Valor Mortis is a fast-moving PC launch, so start with the fixes its developer currently identifies: update the game in Steam, install the newest AMD or NVIDIA graphics driver, and confirm that the computer meets the SSD, memory, CPU, GPU, DirectX 12, and Windows requirements. If you played the demo or playtest and now have severe stutter, remove the old GameUserSettings.ini file so the game can rebuild it. For crashes, check the known Radeon RX 7600 and RX 7900 XT issues. For a DualShock or DualSense controller, test a USB data connection because Steam lists those pads as USB only.
Use this order before changing individual settings
- Open Steam and install every available Valor Mortis update. The developer’s First Update, dated October 16, 2026, added GPU-driver detection and fixed several common crashes.
- Install the latest graphics driver for your AMD or NVIDIA card. The launch-day support notice says driver updates produced some of the largest performance and stability improvements.
- Compare your computer with the published requirements, especially the 16 GB of RAM, DirectX 12, 60 GB of free space, and SSD requirements.
- If you installed the playtest or demo, reset the saved graphics configuration using the exact path below.
- Use upscaling and lower graphics settings to stay near the game’s published frame-rate targets instead of expecting the minimum hardware to deliver the recommended result.
- For a controller problem, test the pad in Windows and then connect DualShock or DualSense hardware by USB before launching the game.
- If the problem remains, submit a crash report or support report with the hardware, driver, connection type, and a repeatable description of what happens.
These steps separate documented Valor Mortis remedies from generic Windows tweaks that have not been confirmed for this game.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Update Valor Mortis and your graphics driver first
Install the current game build
Valor Mortis released for Windows on Steam on October 13, 2026. Launch builds can change quickly, and the developer’s October 16 First Update specifically addressed common crashes, added graphics-driver detection, and continued performance work. In Steam, let the download finish before starting the game. If Steam shows an update waiting in the Downloads view, do not launch the older build while diagnosing a problem.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Updating matters even when your symptom looks like a hardware limitation. A crash fixed in the First Update cannot be corrected by lowering a setting, and the new driver-detection work can make later support reports more useful.
#1 Best Overall
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX 7100 NVMe SSD
- HIGH-OCTANE GAMING. Experience speeds up to 7,250MB/s read and 6,900MB/s write (1-2TB models), with up to 35% faster performance than previous generation.
- PURPOSE-BUILT. Designed for serious on-the-go gamers, with a PCIe Gen4 interface and SANDISK’s next generation TLC 3D NAND.
- MORE TIME TO CLEAR THAT CHECKPOINT. Built with laptops and handheld gaming devices in mind, with up to 100% more power efficiency over the previous generation.
- DO MORE WITH DASHBOARD. Ensure your drive is optimized for prime performance with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only).
Install the latest AMD or NVIDIA driver
The developer’s October 13 Known Issues – Launch Day notice explicitly asks users to update graphics drivers for both AMD and NVIDIA cards before launching. Use the driver package for the GPU actually installed in the PC, restart Windows when the installer requests it, and then launch Valor Mortis again. Record the resulting driver version if you need to report a continuing problem.
Do not treat a third-party driver-maintenance utility as the first step. The official guidance is to obtain the current driver from the GPU manufacturer. An optional maintenance tool may be considered only after that official update path, and it is not a documented Valor Mortis fix.
Check whether the PC meets the published baseline
A computer can start a game while still falling below its supported target. Valor Mortis lists Windows 10 or Windows 11, DirectX 12, 16 GB of RAM, 60 GB of free storage, and an SSD as requirements. Running the installation from a mechanical hard disk does not meet the stated storage requirement.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems| Target | CPU | GPU | Resolution and frame-rate target | Other listed requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i5-10600K | AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | 30 FPS at 1080p, Low settings, with upscaling | Windows 10/11, DirectX 12, 16 GB RAM, 60 GB free space, SSD |
| Recommended | AMD Ryzen 7 5800X or Intel Core i5-13400 | AMD Radeon RX 6800 or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 | 60 FPS at 1440p, Medium settings, with upscaling | Windows 10/11, DirectX 12, 16 GB RAM, 60 GB free space, SSD |
The two rows describe different goals, not two ways to promise the same performance. The minimum target is 1080p Low at 30 FPS; the recommended target is 1440p Medium at 60 FPS. If your system is near the minimum, start at the minimum profile and keep upscaling enabled. If it is near the recommended specification, begin with the recommended profile and adjust downward only when the actual frame rate falls short.
Rank #2
- Ideal for high speed, low power storage
- Gen 4x4 NVMe PCle performance
- Up to 6,000MB/s read, 4,000MB/s write
- Includes Acronis cloning software
- 5-year limited warranty
Verify the storage requirement
Keep at least 60 GB free on the SSD that contains the game. The requirement is about both capacity and storage type. Moving Valor Mortis from a hard disk to an SSD can bring the installation into compliance, but it is not a guaranteed cure for every crash or frame-time problem. A larger NVMe SSD is a capacity and compliance upgrade, not proof that the game will run smoothly.
