League of Legends FPS drops after update
By Ryan Mercer Updated 8 min read
On this page (8 sections)
- The short version
- How to enable FPS display in League of Legends
- Key fixes for FPS drops caused by recent game updates
- Why FPS drops happen specifically after updates
- Common mistakes that worsen FPS drops after updates
- How to fix League of Legends FPS drop after update
- When a game booster helps with League of Legends lag but not FPS
- Questions people still ask
In short: FPS drops in League of Legends after updates usually stem from new graphics settings, driver or software conflicts, or increased system load. Fix these by resetting settings, updating drivers, and disabling unwanted overlays. Enable FPS display to track performance changes directly.
Part of our guide on league of legends packet loss only at night
Get precise steps to fix FPS drops in League of Legends after updates plus how to show your FPS in-game for real-time tracking.
| FPS drop cause | Graphics/settings changes |
|---|---|
| Driver update needed | Often yes |
| In-game FPS command | Ctrl + F |
| Overlay impact | Can reduce FPS |
| Game booster effect | No FPS increase |
The short version
- FPS drops often come from new game settings or conflicts after updates.
- Resetting video settings and updating drivers often restores FPS.
- Disabling overlays and background apps can improve frame rates.
- Enable FPS display with the in-game command to track performance.
- Network route boosters help only if lag, not FPS, causes issues.
How to enable FPS display in League of Legends
Use the in-game shortcut Ctrl + F to toggle the FPS counter. This command works in the current client and shows your frame rate in real time.
Tracking FPS helps you see if performance improves after applying fixes. The display appears as a number, usually at the top right corner.
If Ctrl + F doesn’t work, check your keybindings or update your client. The FPS display uses minimal resources and doesn’t affect frame rates.
If you want detailed performance data, enable the FPS and ping display together. Press Ctrl + Shift + F to toggle both. This helps spot if lag spikes or FPS drops coincide. If that sounds like your situation, read up on kr server lag in league after switching regions next.
The FPS display updates every frame, giving near-instant feedback when you change settings. Use it to test how lowering shadows or disabling effects affects FPS in real time.
On some older clients, the FPS counter might flicker or not show correctly. Updating to the latest client version usually fixes this issue.
Key fixes for FPS drops caused by recent game updates
First, reset your video settings to default after an update. New patches often change graphics options that may lower FPS unexpectedly. We cover fps drops after geforce update in its own article.
Second, update your GPU drivers. Performance drops frequently occur when outdated drivers conflict with new game code.
Third, disable in-game overlays like Discord, Nvidia GeForce Experience, or Windows Game Bar. These overlays can cause 5-15% FPS reductions in LoL.
Also, close unnecessary background applications to free CPU and RAM resources. Sometimes the update requires more system power, so freeing it helps. If that sounds like your situation, read up on difference between display and network lag next.
If these steps don’t restore FPS, check if your PC meets the current recommended specs after the update.
Sometimes, Windows updates installed alongside the game patch can affect FPS. They might change system libraries or drivers without clear notice.
Check if your power plan switched to 'Power saver' mode after the update. This throttles CPU and GPU speeds and lowers FPS. It helps to understand na league server disconnect issues before going further.
If your monitor uses variable refresh rate (G-Sync or FreeSync), ensure these features are enabled after the update. Disabling them accidentally can cause frame pacing issues that feel like FPS drops.
- Reset video settings: Open LoL client > Settings > Video > Reset to default.
- Update GPU drivers: Visit your GPU maker’s website and install the latest version.
- Disable overlays: Turn off Discord overlay, Nvidia overlay, and Windows Game Bar.
- Close background apps: Use Task Manager to end unnecessary processes.
Why FPS drops happen specifically after updates
Updates often add or change graphics features that increase GPU workload. For example, new particle effects or UI elements require more processing power.
Game patches may alter default resolution or quality settings without warning, reducing FPS if your hardware struggles. The other half of this decision is diagnosing evening ping spikes.
Sometimes, updates introduce bugs that cause memory leaks or inefficient rendering, draining FPS gradually.
Driver incompatibilities are common after patches, as the game code and GPU software must sync perfectly.
Changes in background services supporting the game can also affect performance. For instance, new anti-cheat software components may increase CPU use. Before you commit to anything, it is worth looking at gaming packet loss explained.
Some updates change DirectX or rendering APIs used by the game. Switching from DirectX 9 to DirectX 11, for example, can demand more GPU power.
