Stutter returns after recent update.

[SSpartan117]

The laptop was working fine till a recent update. I had fixed the stuttering issue by cleaning the fan and removing the dust a month ago. However. 3 days ago there was an update and the issue has returned. 

The frame drops for 3 to 4 seconds to less than 10 fps mid gaming. The game is not a graphically demanding game and uses less than half of the GPU. System temps are normal and does not cross 75C.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @SSpartan117 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thanks for laying that out so clearly—it’s really helpful. I can imagine how frustrating it must be to have the issue return after you already took the time to clean the fan and get things running smoothly. 

Let’s tackle this together and get your gameplay back on track. 🎮

 

🛠️ Steps to Resolve Sudden Frame Drops After Update

1. Roll Back the Recent Update

If the issue started right after a system update:

• Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update History.
• Click Uninstall updates and remove the most recent one (especially if it’s a driver or optional update).
• Restart and test the game again.

 

2. Check Graphics Driver Version

Sometimes updates can install generic or incompatible drivers.

• Open Device Manager.
• Expand Display adapters, right-click your GPU, and choose Properties > Driver tab.
• If the date is recent, click Roll Back Driver (if available).
• Alternatively, uninstall the driver and reinstall the latest version from the official site.

 

3. Adjust Power Settings

Make sure your system isn’t throttling performance:

• Go to Control Panel > Power Options.
• Select High Performance or Best Performance under Settings > System > Power & Battery.

 

4. Disable Background Apps

Even light games can suffer if something’s hogging resources:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Check for high CPU or disk usage and disable unnecessary apps.

 

5. Turn Off Game Mode and Background Recording

These features sometimes interfere with performance:

• Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and turn it off.
• Under Captures, disable Background recording.

 

6. Clean Boot the System

This helps isolate software conflicts:

• Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
• Under the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
• Go to the Startup tab and open Task Manager to disable startup items.
• Restart and test the game.

 

7. Run System Diagnostics

Let’s rule out any hardware hiccups:

• Restart and press Esc, then F2 to open diagnostics.
• Run System Tests > Extensive Test and Component Tests > GPU.

If the issue persists even after all this, we can explore more advanced options like resetting the graphics settings or checking for firmware updates. 

You’ve already shown great initiative by cleaning the fan and monitoring temps—let’s build on that and get your system back to peak performance. Just say the word and I’ll guide you through the next steps!

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye