Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFor No Man’s Sky on PC, start with reversible checks: remove mods, update graphics drivers, close resource-heavy apps, and temporarily disable overlays or recording software. Then reduce resolution or test graphics settings one at a time. A low or uneven frame rate, a complete freeze, a startup crash, and multiplayer lag can have different causes, so identify which symptom you have—and your platform and game version—before changing settings.
First, identify what “lagging” means
Note your platform, game version, when the problem began, and what happens on screen. A frame-rate drop or stutter is not automatically an internet problem; multiplayer lag, a full freeze, and a crash are different symptoms.
- Low or uneven frame rate: The game keeps responding, but movement or camera motion looks choppy.
- Complete freeze: The image stops updating and the game may stop responding.
- Crash: The game closes or returns you to the desktop or console interface.
- Multiplayer lag: Other players or online activity respond slowly while local movement may remain smooth.
Also note whether the issue followed a game update, a driver change, or installing or updating mods. That information helps distinguish a general performance problem from a change introduced by software or a particular build.
PC: try low-risk checks first
Hello Games’ PC support guidance recommends checking software conflicts before moving on to more disruptive steps. Its performance articles include guidance last updated in 2019 and 2020, so treat these as developer-recommended diagnostic checks, not guaranteed fixes for every current build.
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- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
- Remove mods temporarily. Disable or remove mods and test the game without them. Hello Games notes that mods can cause problems, particularly after an update. If the symptom began after a patch, this is a useful first comparison. See Hello Games’ PC performance guidance.
- Update graphics drivers. Identify your graphics hardware and get drivers from its manufacturer’s official channel. Update integrated or onboard graphics as well as a discrete graphics card: Hello Games’ March 2025 startup guidance says an onboard driver update can help the game select the correct GPU, even when you intend to use a discrete card. Avoid third-party driver-updater utilities. The official minimum requirements page links to graphics-driver providers.
- Close background programs. Temporarily close nonessential, resource-heavy applications and test again. Hello Games names MSI Afterburner and EVGA PrecisionX as examples to check. Change one category at a time so you can tell whether the symptom changes.
- Disable overlays and recording software temporarily. Test without overlays such as Discord Overlay or Nvidia Experience Overlay, and without video-recording software. Steam Overlay is another check listed in Hello Games’ startup-crash guidance. Re-enable items after testing if they were not related.
If the problem only occurs at launch, use the separate startup checks below rather than treating it as an in-game frame-rate issue.
PC: reduce graphics load and test settings
Change one setting at a time, repeat the same in-game activity, and keep changes only if the improvement is worth the visual trade-off. Hello Games’ PC frame-rate guidance lists the settings below.
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- Supported Multi-Platform:Switch/Switch 2 (NO support wake-up function)/iOS/Android/Windows PC (Notice:Not compatible with Xbox, PlayStation or GeForce Now, For game platforms not mentioned, please consult customer service before buying）
- Connection modes:Wired/Bluetooth/Wireless Dongle(Connect to PC via Bluetooth : Select iOS (phone) mode, but it's not recommended; Dongle is more stable)
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- 【Customize Your Own Controller】The intelligent interactive screen allows you to easily set vibrations, buttons, joysticks,lights, etc., without the need for complex key combinations; 4 configurations can be saved to unlock your own gameplay for different games; The 4 back keys support macro definition settings, and you can activate the set character's ultimate move with one click
Lower resolution
Try one step down from your current resolution—for example, 4K to 1440p, 1440p to 1080p, or 1080p to 900p or 720p. If a lower resolution improves smoothness, rendering load may be part of the problem; it does not by itself establish that the graphics card is the only cause.
Check V-sync and frame-rate behavior
Check V-sync both in No Man’s Sky and in your graphics-card control panel. Hello Games notes that V-sync can produce a 30 fps cap when a player expects 60 fps but frequently drops below that threshold. Test whether changing the setting alters the behavior; the best choice depends on your display and preference.
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- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
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Reduce demanding effects selectively
- Lower anti-aliasing, especially if it is set to Ultra or SSAA.
- Test HBAO off.
- Try anisotropic filtering at 8x or 4x instead of 16x.
- Try shadows at Medium rather than High or Ultra.
- Test light shafts off.
