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Xbox Game Bar is the quickest built-in way to show FPS in most Windows 11 games: launch a game, press Windows + G, open the Performance widget, select FPS, and pin the widget. If you play through Steam, its own counter is simpler; NVIDIA and AMD users can use their graphics software for more metrics.
The right counter depends on the game launcher, your GPU, and whether you want only a number or detailed performance data. Here are the steps for each option, plus fixes for a missing or unwanted overlay.
The quickest method: Xbox Game Bar
- Launch your game.
- Press Windows + G to open Xbox Game Bar.
- Open the Performance widget. If you do not see it, use Game Bar’s widget menu and choose Performance.
- Select or expand the FPS section.
- Select the widget’s pin icon to keep it visible after Game Bar closes. Move or resize it if needed.
- Press Windows + G again, or click back into the game.
The Performance widget can also show CPU, GPU, VRAM, and system-memory information. Those readings can help indicate whether a game is limited by the processor or graphics card, but FPS alone does not identify the cause of a slowdown. Intel also documents Game Bar as an option for displaying FPS in Windows 11 (Intel’s instructions).
If Game Bar shows “–,” “N/A,” or no FPS option
On some systems, FPS access needs to be granted before the metric becomes available. In the Performance widget, select the FPS area and choose Request access if that option appears. Approve the Windows prompt, restart the PC if requested, then reopen the game and check again. This is not required on every Windows build or Game Bar version.
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- Make sure a game is running, then reopen Game Bar with Windows + G.
- Open Performance and expand the FPS area.
- Choose Request access if shown and approve the prompt.
- Restart Windows if prompted, then test the counter again.
If the FPS field is still missing, update Xbox Game Bar through Microsoft Store and check that its overlay is enabled. Older troubleshooting advice refers to adding an account to the Windows Performance Log Users group; consider that only an advanced fallback, not the first fix. You can instead use a Steam, GPU-vendor, or game-native counter.
Show FPS in Steam
For games launched through Steam, its built-in counter is a straightforward option:
- Open Steam and go to Steam > Settings > In Game.
- Find In-game FPS counter and choose a screen corner.
- Launch or restart the game.
The Steam Overlay must be available for the counter to appear. If it is missing, check Steam’s in-game overlay setting and the game’s display mode; some games or anti-cheat systems interfere with overlays. Steam’s counter is intended for Steam games, not a universal Windows overlay. Adding a non-Steam game to your library may let some Steam features interact with it, but it is not guaranteed to work for every title.
Show FPS with the NVIDIA App
NVIDIA’s current software route for its in-game statistics is the NVIDIA App, which includes a customizable performance overlay. Older guides may refer to GeForce Experience menus; those instructions are not a universal match for current NVIDIA software. See NVIDIA’s overview of the NVIDIA App.
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- Open or install the NVIDIA App and make sure its in-game overlay is enabled in the app’s settings.
- Start the game and open the NVIDIA overlay using the shortcut shown in your app settings.
- Open its Statistics or performance-overlay controls.
- Enable FPS, then choose the overlay’s position and appearance.
Shortcuts and menu labels can change between versions or be reassigned, so check the app rather than relying on a shortcut from an older guide. Alt + Z and Alt + R may work in some installations, but they are version-dependent. NVIDIA release notes describe additional overlay statistics, including 1% low FPS in supported versions (NVIDIA App release highlights).
If the counter will not appear, check that the in-game overlay is on, try launching the game after enabling it, and check for a shortcut conflict. Some games, protected content, and anti-cheat systems may block or limit overlays. If it appears on the desktop but not in one particular title, try a game-native counter rather than attempting to bypass its protections.
Show FPS with AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition
Radeon users can use the Metrics Overlay in AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition. AMD lists frame rate, frame time, 99th-percentile FPS, and hardware readings among its available metrics.
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- Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition.
- Go to Performance and open the metrics or overlay settings.
- Enable Show Metrics Overlay and make sure Frame Rate is selected.
- Launch the game. If needed, toggle the overlay with Ctrl + Shift + O.
That is AMD’s documented default toggle shortcut; you can inspect or change hotkeys in AMD Software’s Hotkey Settings. The full Adrenalin software is needed for this route, and driver-only installations may not include its interface. The overlay can show N/A for FPS in some games or configurations, as AMD has noted in its release notes. If that happens, try Game Bar or the game’s own counter.
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Show FPS on Intel graphics
For Intel integrated graphics, Xbox Game Bar is the simplest documented choice: press Windows + G, open Performance, select FPS, and pin the widget. Intel’s Windows 11 guidance covers this route.
Intel Arc PCs may also have Intel graphics software or a laptop-maker performance utility, but the available controls depend on the software version and system. If you do not see a supported FPS option there, use Game Bar, Steam for a Steam game, or a game-native counter.
