Why Is FPS, GPU, CPU and LAT Showing at the Top-Right of My Windows Desktop? How to Disable the NVIDIA Performance Overlay
If you suddenly notice information such as the following appearing in the top-right corner of your Windows desktop: FPS N/A | GPU 0% | CPU 1% | LAT N/A there...
If you suddenly notice information such as the following appearing in the top-right corner of your Windows desktop:
FPS N/A | GPU 0% | CPU 1% | LAT N/A
there is usually nothing wrong with your computer, graphics card, Windows installation, or monitor.
This display is typically the performance/statistics overlay provided by the NVIDIA App or NVIDIA GeForce software. It is designed to display real-time computer and gaming performance information, including frame rate, GPU utilization, CPU utilization, and latency.
The NVIDIA App includes a configurable performance statistics overlay. NVIDIA specifically documents metrics such as FPS, GPU and CPU utilization, FPS 1% Low, and PC/system latency.
In many cases, the overlay appears because the Alt + R keyboard shortcut was pressed accidentally.
What Is the FPS GPU CPU LAT Display?
The NVIDIA performance overlay is a small heads-up display, or HUD, that can appear over games and sometimes over the Windows desktop.
A typical display may look like:
FPS N/A | GPU 0% | CPU 1% | LAT N/A
Depending on your NVIDIA App configuration, additional information may also be displayed, including:
- FPS
- 1% Low FPS
- GPU utilization
- GPU temperature
- CPU utilization
- GPU clock
- GPU power
- PC latency
- System latency
- Other graphics-performance information
NVIDIA allows users to configure the statistics shown in the overlay.
What Do FPS, GPU, CPU and LAT Mean?
Understanding the individual values helps explain why some may show percentages while others show N/A.
FPS — Frames Per Second
FPS means Frames Per Second.
It represents approximately how many frames are being rendered every second. Higher FPS generally results in smoother visual motion, assuming the monitor and application can display those frames effectively.
For example:
FPS 60
means the application is rendering approximately 60 frames per second.
If you are simply looking at the Windows desktop, the overlay may display:
FPS N/A
This does not necessarily indicate a graphics problem. The overlay may not currently have an applicable FPS measurement for the active application or desktop context.
NVIDIA describes FPS as one of the metrics available through its performance-monitoring tools.
GPU — Graphics Processing Unit Utilization
The GPU percentage shows approximately how much of the graphics processor is being utilized.
For example:
GPU 0%
means the GPU is essentially idle or under extremely light load at that moment.
During gaming, rendering, AI processing, video encoding, or another GPU-intensive workload, you might see:
GPU 40%
GPU 75%
or even:
GPU 99%
A low GPU percentage while Windows is idle is normally expected.
CPU — Central Processing Unit Utilization
The CPU value indicates processor utilization.
For example:
CPU 1%
means the processor is currently under very little load.
If you start several applications, compress files, install software, perform calculations, or run another CPU-intensive process, this percentage may increase.
Therefore:
CPU 1%
on an idle desktop is generally normal and does not indicate a problem.
LAT — Latency
LAT refers to latency.
Latency measures delay, usually in milliseconds, associated with processing and displaying user input or frames. The exact latency metric available can depend on the application, hardware, NVIDIA features and measurement method.
NVIDIA's performance tools can display PC and system latency, including measurements associated with NVIDIA Reflex technologies.
Why Does LAT Show N/A?
You may see:
LAT N/A
Here, N/A means that a usable latency measurement is not currently available.
This can happen because you are on the Windows desktop, the active application does not provide the necessary latency data, a compatible game is not running, or the required NVIDIA latency-measurement capability is unavailable in the current situation.
For example, NVIDIA's FrameView documentation notes that certain PC-latency measurements report N/A in unsupported titles or contexts such as game menus.
Therefore, LAT N/A by itself is not evidence of a hardware fault.
Why Does FPS Show N/A?
Similarly:
FPS N/A
usually means that the overlay does not currently have a valid FPS value to display for the active application.
If you are sitting on the Windows desktop rather than running a supported 3D application or game, this can be completely normal.
You should not interpret FPS N/A as meaning that your NVIDIA graphics card has failed.
Why Did This Overlay Suddenly Appear?
One of the most common reasons is an accidentally pressed keyboard shortcut.
The default NVIDIA shortcut for toggling the statistics/performance overlay is:
Alt + R
NVIDIA officially documents Alt + R as the shortcut for toggling performance-monitoring statistics.
For example, while working you might accidentally press:
Alt + R
and suddenly see:
FPS N/A | GPU 0% | CPU 1% | LAT N/A
Because it appears unexpectedly, many users initially think Windows has enabled some type of diagnostic mode.
Usually, it is simply the NVIDIA statistics overlay.
Quick Solution: Press Alt + R
The easiest way to remove the display is:
Press Alt + R
Press the Alt key and R key together.
The statistics overlay should immediately disappear.
