HP Pavilion gaming 15 lags for 15 seconds while gaming

[wtfigo]

I am experiencing an issue with my HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15. While playing Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), the game frequently lags every 10–15 seconds, dropping to 9 FPS, and then returns to normal. This significantly affects the gameplay experience.

Here are some details about the issue:

• Game Settings: Running at low graphics settings with 1024x768 resolution and minimal settings required to play the game effectively
• Performance: The FPS drops occur regardless of in-game action, lasting 10 to 15 seconds before returning to the original FPS.
• Other Observations: mostly happens in counter strike 2.

Troubleshooting Steps Tried:

1. Checked for Windows and GPU driver updates.
2. Closed unnecessary background applications.
3. Verified game files through Steam.here is the image i am experiencing the issue of.
4. 

[Irfan_06]

Hi @wtfigo,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to assist you.

Frequent lag spikes and FPS drops can be caused by various factors, including thermal throttling, driver issues, or hardware constraints. Here's a structured approach to address the issue with your HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15:

1. Check System Performance

Monitor Temperatures: Use tools like HWMonitor, MSI Afterburner, or Open Hardware Monitor to check CPU and GPU temperatures during gameplay. Throttling often occurs when components exceed safe temperature limits.

• Normal Gaming Temperatures: CPU (70-85°C), GPU (65-85°C).
• If temperatures exceed these ranges, consider improving cooling (see Step 4).

Resource Monitoring: Use the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) or Performance Monitor to identify if any other processes are consuming CPU, GPU, or disk resources during gameplay.

2. Update and Optimize Drivers

• Update BIOS: Kindly refer to the steps on this link to update the BIOS and let me know if that resolves the issue.

Make sure you keep only the charger plugged in while updating the BIOS for your PC.

Click on the + sign next to BIOS and then download the file.

Open the file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update. 

• Graphics Drivers:
  • Ensure you are using the latest GPU drivers for your graphics card.
  • For NVIDIA cards, download the drivers directly from the NVIDIA website.
  • Perform a clean installation to remove any conflicting driver settings.
• Other Drivers:
  • Update your chipset, audio, and network drivers through HP Support Assistant or the HP driver page for your laptop model.

3. Adjust Game Settings

• CS2 Optimization:
  • Lower non-essential graphical settings further, such as:
    • Disable V-Sync and triple buffering.
    • Lower anti-aliasing and texture filtering.
  • Experiment with setting the game to DirectX 11 mode instead of the default renderer.
  • Add launch options in Steam:Adjust -threads based on your CPU cores.

4. Improve Cooling

• Laptop Cooling:
  • Ensure the laptop is on a hard, flat surface for optimal airflow.
  • Use a cooling pad to help reduce temperatures during gaming.
• Internal Cleaning:
  • Dust buildup can block airflow, leading to overheating. If the laptop is older, consider cleaning the internal fans and heatsinks.

5. Power and Performance Settings

Set Performance Mode:

• Open Control Panel > Power Options > Select High Performance or Ultimate Performance.

Disable Throttling:

• Open Windows Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and ensure it’s enabled.
• Disable power-saving features for your GPU in NVIDIA Control Panel:
  • Go to Manage 3D Settings > Set Power Management Mode to Prefer Maximum Performance.

6. Test Network Stability

Counter-Strike 2 is network-intensive. FPS drops can sometimes correlate with connection issues:

• Test Your Connection:
  • Use a wired Ethernet connection if possible.
  • Ensure low ping and consistent bandwidth with tools like Speedtest.
• Disable Background Network Usage:
  • Disable updates or downloads in Steam and other applications.

7. Additional Recommendations

• Game File Integrity: Verify the integrity of the game files in Steam.
  • Go to Steam Library > Right-click on CS2 > Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files.
• BIOS and Firmware Updates:
  • Check for and apply any updates available for your laptop from the HP Support site.

8. If the Issue Persists

• Run Diagnostics: Please follow the steps below to perform an extensive system test to confirm if the hardware is working fine.

