Where to find the frame rate setting in Minecraft Bedrock

Frame rate — the number of images your screen displays per second — lives in the Video settings menu, not in the main options. Open Minecraft Bedrock, then from the main menu select Settings. On the left side, click Video. Scroll down until you see Max Frame Rate. This is the only place on PC where you can change how many frames per second the game will try to show you.

The setting appears as a dropdown menu with preset options: 30 FPS, 60 FPS, 120 FPS, and sometimes higher depending on your graphics card and monitor. You cannot type in a custom number — you must choose from what the menu offers. Once you select a frame rate, the change takes effect when ready without restarting the game.

Key Takeaways

  • Frame rate settings are in Settings > Video > Max Frame Rate, not in the main options menu.
  • Higher frame rates (120 FPS or above) require both a capable graphics card and a monitor that can display that many frames per second.
  • Your actual frame rate may be lower than your setting if your PC cannot keep up, and that is normal.
  • Lowering frame rate saves power and reduces heat if your device gets too warm during play.

What frame rate your PC can actually handle

Setting a high frame rate does not may provide your PC will deliver it. Your graphics card, processor, and monitor all have limits. If you set the game to 120 FPS but your graphics card can only produce 80, the game will show 80. You can see your actual frame rate by turning on the FPS counter: go back to Settings > Video and toggle Show FPS to on. A small number will appear in the top left corner of your game screen showing what you are really getting.

Most gaming laptops and mid-range desktop graphics cards handle 60 FPS smoothly in Bedrock. Reaching 120 FPS or higher usually requires a newer or more powerful graphics card. Your monitor also matters — if your monitor only refreshes 60 times per second, setting the game to 120 FPS will not look smoother because the monitor cannot display more than 60 frames anyway.

Why you might want to lower your frame rate

Lower frame rates use less power and produce less heat. If your laptop gets hot during play, dropping from 60 FPS to 30 FPS can make a real difference in temperature and fan noise. This is especially useful on older devices or if you are playing on battery power and want longer playtime before charging.

Some players also prefer lower frame rates on weaker devices because the game stays more stable — instead of the frame rate jumping between 40 and 70 FPS (which feels choppy), locking it to 30 FPS keeps the motion consistent. Consistency matters more to smoothness than raw speed.

When higher frame rates actually matter

Frame rate becomes noticeable when you move your mouse or turn your character quickly. At 30 FPS, turning feels slightly delayed. At 60 FPS, it feels when ready. At 120 FPS or higher, the difference is smaller — most people cannot see much improvement beyond 120 FPS, though competitive players sometimes prefer it.

If you mostly build structures and walk around slowly, the difference between 60 and 120 FPS is barely visible. If you play PvP (player versus player) modes or move the camera constantly, higher frame rates make aiming and turning feel more responsive. Test your own PC by setting it to 60 FPS for a few minutes, then switching to 120 FPS — you will notice the difference if your PC can handle it.

Troubleshooting frame rate problems

If your frame rate is much lower than your setting, close other programs first. Web browsers, Discord, and background updates all compete for your graphics card. Closing them can free up 10 to 30 FPS. You can also lower your render distance (the distance you can see) in Video settings — this is often the biggest drain on frame rate in Bedrock.

If the game crashes when you set a high frame rate, your graphics card driver may be outdated. Visit the website for your graphics card maker (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and read the latest driver for your specific card model. Restart your PC after installing, then try the higher frame rate again. If it still crashes, your PC may not support that frame rate — stick with 60 FPS or lower.

Frame rate versus render distance and graphics quality

You cannot max out everything at once. A PC with a mid-range graphics card might run 120 FPS at render distance 8, but only 60 FPS at render distance 16. You have to choose what matters more to you: seeing farther (higher render distance), smoother motion (higher frame rate), or better-looking blocks and lighting (higher graphics settings).

Start by setting frame rate to what your PC can handle, then adjust render distance until the game feels smooth. If you want to see farther, lower the frame rate instead. This approach prevents the frustration of setting everything high and then wondering why the game stutters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a frame rate higher than what the menu shows?

No. Bedrock on PC only offers preset frame rates in the dropdown menu. You cannot manually enter a custom number. If 120 FPS is the highest option and you want more, you would need to play Java Edition instead, which has different settings.

Why does my frame rate drop when I look at water or large structures?

Water, transparent blocks, and complex structures require more processing power. Your PC is still trying to hit your target frame rate, but it cannot keep up in those moments. This is normal. If it bothers you, lower your render distance or reduce your target frame rate.

Does higher frame rate use more battery on a laptop?

Yes, significantly. Higher frame rates mean your graphics card works harder and drains the battery faster. If you are playing on battery power, setting frame rate to 30 or 60 FPS will extend your playtime by an hour or more compared to 120 FPS.

What frame rate should I use if I do not know what my PC can handle?

Start at 60 FPS. Most PCs from the last five years handle this smoothly. Turn on the FPS counter and play for a few minutes. If it stays near 60, try 120 FPS. If it drops below 50, go back to 30 FPS and adjust render distance instead.