Key Takeaways
1. Gearbox Software released a patch for Borderlands 4 on September 25 to improve stability and performance on PC, but players reported increased stuttering issues instead.
2. The update introduced new features like an FOV slider for consoles, improved character animations, and fixes for black screens and infinite loading screens on Xbox.
3. Gearbox acknowledged the performance concerns from players and advised waiting 15 minutes after changing graphics settings for shader recompilation to improve performance.
4. Shader compilation issues are common in Unreal Engine 5 games, and skipping this process can lead to glitches and stuttering.
5. Players are cautioned against using the ‘Badass graphics’ preset, which may worsen frame drops, and are encouraged to explore various fixes or seek support if issues persist.
Gearbox Software launched an update for Borderlands 4 on September 25, aiming to enhance stability and performance on PC. The update was supposed to tackle issues like hitching, low FPS, and crashes, while also promising to look into further adjustments. However, players have noted new stuttering problems after the patch went live.
New Features and Issues
The patch did bring some enhancements, such as an FOV slider for consoles, improved character animations, and fixes for black screens on Xbox and infinite loading screens during cross-play sessions. Unfortunately, instead of resolving Borderlands 4’s issues, the patch seems to have made the stuttering worse. Gearbox quickly responded with a community update on the Borderlands support site and on X, acknowledging the difficulties players are facing.
Gearbox’s Response
In their update, Gearbox mentioned:
“We’ve received reports from some players that, although the September 25th patch is intended to improve performance, they’re experiencing the opposite.”
Workaround: The stuttering might fix itself as shaders keep compiling in the background while you play. If stutters persist after 15 mins, you can clear your shader cache using your GPU manufacturer’s suggested method.
Gearbox had shared similar advice earlier on Steam forums, suggesting players wait for 15 minutes after changing graphics settings so that shaders could recompile before assessing the game’s performance.
Shader Issues in Gaming
Shader compilation loading screens are now common for PC gamers in many Unreal Engine 5 titles, including Borderlands 4. Players need to wait before entering the game world, as skipping the shader compilation can lead to glitches.
These issues have contributed to the mixed reception of Borderlands 4 on PC since its release on September 12, 2025. Currently, the game holds a 62.69% “Mixed” user rating based on 57,793 reviews on Steam. Still, it maintains a strong daily average of about 100,000 concurrent players on the platform.
Recommendations for Players
Players seeking better graphics are warned against using the ‘Badass graphics’ preset, which can worsen frame drops and stutters, even on high-end setups. Vault hunters are trying various fixes, like tweaking the GPU shader cache size or looting vaults before restarting the game to alleviate the shader compilation delays. For those who still find themselves stuck with the 15-minute wait, Gearbox suggests using the support ticket system for assistance.
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