45 Fps Fix __exclusive__ — Cod Mw3
To fix the common 45 FPS lock Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023), most players find that the issue is tied to either power-saving features external frame limiters
Here is a ready-to-use post format that covers the most effective fixes: FIX: MW3 Locked at 45 FPS? Try These Steps Modern Warfare III
is stuck at exactly 45 (or 40-60) FPS despite having a high-end rig, you aren’t alone. This is usually a software-level lock, not a hardware limitation. 1. Check "Eco Mode" Settings
This is the #1 culprit. MW3 has an "Eco Mode" that aggressively caps your frame rate to save power. Eco Mode Preset and set it to Menu Game Custom Frame Rate is set higher than 60. 2. Disable VSync & Check "Sync Every Frame"
VSync can sometimes lock your game to a fraction of your monitor’s refresh rate if it can't hit the target. VSync (Gameplay) VSync (Menus)
If you’re on a laptop or using a TV, ensure your Windows refresh rate matches your monitor’s actual Hz in Display Settings 3. NVIDIA/AMD Control Panel Cleanup Check if a global limit is overwriting your game settings. NVIDIA Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings > Program Settings > Select Call of Duty Max Frame Rate Radeon Chill Frame Rate Target Control (FRTC) is enabled in the Adrenalin software and toggle it off. 4. Toggle "Resizable Bar" (NVIDIA) or "SAM" (AMD) Some users reported that disabling Resizable Bar in the BIOS (for NVIDIA) or Smart Access Memory (for AMD) immediately unlocked their frames. 5. Reset Your Shader Cache Corrupt shaders can cause "ghost" caps. In-game, go to Restart Shader Optimization
Wait for the bar at the top to reach 100% before jumping into a match. If none of these work, try switching the game from Full Screen Borderless Full Screen Exclusive to bypass Windows-level frame capping. Are you still seeing the cap in menus only
as well? Let me know and I can help you troubleshoot further. Hidden Settings for EVEN MORE FPS in Modern Warfare 3
Depending on which version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 you are playing—the original 2011 release or the 2023 reboot—the "45 FPS" issue usually stems from either a hard-coded engine cap or incorrect display settings. For MW3 (2011 Version)
The older engine often suffers from compatibility issues on modern Windows OS (Windows 10/11) that can artificially cap your performance.
Edit the Config File: You can manually override the engine's internal frame limit.
Navigate to your game's installation folder, then the players folder.
Open config.cfg (Singleplayer) or config_mp.cfg (Multiplayer) with Notepad.
Look for the line seta com_maxfps. if it isn't there, add seta com_maxfps "0" (for unlimited) or "250" to the end of the file.
Disable "Sync Every Frame": Ensure VSync is turned OFF in the in-game Video options, as it frequently locks the game to half your refresh rate or a flat 45/60 FPS.
Launch Options: In Steam, right-click the game > Properties > General > Launch Options, and type -refresh 60 (or your monitor's rate) to force a higher refresh lock. For MW3 (2023 Version)
If you are capped at 45 FPS in the newer title, it is likely due to power-saving modes or specific software limits.
Reports of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) being stuck at 45 FPS are often tied to specific Eco Mode settings, hardware-specific features like Resizable Bar, or unoptimized config files. Users encountering this exact 45 FPS cap should prioritize the following technical adjustments. 1. Disable Eco Mode Caps cod mw3 45 fps fix
A common culprit for specific FPS caps is the "Eco Mode" setting introduced in recent updates.
Action: In the game settings, navigate to the Account & Network or Graphics tab and set Eco Mode to Custom or Off.
Why: Preset Eco Modes can hard-cap frame rates to save energy, often at numbers like 30, 45, or 60 FPS. 2. Adjust BIOS Features (Nvidia/AMD)
Modern hardware features intended to boost performance can sometimes cause severe FPS drops or caps in MW3 depending on the system configuration. Nvidia Users: Disable Resizable Bar in your BIOS settings. AMD Users: Disable Smart Access Memory (SAM) in your BIOS. 3. Modify the Renderer Worker Count
The game may default to a low number of CPU cores, causing a bottleneck that limits FPS.
Locate File: Go to Documents\Call of Duty\players and open the file named options.3.cod23.cst (or similar depending on the version).