Game updates might introduce new animations or character skins with higher polygon counts. These increase the GPU workload even in low settings.
Sometimes, the patch notes omit small changes in texture resolution or anti-aliasing defaults that hit FPS. Players rarely spot these until after the update.
Common mistakes that worsen FPS drops after updates
One mistake is ignoring driver updates. Running outdated GPU drivers after a patch causes crashes or worse FPS.
Another is leaving overlays enabled. Many players overlook overlays impacting performance in CPU or GPU-heavy games.
Changing multiple settings at once without testing impact wastes time and can make the problem harder to diagnose.
Using overly aggressive FPS limiters or third-party FPS unlockers may backfire with new game code.
Assuming network boosters fix FPS drops is wrong. They only improve lag or ping, not raw frame rates.
A common mistake is not rebooting the PC after an update. Temporary files or drivers might not load properly until a restart.
Another error is assuming higher FPS means better gameplay. Sudden FPS spikes or dips can cause stutter, which harms the experience more than a constant low FPS.
Some users try risky third-party tweaks or mods to fix FPS drops. These can cause crashes or bans from Riot Games. Stick to official fixes.
| Mistake | Effect on FPS |
|---|---|
| Outdated GPU drivers | Lower FPS, crashes |
| Overlays enabled | 5-15% FPS drop |
| Uncontrolled setting changes | Confusing results |
| FPS limiters misused | Unstable frame rates |
| Using network boosters for FPS | No FPS improvement |
How to fix League of Legends FPS drop after update
Follow a step-by-step approach: first enable FPS display with Ctrl + F to confirm the drop.
Next, reset video settings to default. This reverts any unexpected changes from the update.
Update your GPU drivers from the official Nvidia or AMD site. Restart your PC afterward.
Disable overlays and close background programs to free resources.
If frame rate remains low, lower in-game graphics quality manually, focusing on shadows and effects.
As a last step, check for system overheating which throttles performance.
For network issues causing perceived lag, the GearUP Booster routes your game traffic more efficiently.
GearUP does not increase FPS but stabilizes ping, reducing stutter caused by network problems.
- Enable FPS display: Ctrl + F
- Reset video settings to default
- Update GPU drivers and reboot
- Disable overlays (Discord, Nvidia, Windows Game Bar)
- Close background apps via Task Manager
- Lower graphics quality settings if needed
- Check CPU/GPU temperatures
- Use GearUP Booster if lag persists
When a game booster helps with League of Legends lag but not FPS
GearUP Booster routes game traffic along better network paths to reduce ping and packet loss. This stabilizes lag spikes and rubber-banding in LoL.
If your FPS drops are due to graphics or CPU bottlenecks, GearUP won’t improve frame rates.
Use GearUP if you experience high ping, jitter, or packet loss after updates, especially on distant or congested servers.
Test with the GearUP free trial to see if your ping improves. If it does, a subscription can maintain smoother online play.
For FPS drops caused by system or game changes, use the manual fixes described earlier.
Combining GearUP for lag and driver/setting fixes for FPS covers most performance problems.
- Improves network route quality
- Reduces ping spikes and jitter
- Game-specific route optimization
- Free trial on PC
- Does not increase graphics FPS
- Not for Wi-Fi or hardware issues
- Requires subscription after trial
- No effect on CPU bottlenecks
Questions people still ask
Can a network booster fix FPS drops after a League update?
No. Network boosters like GearUP improve ping and reduce lag but don’t increase the frames per second, which depend on your hardware and game settings.
Why does League of Legends FPS drop even on powerful PCs after updates?
Updates may add features that demand more from your GPU or CPU. Outdated drivers or background software conflicts also cause FPS loss, regardless of PC strength.
Is resetting video settings safe after every update?
Yes, resetting video settings is safe and often necessary because updates can change defaults that lower your FPS unintentionally.
How do overlays affect League of Legends FPS?
Overlays consume CPU and GPU cycles. Disabling them can improve FPS by 5-15%, especially if your system is already taxed.
What graphics settings impact FPS the most in League of Legends?
Shadows and effects like particles usually use the most GPU power and can reduce FPS significantly if set too high.
How do I know if lag or FPS is causing my gameplay issues?
Enable the FPS counter and check your ping. Low FPS with low ping means performance issues; high ping with stable FPS means network lag.