Having trouble with choppy 4K video playback on your Windows 11 system? This frustrating issue affects many users, making it difficult to enjoy high-resolution content. Here are the most effective solutions to get your 4K videos playing smoothly again.
Graphics driver updates
Outdated or problematic graphics drivers are typically the main cause of 4K video stuttering. Here’s how to update them:
- Launch Device Manager by typing “Device Manager” in the Windows search bar and clicking the app when it appears.
- Find “Display adapters” in the list, expand it, right-click your graphics card, and select “Update driver”.
- Choose “Search automatically for drivers” to let Windows find and install updates.
- If you’ve already downloaded drivers from your manufacturer’s website, select “Browse my computer for drivers” instead.
Using dedicated graphics
If your computer has both integrated and dedicated graphics, forcing your video player to use the dedicated GPU can significantly improve performance:
- Open Settings using Windows+I or through the Start menu.
- Navigate to System > Display.
- Scroll to find and click “Graphics” under Related settings.
- Add your video player application if it’s not listed, then click “Options”.
- Select “High performance” and save your changes.
Optimizing power settings
Power settings can impact video performance, especially on laptops:
- Access Settings through the Start menu or Windows+I.
- Go to System > Power & battery.
- Change Power mode to “Best performance”.
Windows system updates
Keeping Windows updated can resolve various performance issues:
- Open Settings through the Start menu.
- Select Windows Update from the menu.
- Click “Check for updates” and install any available updates.