Edit Setting: Find the line RendererWorkerCount and change its value to match your CPU's physical core count or one less than that (e.g., if you have 8 cores, try 7 or 8).
Alternative: Some players found that changing the interpolation setting to true in this file significantly improved frames. 4. Optimize In-Game Display & Quality Settings
Incorrect display modes or frame rate limits can lead to artificial caps.
Display Mode: Use Full Screen Exclusive rather than Borderless to ensure the game has full control over the refresh rate.
Frame Rate Limits: Check the Custom Frame Rate Limit and ensure "Gameplay Custom Frame Rate Limit" is set to Unlimited or a value matching your monitor's high refresh rate.
VSync: Turn VSync OFF in both gameplay and menu settings to remove potential refresh rate syncing issues. 5. Third-Party Software Interference
Antivirus: Users have reported that certain antivirus software, specifically Bitdefender, can cap MW3 at 45 FPS. Temporarily disabling or white-listing the game may resolve the issue.
Overlays: Turn off Discord, Steam, or Nvidia/AMD overlays, as these can cause performance stutters or caps.
If you're stuck at 45 FPS in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 , you're likely hitting a specific software cap rather than a hardware limit. Whether you're playing the 2011 classic or the modern reboot, here is how to break that lock and reclaim your performance. 1. Disable "Sync Every Frame" (V-Sync)
The most common cause for a 45 FPS cap is having "Sync Every Frame" (V-Sync) enabled on a monitor that isn't running at a standard 60Hz or 120Hz. If your monitor's refresh rate is fluctuating or set to a non-standard value, V-Sync may lock your FPS to a lower fraction like 45.
Fix: Go to Settings > Graphics > Display and set Sync Every Frame to Off. 2. Check for External FPS Caps To fix the common 45 FPS lock Call
Sometimes, software outside the game forces a limit on your frame rate.
NVIDIA/AMD Control Panels: Check your NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Software under "Manage 3D Settings" to ensure "Max Frame Rate" isn't accidentally set to 45.
Background Tools: Applications like RivaTuner (often installed with MSI Afterburner) or GeForce Experience's "Whisper Mode" can impose strict FPS limits to save power. 3. The 2011 Classic: "Native" Image Quality Fix
In the original 2011 MW3, a specific graphics bug can cause massive performance drops.
Fix: Navigate to Options > Video > Advanced Video Settings. Change Image Quality to Native. Setting this to "Extra" or "High" can paradoxically cause the game to render at a weird internal resolution that tanks performance on modern hardware. 4. Adjust the Custom Frame Rate Limit (MW3 2023)
The modern reboot includes detailed in-game limiters that might be misconfigured.
Fix: Go to Graphics > Display and find Custom Frame Rate Limit. Ensure the "Gameplay" limit is set to Unlimited or matches your monitor’s high refresh rate (e.g., 144 or 240). 5. Disable Variable Refresh Rate (Windows Setting)
A known Windows bug can sometimes cap all games at a lower frame rate when certain "optimizations" are active.
Fix: Open Windows Settings > System > Display > Graphics. Click Change default graphics settings and toggle Variable refresh rate to Off, then restart your game. 6. Advanced Fix: Config File Core Count
If the game isn't utilizing your CPU correctly, it may throttle your GPU, leading to low, capped-feeling frame rates.
Fix: Navigate to your Documents/Call of Duty/players folder and open the options.4.cod23 file (for the 2023 version) with Notepad.
