Start by checking ray tracing. Elden Ring’s publisher says ray tracing can affect both frame rate and resolution. Turn it off when stable performance matters more than its lighting effects, then test clarity settings separately. On PC, Motion Blur Off and Depth of Field Off are sensible starting points for a less obscured view of attacks and movement, but they are clarity choices rather than guaranteed frame-rate fixes.
The best starting configuration
There is no single best preset for every graphics card, console or display. The most reliable approach is to change one category at a time and decide whether your priority is steadier performance, a clearer image, or ray-traced visual effects.
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| Priority | First change | Where it applies | What the evidence supports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoother performance | Set Ray Tracing to Off | PS5 and Xbox Series X: Game Options > Ray Tracing; PC: Graphics > Ray Tracing Quality | Bandai Namco warns that ray tracing can affect frame rate and resolution. |
| Clearer combat view | Set Motion Blur to Off | PC graphics settings | PC Gamer recommends this for a clearer presentation; it is not a documented performance guarantee. |
| Less background softening | Set Depth of Field to Off | PC graphics settings | PC Gamer recommends this as a clarity-oriented choice; the result depends on your PC. |
| Unstable PC frame rate | Check ray tracing and mouse-control utilities | PC | Bandai Namco lists both checks in its Version 1.16 troubleshooting notes. |
| Unstable PS5 frame rate | Try Rebuild Database in Safe Mode | PS5 | Bandai Namco says this may improve instability; it is not a guaranteed repair. |
Make a note of your original settings before changing them. If a change makes the image worse, revert that setting rather than changing several options at once. This gives you a clean comparison and prevents a clarity adjustment from being mistaken for a performance fix.
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How to read the table
The first three rows are different kinds of changes. Ray tracing is the publisher-documented setting with a direct frame-rate and resolution caveat. Motion Blur and Depth of Field are visual-presentation choices recommended by a PC settings guide. They should not be described as equivalent switches or as a guaranteed three-step route to a particular frame rate.
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The last two rows are troubleshooting actions rather than graphics presets. A mouse-control utility can be relevant only to a PC setup, while Rebuild Database is a PS5 console procedure. If your symptom does not match the row, move to the platform-specific checks instead of applying every suggestion at once.
Should you turn ray tracing off?
Turn it off first when you are troubleshooting stutter, an inconsistent frame rate or an unexpectedly soft image. Bandai Namco’s Version 1.09 notes state that ray tracing can affect frame rate and resolution. That makes it the clearest documented performance-versus-appearance trade-off in the official guidance.
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X
- Open Game Options from Elden Ring’s menu.
- Open Ray Tracing.
- Set it to Off, return to the game and check the same area or encounter where the problem appeared.
Those menu locations are documented for PS5 and Xbox Series X in the official Version 1.09 notes: Bandai Namco’s Elden Ring Patch Notes Version 1.09. The cited instructions do not establish an identical menu path for Xbox Series S, so do not assume the Series X directions apply word-for-word there.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsUse the same scene for the comparison. If the picture becomes more stable or the apparent resolution stops changing, ray tracing was a plausible contributor. If nothing changes, restore any other setting you altered and continue with the troubleshooting steps for your platform. The notes do not give a fixed number of frames gained, so a before-and-after claim should remain specific to your own system.
PC
- Open System.
- Choose Graphics.
- Find Ray Tracing Quality and set it to Off.
- Restart or reload as needed, then compare the same location with your previous result.
Bandai Namco repeated the warning for PC players in its Calibration Update 1.12.2, reminding players with unstable frame rates to check whether ray tracing had accidentally been enabled. Its Version 1.16 troubleshooting notes also direct PC players to System > Graphics > Ray Tracing Quality: Version 1.16 patch notes.
An accidental toggle is worth checking even if you never intended to use ray tracing. The official reminder is specifically aimed at unstable frame rates, so it is a sensible first diagnostic before changing unrelated options or installing a utility.
What switching it off does and does not prove
- It removes a documented source of frame-rate and resolution impact.
- It does not promise a particular frame rate or eliminate every form of stutter.
