Reinstalling Windows via a USB flash drive can resolve persistent driver problems.
Reinstalling Windows via a USB flash drive can resolve persistent driver problems.
Hello, I've been dealing with this persistent driver latency issue on my *HP Pavilion Power-17* for about three to four months. After submitting an RMA once, they didn't resolve the problem. I'm wondering if a complete Windows reinstall would help. I don’t feel confident enough to fix it myself, but I need certainty. If I send another RMA and they just reinstall Windows without addressing the issue, I’d consider returning my money or getting a new laptop. The problem is causing significant frame time spikes and freezes even at high FPS. I’m also curious if there are other solutions besides a full Windows install. Just to be sure, your laptop doesn’t have any hardware defects. Thank you ahead of time!
it's an hp issue where overheating triggers thermal throttling, leading to lag because the device gets too hot. Many users with similar laptops won’t choose gaming models due to this problem. The heat sink isn’t sufficient for a processor of that power, and while a desktop might improve performance, fixing lag is tricky. You didn’t mention your RAM amount, which could affect the solution.
Reinstalling Windows doesn’t solve the issue with your hardware or drivers. Many discussions on forums show people trying to reinstall Windows only to find the same problems persist or worsen. Identify the actual cause.
It's not just one problem—it involves two factors. First, the system was throttling before I updated my BIOS, then it stopped. After returning it, they discovered overheating during stress tests, even though gaming sessions didn’t trigger throttling. They replaced the thermal paste and performed another test without any throttling. Additionally, some games cause pops and clicks in certain titles (like Dragon Ball Fighterz), which isn’t a driver issue but rather a driver latency problem. My friend with an HP laptop also doesn’t have this issue, and the problematic drivers are listed at the top of LatencyMon’s drivers section. The frame time issue seems linked to the directX driver (dxgkrnl.sys), which is a Windows component. Games such as PUBG or Fortnite aren’t affected by this. Whenever I move around or check directions with many players, I still see 60+ frames but experience stuttering and a low frame rate (20-30fps). This points to a frame time problem rather than throttling.
Run Autoruns to see which applications begin with your system. These could trigger the issue. Adjust system preferences such as game mode if needed. Various factors involved, excluding the operating system itself.
You verify by checking system behavior and logs. If installation issues arise, compare with known good versions or use diagnostic tools to confirm the root cause.
Due to my background? It's quite unusual for Windows to be set up incorrectly. If it completes successfully, that's a good sign. It's not like VHS where the quality might vary more. Trying to reinstall repeatedly and hoping for improvement doesn't make sense. But if you're more informed, feel free to install the same setup multiple times.
Absolutely, but when I looked for a solution, I realized others faced the same issue after switching to Windows 10.