Star Citizen cannot maintain framerate with Vulkan
Tracked since 23 Aug 2026 · Last researched 23 Aug 2026
Problem
Star Citizen cannot maintain framerate or graphics performance while Vulkan is selected.
This is separate from ordinary low FPS, server FPS, terrain smearing, and Vulkan launch failures.
Applies to Alpha 4.9.x LIVE · Current
Best current action
Switch away from Vulkan
When a major FPS drop starts with Vulkan selected, switch to DirectX or Direct3D, restart if prompted, then retry the same scene once. If the slowdown also happens without Vulkan, stop here: this workaround does not match that problem.
This removes the renderer tied to the slowdown without lowering resolution or installing a driver, and the change is reversible.
What to do
- Open Star Citizen's graphics settings.
- Change the graphics API from Vulkan to DirectX or Direct3D.
- Apply the setting and restart the client if prompted.
- Retry the same scene or activity once and compare the frame-rate behavior.
No current independent Alpha 4.9 test shows how often this improves performance.
Another option
If the player wants to remain on Vulkan and accepts lower image resolution for the affected session.
Lower the game resolution
This keeps Vulkan selected, but image sharpness and visual quality decrease.
What to do
- Open Star Citizen's graphics settings.
- Lower the in-game video or screen resolution.
- Apply the setting and retry the affected scene once.
No current independent execution result is available, and the issue may not be resolution-limited.
If lower-impact paths fail
Escalation
Update the video driver
Use this only after switching away from Vulkan, when the installed graphics driver is outdated or may be part of the problem.
What to do
- Identify the installed GPU and driver version.
- Install the current driver from the GPU manufacturer's normal supported channel.
- Restart the computer if the driver installer requires it.
- Retry the affected session once.
CIG gives no target driver version or current success evidence for this exact issue.
Related
Build status
CIG lists the Vulkan-linked framerate-drop issue for Alpha 4.9.x LIVE; exact hotfix remains unresolved.
Known Issue Continues · LIVE
Data sources
RSI Known Issues · Reddit