Updated November 7, 2026
Getting only 40–60 FPS in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Warzone Season 1 while DMZ runs at 150+ FPS on the same PC? A large performance difference between these modes can be frustrating, especially when lowering every graphics setting to Low barely helps.
Massive Resurgence can also struggle on capable systems, including PCs equipped with AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT and RX 9070 XT graphics cards. Some players experience unexpectedly low FPS at 1080p, while others report noticeably different performance between Steam and Battle.net.
However, not every low-FPS problem has the same cause. Game-mode workloads, shader preparation, CPU limitations, frame caps, graphics drivers, and upscaling settings can all affect performance.
This guide explains what to check first, how to identify the actual bottleneck, and which fixes are worth trying before reinstalling the game.
Quick Answer: How to Fix Low FPS in MW4 Warzone Season 1
If Warzone or Massive Resurgence is running much slower than expected, try these steps in order:
- Check your FPS limit. Make sure V-Sync, in-game frame caps, or external limiters are not restricting performance.
- Finish shader preloading. Allow shader preparation to complete before entering a match.
- Compare Warzone and DMZ. Test both modes at the same resolution, graphics settings, and upscaling configuration.
- Disable frame generation temporarily. Measure your actual rendered FPS before enabling additional generated frames.
- Lower demanding graphics settings individually. Start with rendering resolution, shadows, reflections, and volumetric effects.
- Check CPU and GPU usage. If lowering graphics settings barely changes FPS, your GPU may not be the main limitation.
- Review graphics drivers and verify game files. These checks are particularly useful if performance changed after an update.
- Test Steam-specific factors. Check overlays and background applications before considering a launcher comparison.
Important: Warzone, DMZ, Multiplayer, and Massive Resurgence can have different hardware demands. Lower FPS in one mode does not automatically mean your graphics card, driver, or game installation is faulty.
Find Your Specific FPS Problem
| What you're experiencing | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Warzone runs at 40–60 FPS, but DMZ reaches 150+ FPS | Warzone vs DMZ comparison |
| Massive Resurgence drops to around 60 FPS | Massive Resurgence troubleshooting |
| Steam seems slower than Battle.net | Launcher comparison |
| RX 9060 XT or RX 9070 XT gets unexpectedly low FPS | AMD GPU troubleshooting |
| RTX graphics card performs poorly despite DLSS | NVIDIA DLSS and frame generation |
| Lowering everything to Low barely improves FPS | CPU/GPU bottleneck checks |
| FPS appears locked at 60 or 120 | Frame caps and refresh-rate settings |
📋 Table of Contents
- Why Warzone Runs Worse Than DMZ
- Massive Resurgence Dropping to 40–60 FPS
- Steam vs Battle.net FPS Differences
- Check Shader Preloading
- Graphics Settings Worth Testing
- AMD RX 9060 XT, RX 9070 XT and RX 6800 XT Low FPS
- NVIDIA DLSS and Frame Generation
- How to Check CPU and GPU Bottlenecks
- Lowering Graphics Settings Doesn't Improve FPS
- Official Patch and Fix Status
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Troubleshooting Checklist
Why Does MW4 Warzone Run Worse Than DMZ?
If MW4 Warzone has low FPS but DMZ runs fine, the first step is to determine whether the difference comes from the game mode itself or a setting that changes how your PC handles the workload.
For example, a system equipped with a Ryzen 7 5800X3D, Radeon RX 6800 XT, and 32GB RAM has been reported to achieve over 150 FPS in DMZ at 1440p Low settings, while Warzone drops to approximately 40–55 FPS.
That is a substantial performance difference, but it does not automatically establish a specific Warzone optimization bug.
Different game modes can have different player counts, map activity, visibility distances, environmental effects, and CPU workloads. These factors can affect performance even when your graphics settings remain unchanged.
How to Compare Warzone and DMZ Properly
Before changing drivers or reinstalling the game:
- Launch DMZ using your normal graphics preset.
- Record the resolution, upscaling mode, and frame-generation setting.
- Play for several minutes and note your approximate FPS.
- Enter Warzone using the same graphics configuration.
- Compare performance during normal gameplay rather than loading screens or menus.
- Repeat the comparison to check whether the difference is consistent.
