What is Fortnite Performance Mode?

A graphics option for low-end PCs that lowers visual quality to raise frame rates. It sits next to the DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 options.

How much does it help?

Epic showed weak laptops going from about 24 to 61 FPS and from 18 to 45 FPS. Your result depends on your hardware.

Should I use DirectX 11 or 12?

Try both. One may give you better FPS or fewer crashes on your PC.

Do HD textures matter?

Removing them in the launcher saves disk space (over 14 GB as reported at launch) and helps weak PCs.

Fortnite Lag and Low FPS Fix: Performance Mode Explained

Fortnite runs on many PCs, but weak laptops often struggle. Epic added a Performance Mode to the graphics settings, next to the DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 options, to raise frame rates on low-end hardware. This guide uses a Bit-Tech report on that feature, checked on October 13, 2026, plus common-sense PC steps. See also the Fortnite PC requirements guide.

Key takeaways

Performance Mode is built for low-end PCs and laptops.
Epic's examples showed more than double the frame rate on weak laptops, but results vary.
Turning off HD textures in the launcher saves over 14 GB, as reported at launch.
Update drivers and close background apps first.

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What Performance Mode does

Performance Mode lowers visual quality to raise FPS. Bit-Tech reported Epic's tests at 720p: an Intel Core i5-8265U laptop with UHD 620 graphics and 8 GB of RAM rose from about 24 to 61 FPS, and an AMD A10 laptop rose from 18 to 45 FPS. Epic said it might have issues in its early version. The report also said it worked in Battle Royale and Creative at the time, so check the current settings menu.

Steps to fix lag

In the graphics settings, try Performance Mode if your PC is weak.
Try switching between DirectX 11 and DirectX 12. One may run better on your PC.
In the launcher, remove HD textures to save disk space and memory.
Update your graphics driver from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel.
Close background apps and overlays.
Lower the 3D resolution, shadows and effects.
Plug laptops in and choose a high performance power plan.

Not sure your PC is ready? Try the Can my PC run it? calculator and the FPS calculator.

Playing on a cloud or console instead

If your PC cannot keep up, see where else you can play Fortnite. You can also watch live Fortnite streams to learn.

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Fortnite lag and low FPS fix: performance mode explained