How to Turn Off FPS Counter on Windows 11 – Game Bar Xbox

Are you ever deep in a game, only to see a block of numbers in the corner? That’s the FPS counter. While it can be a useful tool, it can also be very annoying. If you want to know how to turn off fps counter on windows 11, this is the right place for you. Many gamers don’t need it after they fix their settings. It can be a distraction that pulls you out of the game. This guide shows you how to turn it off with the Xbox Game Bar. We will also answer other questions so you can control your gaming on Windows 11.

What Is the FPS Counter and Why Is It On?

First, let’s learn what the FPS counter is. FPS means “Frames Per Second.” It shows how many new pictures your graphics card makes each second. A higher FPS means your game runs smoother and feels more responsive.

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Why Did the FPS Counter Suddenly Appear On My Screen?

So, why is it on? Gamers often turn it on to check performance. You may have turned it on to fix a slow game. Or you wanted to check your new computer parts. But it is also easy to turn on by accident. The Xbox Game Bar in Windows 11 has a performance tool with an FPS counter. You can easily “pin” it to your screen with a few wrong clicks. So, it’s good to know how to turn it off.

How Do I Access the Xbox Game Bar?

First, you need to open the Xbox Game Bar. This is the main spot for Windows 11 gaming tools.

Luckily, it is very easy to open. You can open the Xbox Game Bar anytime. Just press the Windows key + G on your keyboard.

This shortcut opens the Game Bar overlay. It has many small windows, called widgets, you can use. If you press the keys and nothing happens, the Game Bar might be off. You can turn it on in Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and flip the switch to “On.”

Is There Another Way to Open the Game Bar?

The keyboard shortcut is the most common way. But you can also open it from the Start Menu. Click the Start button, type “Xbox Game Bar,” and click the app. Using the shortcut is much easier, especially when you are in a game.

How to Turn Off FPS Counter on Windows 11: The Main Steps

Okay, let’s get to it. The Game Bar is open and you see the FPS counter. Here is how to remove it.

Is the FPS Counter Stuck Because It Is Pinned?

The FPS counter is in the “Performance” widget. It’s often on your screen because the widget is “pinned.” A pinned widget stays on top of everything, even when you close the Game Bar. Follow these steps to fix it:

1. Find the Performance Widget: Look for the Performance widget in the Game Bar. It shows CPU, GPU, VRAM, RAM, and FPS.
2. Unpin the Widget: Click the Unpin icon on the widget’s title bar. It looks like a thumbtack. This stops it from showing over your game.
3. Close the Widget: After you unpin it, you can also click the ‘X’ to close the widget.
4. Close the Game Bar: Last, press Windows key + G again. Or just click outside the Game Bar to close it.

Done! ✨ The FPS counter is now gone. You have a clear view of your game. This is the main way for how to turn off fps counter on windows 11 with the tools on your PC.

What If I Can’t See the Performance Widget in the Game Bar?

Sometimes, you might not see the Performance widget when you open the Game Bar. If so, look for the main Game Bar menu at the top of the screen. Click the icon that looks like a screen with a heartbeat line. This is the Performance button. This opens the Performance widget. Then you can follow the steps above to unpin or close it.

Can I Customize the Performance Widget Instead of Turning It Off?

Maybe you don’t want to remove all the stats. You might want to hide the FPS counter but still see your CPU or GPU use. The Xbox Game Bar lets you change these settings.

How Can I Hide Just the FPS Number But Keep Other Stats?

In the Performance widget, click the Performance options button. It looks like a small gear or three lines. This opens the settings for the widget. Here you can change a few things:

• Graph Position: You can pick where the overlay shows up on your screen.
• Accent Color: You can change the color of the text and graphs.
• Metrics: This is the main part. You will see boxes for CPU, GPU, RAM, and FPS. Just uncheck the box for FPS to hide it.

After you uncheck FPS, the pinned widget will show the other stats. It won’t show the frame rate. This is a good choice if you still want to see some data.

What if the FPS Counter is NOT From the Xbox Game Bar?

This is very important. If you did all the steps and the numbers are still there, the counter is from another app. It’s a frequent issue when you’re trying to learn how to turn off fps counter on windows 11.

