Stray,the recently released cyberpunk cat adventure from developer BlueTwelve Studio, has a stuttering problem on PC. The game is a console launch exclusive for PlayStation, and as you’re able to read in ourStrayreview, it runs like a treat on consoles. PC is a different story, as shader complication causes stuttering throughout the experience.

I downloaded and played through the first couple of hours of the game, testing various fixes along the way. Although none of them get rid of stuttering completely, they can limit how frequent and severe it is, at least until we wait on a post-launch patch to fix the issue.

What causes stuttering in Stray?

Shader compilation causes stuttering inStray,and it’s a common problem with games built on Unreal Engine 4 (though, as you’re able to read in our writeup onElden Ringstuttering, it can cause issues in other engines, too). Sam Machkovech, who wrote a review ofStrayforArs Technica,confirmed with the developers that shader compilation is the source of the problem.

https://twitter.com/samred/status/1549089768549466113

Shader compilation is when the game takes all of the human code that goes into shaders and compiles it into code that can be read by your graphics card. Some games, likeTiny Tina’s WonderlandsandCall of Duty: Vanguard,handle this process when you first launch the game to avoid stutters. Others, likeStray,attempt to compile the shaders in real-time.

In a game likeStraywhere you’re seeing unique environments constantly, the engine has to compile shaders at a breakneck pace, which causes a brief moment where your GPU is busy: a stutter. These stutters are frequent, but you can make them a little less severe with a few fixes, at least until a patch is available.

How to fix stuttering in Stray on PC

I played through the first couple of hours ofStrayon a machine equipped with an RTX 30-series GPU, and I had quite a few stutters in the open sequence of the game. They became less severe as the world opened up, but transitioning into buildings or new areas still resulted in a sudden jolt. The back hour of my playtime was after I implemented fixes, which didn’t completely solve the stuttering issues but made them much less severe.

Update your graphics driver

Before doing anything else, update your graphics driver. We have a guide onhow to update your GPU drivers, but the process is simple. For Nvidia GPUs, go to GeForce Experience, clickDrivers,and thenCheck for updates.Download the latest version available. If you don’t have GeForce Experience, you candownload the latest driver from Nvidiadirectly.

For AMD, open Radeon Software and clickCheck for updatesin the box on the right. you’re able to alsodownload drivers from AMDif you want to make sure you have the latest version. The latest AMD driver is 22.6.1 and the latest Nvidia driver is 516.59. Neither of them comes with official support forStray.

AlthoughStraydoesn’t call for a bigdriver update likeF1 2022,you should still update. Drivers change how shaders are compiled, and the latest driver usually has the best performance for recent generations of graphics cards.

Set a frame rate limit

Setting a frame rate limit won’t get rid of stuttering, but it can make is less noticeable.Strayhas a frame rate limiter built-in that tops out at 60 fps, and switching it on massively cut down on perceivable stuttering. If you havea high refresh rate monitorand want a few more frames, you can set a frame rate limit outside the game.

If you have an Nvidia GPU, open the Nvidia Control Panel, clickManage 3D settings,and scroll down toMax frame rateunder theGlobalsettings tab. AMD is just as easy. Open up Radeon Software, clickSettingsand thenGraphics,open up the settings with theAdvancedbutton, and look forFrame rate target control. you may also set a frame rate with theRadeon chillsetting in the same menu.

Based on my time in the game,Strayis far from stable in the frame rate department. I suggest being conservative with your limiter, as new areas and outdoor scenes can cause big drops.

Flush your shader cache

Finally, you can open up your shader cache to make stuttering less severe inStray.Nvidia GPUs have an option to give the shader cache as much room as it needs, which you can do in the Nvidia Control Panel. Open it up, clickManage 3D settings,and underGlobal settings,setShader cache sizetoUnlimited.

AMD users don’t have the same option, but you can still flush your shader cache to give more room toStray.Open Radeon Software and navigate toSettings > Graphics > Advancedand look for theReset shader cacheoption. Select it and hitApply.