Many players have reported that Rust stutters a lot when playing it on Windows PCs. For example, a Rust player said this: “I have built a new PC to specifically play Rust. The game is running at 180 frames per second, but every 12-15 seconds, it stutters.” Excessive Rust stuttering can make that game almost unplayable. These are some potential ways to fix Rust stuttering on Windows PCs.
Set Rust to Run With High Priority
First, try setting Rust to run with a higher priority than other apps. Applying this fix will assign more processor time to Rust, which can enhance gaming performance. This is how you can set Rust to run with a higher priority:
- Start your Rust game.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to access Task Manager from the game.
- Next, click Task Manager’s Details tab.
- Right-click the Rust game process to select Set priority > High.
The Set priority options
- Then, return to the game to play.
Note that this priority setting is not permanently applied. You will need to repeat the steps above every time you play Rust. However, you can set a permanent priority with the Process Hacker software, which is a Task Manager alternative.
Run a System File Checker Scan
Corrupted system files can cause Rust stuttering to arise. To eliminate this possible cause, try running a System File Checker scan. Apply a System File Checker scan as instructed on this SFC page.
The System File Checker scan
Set New Launch Options
Some players say they’ve fixed Rust stuttering by setting new launch options. Those players added multiple launch parameters for the game via Steam, including max memory, cores, and processor thread allocation parameters. You can try setting those launch options like this:
- Open Steam and click Library within the tab bar.
- Right-click on the Rust game and select Properties in its context menu.
- Input launch options that look like this: -high -gc.buffer 2048 -maxMem=14000 -malloc=system -force-feature-level-11-0 -cpuCount=4 -exThreads=8 -force-d3d11-no-singlethreaded. You can copy and paste those parameters with the Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V hotkeys.
The launch parameters for Rust
Note that some of the values for those launch options must be adjusted for your PC’s specifications. For example, the maxMem, cpuCount, and exThreads values must be changed to match your PC’s maximum memory, CPU cores, and processor threads. The -cpuCount=x and -exThreads=x represent values for total CPU cores and threads you wish to set for the game.
Disable the Discord Overlay
A few players have fixed Rust stuttering by disabling Discord’s overlay. Is Discord installed on your PC? If so, try turning off that overlay feature. This Discord page provides further details for its overlay feature and how you can enable or disable it.
The Enable in-game overlay option
Note that Steam and NVIDIA GeForce Experience also include overlay features. So, you can try turning off the overlays in those software packages if you don’t have Discord. Most Rust players will at least have the Steam software installed.
Disable Norton 365 Game Optimization
Norton 365 includes a Game Optimizer feature that’s supposed to enhance gaming performance. However, some players confirm that turning off that setting can fix Rust stuttering. If Norton 365 is on your PC, try turning off the Game Optimizer option as instructed on this Norton page.
The Norton software
Adjust In-Game Graphics Settings
Adjusting in-game graphical settings might also remedy Rust stuttering for some players. To be more specific, you must generally disable or lower graphical settings to apply this possible fix. Start your Rust game to select Options and Graphics. Then, set your graphical options like this:
- Graphics Quality: Select a Lower Option
- NVIDIA DLSS: Off
- Shadow Quality: 1
- Max Shadow Lights: 0
- Water Reflects: 0
- Shader Level: 200
- Shadow Distance: 50
- Antistrophic Filtering: 1
- Parallax Mapping: 0
- Grass Shadows: Off
- Mesh Quality Settings: Set to lowest values
- Image Effects: Disable all except sharpen
- Experimental: Disable Occlusion Culling, Contact Shadows, and Sustain Pedal Supported
The Graphics Quality settings in Rust
The troubleshooting methods above are among the more widely confirmed ways to fix Rust stuttering. So, they’re certainly worth trying in that respect, but aren’t necessarily guaranteed fixes. Applying those possible fixes might at least reduce the stuttering and make Rust more playable.