How Do I Check if Another Program is Causing the Overlay?

Finding the program is a process of elimination. Think about what gaming or system software is running. Here are some common apps that do this:

• NVIDIA GeForce Experience: For NVIDIA cards, the ShadowPlay overlay might be on. The shortcut is often Alt + R or Alt + Z. This opens the NVIDIA panel where you can turn it off.
• AMD Radeon Software: For AMD cards, the Radeon Software has a similar tool. The shortcut is usually Alt + R. This opens the software where you can turn the overlay off.
• Steam Overlay: Steam has its own FPS counter. To turn it off, go to Steam’s Settings > In-Game. Find the “In-game FPS counter” menu and choose “Off.”
• MSI Afterburner / RivaTuner: These are popular tools. If you use them, the counter is likely from RivaTuner. Open RivaTuner and turn off “Show On-Screen Display.”
• In-Game Settings: Many games have their own FPS counters. Check the game’s video or graphics settings. Look for an option like “Show Performance Stats” and turn it off.

Close these apps one by one. When the counter goes away, you have found the source.

Why Should I Care About My FPS Anyway?

Knowing about FPS is key for PC gamers. It affects how good your game feels.

• Smoothness: A high FPS makes the game look smooth. At 60 FPS, the game feels great.
• Competitive Advantage: In fast games, a high FPS helps you win. You can see and react faster.
• Hardware Problems: Checking your FPS helps find problems. A low FPS might mean your GPU, CPU, or RAM has issues.

What is Considered a Good FPS for Gaming?

“Good” can mean different things, but here is a simple guide:

• 30 FPS: This is the lowest for a playable game. It is common on older consoles or PCs.
• 60 FPS: This is the goal for most PC gamers. It makes all games feel smooth.
• 120+ FPS: This is best for serious gamers with fast monitors. The extra frames give you an edge.

For more on the science of how this works, you can find great information from universities like Berkeley on their educational training pages.

Troubleshooting: How to Turn Off FPS Counter on Windows 11

How to Turn Off FPS Counter on Windows 11 for a Cleaner Look?

For many gamers, looks are important. They want a clean screen with no distractions. Unpinning the Performance widget is the best way to do this. A clean screen helps you focus on the game’s art and story. Knowing how to turn off fps counter on windows 11 is the first step.

What if Unpinning Fails for How to Turn Off FPS Counter on Windows 11?

Sometimes, the widget might get stuck even after you unpin it. If this happens, try these steps:

1. Reset the Game Bar: Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Find “Xbox Game Bar,” click the three dots, and choose Advanced options. Then click the Reset button.
2. Update Windows and Game Bar: Be sure Windows 11 is up to date (Settings > Windows Update). Also, open the Microsoft Store app. Go to your Library and click “Get updates.”
3. Re-register the App: This is for advanced users. You can re-register the Game Bar. Open PowerShell as an admin and run this command: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}.

Does the Overlay Reduce Performance While Figuring Out How to Turn Off FPS Counter on Windows 11?

The Game Bar overlay uses very little power on new PCs. It is a light app. But, on an old PC, turning off the Game Bar might free up a small amount of power. You can do this in Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar. For most people, the speed boost is too small to notice.

How Do I Force Close a Stuck FPS Counter?

If the counter is stuck, a process may have crashed. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc). Find “GameBar.exe” or “Xbox Game Bar.” Click it, then click “End task.” This forces the app to close. It should remove anything stuck on your screen. This is a quick fix for how to turn off fps counter on windows 11 when it’s stuck.

Is the Xbox Game Bar FPS Counter Accurate?

Yes, for the most part. The Game Bar’s FPS counter is reliable. It might be a little different from other apps like MSI Afterburner. This is because they check the data in slightly different ways. For normal use, it is accurate enough.

Your Gaming Screen, Your Rules

In the end, your gaming setup should be just how you like it. Windows 11 gives you tools to change your experience. It works if you love data or just want to play for fun. The FPS counter is a good tool, but you should be in control of it.

By learning how to turn off fps counter on windows 11, you have made your PC gaming your own. Now you can turn it on to fix a problem. Or you can turn it off to just enjoy your game. Happy gaming! 🚀

FAQ – How to Turn Off FPS Counter on Windows 11