How to fix frame pacing issues on a mechanical keyboard setup

A Mechanical Keyboard should not cause frame pacing on its own, so the fix is usually in Windows, the driver, or a single overlooked toggle.

Quick Answer

To fix frame pacing on a Mechanical Keyboard setup, turn off N-key rollover macros that fire background scripts during play. Most cases clear up once these are right, and you should be back to even frametimes so motion looks smooth.

Driver and Windows settings

Next, update the keyboard firmware, since early batches sometimes ship with input-buffering bugs. Keep Windows 11 fully updated and turn off any background overlays or capture tools that hook into games, since these are a common source of frame pacing. A clean driver install often does more than any single in-game setting when chasing even frametimes so motion looks smooth.

Tuning the peripheral itself

Once the software side is clean, focus on the peripheral. Set the keyboard polling rate to 1000Hz and disable any onboard RGB effects that hog the controller. If the problem only appears under heavy load, watch the temperatures and clocks, because thermal throttling can masquerade as frame pacing. The aim throughout is even frametimes so motion looks smooth.

First checks for Mechanical Keyboard

Start with the basics. Turn off N-key rollover macros that fire background scripts during play. Set the keyboard polling rate to 1000Hz and disable any onboard RGB effects that hog the controller. These two steps resolve the majority of frame pacing cases on a Mechanical Keyboard, because the default Windows and driver settings are often the real cause rather than the peripheral itself.

FAQ

Is frame pacing a hardware fault?

Usually not. Frame pacing on a Mechanical Keyboard setup is almost always settings, drivers or thermals. Only suspect hardware after the checks above come back clean.

Can my monitor or refresh rate cause frame pacing?

It can. Confirm Windows is at the panel's full refresh and enable VRR, since a mismatched refresh and framerate is a common cause of frame pacing.

Why did frame pacing start after my peripheral change?

A new peripheral often resets a setting or adds a driver that conflicts with your game. turn off N-key rollover macros that fire background scripts during play, and the issue usually clears.