If you’re experiencing issues with your computer’s performance, you may have heard about hardware acceleration. But what exactly is it, and how can you turn it off? In this article, we’ll explore what hardware acceleration is, why you may want to turn it off, and how to do so on Windows 11.
What is Hardware Acceleration?
Hardware acceleration is a feature that allows your computer’s hardware, such as the graphics card, to handle certain tasks instead of relying on the CPU. This can improve performance and reduce strain on the CPU, resulting in smoother and faster operation.
Excel Hardware Acceleration
One common use of hardware acceleration is in Microsoft Excel. By default, Excel uses hardware acceleration to speed up the process of rendering charts and graphs. This can be helpful when working with large and complex spreadsheets, but it can also cause issues if your computer’s hardware is not up to par.
If you’re experiencing lag or crashes while using Excel, it may be due to hardware acceleration. Turning it off can help improve performance and stability.
Jellyfin Hardware Acceleration
Jellyfin is a popular media server that allows you to stream your media library to various devices. It also has the option for hardware acceleration, which can improve the transcoding process and allow for smoother streaming.
However, if your computer’s hardware is not powerful enough, enabling hardware acceleration in Jellyfin can cause issues such as buffering or crashes. In this case, turning off hardware acceleration may be necessary.
Why Turn Off Hardware Acceleration?
While hardware acceleration can improve performance in some cases, it can also cause issues if your computer’s hardware is not up to par. Some common reasons for turning off hardware acceleration include:
- Lag or crashes in programs that use hardware acceleration
- Compatibility issues with older hardware or software
- Overheating or excessive strain on the CPU or graphics card
- Inaccurate or distorted graphics
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it may be worth turning off hardware acceleration to see if it improves your computer’s performance.
How to Turn Off Hardware Acceleration on Windows 11
Now that you understand what hardware acceleration is and why you may want to turn it off, let’s explore how to do so on Windows 11.
Step 1: Open the Display Settings
To turn off hardware acceleration, you’ll need to access the display settings on your computer. To do so, right-click on the desktop and select “Display settings” from the menu.
Alternatively, you can open the Start menu and search for “display settings” to access the same menu.
Step 2: Click on “Advanced display settings”
In the display settings menu, scroll down and click on “Advanced display settings.”
Step 3: Click on “Display adapter properties”
In the advanced display settings menu, click on “Display adapter properties.”
Step 4: Click on the “Troubleshoot” tab
In the display adapter properties menu, click on the “Troubleshoot” tab.
Step 5: Click on “Change settings”
Under the “Hardware acceleration” section, click on “Change settings.”
Step 6: Move the slider to “None”
In the hardware acceleration settings, move the slider all the way to the left to “None.”
Step 7: Click on “Apply” and “OK”
Click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
Step 8: Restart your computer
To ensure that the changes take effect, restart your computer.
How to Turn Off Hardware Acceleration in Specific Programs
In some cases, you may only want to turn off hardware acceleration for a specific program, rather than for your entire computer. Here’s how to do so in some common programs:
Microsoft Excel
- Open Excel and click on “File” in the top left corner.
- Click on “Options” in the menu.
- In the Excel Options menu, click on “Advanced.”
- Scroll down to the “Display” section and uncheck the box next to “Disable hardware graphics acceleration.”
- Click on “OK” to save the changes.
Jellyfin
- Open Jellyfin and click on the three horizontal lines in the top left corner.
- Click on “Dashboard” in the menu.
- In the dashboard, click on “Advanced.”
- Under “Transcoding,” uncheck the box next to “Enable hardware acceleration.”
- Click on “Save” to apply the changes.
Conclusion
Hardware acceleration can be a useful feature for improving performance, but it can also cause issues if your computer’s hardware is not up to par. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily turn off hardware acceleration on Windows 11 and in specific programs to improve your computer’s performance and stability.