To remove the FPS cap in Dota 2, open the game's properties in Steam and add +fps_max 0 to the launch options: the frame limit is lifted entirely. By default, Dota 2 caps FPS at 120, which you notice on 144Hz and faster monitors. The video settings let you raise the cap to 240, and the console lets you change it in-game. Below are all the methods in order, the causes of a 60 FPS lock, and recommended fps_max values for different monitors.
Why Does Dota 2 Have an FPS Cap in the First Place?
It is not a bug or an oversight. Valve sets the default cap on purpose, so the game runs reliably on the widest possible range of hardware, including weak machines and laptops without good cooling. Remove every limit on underpowered hardware and the GPU starts rendering hundreds of frames the monitor will never display, while temperatures climb sharply.
By default, Dota 2 caps FPS at 120. In the in-game video settings, you can manually raise that to 240 FPS. Anything higher is only available through launch options or the console.
For owners of 144Hz, 165Hz or 240Hz monitors, the default cap cuts performance exactly where it matters. That is the reason to remove the FPS cap in Dota 2, or at least match the limit to your monitor's refresh rate.
How to Remove the FPS Cap in Dota 2 Through the Video Settings
Start with the simplest method. It needs no commands, works for most players, and is done entirely in the game menu.
Step by step:
Launch Dota 2 and open Settings (the gear icon in the top-left corner).
Go to the "Video" tab.
Find the "Max Frames Per Second" option.
Set the value you want, up to 240 FPS.
Click "Apply" and restart the game.
This works well if you just want to raise the cap to 144 or 240. The limitation is the ceiling: you cannot go above 240 FPS through the interface. To remove the cap completely, use launch options.
How to Remove the FPS Cap in Dota 2 Through Steam Launch Options
This is the most reliable and universal method. The +fps_max 0 command is set once and applies automatically every time you launch the game.
Step by step:
Open Steam and go to your Library.
Right-click Dota 2 and select "Properties."
In the "Launch Options" field, enter: +fps_max 0.
Close the window and launch the game.
The value 0 means no cap at all: the game renders as many frames as your hardware allows. If you want a specific limit instead, replace 0 with your target number.
The values players use most often:
Command | Result |
|---|---|
+fps_max 0 | Uncapped, as many frames as your hardware allows |
+fps_max 240 | Capped at 240 FPS |
+fps_max 165 | Capped at 165 FPS |
+fps_max 144 | Capped at 144 FPS |
+fps_max 60 | Capped at 60 FPS, for low-end PCs |
One important note: if you set +fps_max 0 in launch options but the video settings show a 120 FPS limit, the Steam command usually takes priority. If the cap keeps coming back, check the slider in the video settings and set it to the maximum.
How to Remove the FPS Cap in Dota 2 Through the Console
The console is handy when you want to change the value mid-session, for example switching from 240 to 60 FPS for a quick test and back again without restarting. First you need to enable the console.
Two ways to enable it:
Add -console to your Steam launch options, and it will open automatically at startup.
Add +con_enable 1, then bring the console up with the ~ (tilde) key, to the left of the 1 key.
Once the console is open, type:
fps_max 0
Note that in the console the command is written without the + prefix, which is only needed in launch options. The effect is the same: the cap is lifted immediately, with no restart. More useful commands are collected in our list of Dota 2 console commands.
Why Did FPS Lock to 60 After an Update, and How to Fix It
A common scenario: the game ran at a steady 120 to 144 FPS, a patch came out, and frames dropped to 60. The +fps_max 0 command is already in your launch options, yet nothing changes. That means the cap is coming from somewhere else.
The first thing to check is V-Sync. It ties your FPS to the monitor's refresh rate: on a 60Hz monitor you get exactly 60 frames, no matter how powerful your hardware is.
How to disable V-Sync in Dota 2:
Open Settings and the Video tab.
Find "Vertical Sync."
Set it to "Off."
Apply the change and restart the game.
Besides V-Sync, a 60 FPS lock can come from several other sources. The most common ones:
V-Sync enabled: FPS is limited to the monitor refresh rate.
Windows power plan set to Power Saver: the system throttles CPU and GPU load.
A frame rate limit in the NVIDIA or AMD driver: set separately from the game.
Windows Game Mode on Windows 10/11: can interfere in rare cases.
Thermal throttling: when the GPU overheats, it lowers its clock speed and FPS drops.
Disabling V-Sync and switching to a High Performance power plan fixes the lock in most cases. If it does not, check your graphics driver next.
