To fix the issue where Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) is locked at 45 FPS, you should primarily disable VSync (Sync Every Frame) in the game's video options and ensure your graphics drivers are updated
In MW3 , mode sometimes misbehaves, hard-capping FPS to half your refresh rate (e.g., 90Hz monitor → 45 FPS lock). cod mw3 45 fps fix
The release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (MW3) brought with it the expectation of high-octane gameplay and visual fidelity that the franchise is known for. However, for a significant number of players on PC, the experience was marred by a peculiar and frustrating technical hiccup: the "45 FPS cap." Regardless of hardware prowess—whether using a top-tier RTX 4090 or a mid-range GPU—players found their frame rates inexplicably locked at a steady 45 frames per second. This phenomenon transforms a fast-paced shooter into a stuttering mess, rendering the game nearly unplayable for competitive audiences. This essay explores the root causes behind the 45 FPS lock and outlines a comprehensive methodology for resolving the issue, restoring the game to its intended fluidity. To fix the issue where Call of Duty:
Open config_mp.cfg in Notepad (or other plain-text editor). Settings → System → Display → Graphics →
A secondary, yet equally prevalent, cause of the 45 FPS lock is the Steam Overlay. The Steam Overlay acts as a layer on top of the game to facilitate screenshots, chat, and broadcasting. In Modern Warfare III, this overlay can interfere with the game's frame pacing, inadvertently triggering a frame rate limiter. To rectify this, players should navigate to their Steam Library, right-click on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, and select "Properties." Under the "General" tab, the option "Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game" must be unchecked. For many users, this single action results in an immediate and dramatic frame rate increase, suggesting that the overlay's rendering hook was the bottleneck all along.