- It does not prove that ray tracing is the cause if the problem remains unchanged.
- It lets you evaluate the rest of the graphics settings without the largest documented visual-performance variable enabled.
- It may reduce the lighting effects you prefer, so keep it enabled if your system remains stable and the visual change matters more than the extra consistency.
PC settings for clearer combat
PC Gamer’s settings guide recommends disabling two effects that can obscure motion. Treat these as presentation choices that depend on your graphics card and complete PC build, not as a universal performance preset.
Motion Blur: Off
Motion blur overlays a moving-camera effect on the image. With it off, the game presents movement without that additional streaking. This can make it easier to read a dodge, an enemy’s swing or your own camera adjustment, especially when you are deliberately watching attack timing. The cited guide does not establish a measurable frame-rate gain from this switch.
It is therefore useful to separate two questions: “Can I see the animation more clearly?” and “Did my frame rate improve?” Motion Blur Off directly addresses the first question. Test the second independently rather than assuming that a cleaner picture means the PC is rendering more quickly.
Depth of Field: Off
Depth of field softens portions of the scene outside a focus area. Disabling it keeps more of the scene visually defined, which can help when you need to watch an enemy and the surrounding terrain at the same time. It is not documented as a guaranteed performance fix.
Some players may prefer the cinematic focus effect. If so, leave it enabled after checking that it is not contributing to the readability problem. The recommendation is a starting point for combat clarity, not a requirement for playing on PC.
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A disciplined PC baseline
- Set Ray Tracing Quality to Off under System > Graphics if performance is unstable.
- Set Motion Blur to Off.
- Set Depth of Field to Off.
- Play the same route, boss approach or crowded area for several minutes.
- If the image is clearer but performance is still unstable, continue with the troubleshooting checks below rather than assuming the clarity switches caused or solved the problem.
This baseline is adapted from the PC Gamer guide, which explicitly cautions that results vary with the graphics card and the rest of the PC. It should therefore be treated as a starting point, not a claim that every computer will reach a particular frame rate.
Clarity versus visual effects
| Choice | Primary reason to use it | Trade-off to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Ray Tracing Off | Test stability and apparent resolution | Loss of ray-traced lighting effects |
| Motion Blur Off | Reduce streaking during movement | Less cinematic camera presentation |
| Depth of Field Off | Keep more of the scene defined | Less selective focus in the image |
This comparison keeps the documented roles separate. Ray tracing has the publisher’s explicit performance-and-resolution warning; the other two choices come from a clarity-focused PC recommendation. None of these sources supplies a current, controlled benchmark for every GPU model.
Platform-by-platform procedure
PC (Steam)
PC has the most relevant troubleshooting checks in the current official guidance. First inspect System > Graphics > Ray Tracing Quality. If ray tracing is on and your frame rate is unstable, switch it off and test again.
Bandai Namco also says third-party applications that control mouse behavior may cause an unstable frame rate. Close or deactivate those utilities temporarily, then launch the game again. This is a diagnostic step, not a statement that every mouse utility is incompatible. If the frame rate changes after the utility is closed, you have identified a plausible interaction; if it does not, restore the utility and continue testing.
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Do not treat the warning-message procedure as a general performance tweak. It applies to the stated detection message on a clean installation. For ordinary instability, ray tracing and mouse-control applications are the relevant checks listed by the publisher.
PlayStation 5
For an unstable frame rate, Bandai Namco’s Version 1.16 notes suggest trying Rebuild Database from the console’s Safe Mode. Follow the console’s own Safe Mode prompts carefully and allow the operation to complete before launching Elden Ring again. The note says this may improve the issue; it does not promise that every PS5 installation will respond to it.
Separately, the Version 1.09 instructions place ray tracing at Game Options > Ray Tracing. Turn it off when testing whether the documented ray-tracing trade-off is involved. Test ray tracing and the database procedure as separate changes so you can tell which action, if either, affected the symptom.