If possible, record average FPS, 1% lows, GPU utilization, and CPU activity.
Try to compare similar gameplay conditions. A quiet area in DMZ and a busy Warzone firefight will not place identical demands on your system.
What If DMZ Runs Fine but Warzone Doesn't?
If DMZ performs well while Warzone struggles, avoid immediately assuming that your hardware is defective.
Start by checking whether Warzone places greater demands on your CPU or GPU. Also confirm that the same rendering resolution, upscaling configuration, and frame limits are being used.
If both modes suffer from stuttering, freezing, or inconsistent frame pacing, our MW4 DMZ Stuttering & FPS Drops PC Fixes guide covers additional system-level troubleshooting.
MW4 Massive Resurgence Dropping to 40–60 FPS
Massive Resurgence can feel noticeably less responsive when frame rates fall from around 100 FPS to 60 FPS or lower.
For example, a PC with an RX 9060 XT 16GB, Intel Core i5-12600KF, and 32GB DDR4 RAM may struggle to exceed 100 FPS in some Warzone situations, with Massive Resurgence falling closer to 60 FPS at 1080p.
Before making major changes, determine whether you are experiencing consistently low FPS or occasional drops.
Check Whether the Problem Is Constant
- Consistently low FPS: The game remains around the same low frame rate throughout the match.
- Sudden FPS drops: Performance is generally acceptable but falls sharply during combat, movement, or busy areas.
- Stuttering: The FPS counter may appear reasonable, but the game pauses or feels uneven.
These symptoms can have different causes and may require different troubleshooting steps.
What to Try in Massive Resurgence
Start with these checks:
- Confirm that your FPS limit is higher than the frame rate you want to achieve.
- Disable frame generation temporarily to measure actual rendering performance.
- Reduce rendering resolution or test an appropriate upscaling mode.
- Lower shadows, volumetric effects, and reflections individually.
- Close unnecessary background applications and overlays.
- Monitor GPU usage and frame times during the worst performance drops.
If performance barely improves when lowering graphics quality, investigate a CPU or game-engine limitation before continuing to reduce visual settings.
Tip: Do not compare FPS from a quiet training area with FPS during a busy Massive Resurgence match and assume the difference represents a bug. Compare similar gameplay situations wherever possible.
MW4 Steam vs Battle.net: Is One Launcher Getting Better FPS?
Some PC players report better Call of Duty performance through Battle.net than Steam, even when using the same hardware.
However, this does not mean Battle.net is universally faster or that Steam is responsible for every Warzone FPS problem.
Differences in game versions, graphics settings, overlays, shader preparation, and background processes can affect performance comparisons.
How to Test Steam Performance
If you play through Steam:
- Restart the game and Steam.
- Check that the game is fully updated.
- Allow shader preparation to finish.
- Disable the Steam overlay temporarily as a diagnostic test.
- Close unnecessary recording, monitoring, or overlay applications.
- Test a match using your normal graphics settings.
- Record the result before making additional changes.
You can also temporarily disable in-game voice chat to see whether it changes performance on your system. This is an experimental troubleshooting step, not a confirmed fix.
If performance improves after disabling an overlay or background application, re-enable features individually to identify which one affects your system.
Should You Switch to Battle.net?
Not solely because of a reported FPS difference.
If you already have access to the game through both launchers, compare them using the same graphics settings, resolution, upscaling mode, and game mode.
Before testing, confirm that both installations are running equivalent game versions and content. Differences in shader preparation or installed components can invalidate the comparison.
Switching launchers may also involve separate installation and access requirements.
Do not purchase another copy expecting a guaranteed FPS improvement.
Check Shader Preloading Before Testing FPS
Shader preparation helps the game get graphics-related work ready before gameplay.
If shader preloading is still running or was interrupted, you may experience stuttering or inconsistent performance.
What to Do
- Open the game and remain in the main menu while any shader preparation process completes.
- Avoid launching a match before preparation has finished.
- If the process appears frozen, allow reasonable time before restarting normally.
- Restart the game if necessary.
- Retest performance after preparation is complete.
Shader preparation may run again after certain game or graphics-driver updates.
Avoid repeatedly deleting shader caches without a clear reason. Doing so can force the game to rebuild them and may temporarily increase stuttering.
