Re: Severe FPS Drops (5-10 FPS) in every game mode, even in Menus

I have the same exact specs almost as you and I experienced the same issue, try installing the drivers from nvida gforce app every time before you open the game

and I also suggest performing a clean installation of the driver

[SOLVED] FC26 Sudden FPS Drops + 100% GPU Usage - Ultimate Fix

Hey everyone! I wanted to share the solution to this frustrating issue I had with FC26. Maybe this will help others with similar problems.

My Problem:

• Sometimes I could play perfectly with stable FPS and normal GPU usage
• But randomly (especially in Ultimate Team menus), FPS would suddenly drop to 10-20 FPS with GPU stuck at 100%
• Had to exit and re-enter menus to temporarily fix it
• All settings were on LOW, using MSI Afterburner + RivaTuner for monitoring and FPS cap

What I Tried First (helped but didn't solve completely):

• Disabled GPU Power Percent monitoring in MSI Afterburner
• Disabled Windows Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS)
• Updated NVIDIA drivers

The Final Solution That Worked:

The main issue was FC26 automatically resetting graphics settings (especially Strand Based Hair) back to HIGH in certain menus, even though I set everything to LOW.

Step 1: Edit Configuration Files (overrideAutodetect.lua & fcsetup.ini)

Navigate to: C:\Users$$YourName]\AppData\Local\EA SPORTS FC 26\

Key Settings to Change (adapt the values to your setup):

overrideAutodetect.lua:

FullscreenEnabled = 1           # 1 = fullscreen, 0 = windowed
FullscreenScreen = 0            # Monitor index (0 = primary)
ResolutionWidth = 1920          # Change to your resolution
ResolutionHeight = 1080         # Change to your resolution  
OverallGraphicsQuality = 0      # 0 = Low, 1 = Medium, 2 = High, 3 = Ultra
VSyncEnabled = 0                # 0 = disabled, 1 = enabled
FullscreenRefreshRate = 165     # Change to your monitor's refresh rate
MaxFrameRate = 87               # Your desired FPS cap
TargetFrameRate = 87            # Same as MaxFrameRate
ResolutionScale = 0.850000      # 0.5-1.0 (lower = better performance)
PresentInterval = 0             # 0 = no frame pacing
WindowedBorderless = 1          # 1 = borderless windowed
StrandBasedHair = 0             # CRUCIAL - 0 = disabled
UseGoalNets3d = -1              # -1 = auto, 0 = disabled, 1 = enabled
NisAtFullFps = 1                # NVIDIA Image Scaling
CrowdQuality = 0                # 0 = Low, 1 = Medium, 2 = High
GrassQuality = 0                # 0 = Low, 1 = Medium, 2 = High
MotionBlur = 0                  # 0 = disabled, 1 = enabled
ClothQuality = 0                # 0 = Low, 1 = Medium, 2 = High
DynamicAOQuality = 0            # Ambient Occlusion quality
DynamicResolution = 1           # 1 = enabled (helps maintain FPS)
MinWindowWidth = 1280           # Minimum window size
MinWindowHeight = 720           # Minimum window size

fcsetup.ini:

AUDIO_MIX_MODE = 0              # Audio mixing mode
CONFIG_APP_LOCALE = en-US       # Language setting
FULLSCREEN = 1                  # 1 = fullscreen
FULLSCREEN_OUTPUT_INDEX = 0     # Monitor index
MSAA_LEVEL = 0                  # Anti-aliasing (0 = off)
RENDERING_QUALITY = 1           # Base rendering quality
RESOLUTIONWIDTH = 1920          # Your screen width
RESOLUTIONHEIGHT = 1080         # Your screen height
REFRESH_RATE = 165              # Your monitor refresh rate
VOICECHAT = 0                   # Voice chat (0 = disabled)
WAITFORVSYNC = 0                # VSync (0 = disabled)
MAX_FRAME_RATE = 87             # FPS cap
TARGET_FRAME_RATE = 87          # Target FPS
RENDERING_SCALE = 0.85          # Match overrideAutodetect.lua
WINDOWED_BORDERLESS = 1         # Borderless windowed mode
STRAND_BASED_HAIR = 0           # CRUCIAL - main FPS killer
USE_GOAL_NETS_3D = -1           # 3D goal nets
NIS_AT_FULL_FPS = 1             # NVIDIA Image Scaling
CROWD_QUALITY = 0               # Crowd detail level
GRASS_QUALITY = 0               # Grass quality
DYNAMIC_RESOLUTION = 1          # Dynamic resolution scaling
GRAPHICS_PRESET = 0             # 0 = Low preset
MOTION_BLUR = 0                 # Motion blur effect
CLOTH_QUALITY = 0               # Cloth physics quality
DYNAMIC_AO_QUALITY = 0          # Dynamic ambient occlusion
RESOLUTION_FOR_DISPLAY_MODE_LIST = 0_125830200|1_125830200|2_125830200|

Step 2: Lock the Files (CRUCIAL!)

1. Right-click each file → Properties → Security → Edit
2. Select your user account
3. Check "Deny" for "Write" permission
4. Apply and OK

This prevents FC26 from overwriting your settings.

How to Adapt for Your System:

• Lower-end GPU: Set ResolutionScale to 0.7-0.8, MaxFrameRate to 60
• Higher-end GPU: Set ResolutionScale to 0.9-1.0, increase MaxFrameRate
• Different resolution: Change ResolutionWidth/Height to match your monitor
• Different refresh rate: Change FullscreenRefreshRate to your monitor's rate

My Setup:

• Acer Nitro 5 GTX 3050
• i5-11400H
• 64GB RAM

Hope this helps anyone dealing with the same issue, let me know if you need any clarification!

Locking the files just causes my game to not open at all. Any reason??

It works for me, follow the instructions from AkramKrimoo. Thanks mate. max 60 fps frame rate, max hz 60. 

I have 144hz monitor 2560x1440 and i set it to 60hz, full screen and 1920×1080.

Smooth play, no crashes.

Thanks a lot again ! 

Didn't work for me what are your specs?

That worked for me. You're legend mate :D

Didn't work for me. Anything else to try?

I couldn't find the overrideAutodetect.lua file, even after showing hidden items. I changed everything in fcsetup.ini, but it didn't help. Does anyone know how to locate overrideAutodetect.lua?

Should be in the settings folder mate

I guess ur fix helped but now i have one big problem u said its crucial to lock the files for the user but when i do that i cant load anymore my fc 26 profile and cant even enter the game, how can i fix that 

It worked for me. Thanks mate :)

try reducing target FPS to 30

Heads up! This msg is the resolve all of my problems. BUT, you need to do somethings apart.
- YOU MUST delete the # + commentaries to get the game loaded (dunno why but this works for me)
- If you have a lower-end GPU (which is my case) you must changes and pair all the data (RENDERING_SCALE = 0.85          # Match overrideAutodetect.lua with this ResolutionScale = 0.850000      # 0.5-1.0 (lower = better performance) )
-IMPORTANT! LOCK THE FILES, the game changes when the game is running, so it must be lock it.
- Verify the files into Steam also and re-install javelin (https://help.ea.com/en/articles/platforms/pc-ea-anticheat/)