This is a toggle shortcut, meaning:
Alt + R → Overlay ON
Pressing it again:
Alt + R → Overlay OFF
NVIDIA confirms that Alt+R can toggle its performance-monitoring statistics.
Method 2: Open NVIDIA Overlay Using Alt + Z
If Alt + R does not solve the problem, open the main NVIDIA overlay.
Press:
Alt + Z
NVIDIA documents Alt+Z as the shortcut for opening its overlay interface.
Depending on the NVIDIA App version installed on your computer, you should find options related to:
Statistics
or performance-monitoring settings.
You can then disable the statistics display or customize what information is shown.
Method 3: Disable Statistics Through the NVIDIA App
If you want to keep NVIDIA's overlay features but don't want the performance information constantly displayed, open the NVIDIA App.
Look for the overlay/statistics configuration.
Recent NVIDIA App versions provide a Statistics area where users can configure what performance information appears. NVIDIA documents configurable statistics views and the ability to toggle their display with Alt+R.
This is useful if you want NVIDIA's recording or screenshot functionality but do not want CPU/GPU/FPS information on your screen.
Method 4: Disable the NVIDIA Overlay Completely
If you never use NVIDIA's overlay features, you can consider disabling the overlay itself through NVIDIA App settings.
This is different from simply pressing Alt+R.
Alt+R hides the statistics display.
Disabling the overall NVIDIA overlay can disable access to other overlay-related features as well.
Therefore, users who use NVIDIA recording, screenshots, filters or other overlay functionality may prefer to disable only the statistics display rather than the complete overlay.
What Else Does the NVIDIA Overlay Do?
The NVIDIA overlay is not limited to displaying FPS.
Depending on your NVIDIA software and hardware, it can provide functionality such as:
- Performance monitoring
- Screenshots
- Gameplay recording
- Instant Replay
- NVIDIA Highlights
- Game filters
- Performance statistics
- GPU monitoring
- Latency monitoring
The current NVIDIA App integrates performance monitoring with other gaming and creator features.
Therefore, seeing the overlay does not mean unwanted software has necessarily been installed. It may be part of the normal NVIDIA software accompanying your graphics hardware.
Does the Overlay Mean My Graphics Card Has a Problem?
Normally, no.
Values such as:
GPU 0%
CPU 1%
FPS N/A
LAT N/A
do not themselves indicate a fault.
For an idle Windows desktop, low CPU and GPU utilization can actually be expected.
Likewise, FPS and latency information may not be available when the overlay does not have a compatible workload from which to obtain those measurements.
Is the NVIDIA Performance Overlay a Virus?
No. If the display is genuinely being produced by the installed NVIDIA App or GeForce software, it is a legitimate NVIDIA feature.
However, users should always distinguish a genuine NVIDIA installation from unknown third-party programs that happen to display similar information.
If you are unsure, check installed applications for NVIDIA software and verify that your computer actually contains an NVIDIA GPU.
How to Check Whether Your Computer Has an NVIDIA GPU
In Windows 10 or Windows 11:
- Right-click the Start button.
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Display adapters.
- Look for an NVIDIA graphics adapter.
You may see names such as:
NVIDIA GeForce RTX...
or another NVIDIA graphics processor.
You can also use:
Task Manager → Performance → GPU
to view installed graphics processors.
Why Does the Overlay Appear on the Windows Desktop Instead of Only in Games?
Although commonly described as an in-game or performance overlay, the NVIDIA overlay can remain visible over other content depending on its configuration and the software version.
This can make the display look like a permanent Windows component.
It is not part of the normal Windows taskbar or desktop interface.
The important clue is the combination of performance labels such as:
FPS | GPU | CPU | LAT
NVIDIA's current software specifically supports an overlay containing FPS, CPU/GPU utilization and latency information.
What Is the Difference Between Alt + R and Alt + Z?
These two shortcuts perform different functions.
Alt + R
Used to toggle NVIDIA performance/statistics information.
Use this first if your only problem is the FPS/GPU/CPU/LAT information appearing on screen.
Alt + Z
Opens the broader NVIDIA overlay interface.
Use Alt+Z when you need to access additional overlay functions or configure statistics and other NVIDIA features. NVIDIA documents both shortcut behaviors.
Recommended Troubleshooting Sequence
If you see the FPS/GPU/CPU/LAT bar unexpectedly, use the following sequence:
Step 1: Press Alt + R.
If the information disappears, the issue is resolved.
Step 2: If it remains visible, press Alt + Z.
Check the Statistics or performance-monitoring configuration and turn the statistics display off.
Step 3: Open the NVIDIA App directly and inspect its overlay settings.
Step 4: If you never use NVIDIA's overlay functionality, disable the NVIDIA overlay through the app settings.
Step 5: If the display still remains, check whether another monitoring application is generating it.
What If Alt + R Does Not Remove the Overlay?
If Alt+R does nothing, don't immediately assume the NVIDIA software is damaged.
Possible reasons include:
- The NVIDIA shortcut has been changed.
- Another application is using Alt+R.