Find the line for RendererWorkerCount and ensure it matches your CPU’s physical core count. If it's too low, the game will underperform regardless of your settings. Summary Checklist for Max FPS Recommendation Upscaling Use NVIDIA DLSS (Quality) or AMD FSR 2.1 VRAM Scale Set to 60-80% to avoid hitching Texture Res Set to Low or Normal for best 1% lows Game Mode Turn ON in Windows Settings Fix FPS issues in MW III for PC : r/ModernWarfare3Zombies
To fix the issue where Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) is locked at 45 FPS, you should primarily disable VSync (Sync Every Frame) in the game's video options and ensure your graphics drivers are updated
. This cap often occurs due to synchronization conflicts or outdated configuration files. Top Fixes for the 45 FPS Lock Disable VSync
: In the game settings, look for "Sync Every Frame" and turn it off. You can also disable VSync globally in the NVIDIA Control Panel AMD Software Modify Config Files
: For older versions of MW3, navigate to your "players" folder and locate config.cfg config_mp.cfg . Use a text editor to ensure seta com_maxfps
is set to a higher value, such as "0" (unlimited) or your monitor's refresh rate (e.g., "144"). Disable Fullscreen Optimizations : Right-click the MW3 executable file, go to Properties Compatibility , and check the box for "Disable fullscreen optimizations" Adjust BIOS Features : Some players find that turning off Resizable BAR (NVIDIA) or Smart Access Memory (SAM) White Paper: Resolution of Frame Rate Capping in
(AMD) in their BIOS settings resolves unusual performance caps in newer MW3 builds. Check Launch Options : On Steam, right-click the game > Properties Launch Options -refresh 60
(or your preferred refresh rate) to force the engine to recognize your monitor's capability. General Performance Boosts Update Drivers : Use official tools like NVIDIA GeForce Experience to ensure your GPU drivers are current. Power Settings : Set your PC’s power plan to High Performance
in the Windows Control Panel to prevent hardware downclocking during gameplay. Hardware Monitoring
: Ensure your system isn't overheating, as thermal throttling can cause sudden and consistent FPS drops. in-game graphics settings
to further optimize your frame rate once the cap is removed?
How to Fix the 45 FPS Cap in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Experiencing a hard lock at 45 FPS in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) can be frustrating, especially when your hardware is capable of much more. This issue often stems from specific in-game limiters, outdated drivers, or hidden Windows power constraints. 1. Disable In-Game Frame Rate Limiters
The most common cause for a specific FPS cap is an active in-game setting.
Eco Mode: Ensure Eco Mode Preset is set to Custom or Off. Some presets automatically cap frame rates to save power.
Custom Frame Rate Limit: Go to the "Display" tab and check your Custom Frame Rate Limit. If it is enabled, set "Gameplay Custom Frame Rate Limit" to your monitor’s refresh rate or "Unlimited".
VSync: Turn off VSync (Gameplay) and VSync (Menus), as these can sometimes lock your frame rate to a fraction of your monitor's refresh rate if performance dips. 2. Adjust Windows & Driver Settings
External settings can override your game's performance targets.
Here’s a detailed, SEO-friendly post you can use for a blog, Reddit, or Steam guide.
White Paper: Resolution of Frame Rate Capping in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
Subject: Diagnosing and Repairing the "45 FPS Lock" Caused by V-Sync and Windowed Mode Conflicts Target Application: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023) Platform: PC (Windows 10/11)
🎯 Call of Duty: MW3 (2023) – Stuck at 45 FPS? Here’s the Real Fix
You have a high-refresh monitor. Your PC ran Modern Warfare 2 at 144+ FPS. But suddenly, Modern Warfare 3 feels sluggish, stuck around 45 FPS no matter what graphics settings you change.
You’re not alone. This isn’t a “your GPU is weak” problem. It’s a bug. Let’s fix it.
3.5 Advanced Fixes (if issue persists)
- Delete config files:
Documents\Call of Duty\players\*config*(game resets to defaults). - Disable Windows MPO (Multi-Plane Overlay): Download NVIDIA’s MPO disable script or use Regedit (advanced).
- Roll back GPU driver to 537.58 (NVIDIA) or 23.11.1 (AMD) – newer drivers sometimes cap performance in MW3.
- Set RendererWorkerCount manually: In
options.3.cod23.cst, findRendererWorkerCountand set to number of physical CPU cores (not threads), e.g., 6 for 6-core CPU.
1. Abstract
A prevalent anomaly reported by the player base of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III involves the game engine rigidly capping the frame rate at approximately 45 Frames Per Second (FPS), despite hardware capabilities supporting significantly higher outputs. This white paper identifies the root cause as a conflict between the game's internal Vertical Synchronization (V-Sync) logic and the Windows Desktop Window Manager (DWM) when the application is running in "Borderless Windowed" mode. This document outlines the step-by-step mitigation strategy to restore unlocked frame rates.