Xbox Series X
The official Version 1.09 notes document the ray-tracing control at Game Options > Ray Tracing for Xbox Series X. Disable it to test stability or resolution problems. The cited official instructions do not document an equivalent path for Xbox Series S, Xbox One or PlayStation 4, so this guide does not claim that those systems expose the same toggle.
If your console does not show the menu label, do not hunt for a hidden setting or assume that another platform’s instructions apply. Use the options your edition actually presents and interpret any performance result within that platform’s limits.
Older consoles and supported versions
Bandai Namco’s Version 1.09 notes identify Elden Ring versions for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and Steam. That confirms the game’s platform coverage, but it does not establish that every graphics option is available on every platform. Use only the menu labels your edition actually shows.
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Platform support also explains why a setting guide cannot promise one universal configuration. A PC player can test the two clarity toggles and mouse-control utilities described above, while a console player may only have the documented ray-tracing control or the PS5 database procedure. The absence of a listed menu is not evidence that your installation is faulty.
Choose settings by the problem you can see
| Symptom | First test | Next check | How to interpret the result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame rate became unstable after changing graphics options | Turn ray tracing off | Retest the same scene | If stability returns, ray tracing was a plausible contributor; the notes do not quantify the improvement. |
| The image looks soft or resolution appears to change | Turn ray tracing off | Compare at the same display settings | Ray tracing is documented as capable of affecting resolution as well as frame rate. |
| Combat movement is hard to read on PC | Turn Motion Blur off | Turn Depth of Field off if the background remains distracting | These are clarity choices recommended by PC Gamer, not guaranteed speed improvements. |
| PC frame rate remains unstable | Confirm Ray Tracing Quality is Off | Deactivate third-party mouse-control applications | Both checks appear in Bandai Namco’s Version 1.16 troubleshooting guidance. |
| PS5 frame rate remains unstable | Try Rebuild Database from Safe Mode | Retest after the operation completes | The publisher describes this as a possible improvement, not a certain fix. |
| “Inappropriate activity detected” appears on a clean PC installation | Verify game files | Restart the game | This is Bandai Namco’s recommended sequence when the warning appears without cheating. |
The table is deliberately symptom-led. A soft-looking image and a hard-to-read attack may both be described as “unclear,” but they point to different first tests. Ray tracing is the documented check for resolution impact; Motion Blur and Depth of Field are the PC clarity checks.
How to test a change without fooling yourself
Performance can vary from one area of the game to another. A setting that seems fine in an empty field may behave differently in a busy encounter, and a momentary hitch can be mistaken for a permanent change. Use a repeatable check:
- Choose one location where you regularly notice the issue, such as the approach to a difficult fight or a crowded outdoor area.
- Record whether the problem is a low-looking frame rate, a hitch, an image-resolution change, motion obscuration or a warning message.
- Change one setting only.
- Reload the same location and repeat the same camera movement for several minutes.
- Keep the change only if it addresses the symptom without creating a more important problem, such as a less readable image or unwanted visual loss.
- If there is no meaningful difference, restore the previous value and move to the next documented check.
This method cannot create a controlled benchmark across every GPU or console. It simply prevents unrelated changes from being credited with an improvement they did not demonstrably produce.
Keep a simple test record
Write down the platform, the setting changed, the location tested and what happened. For example, “PC, Ray Tracing Quality Off, same boss approach, fewer visible hitches” is more useful than “performance feels better.” If the result is unchanged, record that too. A no-change result tells you to stop blaming that option and move to the next platform-appropriate check.
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Do not compare a quiet menu or open field with a crowded encounter and call the difference a settings gain. Use the same route and camera movement whenever possible, and allow a change to settle before deciding whether it helped.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this guidance cannot promise
- There is no source-backed universal “best” preset for every PC build.
- The available guidance does not provide current, controlled FPS benchmarks across GPU models or consoles.
- Motion Blur Off and Depth of Field Off are not documented as guaranteed performance fixes.
- Turning ray tracing off may improve stability or resolution in a given setup, but no fixed FPS gain is established.
- A menu documented for PS5 and Xbox Series X should not automatically be presented as available on Xbox Series S or older consoles.
