Why do my fps drop in league of legends

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: FPS drops in League of Legends typically occur due to hardware limitations, software conflicts, or in-game settings. Common causes include outdated graphics drivers, insufficient RAM (less than 8GB recommended), or CPU/GPU thermal throttling above 85°C. Network issues like packet loss over 1% can also cause stuttering, while background applications consuming over 15% CPU can impact performance. Regular maintenance like driver updates and temperature monitoring below 80°C helps maintain stable FPS.

Key Facts

League of Legends requires at least 2GB RAM and a DirectX 9.0c compatible GPU for minimum specs
The game's recommended specs include 4GB RAM and a GPU with 1GB VRAM for consistent 60+ FPS
Patch 9.23 in November 2019 introduced visual updates that increased hardware demands
Riot's Vanguard anti-cheat system, added in 2020, can cause FPS drops if conflicting with other software
The game engine processes approximately 60 game ticks per second at standard settings

Overview

League of Legends, developed by Riot Games and released in October 2009, has evolved from a modest multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) to one of the world's most popular esports titles with over 180 million monthly players as of 2023. The game initially ran on Adobe Air before transitioning to a custom C++ engine, with significant visual overhauls in 2014 (Summoner's Rift update) and 2019 (Patch 9.23 visual update). Performance optimization has been an ongoing challenge as Riot added new champions (over 160 by 2023), skins, and visual effects while maintaining accessibility on diverse hardware configurations. The 2020 introduction of Riot Vanguard, a kernel-level anti-cheat system, marked another performance inflection point, requiring additional system resources and sometimes conflicting with other software. Historically, major patches have temporarily impacted FPS stability, particularly during seasonal transitions and visual reworks.

How It Works

FPS (frames per second) in League of Legends depends on the interaction between game engine processing and hardware capabilities. The game engine renders frames by processing game logic (champion movements, ability calculations), drawing graphics (textures, particles, animations), and handling network synchronization. When hardware components bottleneck this pipeline, FPS drops occur. Common bottlenecks include: CPU limitations when processing complex team fights with multiple particle effects; GPU limitations when rendering high-resolution textures or numerous visual effects simultaneously; RAM/VRAM limitations when loading assets during transitions between game phases; and thermal throttling when components exceed safe temperatures (typically above 85°C for CPUs/GPUs). Software factors include driver compatibility (particularly with NVIDIA/AMD graphics drivers), background processes consuming CPU cycles, and network latency affecting game state synchronization. The game's settings menu allows adjustment of graphics quality, resolution, and effects to balance visual fidelity with performance.

Why It Matters

Stable FPS is crucial in League of Legends because it directly impacts gameplay responsiveness and competitive fairness. Professional tournaments require consistent 144+ FPS for optimal reaction times, while casual players need at least 60 FPS for smooth gameplay. FPS drops during critical moments (like team fights) can cause input lag, missed skill shots, and disadvantageous positioning. Beyond individual performance, widespread FPS issues can affect the esports ecosystem, viewer experience, and game accessibility. Riot's ongoing optimization efforts balance visual quality with performance to maintain the game's competitive integrity across diverse hardware, from entry-level laptops to high-end gaming rigs. Performance stability also influences player retention, as consistent technical issues can frustrate users and drive them to alternative games.