If the game also looks blurry, pixelated, or unusually soft after changing graphics settings, see our Modern Warfare 4 Pixelated or Blurry Graphics guide.
Best MW4 Warzone Graphics Settings to Test for Higher FPS
There is no single graphics preset that guarantees the best performance on every PC.
The most useful approach is to identify which settings actually affect your frame rate rather than switching everything to Low immediately.
Settings to Test First
| Setting | What to try | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Rendering resolution | Reduce slightly or test upscaling | Helps identify GPU-related limits |
| Shadow quality | Lower one or two levels | May reduce graphics workload |
| Volumetric effects | Reduce quality | Can help in visually demanding scenes |
| Reflections | Test a lower setting | May reduce GPU workload |
| Texture quality | Match available VRAM | Helps avoid excessive memory pressure |
| Upscaling | Compare available quality modes | Changes internal rendering workload |
| Frame generation | Disable for baseline testing | Makes FPS comparisons clearer |
| V-Sync and FPS cap | Check current limits | Can explain unexpectedly fixed FPS |
Setting names and available options may vary with your GPU and game version.
Recommended Testing Method
Choose a repeatable gameplay situation and change one setting at a time.
For example, test the same resolution with reflections at High and then Low. If FPS changes noticeably, that setting may be contributing to the GPU workload.
If FPS remains nearly identical, the setting is probably not your main limitation in that scenario.
Does Lowering Texture Quality Improve FPS?
Not always.
Lowering texture quality may help when your graphics card runs out of available VRAM or experiences excessive memory pressure.
However, if your GPU has sufficient VRAM, reducing texture quality may provide little or no improvement in average FPS.
This is especially worth remembering when troubleshooting graphics cards equipped with 16GB of VRAM.
Test rendering resolution, shadows, reflections, and other GPU-intensive settings separately before sacrificing texture quality.
Should You Use Everything on Low?
Not necessarily.
Low settings can help when your GPU is struggling, but they may provide limited benefits when the game is restricted by CPU performance, frame limits, or another bottleneck.
A balanced preset can sometimes deliver nearly the same FPS with noticeably better visuals.
AMD RX 9060 XT, RX 9070 XT and RX 6800 XT Low FPS
Low-FPS complaints are not limited to older graphics cards.
Players using newer Radeon GPUs have also reported unexpectedly low performance in Warzone.
Examples include:
| Graphics card | CPU | Reported situation |
|---|---|---|
| RX 9060 XT 16GB | Intel Core i5-12600KF | Below 100 FPS in some matches; around 60 FPS in Massive Resurgence at 1080p |
| RX 9070 XT | Ryzen 7 9800X3D | Around 120 FPS at 1080p with very low settings |
| RX 6800 XT | Ryzen 7 5800X3D | Over 150 FPS in DMZ versus 40–55 FPS in Warzone at 1440p Low |
These figures come from different systems and gameplay conditions. They are not standardized benchmarks, expected FPS targets, or reliable measurements for ranking GPU performance.
What AMD Users Should Check
1. Verify the installed graphics driver
Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition and check the installed driver version.
If performance changed after an update, compare your current configuration with the last version that worked reliably.
Do not assume that a particular driver version is responsible without testing.
Official driver downloads are available from AMD Support.
2. Check GPU utilization
If your GPU is consistently near full utilization, lowering graphics workload may help.
If utilization remains low while FPS is poor, investigate CPU limitations, frame caps, background processes, and game-specific performance.
3. Review AMD performance features
Temporarily disable optional driver-level features that alter frame generation, frame limiting, or synchronization while establishing a baseline.
Re-enable preferred features one at a time after testing.
4. Avoid unnecessary driver changes
Do not repeatedly uninstall or downgrade graphics drivers based only on another player's FPS results.
Driver behavior can vary by hardware, Windows configuration, and game version.
NVIDIA DLSS and Frame Generation: Why FPS Comparisons Can Be Misleading
Some NVIDIA RTX users report substantially higher FPS than players using other systems.
However, the numbers may involve different resolutions, graphics settings, DLSS modes, or frame generation.
For example, a system reporting 300 FPS with DLSS and frame generation cannot be directly compared with another system reporting 120 native rendered FPS.
How to Establish a Reliable Baseline
- Disable frame generation temporarily.