Reset settings after the demo or playtest
The developer has a specific remedy for players who used the playtest or demo and then encountered stutters or major performance drops. Close Valor Mortis first, open File Explorer, and remove this file:
AppData\Local\ValorMortis\Saved\Config\Windows\GameUserSettings.ini
- Exit the game completely. Check that it is no longer running in Steam.
- In File Explorer, enter
%LOCALAPPDATA%in the address bar. - Open
ValorMortis, thenSaved,Config, andWindows. - Delete
GameUserSettings.ini. - Launch Valor Mortis again. The game will recreate its settings file.
- Set your graphics options again, beginning with the minimum or recommended target that matches your hardware.
This procedure removes the carried-over game settings that the developer associates with post-demo or post-playtest stutter. It is not presented as a universal fix for every PC. If you never installed either pre-release version, use the driver, requirements, and settings checks first.
Rank #3
- PCIe 4.0 Performance: Delivers up to 7,100 MB/s read and 6,000 MB/s write speeds for quicker game load times, bootups, and smooth multitasking
- Spacious 1TB SSD: Provides space for AAA games, apps, and media with standard Gen4 NVMe performance for casual gamers and home users
- Broad Compatibility: Works seamlessly with laptops, desktops, and select gaming consoles including ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and AYANEO Kun. Also backward compatible with PCIe Gen3 systems for flexible upgrades
- Better Productivity: Up to 2x faster than previous Gen3 generation. Improve performance for real world tasks like booting Windows, starting applications like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and working in applications like Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
- Trusted Micron Quality: Built with advanced G8 NAND and thermal control for reliable Gen4 performance trusted by gamers and home users
Reduce stutter with supported performance targets
Choose a target your hardware can sustain
Valor Mortis publishes two concrete targets: 30 FPS at 1080p Low with upscaling on the minimum specification, and 60 FPS at 1440p Medium with upscaling on the recommended specification. Select the lower target when the game cannot hold the higher one. Lowering resolution or quality is more meaningful than changing unrelated Windows options that the developer has not documented.
After resetting an old configuration, change one group of settings at a time. Start with the game’s upscaling option, then use the Low profile for minimum-class hardware or Medium for recommended-class hardware. Test the same location or action after each change so you can tell whether the frame pacing improved. The published targets are expectations for those hardware classes, not a guarantee of perfectly even frame times in every scene.
Distinguish a settings problem from a launch-build issue
A stutter that began after the demo or playtest points toward the configuration-file reset. A problem that appears immediately after a new launch or driver can indicate that the game or driver is out of date. A problem that occurs only on a listed Radeon model requires the GPU-specific checks in the next section. Keeping those conditions separate prevents you from repeatedly changing graphics options when the documented remedy is a file reset or driver update.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Check the known Radeon launch issues
The October 13 launch-day notice identifies two model-specific risks:
Rank #4
- HUGE SPEED BOOST: Get random read/write speeds that are 40%/55% faster than 980 PRO; Experience up to 1400K/1550K IOPS, while sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s reach near the max performance of PCIe 4.0*
- BREAKTHROUGH POWER EFFICIENCY: Use less power and get more performance; Enjoy up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO, plus optimal power efficiency with max PCIe 4.0 performance**
- SMART THERMAL CONTROL: Samsung's own nickel-coated controller delivers effective thermal control; With its slim size, 990 PRO is a perfect fit for desktops and laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard***
- THE CHAMPION MAKER: Up to 65% improvement in random performance enables faster loads for an ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games****
- SAMSUNG MAGICIAN SOFTWARE: Get the most out of your SSD with Samsung Magician's advanced yet intuitive optimization tools; Monitor drive health, protect valuable data, and receive important updates for your 990 PRO
- Radeon RX 7600: possible system shutdowns.
- Radeon RX 7900 XT: possible GPU crashes.
- AMD Anti-Lag 2: may not function correctly in the launch build.
If you use an RX 7600 and the entire computer shuts down while playing, or an RX 7900 XT and the GPU crashes, record the model and driver version and include them in your report. Do not describe these symptoms as ordinary stutter. They match the hardware-specific warnings in the developer’s launch notice.
Updating the driver and game remains the first action for these cards. The published warning does not provide a universal setting that guarantees a cure, and it does not establish that every owner of either model is affected.
Work through Valor Mortis crashes
When the crash happens before or during launch
- Install the latest Valor Mortis update through Steam.
- Install the newest driver for the installed AMD or NVIDIA GPU.
- Confirm Windows 10 or 11, DirectX 12, 16 GB of RAM, an SSD, and at least 60 GB of free space.
- Check whether the graphics card is a Radeon RX 7600 or RX 7900 XT, because those models have documented launch warnings.
- If the crash is also accompanied by severe stutter and you used the demo or playtest, delete
GameUserSettings.iniusing the path in the reset section.