- Try terrain tessellation at Low.
These are options to compare, not universal settings that every player should use.
PC: check whether the system meets the published minimums
Hello Games’ minimum-specification page, updated October 31, 2022, lists the following Windows PC requirements. Minimum specifications do not promise a particular frame rate or smooth performance at a given resolution and graphics quality.
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- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
| Component | Published minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i3 |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | Nvidia GTX 1060 3GB, AMD RX 470 4GB, or Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Available storage | 15 GB |
Compare your system with the listed requirements before considering a hardware purchase. The specifications are from 2022 and are not a current graphics-card buying recommendation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.PC: repair files and reset settings only if severe problems persist
Hello Games’ severe-performance guidance includes clearing the shader cache, deleting settings files, and verifying the Steam installation. These steps can remove cached or customized data, so record custom settings first. The file locations and verification procedure below are specific to Steam on Windows; they should not be assumed to apply to GOG, Microsoft Store, macOS, or consoles.
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- Platform Compatibility: This PC controller is designed for Windows PC, Steam, Switch, Android, and iOS. Xbox-style asymmetric stick layout for PC gamers. Three modes cover all your devices. Please check your device compatibility before purchase
- Three Connection Modes: 2.4G wireless, Bluetooth, wired USB-C. PC gets native XInput/DirectInput. Switch pairs via Bluetooth, no adapter. This gaming PC controller switches devices seamlessly. Stable wireless minimizes random disconnects during gaming
- Hall Effect Precision: Hall effect joysticks and triggers eliminate stick drift. This gaming controller for PC delivers smooth, responsive input with no dead zones. Built for FPS, racing, and action games. Long-term precision for competitive PC gaming
- Back Buttons & Battery: Two programmable back buttons map combos and shortcuts. Textured grips with dual vibration. 1000mAh battery delivers up to 20H playtime. RGB can be turned off. A solid PC controller for gaming with custom back buttons
- ABXY Layout Switch: Press B + Minus + Plus to swap between PC and Switch modes. Features: 1000Hz polling rate, RGB lighting, turbo. Note: designed without mic jack or gyro sensor
- Clear the shader cache. In the game installation, locate
GAMEDATASHADERCACHEand clear its files. Hello Games says the next launch may take slightly longer once. - Regenerate settings files. In the game’s settings directory, delete
TKGAMESETTINGSandTKGRAPHICSSETTINGS. The game will recreate settings files, so expect to reconfigure options. - Verify Steam game files. In Steam, open No Man’s Sky’s properties and use the installed-files option to verify the integrity of the game files. This can restore missing or corrupt files. Consult Hello Games’ PC performance support article for its instructions and file locations.
If these steps do not help, submit a report through Hello Games Support with your platform, game version, relevant PC hardware details, and steps that reliably reproduce the problem.
If No Man’s Sky crashes at startup
A game that fails to start or crashes on launch needs a different checklist from one that stutters during play. Hello Games’ startup-crash article, updated March 28, 2025, recommends these PC checks:
- Update the Steam client.
- Update drivers for both discrete and onboard graphics.
- Temporarily disable overlays.
- Disable or uninstall video-recording software.
- Install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ runtime.
- Remove mods and test again.
Console and patch-related problems
The detailed performance steps above are for Windows PC; they are not a console-specific repair procedure. Check the game’s current official support information and patch notes for your platform and version, particularly if the issue began after an update.
Patch notes show why platform and date matter, but older fixes do not establish the status of current builds. Hello Games’ version 5.54 notes, dated February 6, 2025, documented a fix for choppy Xbox frame rates, along with separate PS4-on-PS5 and Xbox crash fixes. Its version 3.15 notes, dated January 27, 2021, covered PC stability, PSVR resolution and performance on PS5, an Xbox Series S high-quality-mode change, and faster PS5 loading. Those are version-specific historical examples, not evidence that the same issue remains—or that it is fixed—in October 2026. Check the official release log for later notes.
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When to report the issue
If the relevant checks do not resolve the problem, report it through the Hello Games Support issue-report path. Include the platform, game version, when the problem started, whether it followed a patch or mod change, PC hardware details if applicable, and concise steps that reproduce it. For a freeze or crash, describe what happened immediately before the game stopped responding or closed.
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