- Set your normal display resolution.
- Choose a consistent DLSS or native rendering mode.
- Test FPS in the same game mode.
- Record GPU utilization and frame-time behavior.
- Re-enable frame generation and compare the experience.
Frame generation can increase displayed FPS, but it does not eliminate the underlying rendering workload or automatically solve poor responsiveness.
If the game feels sluggish despite a high displayed FPS number, examine frame pacing, input latency, and the actual rendered frame rate.
You can find official NVIDIA driver downloads at NVIDIA's driver page.
How to Check Whether MW4 Warzone Is CPU- or GPU-Limited
Understanding your performance bottleneck can save considerable time.
A GPU limitation means the graphics card is struggling to render frames as quickly as the rest of the system can supply them.
A CPU limitation means the processor or part of the game's CPU workload is restricting how quickly new frames can be prepared.
Quick Bottleneck Test
- Enter a Warzone match and note your FPS.
- Keep the same game mode and approximate gameplay conditions.
- Lower rendering resolution significantly for a short test.
- Compare FPS and GPU utilization.
- Restore your preferred resolution afterward.
How to Interpret the Results
| Test result | Possible explanation | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| FPS rises significantly at lower resolution | GPU workload is important | Optimize resolution and GPU-heavy settings |
| FPS barely changes | CPU, frame cap, or another limitation may dominate | Check CPU activity and limits |
| GPU usage stays near maximum | GPU may be the primary bottleneck | Test upscaling and graphics quality |
| GPU usage stays unusually low | CPU limit, cap, or another issue is possible | Check system behavior |
| FPS stays at exactly 60, 100, or 120 | Frame limiter or synchronization may be involved | Review caps and display settings |
| Average FPS is high but gameplay stutters | Frame-time inconsistency | Investigate background activity and shader preparation |
| FPS drops mainly during large fights | Increased CPU/GPU workload or frame-time spikes | Compare utilization and frame times during combat |
Important: A CPU bottleneck does not require overall CPU utilization to reach 100%. One or more heavily loaded threads can limit performance while total utilization appears relatively low.
Check Temperatures and Power Limits
Excessive temperatures or restrictive power settings can also affect performance.
Use a trusted monitoring tool to observe CPU and GPU temperatures, clocks, and utilization during gameplay.
If clocks fall sharply under load, investigate cooling, power configuration, and hardware stability before changing more graphics settings.
MW4 Warzone FPS Still Low After Changing Everything to Low?
If you have already reduced textures, shadows, reflections, and other graphics settings but FPS barely changes, stop lowering settings blindly.
That behavior can be an important diagnostic clue.
Check These Six Things
1. Frame-rate limits
Review in-game FPS caps, V-Sync, driver-level limits, and third-party frame limiters.
A system locked at 60 FPS may simply be obeying a configured cap.
2. Windows display refresh rate
If you use a high-refresh-rate monitor, confirm that Windows is using the expected refresh rate.
On Windows 11:
- Open Settings.
- Select System → Display.
- Open Advanced display.
- Check the selected refresh rate.
- Choose your monitor's intended refresh rate if it is supported and available.
For example, a 180Hz monitor may be configured to run at 60Hz.
A 60Hz desktop refresh rate does not automatically limit uncapped game rendering to 60 FPS, but it can affect the displayed experience, especially when V-Sync is enabled.
3. CPU performance
Warzone may be limited by CPU-related workload even when your graphics card has spare capacity.
Check CPU temperatures, clocks, and activity during a match.
4. Background applications
Close unnecessary browser windows, recording software, overlays, and other demanding applications.
Retest after making one change.
5. Game files
On Steam:
- Open your Steam Library.
- Right-click the installed Call of Duty game.
- Select Properties.
- Open Installed Files.
- Choose Verify integrity of game files.
- Allow the process to finish before relaunching.
Verification can repair missing or corrupted local files, but it is not a guaranteed FPS fix.
6. Game-mode differences
If only Warzone or Massive Resurgence is affected, test another mode before reinstalling the entire game.
A problem isolated to one mode may not be resolved by the same steps used for a general PC performance issue.
Low FPS or Network Lag?
Low frame rate and network problems can feel similar, but they require different troubleshooting.