The First Update fixed several common crashes and added driver detection, so testing again after updating is important. If the crash persists, avoid presenting an unverified Windows tweak as a confirmed solution.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCapture useful crash details
The developer asks players to submit crash reports and additional information. Include the level or area, the action immediately before the crash, whether the crash reproduces, the GPU model, and the graphics-driver version. State whether the game was installed from Steam, whether you used the demo or playtest, and whether the computer shut down, the game closed, or only the graphics driver failed. Those distinctions help separate a repeatable game crash from a system-level shutdown or GPU-specific failure.
Best Value
- SPEED UP PROJECTS. Launch creator applications fast with uncompromising PCIe 4.0 read speeds up to 7,100MB/s,[2] (1TB and 2TB[1] models) and write speeds up to 6,700MB/s[2] (1TB[1]-4TB[1] models).
- CREATE AND STORE MORE. Make more room for your 4K videos and high-resolution images with capacities from 500GB[1] up to 4TB[1] on M.2 2280 built with our trusted 8th generation SANDISK BiCS QLC 3D CBA NAND.
- IT GOES WHERE YOU GO. With an all-new power efficient design, your drive delivers high performance with low power, giving you more time to be productive while on the go.
- UNCOMPROMISED RELIABILITY. With up to 1,200 TBW[3] (4TB[1] model) endurance rating, your drive is designed for creators.
- KEEP YOUR DRIVE UPDATED. Monitor your SSD’s performance and check for updates with the downloadable SANDISK Dashboard application.[5]
For a repeatable report, describe a short sequence such as “open this level, perform this action, crash after this many seconds.” If the crash cannot be reproduced, say so rather than implying that every launch fails.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Fix controller detection and input
What Steam officially supports
Steam lists Valor Mortis as having “Full Controller Support.” Its listing names Xbox controllers and marks DualShock and DualSense controllers as “USB Only.” The USB-only note is the key distinction: a Sony controller that is not detected wirelessly should be tested with a wired USB data connection.
Test a DualShock or DualSense over USB
- Connect the controller directly to the PC with a USB cable that carries data, not a charge-only cable.
- Confirm that Windows detects the controller before starting Valor Mortis.
- Launch the game with the controller connected, then test movement and menu navigation.
- If wireless input had failed, compare it with the wired result. A working wired connection is consistent with Steam’s USB-only listing for these models.
A USB cable or wired controller is therefore a conditional compatibility accessory for DualShock and DualSense owners, not a general performance upgrade.
If no controller responds
First establish whether Windows sees the device. Then check whether keyboard input still works in Valor Mortis. Record the controller model, wired or wireless connection, storefront, and whether the pad works in the menus. Steam’s listing does not publish a separate Valor Mortis-specific remapping workaround, so do not claim that a particular remapping utility or setting is an official fix.
Use a symptom-based decision table
| Symptom | Most relevant documented action | Information to retain |
|---|---|---|
| Stutter or major performance drop after demo/playtest | Delete GameUserSettings.ini, relaunch, and rebuild graphics settings |
Whether the demo or playtest was installed; location where stutter repeats |
| General low frame rate | Update the game and GPU driver; compare hardware with the minimum and recommended targets; use upscaling and lower settings | CPU, GPU, resolution, quality preset, and observed frame rate |
| Crash during launch or play | Update game and driver; check the RX 7600/RX 7900 XT warnings; reset settings if demo/playtest history and stutter are present | Level, preceding action, GPU, driver, and reproducibility |
| DualShock or DualSense not detected | Connect by USB data cable and test before launch | Controller model, wired/wireless state, Windows detection, and whether keyboard works |
| Whole system shuts down on RX 7600 | Update game and driver, then report the model and shutdown behavior | GPU model, driver version, and exact point of shutdown |
Escalate when the official steps do not work
After updating, meeting the requirements, resetting the old configuration when applicable, and testing the correct controller connection, gather a compact report instead of trying unrelated tweaks. Include:
- Windows version and whether the game is installed on an SSD.
- CPU and GPU model.
- Graphics-driver version.
- Amount of system memory.
- Valor Mortis build or update state in Steam.
- Whether the demo or playtest was previously installed.
- The exact level, menu, or action associated with the problem.
- Whether the issue reproduces and what happens immediately before it.
- For controllers, the model and wired or wireless connection.
Submit that information with the game’s crash report or the developer’s support channel. The official material does not publish affected-player percentages, independent benchmark results beyond the two stated targets, or a universal controller workaround. A careful report is more useful than claiming that one setting fixes every PC.
Quick Recap
What not to assume
- Do not assume that meeting the minimum specification means 60 FPS at 1440p. The minimum target is 30 FPS at 1080p Low with upscaling.
- Do not treat an SSD upgrade as a guaranteed crash fix; it satisfies a stated requirement and may improve compliance with the supported setup.
- Do not assume wireless DualShock or DualSense input is supported when Steam labels those controllers USB only.
- Do not generalize the RX 7600 shutdown and RX 7900 XT GPU-crash warnings to every Radeon card.
- Do not present an undocumented Windows tweak as an official Valor Mortis solution.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
