues can also contribute to freezing and stuttering problems in Fallout 4. To address this, you can try running the game in compatibility mode. Follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the game’s shortcut or the executable file in the installation folder.
2. Select Properties and navigate to the Compatibility tab.
3. Under the Compatibility mode section, check the option Run this program in compatibility mode for:.
4. Choose the appropriate compatibility mode based on your operating system.
5. Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
6. Launch Fallout 4 and check if the stuttering or freezing issues have been resolved.

Running the game in compatibility mode ensures that it is optimized to work seamlessly with your operating system, reducing compatibility-related problems.

Disable the V-sync Feature

The V-sync (vertical sync) feature, designed to synchronize the frame rate of a game with the refresh rate of the display, can sometimes cause lag and stuttering issues in Fallout 4. Disabling V-sync can help minimize these problems. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Navigate to the Fallout 4 game documents located atC:UsersYourUserNameDocumentsMy GamesFallout4.
2. Open the file Fallout4Prefs.ini using Notepad.
3. Locate the setting namediPresentInterval and set it to0 (iPresentInterval=0).
4. Save the file and exit Notepad.
5. Launch Fallout 4 and check if the stuttering or lagging problems have been resolved.

Disabling the V-sync feature can improve the overall performance of Fallout 4 by eliminating lag and stuttering caused by synchronization issues.

Update the Graphics Card Driver

An outdated or corrupted graphics card driver can often be the cause of performance issues in Fallout 4. Updating your graphics card driver to the latest version can help resolve these problems. You can update the driver using either the official website of your graphics card manufacturer or through Device Manager. Follow these steps to update the driver using Device Manager:

1. Press Win + X to open the Start menu and select Device Manager.
2. In Device Manager, expand the Display adapters category.
3. Right-click on your graphics card driver and select Update driver.
4. Choose the option Search automatically for updated driver software and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
5. Restart your PC after installing the latest driver.
6. Launch Fallout 4 and check if the game runs smoothly without any stuttering or freezing issues.

Updating the graphics card driver ensures that your system is equipped with the latest enhancements and optimizations, resulting in improved performance and stability in Fallout 4.

Additional Tips to Enhance Gaming Performance

In addition to the methods mentioned above, here are some additional tips to further enhance your gaming performance in Fallout 4:

• Optimize In-Game Settings: Adjust the in-game graphics settings to find the right balance between visual quality and performance. Lowering graphics settings such as shadows, anti-aliasing, and view distance can significantly improve FPS.
• Keep Your System Updated: Regularly update your operating system, drivers, and game to ensure compatibility and access to the latest optimizations and bug fixes.
• Avoid Overclocking: Overclocking your CPU or graphics card can lead to instability and performance issues. Stick to the manufacturer’s recommended settings to avoid any complications.
• Monitor System Temperature: High temperatures can cause performance throttling and system instability. Keep an eye on your system temperature using monitoring software and ensure proper cooling for optimal performance.
• Close Resource-Intensive Applications: Close any unnecessary applications running in the background, especially those that consume a significant amount of system resources, such as web browsers, video editing software, or antivirus scans.
• Scan for Malware: Perform regular scans using reliable antivirus software to detect and remove any malware that may be affecting system performance.

By following these additional tips, you can further optimize your gaming experience and minimize stuttering, lags, and freezes in Fallout 4.

Conclusion

Fallout 4 is an incredibly immersive and engaging game, but it can be frustrating when stuttering, lags, or freezing issues disrupt your gaming experience. By following the troubleshooting methods outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can overcome these problems and enjoy a smoother and more enjoyable gameplay.

Remember to check your PC specifications, adjust resolutions, modify game files, and optimize settings to ensure optimal performance. Additionally, updating your graphics card driver and managing background processes can significantly improve gaming performance. By implementing these solutions and following the additional tips provided, you can maximize your enjoyment of Fallout 4 without the annoyance of stuttering or freezing issues.

If you have any other suggestions or solutions for fixing Fallout 4 stuttering, lags, or freezing, please feel free to share them in the comments section below. Our support team is also available to assist you with any further questions or concerns. Email us at [email protected], and we’ll respond promptly.

Remember, a smooth gaming experience awaits you in Fallout 4!