If your FPS counter remains stable while players teleport, movement rubberbands, or interactions are delayed, investigate connection quality rather than reducing graphics settings.
Our MW4 DMZ Packet Burst & Rubberbanding guide explains how to troubleshoot those network-related symptoms.
Has Activision Confirmed a Fix for MW4 Warzone Season 1 Low FPS?
There is no verified universal fix for every Warzone Season 1 FPS complaint.
Although game updates may include stability and performance improvements, that does not mean a particular Warzone-versus-DMZ FPS difference or launcher-specific issue has been resolved.
Until a targeted fix is confirmed, the safest approach is to identify which part of your system or game configuration is limiting performance.
Check official Call of Duty patch notes and Activision Support for relevant updates.
If you report the problem, include:
- CPU and GPU models
- Installed graphics-driver version
- RAM capacity
- Display resolution
- Steam or Battle.net
- Affected game mode
- Average FPS and approximate 1% lows, if available
- Whether lowering graphics settings improves performance
- Whether DMZ or Multiplayer runs normally
Providing these details makes it easier to distinguish a game-specific regression from a hardware or configuration issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I only getting 60 FPS in MW4 Massive Resurgence?
Massive Resurgence may place greater demands on your system than other modes. Check FPS caps, shader preparation, GPU utilization, CPU performance, and graphics settings. A mode-specific optimization issue is also possible, but no single cause is confirmed.
Why does MW4 Warzone run worse than DMZ?
Warzone and DMZ can have different workloads. If DMZ runs at 150+ FPS while Warzone falls to 40–60 FPS, compare both modes using identical settings and investigate CPU and GPU utilization before assuming a driver problem.
Is MW4 Warzone Season 1 poorly optimized on PC?
Some players experience unexpectedly low FPS, including on powerful hardware. However, individual performance reports do not establish that every PC is affected or identify one universal cause.
Does MW4 run better on Battle.net than Steam?
Some players report better performance through Battle.net, but results are not consistent enough to establish that one launcher is universally faster. Test both only if you already have access, using identical settings.
Why doesn't lowering graphics settings improve my FPS?
Your performance may be limited by CPU workload, a frame cap, synchronization settings, or another factor that is not substantially affected by reducing graphics quality.
Is the AMD RX 9070 XT affected by Warzone low FPS?
Unexpectedly low FPS has been reported on RX 9070 XT systems, including at 1080p with low settings. That does not confirm a widespread RX 9070 XT driver defect or establish expected performance for every configuration.
Should I enable DLSS or frame generation to fix low FPS?
DLSS upscaling may improve performance when GPU rendering is the limiting factor. Frame generation can increase displayed FPS but should not be confused with higher native rendering performance. Establish a baseline before enabling it.
Should I reinstall MW4 if Warzone runs at 40–60 FPS?
Reinstallation should generally be a later step. First verify game files, finish shader preparation, review FPS limits, and compare performance across modes. Reinstalling may not solve CPU-related or game-mode-specific performance limitations.
Has Activision released an official Warzone Season 1 FPS fix?
There is no confirmed universal solution for all the FPS problems described here. Review the latest official patch notes for any targeted performance changes and test your system after relevant updates.
Final Troubleshooting Checklist
If MW4 Warzone Season 1 is running poorly on your PC, use this order:
- Check for an accidental FPS cap or V-Sync limitation.
- Confirm your Windows display refresh rate.
- Complete shader preparation.
- Test the same graphics configuration in Warzone and DMZ.
- Disable frame generation while measuring baseline FPS.
- Lower rendering resolution to test whether the GPU is limiting performance.
- Check CPU and GPU utilization, temperatures, and clocks.
- Test graphics settings individually rather than switching everything to Low.
- Close unnecessary background applications and overlays.
- Verify game files and review graphics-driver updates.
- Check official patch notes if the problem began after a game update.
Bottom line: If DMZ runs smoothly but Warzone or Massive Resurgence struggles to maintain 60 FPS, the most useful first step is a controlled performance comparison. Determine whether the problem is caused by GPU workload, CPU limitations, frame caps, shader preparation, or a mode-specific issue before making major system changes.
Lowering every setting to Low is not always the answer. Identifying what actually limits your FPS can help you recover performance without unnecessarily sacrificing visual quality.
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