Noticed FPS Drops in STALKER 2? This Could Mean Memory Leak

A memory leak in STALKER 2 could be the cause of the major FPS drops. Players are convinced this issue is behind the performance problems.

Olga Racinowska

Source: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl; Developer: GSC Game World

Since the release of STALKER 2, players have been uncovering an increasing number of issues with the game. Many are now comparing its launch to Cyberpunk 2077, with some claiming it’s even worse. Common problems such as controller malfunctions on both Xbox and PC, mouse input lags, audio glitches, HDR making the game too dark, and flickering textures remain unresolved. But the most concerning issue yet might be the suspected memory leaks, which can lead to crashes and overall instability.

What Exactly is a Memory Leak?

In video games, memory leak is when the game keeps using more and more of your computer’s memory but doesn’t release it when it’s no longer needed. Over time, this can make the game’s visuals stutter or become choppy, cause the game to feel slow and unresponsive, take longer to load, and eventually even crash.

Games with complex systems that frequently allocate and deallocate memory can be prone to leaks if not managed carefully. Features like advanced physics, AI, or large open worlds can strain memory resources, especially if not optimized. The game may create objects (like textures, sounds, or structures) but fail to delete them when they're no longer needed, so if a loop runs indefinitely, it can continuously allocate memory without releasing it.

Is There a Fix for Memory Leak in STALKER 2?

Players have taken to Reddit and Steam to share their concerns about a potential memory leak in STALKER 2. While some are unsure if this is it or just general performance issues, most seem convinced that the problem is real.

At the moment, nothing seems to help, even slightly. Typically, restarting the game would provide a temporary fix, but that doesn’t appear to work in this case. The development team is aware of the situation and is actively investigating the memory leak in STALKER 2.

If you're one of the lucky ones unaffected by technical difficulties and are enjoying your time exploring the Zone, check out our STALKER 2 guide with an interactive map. We’re constantly adding new content to ensure we cover every major aspect of the game.

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Olga Racinowska

Author: Olga Racinowska

Been with gamepressure.com since 2019, mostly writing game guides but you can also find me geeking out about LEGO (huge collection, btw). Love RPGs and classic RTSs, also adore quirky indie games. Even with a ton of games, sometimes I just gotta fire up Harvest Moon, Stardew Valley, KOTOR, or Baldur's Gate 2 (Shadows of Amn, the OG, not that Throne of Bhaal stuff). When I'm not gaming, I'm probably painting miniatures or admiring my collection of retro consoles.

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