Gearbox Software’s latest update for Borderlands 4 has prompted fresh criticism from PC players after reports surfaced that the patch, aimed at improving performance, introduced new stuttering issues.
The update, rolled out on Sept. 25, was intended to address hitching, low frame rates and crashes. It also added a field-of-view slider for consoles, enhanced character animations and fixed problems including black screens on Xbox and infinite loading during cross-play sessions.
Instead, some users reported increased instability. The developer acknowledged the feedback and advised players that the stuttering is linked to shader compilation, a process familiar to many Unreal Engine 5 titles. According to Gearbox, the issue may resolve itself after a period of play, while clearing the shader cache through graphics card settings is also recommended.
The patch adds to a string of technical challenges since the game’s Sept. 12 launch. On Steam, Borderlands 4 holds a “Mixed” rating of about 63% from nearly 58,000 reviews. Despite this, engagement remains strong, with an average of 100,000 concurrent players recorded daily.
Players who opt for the game’s highest “Badass graphics” preset have also been cautioned, as it can amplify frame drops and stuttering even on high-end hardware. Some in the community have suggested experimenting with GPU shader cache configurations to mitigate problems, while Gearbox has encouraged players to seek further help through its support system.
The company said it is continuing to investigate performance stability.
Source: Borderlands