Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →No—buying DLC was not a verified way to make Monster Hunter Wilds run faster. Capcom traced a Steam-specific hub-area performance bug to claimed-content status checks, said DLC count did not affect the FPS drop, and listed a fix in update 1.040.03.01, scheduled for January 28, 2026.
Why did players think DLC was boosting FPS?
On January 15, 2026, Tom’s Hardware reported one player’s comparison: 20–25 FPS in hubs on an account without DLC, versus 80+ FPS on an account with all DLC. Those figures were the player’s reported observations, not a Capcom benchmark or a controlled independent test. Tom’s Hardware’s report captured the claim, but the account comparison did not establish that purchasing add-ons caused the higher frame rate.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Monster Hunter Wilds Steelbook | $32.89 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Wild Hearts - PlayStation 5 | $20.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Maximum Entertainment 34 Sports Games - World Edition (PS5) | $26.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Monster Hunter Wilds - Lenticular Sleeve Edition /PS5 | $35.86 | Buy on Amazon |
What caused the Monster Hunter Wilds FPS drop?
Capcom’s January 27 update summary identified a Steam-specific processing issue: near the Support Desk at Base Camp and in the Grand Hub, the game checked claimed-content status to notify players about unclaimed content. Capcom said those checks could increase CPU load and cause an FPS drop. The effect depended on whether a player had unclaimed content and could vary with CPU performance; the summary said the problem might occur only in those two locations.
Crucially, Capcom stated that “the number of DLCs you own does not affect it.” The problem was the check process, not a performance benefit unlocked by owning more DLC. GameSpot’s January 16 report also covered the correction to the early DLC-ownership interpretation.
#1 Best Overall
- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Players can also now ride atop the Seikret, an agile new mount enabling hunters to traverse difficult terrain, perform actions like sharpening weapons on the move, and switch between two weapons while out on hunts!
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
Did Capcom fix the DLC FPS bug?
Capcom’s update summary for version 1.040.03.01, posted January 27, 2026, listed a fix for increased system load around the Support Desk at Base Camp and the Grand Hub caused by claimed-content status checks. The update was scheduled for January 28, 2026, at 02:00 UTC. Capcom described the issue as unintended and said, “This is an unintended bug and will be resolved with this update.” Read the official update summary on Steam for the stated fix.
The notes do not provide a benchmark or a percentage improvement, so there is no official figure for how many frames players should expect to gain. The listed remedy for this particular bug is the game update—not buying DLC or replacing a CPU or GPU.
Rank #2
- Hunt giant nature-infused bests – Survive their attacks, learn from their behaviors, and use your Karakuri and your weapons in combination to cut these creatures down to size.
- Craft your hunting grounds – You are the only one in Azuma able to wield the Karakuri technology.
- Hunt in a pack, or be a lone wolf – In WILD HEARTS you can face the Kemono alone or unite with up to two friends (or other players) to stalk and hunt your prey.
- Gear up to hunt, hunt to gear up – Create your character, then gather materials from each hunt and build an array of armor and weapons.
What if Monster Hunter Wilds still runs poorly?
The patch addresses the specific claimed-content check issue around Base Camp and the Grand Hub; it does not establish that every PC performance problem is fixed. Windows Central reported player-observed improvement after the patch on January 29, while also noting reports of remaining CPU bottlenecks. Those wider observations are not a Capcom certification that all performance issues were resolved. Windows Central’s post-update coverage describes those reports.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
- Crossplay Multiplayer – Alongside the option to enjoy the story of Monster Hunter Wilds solo, hunters can join up to three other players across any platform to explore the world together and take on the game’s challenges as a hunting party or receive aid from notable story characters as Support Hunter NPCs.
Rank #3
- Enter the stadium and take part of one of the biggest competitions across 34 sports: from swimming, soccer, extreme bike, weightlifting, trampoline and much more!
- Defend your own country and visit the World: United States, Australia, Japan, France…
- Train yourself alone or compete with your friends!
- An enhanced version of “30 Sport Games in 1”, with revamped design, new games and more customisation!
- Make sure the game is updated before relying on older reports about this bug.
- If slowdowns continue, note whether they happen in Base Camp or the Grand Hub, or elsewhere; the cited fix concerns those named areas.
- Do not treat DLC purchases or a hardware upgrade as a remedy for the claimed-content check bug. The available official notes do not recommend either.
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