Windows overriding camera FPS

Question

My camera is rated to show 180 fps but windows only allows 30 Fps how do i fix that

Answer 1

Hi,

What's the camera model?

How do I change the refresh rate (Hz) in the Windows camera app?

Thanks

Answer 2

Windows will only expose and use frame rates that the camera driver and profile declare as supported. If Windows is limiting the camera to 30 fps, the driver or its declared profiles are not advertising 180 fps to the system, so Windows and apps cannot select it.

To address this:

1. Update the camera driver
   • Open Start > Device Manager.
   • Expand Cameras.
   • Right‑click the camera > Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
   • Restart the PC and test again.
   • If 180 fps is still not available, download and install the latest vendor‑specific driver from the camera or PC manufacturer’s support site (if available), then restart.
2. Check for Windows and optional driver updates
   • Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
   • If shown, select Advanced options > Optional updates and install any camera or imaging‑device driver updates.
   • Restart and test the camera.
3. Verify app‑specific video settings
   • Many apps (e.g., recording/streaming tools) let users choose resolution and frame rate.
   • Open the app’s video settings and look for options to set frame rate (fps). If only 30 fps appears, the driver is not exposing 180 fps to that app.
4. Understand driver/profile limits
   • Camera drivers declare supported resolutions and frame rates via profiles. For example, a driver might only expose high frame rates (such as 60 fps or higher) at specific resolutions, or only on certain pins (preview vs capture vs photo) and profiles.
   • If the driver’s profile does not include a 180 fps mode, Windows cannot offer it. This can happen even if the hardware is rated for 180 fps.

If, after installing the latest manufacturer driver and checking app settings, 180 fps still does not appear as an option, the installed Windows driver and its camera profiles are not advertising that mode. In that case, only the camera/PC manufacturer can provide an updated driver or firmware that exposes 180 fps to Windows.

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References:

• Camera doesn't work in Windows
• Sample profile declaration (Camera Profile V2)
• Configure the Video Output Format
• KSPROPERTY_CAMERACONTROL_EXTENDED_PHOTOMAXFRAMERATE
• KSPROPERTY_CAMERACONTROL_EXTENDED_PHOTOFRAMERATE