How To Fix Total War: Three Kingdoms Stutter Problem on PC

Total War: Three Kingdoms Stutter
Total War: Three Kingdoms

Total War: Three Kingdoms is a turn-based strategy real-time tactics video game developed by Creative Assembly and published by Sega. Total War: Three Kingdoms marks the 12th mainline entry in the Total War series, the game was released for Microsoft Windows today. Feral Interactive released a macOS and Linux version of the game on the same day. Having played the game, it appears that the game has some performance issues where players might experience low fps or stutter during the game. In this article, I will show you what helped me in overcoming the Total War: Three Kingdoms Stutter issue on PC.

First off, check out the system requirements for the game and make sure you at least meet the minimum requirements. For the most part, the game seems to run fine, however, as is the case with any new PC release, most games tend to have some performance issues right after release. Most of these issues would be corrected in an upcoming patch hopefully but for now, I have a number of potential fixes that may help you solve the stutter problem.

Total War: Three Kingdoms Stutter

How To Fix Total War: Three Kingdoms Stutter Problem on PC

Fix#1

Exclude the game from Windows Defender.

  • Right click on the Windows Start button > Settings.
  • Click Update & Security > Windows Security.
  • Click on Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.
  • Click on Add or remove exclusions under Exclusions.
  • Click on Add an exclusion > File.
  • Navigate to Steam > steamapps > common > Total War: Three Kingdoms.
  • Add the .exe file of the game.
  • Close Windows Security and test.

Fix#2

Update your sound drivers.

  • Assuming you have Realtek HD audio, go here and download the latest drivers.
  • Download the 64 bit only version if you have 64-bit windows installed otherwise go with the 32bit version.
  • Install the drivers once downloaded and test the game.

Fix#3

In some cases, a game may not be compatible with third-party software such as RGB controllers. The RGB services in question include Asus Aura, Corsair iCue, EVGA lighting, and Gigabyte RGB Fusion.

  • Exit any such service installed on your PC and then run the game

Fix#4

Some players have reported improvement after turning off hwinfo64. If you use this tool or any other such tool to monitor your hardware temps. Simply turn it off and see if it makes any difference.
Fix#5
  • Run Steam and click LIBRARY.
  • Right click on Total War: Three Kingdoms > Properties.
  • Uncheck Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game under the GENERAL tab and click CLOSE.
  • Run Total War: Three Kingdoms
  • From the main menu, navigate to Settings > Graphics.
  • Check that the Vertical Synchronization is enabled.

Fix#6

Make sure you download the latest AMD drivers if you have an AMD GPU installed. The latest AMD drivers are specially optimized for Total War: Three Kingdoms.

Nvidia users would have to wait till Nvidia releases their own specialized drivers for the game. When they do it will be added here.

Let me know in the comments if you have questions or thoughts regarding the game.