warpdotdev
Poor performance on windows 11 with Hardware Acceleration
Pre-submit Checks
- [x] I have searched Warp bugs and there are no duplicates
- [x] I have searched Warp known issues page and my issue is not there
- [x] I have included the logs (optional, but helps expedite the bug fix). Log gathering intructions
Describe the bug
I just installed the warp terminal on windows since I like it and I use it on Mac. The terminal is running at max 30fps even though I use the "Feature > System > Preferred Graphics backend" on DirectX 12 or other... I have searched the web for the bugs similar and they say they are fixed by switching the feature mentioned above, but not for my case.
The problem only happens when I focus on the warp window. If the window is unfocused, the refresh-rate goes up.
I have a 240hz monitor and Nvidia RTX 4070TI Super
To reproduce
- Install the app on windows
- Run it
Expected behavior
Run at my native refresh rate
Screenshots, videos, and logs
Operating system (OS)
Windows
Operating system and version
Windows 11 Pro | Version: 24H2 | OS build 26100.3915
Shell Version
Powershell 7.5.1
Current Warp version
v0.2025.05.28.08.11.stable_03
Regression
No, this bug or issue has existed throughout my experience using Warp
Recent working Warp date
No response
Additional context
No response
Does this block you from using Warp daily?
Yes, this issue prevents me from using Warp daily.
Is this an issue only in Warp?
Yes, I confirmed that this only happens in Warp, not other terminals.
Warp Internal (ignore): linear-label:b9d78064-c89e-4973-b153-5178a31ee54e
None
Hey @WhoofWhoof, really appreciate you filling this issue.
Would you be open to a 30 minute meeting to help debug this? I've heard reports about this issue through the grapevine but haven't yet been able to isolate the issue. We'd be happy to pay you for your time with either a gift card or Warp swag.
Hey @WhoofWhoof - how are you determining Warp's frame rate?
When Warp is focused but inactive, we would expect the frame rate to be ~2fps - we blink the cursor in the input every half-second, but don't render any intermediate frames (as nothing has changed, and re-rendering would be wasteful).
I tried MSI afterburner for the fps, at max I get 60fps and in the background it is 2fps like you said. But mostly I go after feel. I have a 240hz monitor so I notice when it goes under 144fps
Hi @WhoofWhoof, could you try downloading the latest version of our preview build and see if there are any noticeable improvements? I've made some changes to our DirectX backend recently that may help with rendering performance.
Additionally, you can schedule some time using this link: https://calendly.com/aloke-warp/30min. Again, really appreciate your help and we'd be more than willing to pay you in a gift card / warp swag for your time!
I have tried the latest version of the preview build, but still no luck. I have also scheduled a meeting for today.
I am also having similar issues. On my main LG ultrawide monitor having warp focused will result in a significant reduction in fps. Without warp being in focus everything is fine. However, when I move warp to a secondary monitor everything seems fine.
P.S. Does the text look kinda weird, like thin and pixely?
Also @linx5o When you say "significant reduction in fps", is that something you actually feel using the app or is that solely based on an fps monitor?
See @vorporeal's comment here: https://github.com/warpdotdev/Warp/issues/6564#issuecomment-2945097594
Logs: warp-logs.zip
Have not used much on Windows.
I have been mostly going of feel. But it is very significant. When moving the mouse rapidly in a circular motion, with warp active there is a big difference between smoothness compared to normal desktop.
@linx5o Could you try changing the rendering backend in Settings > Features to Vulkan, quitting Warp, and then reopening?
Curious if you still see the issues with a backend other than DirectX12.
https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/33a467d5-7b0c-4b93-b687-53edbd40e99b
I have the same issue. Windows 11. Variable refresh rate monitors, when warp is focused the frame rate drops to something like 40.
I was able to fix this by setting "Preferred refresh rate" to "Highest available" in Nvidia Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings for warp.exe
I just installed Warp on Windows 11 and experiencing the same issue described here with the text looking pixelated. I attempted the suggested workaround to use Nvidia's control panel to change a setting; however, the image quality is still the same. My control panel setting was already set to "Highest available" for "warp.exe".
I never could get it work right on my 380hz monitor with my nvidia gpu. It worked fine on my 60hz display. A workaround that was acceptable to me is to toggle on the igpu rendering in settings, as my 14900ks gpu doesnt seem to have the issue.
This is something experienced in a few apps, actually - it's tied to G-Sync or Variable Refresh Rate support, and particularly if you enable this for windowed (not just full-screen) applications. If you do that (which is what you'd want if you play games in borderless mode), you'll want to add per-app rules in your Nvidia App or Nvidia Control Panel to make these programs use a fixed refresh rate, and at the maximum that the monitor supports - there are two options I usually set for these problematic apps. Just remember that all these customizations are wiped if you delete the Drs folder among the Nvidia programs folders, or if you do a clean reinstall of drivers instead of an express upgrade.
It can make the whole system feel terrible while such an app has focus, otherwise.
Yes, I was able to make it work on 165Hz screen with following settings: Monitor: Fixed Refresh Power management mode: Prefer maximum performance Preferred refresh rate: Highest available
Yep! Nice job. Though while I'm not trying to be unnecessarily pedantic or nit-picky, you won't need Prefer maximum performance there. Just in case anyone out there is wondering and/or on a mobile device that might suffer a bit of reduced battery life from this.
Just setting "Monitor Technology" to "Fixed Refresh" solve all the performance issues for me. Thanks!
This is also happening on windows 10. I have logs recording data from HWiNFO if those are helpful. I'm not sure how well it captures desktop FPS as it's usually not updated frequently, but cursor and window movements took a noticeable hit. I was losing probably ~100+ fps when warp was in focus, even without it running anything.
I just updated today and had the same issue.