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MSI Afterburner is an advanced option, not a requirement for a basic counter. It can display FPS alongside frame time, temperatures, clocks, memory use, and CPU or GPU utilization. Its in-game on-screen display relies on RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS) running in the background.
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- Download Afterburner from MSI’s official support page or a source MSI explicitly identifies. Install RTSS when offered.
- Open Afterburner and select Settings, then the Monitoring tab.
- Select Framerate or another metric you want displayed.
- Enable Show in On-Screen Display, apply the setting, and keep RTSS running.
- Launch the game and check for the overlay.
For details, follow MSI’s Afterburner setup instructions. The extra control comes with extra setup and potential overlay conflicts. Some anti-cheat systems or protected games block third-party overlays, so do not disable anti-cheat to force one to work. Monitoring also does not require changing overclock or tuning settings.
Check for a counter built into the game
Some games include their own performance display. Look in settings under Video, Graphics, Display, Interface, HUD, Accessibility, or Telemetry. Search for “FPS,” “frame rate,” “performance statistics,” or “telemetry.” There is no universal menu path.
A game-native counter does not rely on a separate desktop overlay and may work in modes or titles where third-party overlays do not. It is often a good fallback when a game’s anti-cheat or display mode blocks another counter.
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Which FPS counter should you use?
| Method | Best for | Detail | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Game Bar | Most Windows 11 users who want a built-in option | Basic FPS plus system readings | May require access permission or fail in a particular game |
| Steam counter | Games launched through Steam | Basic FPS | Depends on Steam Overlay and game compatibility |
| NVIDIA App | NVIDIA GPU owners | FPS and configurable statistics | Overlay availability and shortcuts vary by version |
| AMD Adrenalin | Radeon GPU owners | FPS, frame time, percentile and hardware metrics | May report N/A in some games |
| MSI Afterburner + RTSS | Detailed monitoring across many GPU brands | Extensive metrics and profiles | More setup and possible overlay conflicts |
| Game-native counter | A specific game with a built-in display | Usually basic | Not available in every title |
| NVIDIA FrameView | Benchmarking and broader comparisons | Average and percentile FPS plus other performance data | More than most players need for a corner counter |
Quick choice: start with Game Bar if you want a general Windows counter; choose Steam for a Steam game; use NVIDIA App or AMD Adrenalin if you already use that GPU software; choose Afterburner plus RTSS or FrameView when you need deeper diagnostics. NVIDIA’s FrameView guide describes broader performance measurements, including average and percentile FPS.
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FPS counter not working? Try these fixes
- Check the right widget or setting. Open Game Bar’s Performance widget, or verify that the relevant Steam or GPU overlay is enabled.
- Grant Game Bar access. If it offers Request access, approve it and restart Windows if prompted.
- Enable the overlay before launching the game. Then close and reopen the game so the counter can initialize.
- Try borderless windowed mode. Fullscreen modes can affect overlays. If that does not help, restore the game’s preferred mode afterward.
- Temporarily disable competing overlays. Game Bar, Steam, NVIDIA App, AMD Adrenalin, RTSS, and laptop utilities can overlap or use the same shortcut. Test with just one enabled.
- Check game compatibility. Anti-cheat, protected content, or a particular rendering mode can prevent an overlay from hooking into a game. Do not disable security protections to work around this.
- Update the relevant app or driver. An outdated overlay component can cause problems, but updating or reinstalling does not guarantee a fix.
- Use the game’s counter or another method. A missing reading may be specific to one title or overlay. AMD has documented N/A readings in some games; switching tools is often the simplest workaround.
If an overlay hotkey does nothing, check its settings for the assigned shortcut and make sure another app or the game has not claimed it.
How to turn off an FPS counter
- Xbox Game Bar: Press Windows + G and unpin or close the Performance widget.
- Steam: Go to Steam > Settings > In Game and set the FPS counter to off or none.
- NVIDIA App: Turn off FPS in its Statistics or performance-overlay controls, or disable the in-game overlay in NVIDIA App settings.
- AMD Adrenalin: Toggle off the Metrics Overlay with its configured hotkey, or turn off Show Metrics Overlay in its settings.
- Afterburner/RTSS: Disable Show in On-Screen Display for the selected metric or exit RTSS.
- Still visible? Check the game’s HUD and any laptop manufacturer utility; the counter may be coming from a different overlay.
What FPS number is good?
There is no single target that suits every game or monitor. A 60 Hz display refreshes up to 60 times per second; higher-refresh displays can show more frequent updates when the game and setup deliver them. The useful target also depends on the game, graphics settings, and whether you prioritize responsiveness, image quality, or battery life.
FPS counts rendered frames, while refresh rate is how often the display can refresh. Frame time measures how long a frame takes to render in milliseconds; uneven frame times can make a game feel choppy even when its average FPS looks high. A stable frame rate can feel better than a higher but erratic one.
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