1) Shut down the computer.

2) Turn the computer back on again and repeatedly tap on the ESC until a Startup menu appears.  

3) Press F2 once.  

4) Go to the system test > extensive test

If the hardware is working fine. Kindly refer to the steps on this link to perform system restore on your laptop and let me know if that resolves the issue.

If the issue still persists, click on this link to perform a recovery on your Laptop.  (Take a backup of the data before performing a recovery)

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a great day ahead!

 Irwin6

HP Support

[Irfan_06]

Hi @wtfigo,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to assist you.

Frequent lag spikes and FPS drops can be caused by various factors, including thermal throttling, driver issues, or hardware constraints. Here's a structured approach to address the issue with your HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15:

1. Check System Performance

Monitor Temperatures: Use tools like HWMonitor, MSI Afterburner, or Open Hardware Monitor to check CPU and GPU temperatures during gameplay. Throttling often occurs when components exceed safe temperature limits.

• Normal Gaming Temperatures: CPU (70-85°C), GPU (65-85°C).
• If temperatures exceed these ranges, consider improving cooling (see Step 4).

Resource Monitoring: Use the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) or Performance Monitor to identify if any other processes are consuming CPU, GPU, or disk resources during gameplay.

2. Update and Optimize Drivers

• Update BIOS: Kindly refer to the steps on this link to update the BIOS and let me know if that resolves the issue.

Make sure you keep only the charger plugged in while updating the BIOS for your PC.

Click on the + sign next to BIOS and then download the file.

Open the file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update. 

• Graphics Drivers:
  • Ensure you are using the latest GPU drivers for your graphics card.
  • For NVIDIA cards, download the drivers directly from the NVIDIA website.
  • Perform a clean installation to remove any conflicting driver settings.
• Other Drivers:
  • Update your chipset, audio, and network drivers through HP Support Assistant or the HP driver page for your laptop model.

3. Adjust Game Settings

• CS2 Optimization:
  • Lower non-essential graphical settings further, such as:
    • Disable V-Sync and triple buffering.
    • Lower anti-aliasing and texture filtering.
  • Experiment with setting the game to DirectX 11 mode instead of the default renderer.
  • Add launch options in Steam:Adjust -threads based on your CPU cores.

4. Improve Cooling

• Laptop Cooling:
  • Ensure the laptop is on a hard, flat surface for optimal airflow.
  • Use a cooling pad to help reduce temperatures during gaming.
• Internal Cleaning:
  • Dust buildup can block airflow, leading to overheating. If the laptop is older, consider cleaning the internal fans and heatsinks.

5. Power and Performance Settings

Set Performance Mode:

• Open Control Panel > Power Options > Select High Performance or Ultimate Performance.

Disable Throttling:

• Open Windows Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and ensure it’s enabled.
• Disable power-saving features for your GPU in NVIDIA Control Panel:
  • Go to Manage 3D Settings > Set Power Management Mode to Prefer Maximum Performance.

6. Test Network Stability

Counter-Strike 2 is network-intensive. FPS drops can sometimes correlate with connection issues:

• Test Your Connection:
  • Use a wired Ethernet connection if possible.
  • Ensure low ping and consistent bandwidth with tools like Speedtest.
• Disable Background Network Usage:
  • Disable updates or downloads in Steam and other applications.

7. If the Issue Persists

• Run Diagnostics: Please follow the steps below to perform an extensive system test to confirm if the hardware is working fine.

1) Shut down the computer.

2) Turn the computer back on again and repeatedly tap on the ESC until a Startup menu appears.  

3) Press F2 once.  

4) Go to the system test > extensive test

If the hardware is working fine. Kindly refer to the steps on this link to perform system restore on your laptop and let me know if that resolves the issue.

If the issue still persists, click on this link to perform a recovery on your Laptop.  (Take a backup of the data before performing a recovery)

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a great day ahead!

 Irwin6

HP Support