How to Remove the FPS Limit Through the NVIDIA or AMD Driver
Sometimes the cap does not come from the game at all but from the GPU driver. This is less common, but worth checking, especially if +fps_max 0 is set, V-Sync is off and FPS still hits a ceiling.
For NVIDIA users:
Open the NVIDIA Control Panel by right-clicking the desktop. Go to "Manage 3D Settings," select the "Program Settings" tab, find Dota 2 in the list and check the "Max Frame Rate" entry: it should not be set to a forced limit.
For AMD users:
In AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition, go to the Gaming section, select Dota 2 and check the Frame Rate Target Control setting. It should be Off or set to the value you want.
Where to find the setting for each GPU maker:
Manufacturer | Software | Path to setting |
|---|---|---|
NVIDIA | NVIDIA Control Panel | Manage 3D Settings → Program Settings → Dota 2 → Max Frame Rate |
AMD | AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition | Gaming → Dota 2 → Frame Rate Target Control |
Intel | Intel Arc Control | Performance → Frame Rate Limit |
Should You Remove the FPS Cap Entirely or Keep a Limit?
The community is split on this. Some players say to uncap everything and let the hardware run flat out. Others argue there is no point rendering 400 frames on a 144Hz monitor, since the GPU only runs hotter. The sensible answer is in between.
Going fully uncapped makes sense when your monitor supports a high refresh rate (144Hz or above), your cooling is adequate, and you want to minimize input lag, the delay between a mouse movement and the response on screen. Even on a 144Hz monitor, running at 200 to 300 FPS gives lower input latency than a cap of exactly 144.
If your PC is on the weaker side or your laptop tends to overheat, set the cap to match your monitor's refresh rate. That gives a stable image without extra strain on the hardware. To raise FPS itself on a weaker PC, see our guide on how to boost FPS in Dota 2, and use the Dota 2 FPS counter to check the result.
Recommended fps_max values by monitor:
Monitor refresh rate | Recommended fps_max |
|---|---|
60Hz | 60 to 120 |
144Hz | 144 or 0 |
165Hz | 165 or 0 |
240Hz | 240 or 0 |
360Hz | 0 |
Extra Dota 2 Launch Options for Smoother Performance
While you are in the launch options, you can add a few other commands that the community has used for years and that do not conflict with +fps_max 0. Each one targets something specific: removing extra visual elements, disabling unused features or speeding up loading.
The set most experienced players use:
-novid: skips the Valve intro video at startup.
-nojoy: disables gamepad support and saves a little memory.
-novr: disables the VR module.
+dota_embers 0: removes the ember animation on the main menu.
+map_enable_portrait_worlds 0: disables the background 3D scenes in the menu.
-prewarm: preloads resources to reduce stutter in the first minutes of a match.
A complete launch string might look like this:
+fps_max 0 -novid -nojoy -novr +dota_embers 0 +map_enable_portrait_worlds 0 -prewarm
Separate the options with spaces, with no commas or semicolons. Save, close the window and launch the game. The rest of the image quality options are covered in our guide on how to set up Dota 2 graphics.
Which Method Should You Use?
For a quick result, +fps_max 0 in Steam launch options is enough and takes about 30 seconds. If FPS still does not climb, check V-Sync in the video settings first, then your Windows power plan, and finally the frame rate limit in your GPU control panel.
Removing the cap entirely makes sense on any PC with a 144Hz or faster monitor: it lowers input lag and makes controls more responsive, which you notice in ranked matches. On weaker hardware, +fps_max 144 or your monitor's refresh rate is the better choice, because consistent performance matters more than peak numbers.
The key point: the FPS cap in Dota 2 is a setting, not a hardware limit. A couple of minutes in Steam, and the game runs the way it should.
FAQ
What is the default fps_max in Dota 2?
By default, Dota 2 caps FPS at 120. The video settings let you raise the cap to 240, and fps_max 0 removes it completely.
How do I set fps_max in Dota 2?
In Steam, open Dota 2 properties and enter +fps_max 0 in the "Launch Options" field. In the in-game console, type it without the plus sign: fps_max 0.
Why is fps_max 0 not working?
Usually something else is setting the limit: V-Sync, the Windows Power Saver plan, or a frame rate cap in the NVIDIA, AMD or Intel driver. Check them one by one.
Should I uncap FPS on a 60Hz monitor?
There is little point: the monitor still shows 60 frames. A value of 60 to 120 is enough; higher FPS only slightly lowers input lag while heating the hardware.
