How To Fix Dota 2 Lagging, and Freezing On PC

These workarounds will help you reduce lagging issues in Dota 2.

Are you experiencing frustrating lags, stutters, and FPS drops while playing Dota 2? Is your game freezing or lagging, even with a good internet connection and low ping? Whether you’re playing on Windows 11 or any other operating system, these issues can severely hinder your gaming experience.

In this article, we’ll explore the common causes behind Dota 2 lagging and provide you with effective solutions to overcome them. From slow loading times and interface lags to erratic frame rates and lag spikes during intense team fights, we’ll address each concern step by step.

So, if you’re wondering why your Dota 2 game is lagging and how to fix it, read on to optimize your gameplay and enjoy a smooth Dota 2 experience.

How to Fix Dota 2 Lagging & Freezing During Gameplay

1. Switch to an Ethernet (LAN) Cable

To ensure optimal gameplay in Dota 2, a stable internet connection is essential. While Wi-Fi is suitable for browsing and streaming, transitioning to a wired (LAN) connection is highly advised to mitigate potential lag problems associated with Dota 2.

In situations where utilizing an Ethernet cable is not feasible, relocating closer to your router can effectively minimize packet loss, enhancing your in-game stability. Alternatively, optimizing network stability can be achieved by reducing the number of users sharing the network during gameplay.

2. Disable Steam Overlay

One potential solution to improve Dota 2 lagging is to disable the steam overlay. The overlay may be a helpful feature but they hog up memory causing Dota 2 to lag even offline on the interface.

Follow these steps:

  1. Open Steam.
  2. Right-click on Dota 2.
  3. Click on Properties.
  4. Uncheck “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game”.
  5. Click “Ok” to save changes.

3. Monitor CPU & GPU Temperatures

If the above fix does not work then the Dota 2 lagging and stuttering might be caused by high CPU or GPU temps. You can check PC’s temp using MSI’s afterburner, Core Temp, or Nvidia/AMD’s respective tool. GPUs and CPUs may be thermal throttling where they automatically downclock by reducing power input in order to lower the temps. During this process, the overall performance deteriorates.

If you notice consistently high CPU or GPU temperatures while playing Dota 2, it may be necessary to reapply thermal paste. Moreover, enhancing performance and reducing temperatures can be achieved by cleaning your PC case, GPU, or CPU cooler.

4. Deleting Certain Background Files

Many players have reported significant improvements in their Dota 2 performance by deleting specific files that are known to cause lag, stuttering, or freezing issues.

However, it is crucial to exercise caution when applying this fix and ensure that you create a backup of your game files before proceeding.

  • Right click Dota 2 on steam
  • Click on Properties
  • Go to the Local Files tab
  • Click Browse and it should take you to the game directory
  • Go to Dota 2 beta > game > Dota> maps > backgrounds and delete the list of files provided below
    • dashboard_background_muerta_ofrenda_wide.vpk
    • dashboard_background_muerta_ofrenda.vpk
    • dashboard_map_update_2023.vpk
    • frontpage_nemestice.vpk
    • frostivus_tree.vpk
    • frostivus_present.vpk
    • guilds_background.vpk
    • hero_frontpage_hoodwink.vpk
    • hero_frontpage_hoodwink_2021_blossom.vpk
    • hero_frontpage_marci_fg.vpk
    • hero_frontpage_pudge_persona.vpk
    • hero_showcase_arcana_pudge.vpk
    • hero_showcase_arcana_rubick.vpk
    • hero_showcase_arcana_rubick_1cell.vpk
    • hero_showcase_arcana_rubick_2cells.vpk
    • hero_showcase_battlemaiden.vpk
    • hero_showcase_crystal_maiden_persona.vpk
    • hero_showcase_dawnbreaker.vpk
    • hero_showcase_faceless_void_arcana_fg.vpk
    • hero_showcase_hoodwink.vpk
    • hero_showcase_marci_fg.vpk
    • hero_showcase_mars.vpk
    • hero_showcase_mars_bg.vpk
    • hero_showcase_mirana_persona.vpk
    • hero_showcase_mirana_persona_alt.vpk
    • hero_showcase_muerta.vpk
    • hero_showcase_muerta_wide.vpk
    • hero_showcase_ogre_magi_arcana.vpk
    • hero_showcase_phantom_assassin_persona.vpk
    • hero_showcase_pudge_persona.vpk
    • hero_showcase_void_spirit.vpk
    • spectate_background_default.vpk

If you want to undo the changes made, you can restore the files from the backup folder or use the “Verify Integrity of Game Files” option in Dota 2 properties, found under the Local Files tab. Removing these files has been shown to resolve frame and lag problems.

5. Change Network Type In-game

If you encounter lag or packet loss while playing Dota 2, you can utilize a built-in option in the game settings menu. This option aims to improve overall gameplay smoothness and eliminate lag, but it may slightly increase latency.

  • Launch Dota 2
  • Open settings from the top left corner.
  • Click on the Options tab
  • Select “I have a Low-end Network” under the Network section.

6. Flush your DNS

To resolve lagging issues in Dota 2 and optimize your internet connection speed, many players have found success by flushing the DNS resolver cache. Follow these steps to apply this fix:

  • Press Windows + R keys and type cmd.
  • Launch CMD (Command Prompt).
  • Enter the command “ipconfig /flushdns” (without the “”)

7. Change DNS Server Address

To address lagging and packet issues in Dota 2 and enhance the stability of your internet connection, you can change your DNS server address to Google’s DNS server. Follow these steps to make the change:

  • Open Control Panel.
  • Open Network and Sharing Centre.
  • Click on your current active connection.
  • Open Properties.
  • From the scroll-down menu double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPV4).
  • Select the “Use the following DNS server addresses:”
    • In the “Preferred DNS Server:” enter 8.8.8.8
    • In the “Alternate DNS Server:” enter 8.8.4.4

8. Reinstalling Dota 2

If none of the above fixes resolve the Dota 2 lagging, FPS drop, or freezing issues then as a last resort reinstall it. There might be a missing or corrupt game file that cannot be fixed. So reinstalling Dota 2 will fix the issue.

Make sure you uninstall the game via Steam and also delete all remaining files that can be found in the directory where it was installed.

Other Dota 2 Lag Workarounds

There are various miscellaneous fixes and workarounds that you can try to address Dota 2 lag. It’s important to note that these solutions may or may not be effective for your specific situation, as their success is not guaranteed.

  • Select ‘Fullscreen’ instead of ‘Windowed.’
  • Disable any overlays like Discord, Nvidia, etc.
  • Repair your PC’s registry
  • Reinstall the game or verify the files
  • Set Dota 2 to “High priority” in Task Manager
  • Disable any unwanted visual effects. You can do this through the “System and Security” tab in the Control Panel. Just head on over to “Advanced System Setting” and choose “Adjust For Best Performance.”
  • Set Power Settings to “Maximum Performance” if on a laptop
  • Some laptops perform better when connected to a charger
  • Check your Anti-virus Settings
  • Pause any active downloads or updates
  • Enable UPnP
  • Change Port Forwarding and NAT settings
  • Upgrade your internet package
  • Enable QoS (Not available on all routers)

If you don’t want to go through all this work and want just a single, one-button solution, then we have just the thing for you.

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