Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →If Baldur’s Gate 3 is running slowly, start with reversible checks: make sure it is using your dedicated graphics card, update drivers, compare DirectX 11 with Vulkan, and reduce graphics workload to see whether performance responds. No single setting is a guaranteed fix; the best result depends on your PC, the scene, and the game build.
1. Confirm Baldur’s Gate 3 is using your dedicated GPU
On a laptop or desktop with both integrated graphics and a discrete NVIDIA or AMD card, check the game’s video options to confirm it is using the discrete GPU. Larian includes this among its troubleshooting steps. If the game is running on integrated graphics or Microsoft Basic Renderer instead, correcting GPU selection may matter more than changing visual settings.
2. Update your graphics driver and Windows
Larian recommends current graphics drivers for compatibility and performance, and its graphics FAQ also suggests installing Windows updates. Larian’s Graphical Issues FAQ advises: “Updating to the latest graphics card drivers will help with compatibility and performance of the game.” Use the driver offered for your exact GPU from its manufacturer rather than relying on an unrelated version number.
3. Compare DirectX 11 and Vulkan on your PC
Use the Larian Launcher to switch APIs, then compare frame rate and stability in the same area with the same settings. Larian’s Graphical Issues FAQ says: “In the Larian Launcher, try switching between DirectX 11 and Vulkan, as applicable, to see if that makes a difference.” There is no documented universal winner: Larian notes Vulkan may have performance advantages in many cases, but can be less stable. If one option stutters, crashes, or performs worse, return to the other.
#1 Best Overall
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4. Lower resolution or graphics settings, then tune back up
Reduce resolution or choose a lower graphics preset to test whether the GPU workload is limiting performance. If the frame rate improves, raise settings gradually until you reach a suitable balance between image quality and smoothness. Compare in the same scene; a busy area and a quiet one can behave differently. Larian says PCs near minimum specifications may need low-to-medium settings, so the highest preset is not a realistic target for every system.
5. Close overlays and nonessential programs
Background applications can interfere with a game or compete for system resources. Larian lists antivirus and firewall software, graphics-tweaking or monitoring overlays, and chat applications among programs that have been known to cause problems. Close nonessential programs and disable overlays temporarily, testing one group at a time where practical. If performance changes, re-enable items individually to identify a conflict rather than leaving security software disabled.
Rank #2
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6. Verify game files and investigate mods or settings when relevant
If the slowdown began after an update, a crash, or changes to mods, check the installation through the platform client you use:
- Steam: Open the game’s Properties, select Installed Files, then choose Verify integrity of game files.
- GOG Galaxy: Open the game’s Manage installation menu and choose Verify / Repair.
Remove or update mods that may no longer match the current game version. If mods were removed, check for leftover mod files; a clean game installation does not always remove every user-installed file. Larian also lists renaming graphicSettings.lsx so the game can recreate it, and clearing the contents of the LevelCache folder, as troubleshooting options. Treat these as later steps: preserve saves and configuration, and do not delete the whole user-data folder casually.
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Rank #3
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7. Try a frame cap, check requirements, and escalate with diagnostics
Test a 60 FPS cap on a high-refresh display
If your monitor’s refresh rate is above 60 Hz, Larian suggests testing a 60 FPS cap. This is a troubleshooting test, not a promise that capping the game will raise its frame rate. Compare smoothness and consistency before deciding whether to keep it.
Compare your hardware with Larian’s requirements
Larian’s System Requirements page lists these Windows GPU targets:
Rank #4
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| Requirement level | Graphics card | VRAM |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | NVIDIA GTX 970 or AMD RX 480 | 4GB or more |
| Recommended | NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super or AMD RX 5700 XT | 8GB or more |
These GPU examples are not a complete diagnosis: compare your processor, memory, and other requirements on Larian’s page too. A PC around the minimum may need visual concessions; consider hardware changes only after checking your actual system against the requirements. Larian also requires 150 GB of available storage on an SSD for Windows. That is an installation requirement, not evidence that buying an SSD will improve frame rate.
Check the game version and contact support if the issue persists
Keep the game current. Larian announced Hotfix #36, version 4.1.1.7209685, on 26 March 2026; it fixed a frame-rate drop and eventual crash when loading a save associated with the preceding small update. That specific correction does not explain every low-FPS problem. If the steps above do not help, Larian’s FAQ directs players to collect a DxDiag report and contact Larian Support.
Best Value
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Steam Deck: distinguish Native from Proton
These notes apply to Steam Deck, not Windows PCs. Larian introduced a Native version in Hotfix #34 and says it uses less CPU and memory than the Proton version. Larian also targeted performance spikes in busy areas, including the Lower City in Act 3. Check which version you are running before comparing results. The Hotfix #34 notes discuss FSR 2.2 as a way to balance sharpness and performance with Steam Deck defaults; they do not establish a general FPS increase for every setup. See Larian’s Baldur’s Gate 3 Steam announcements for its hotfix notes.
When local hardware is the limit
If your system falls below Larian’s requirements and the practical settings changes are not enough, a hardware upgrade may be relevant, but the right choice depends on the rest of your PC and your budget. Cloud gaming is another possible route for an underpowered local machine, subject to service availability, supported devices, network conditions, and the game catalog in your region. NVIDIA has identified GeForce NOW as an option, but check its current availability and terms before relying on it. Neither option is a universal fix for an issue caused by a driver, overlay, game file, or specific patch.
Quick Recap
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