Why does my apex feel choppy?

Just for reference, this is the issue that I'm having. You can imagine that it's hard to aim well in a fight if that's what my mouse does.

I've been playing Apex Legends for almost a year now (started shortly after it released last year). I feel like it has been an uphill battle ever since just trying to get a smooth experience out of this game... and I'm just absolutely sick of it. I'll try and provide as much information as possible, so hopefully, someone can help me figure out what I'm dealing with.

Here is my setup:

Case: NCase M1

CPU: Ryzen 5 3600

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9S

GPU: 2070 Super (EVGA XC Ultra)

RAM: 16gb (2x8) 3200mhz

PSU: Corsair SF600

Motherboard: ASRock B350-ITX

Monitor: LG 32GK650-F (Freesync monitor, so I have Freesync on the monitor and Gsync turned on in NVidia control panel).

The Problem

Again, this is an example of the problem. To be clear, this isn't frame drops (aka, I don't think it's my PC not being able to handle the game itself). I play with most settings on low (I keep AA on, though).

It's the actual movement/aiming from my mouse that feels stuttery and choppy. Like, let's say I'm trying to turn around 360 degrees, it should be one fluid motion, but for me it feels more like Liam Neeson jumping a fence in Taken 3.

What I've Done

I thought it was my PC, so that's a big reason why I updated my CPU and GPU in the last year.

Then I thought my CPU was overhreating, so that's why I upgraded to a Noctua cooler.

Then I thought it was just my mouse that was causing it feel stuttery, so I bought a new mouse.

Then I thought it was my network, so I bought a new modem and router.

Then I thought it was my internal wifi card (so I upgraded that). I also tried an external USB wifi adapter, and a MOCA adapter.

So, yeah, I usually game over wifi and I know that a lot of people are going to say that that's the culprit, but just so you know I've tested it extensively while directly connected to the router and it's the same exact thing.

I've also messed with every single setting in the game, and every single setting in Nvidia's control panel, as well as settings on my own monitor (I was really skeptical of Freesync at first). But, again, nothing has changed, no matter what I try.

Based on some advice from r/buildapc, I've also updated my BIOS, updated the GPU drivers, updated the chipset drivers, and cleared some space from my SSD (was at over 90% capacity before). Honestly? It feels even worse now.

I'm literally at my wit's end. Mouse movements just aren't smooth, everything skips every so often making a lot of engagements just completely impossible. I wouldn't necessarily call it "lagging," because it feels more like "stuttering" if that makes any sense to you all.

In any case, I'm ripping my hair out over this and I'm sick and tired of it. Any help, any suggestions, and any thoughts would be much appreciated!

I have the same issue since release basically. This is the only game on my PC that feels stuttery/laggy when looking around with the mouse.

My PC is a Ryzen 2700X, RTX 2080, 32 GB RAM, game is installed on a nvme SSD, 400 MBit/s cable connection and ~18ms ping to the Frankfurt servers. Playing on a 144hz monitor. I tried every settings combination imaginable, vsync/gsync on/off, lowest graphic settings, custom settings.ini etc. I get over 144 fps most of the time, only in the dropship or from really high ground the fps drops to ~110. But even when standing in a small room where the fps meter shows 300+ fps, doing a 360° is SO super stuttery, and not fluent at all. This is the only game where I experience this kind of lag/stutter, other games I played recently that run super smooth are: Warzone, Overwatch, even PUBG runs way smoother than Apex.

I've been looking for a solution since release, but so far nothing helps. I'm glad at least I'm not the only one with this problem. Lets hope there is a fix for this.

Want to know how you can fix stuttering issues on Apex Legends?

On FPS titles, a split-second delay between the time you saw your enemy and the time you aimed and fired your weapon can determine the game’s outcome. That’s why most FPS gamers invest in high refresh rate monitors and powerful GPUs to render frames faster. 

This is also the case for the free-to-play battle royale game from EA, Apex Legends. 

While Apex Legends is a well-optimized game, many users still suffer from micro stutters, which can be annoying, especially when you’re engaged in a toe to toe battle. 

Stutters and lags will simply ruin your aim. 

Usually, stuttering issues on Apex Legends are caused by improper configurations and slow network connections. However, it can also be due to corrupted game files, faulty hardware, or outdated device drivers. 

If you can’t enjoy the game due to lags and stutters, keep reading. 

In this guide, we will show you what to do if you experience stuttering issues on Apex Legends. 

1. Restart Your System. 

When you encounter stuttering issues on Apex Legends, the first thing you should do is restart your computer. This will allow your system to reload its resources and eliminate any temporary issues that may have occurred. 