- Rebuilding a PS5 database, deactivating a mouse-control utility or verifying files may help a particular problem; none is described by the publisher as certain to work in every case.
- The settings guide’s recommendations come from an editorial PC starting point, not a current benchmark covering every graphics card, driver or display.
A practical decision order
If you want the shortest path to a sensible configuration, use this order:
- Identify the platform. The ray-tracing menu and the official recovery advice differ by system.
- Prioritize stability. Disable ray tracing where the documented menu exists and retest before changing other options.
- Improve PC readability. Set Motion Blur and Depth of Field to Off if movement or background focus is distracting.
- Address platform-specific faults. On PC, check mouse-control applications and verify files for the stated warning; on PS5, consider Rebuild Database for persistent instability.
- Keep the result that solves your actual symptom. Do not trade away visual effects or clarity for an unmeasured performance gain.
The result is a transparent baseline: ray tracing is off when smoothness is the priority, PC motion-obscuring effects are off when combat readability is the priority, and each troubleshooting action is tied to the platform and symptom for which the publisher documents it.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best settings for smoother Elden Ring performance?
Start by turning ray tracing off where the documented menu is available, then retest the same scene. On PC, also check whether a third-party application that controls mouse behavior is active. There is no universal preset or guaranteed frame-rate result.
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On PC, try Motion Blur Off and Depth of Field Off. They reduce motion streaking and background softening, respectively. These recommendations target readability and are not promised speed boosts.
Should I turn ray tracing off?
Turn it off first when you are diagnosing unstable frame rate or an unexpectedly soft image. Bandai Namco says ray tracing can affect frame rate and resolution. Keep it on if your system is stable and you prefer its lighting effects.
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Where is the ray-tracing setting on PS5?
Bandai Namco documents Game Options > Ray Tracing for PS5. The same path is documented for Xbox Series X, but not established here for every other platform.
Can Rebuild Database fix an unstable PS5 frame rate?
Bandai Namco says Rebuild Database from Safe Mode may improve an unstable frame rate. Treat it as a possible troubleshooting step, follow the console prompts, and do not regard it as a guaranteed repair.
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On PC, verify the game files, let the process finish, and restart the game. That is the publisher’s recommended sequence for this situation; it is separate from ordinary graphics tuning.
Do Motion Blur Off and Depth of Field Off increase FPS?
The cited PC settings guide recommends them for a clearer presentation but does not establish a guaranteed frame-rate gain. Test them for readability, and judge performance separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best settings for smoother Elden Ring performance?
Turn ray tracing off first when the documented menu is available, then retest the same scene. PC players should also check third-party mouse-control applications if instability continues. No universal preset or fixed FPS gain is established.
How do I make Elden Ring combat clearer?
On PC, set Motion Blur and Depth of Field to Off. These changes can reduce streaking and background softening, but they are clarity choices rather than guaranteed performance fixes.
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Should I turn ray tracing off?
Yes, as a troubleshooting step for unstable frame rate or an unexpectedly soft image. Bandai Namco warns that ray tracing can affect frame rate and resolution. Keep it enabled if your system is stable and you prefer the lighting effects.
Can Rebuild Database fix an unstable PS5 frame rate?
Bandai Namco says Rebuild Database from Safe Mode may improve instability. Follow the console prompts and treat the procedure as a possible remedy, not a guarantee.
What should I do about “Inappropriate activity detected” on PC?
If you have not cheated, verify the game files, allow verification to finish, and restart Elden Ring. The publisher recommends this sequence for that warning.
Do Motion Blur Off and Depth of Field Off increase FPS?
The PC settings recommendation supports clearer presentation, not a guaranteed frame-rate improvement. Test each switch for readability and measure your own result separately.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe Bottom Line
Bottom line: For smoother performance, disable ray tracing first and test the same area again. For clearer PC combat, turn Motion Blur and Depth of Field off. Then use the platform-specific checks—mouse-control applications and file verification on PC, or Rebuild Database on PS5—without assuming any step guarantees a particular frame rate.
Quick Recap
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