Follow the guide below to restart your computer: 

1. First, open the Start Menu on your Taskbar. 
2. Next, access the Power Options tab. 
3. Lastly, click on Restart to reboot Windows. 

Once done, go back to Apex Legends and observe if you would still encounter stutters and lags.

Like any game, Apex Legends has a minimum system requirement, which your computer must meet to run the game smoothly. While you can play the game on a lower-end unit, you won’t have the best experience. 

If you encounter stuttering issues on Apex Legends, see the game’s minimum requirements below and ensure that your system meets them: 

• Processor: AMD FX 4350 or Equivalent / Intel Core i3 6300 or Equivalent
• Memory: 6GB – DDR3 @1333 RAM
• Graphics Card: AMD Radeon™ HD 7730 / NVIDIA GeForce® GT 640
• OS: 64-bit Windows 7
• DirectX: 11 Compatible video card or equivalent
• Hard-Drive Space: 22GB

Consider upgrading your hardware to improve the game’s performance and eliminate lags and stutters. On the other hand, head to the next solution below if your computer’s specifications are well beyond the game’s minimum requirements.

3. Check Your Network Connection. 

A slow or unstable network could also be the reason for stuttering issues on Apex Legends. When your connection is unstable, you may experience packet loss and high ping, which causes micro stutters and lags. 

To verify if your network is the culprit, run a test using Fast.com to measure your connection’s upload and download bandwidth. 

If the result indicates that your network is unstable, reboot your router to re-establish the connection with your service provider’s servers. Unplug your modem from the outlet and wait for 5 to 10 seconds before reconnecting it. 

Once done, run another test to check if the problem is solved. Contact your ISP if you continue to experience network-related issues, and ask them to fix their service.

4. Lower Your Graphics Settings. 

Another reason why you experience stutters and lags on Apex Legends is if your graphics settings are too high for your GPU. Unlike consoles, you need to tweak your video settings on PCs to get the best performance possible from your system. 

For low to mid-entry computers, we suggest setting Apex Legends’ graphics to low or medium. Mixing low and medium graphics settings can give the best balance between performance and quality. 

You can also lower the game’s resolution and disable eye-candy features such as Anti-aliasing, Blooms, Depth of Field, and more.

5. Defragment Your Storage. 

Defragmentation is the process of organizing the data on your storage drive so that files and resources are more accessible. When you suffer from stuttering issues on Apex Legends, your storage drive may have a high degree of fragmentation. 

To fix this, follow the guide below to defragment your storage: 

1. First, open Windows Explorer on your computer. 
2. After that, go to This PC and right-click on your storage drive. 
3. Now, click on Properties and go to the Tools tab. 
4. Lastly, select the Optimize option and follow the prompts to continue. 

Restart your device afterward and go back to Apex Legends to check if the problem is solved.

6. Update Your Graphics Driver.

Since Apex Legends requires power from your GPU to run, your display driver should be up to date and installed correctly to get the best performance from your video card. 

If you keep experiencing stuttering issues on Apex Legends, follow the steps below to update your drivers: 

1. Press the Windows + X keys on your keyboard to access the Quick Menu. 
2. After that, click on Device Manager and expand the Display Adapters tab. 
3. Lastly, right-click on your graphics card and choose Update Driver. 

Once done, restart your system and check if you still encounter stutters and lags on Apex Legends.

7. Repair Your Game Files. 

Broken or corrupted game files could also cause stuttering issues on Apex Legends. Luckily, Steam and Origin have a built-in tool that automatically repairs corrupted installation files on your system. 

For Steam users, check out the steps below to repair Apex Legends: 

1. On your Steam Library, right-click on Apex Legends. 
2. After that, click on Properties. 
3. Finally, go to Local Files and click on Verify Integrity of Game Files. 

If you are using the Origin Launcher, follow the steps below to fix your game: 

1. First, go to your dashboard and access the My Game Library tab. 
2. Next, right-click on Apex Legends. 
3. Lastly, choose Repair and follow the on-screen prompts to continue. 

After repairing your game files, go back to Apex Legends and observe if you still encounter stutters.

If repairing your game files was not enough, try reinstalling the game on your system to ensure everything is in order. This should also ensure that you have the latest working version of the game. 

Here’s how you can uninstall Apex Legends on Windows: 

1. First, open the Control Panel on your computer. 
2. After that, find the Programs tab and click on Uninstall a Program. 
3. Lastly, right-click on Apex Legends and choose Uninstall. 

Reinstall the game afterward and observe if you would still experience stutters and lags. 

That ends our guide for fixing stuttering issues on Apex Legends. For your questions and other concerns, please leave a comment below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂

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