- NVIDIA's overlay is not active.
- The overlay is being generated by another program.
- NVIDIA software is not responding correctly.
- A different monitoring utility is installed.
Press Alt + Z and see whether the NVIDIA overlay opens.
If NVIDIA's interface appears, check its statistics configuration.
Other Programs That Can Display Performance Overlays
Not every FPS or CPU/GPU overlay belongs to NVIDIA.
Similar displays can be generated by software such as:
- Xbox Game Bar
- AMD Software
- MSI Afterburner
- RivaTuner Statistics Server
- OEM gaming utilities
- Hardware monitoring programs
- Game launchers
- Benchmarking applications
Therefore, if Alt + R and NVIDIA settings do not affect the overlay, check other performance-monitoring software installed on the PC.
The specific combination of FPS, GPU, CPU and LAT is, however, consistent with metrics offered by NVIDIA's current statistics overlay.
Can I Keep the Overlay but Change What It Shows?
Yes.
The NVIDIA App supports configurable statistics. Depending on the current version, you can choose different statistics views or customize the information displayed.
For example, you may want to monitor:
FPS + GPU utilization + GPU temperature
without displaying every available metric.
NVIDIA has continued expanding statistics-overlay customization, including options such as 1% Low FPS.
This is useful for gamers and technicians diagnosing performance problems.
Is It Safe to Disable the NVIDIA Performance Overlay?
Yes.
Disabling the statistics overlay does not disable your NVIDIA graphics card.
Your GPU continues operating normally.
Turning off the statistics display simply prevents those monitoring values from being displayed.
This distinction is important:
Disabling performance statistics ≠ disabling the GPU
Likewise:
Disabling the NVIDIA overlay ≠ uninstalling the NVIDIA graphics driver
Your graphics card can continue functioning normally.
When Is the Performance Overlay Actually Useful?
Although it can be annoying when accidentally enabled, the feature is useful for troubleshooting gaming and graphics-performance issues.
For example, suppose a game feels slow.
You might enable the overlay and observe:
FPS: 25
GPU: 99%
CPU: 35%
This can provide useful information about the current workload.
Alternatively:
FPS: 45
GPU: 40%
CPU: 100%
could indicate a different performance limitation.
These readings should not be interpreted in isolation, but they provide useful diagnostic information.
Understanding N/A Correctly
One of the most important troubleshooting points is that:
N/A does not mean zero.
It means:
Not Available or Not Applicable in the current measurement context.
Therefore:
FPS N/A
does not mean:
FPS = 0
And:
LAT N/A
does not necessarily mean that your computer has a latency problem.
It generally means that the software cannot currently provide that particular measurement.
NVIDIA Performance Overlay Shortcut Reference
| Function | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Toggle NVIDIA performance/statistics overlay | Alt + R |
| Open NVIDIA overlay | Alt + Z |
NVIDIA documents Alt+R for performance statistics and Alt+Z for accessing the broader overlay.
Shortcuts can potentially be changed in NVIDIA software, so these defaults may not apply if someone previously customized them.
Example Problem and Solution
Problem
A Windows user suddenly sees this in the upper-right corner:
FPS N/A | GPU 0% | CPU 1% | LAT N/A
The user did not intentionally install a monitoring application and believes Windows may have entered diagnostic mode.
Likely Cause
The NVIDIA performance/statistics overlay has been enabled, possibly by accidentally pressing Alt + R.
Solution
Press:
Alt + R
If the statistics disappear, no additional repair is normally necessary.
If they do not disappear:
Alt + Z → Statistics/Performance settings → disable the statistics overlay.
Important: Do Not Uninstall the NVIDIA Driver Just to Remove the Overlay
A common overreaction is to uninstall or disable the graphics driver.
That is generally unnecessary.
If the only problem is the FPS/GPU/CPU/LAT display, start with the overlay controls.
Uninstalling the graphics driver can create additional display or performance issues and is disproportionate to a simple overlay configuration problem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why am I seeing FPS, GPU, CPU and LAT on my desktop?
The most likely cause is that the NVIDIA performance/statistics overlay has been enabled. NVIDIA's overlay can display FPS, GPU and CPU utilization, latency and other performance information.
2. How do I remove the NVIDIA FPS GPU CPU overlay?
Press:
Alt + R
This is the default shortcut for toggling NVIDIA performance statistics.
3. What does FPS mean?
FPS means Frames Per Second. It is a measure of frame-rendering throughput and is commonly used when evaluating gaming and graphics performance.
4. Why does it say FPS N/A?
It means an FPS measurement is not currently available in that context. This may occur when you are on the Windows desktop or the active application is not providing an applicable measurement.
5. What does GPU 0% mean?
It indicates that GPU utilization is extremely low at that moment. This can be normal while the PC is idle.
6. What does CPU 1% mean?
It indicates that the processor is under very little load. This is generally normal on an idle computer.
7. What does LAT mean?
LAT refers to latency, a measurement of delay. NVIDIA's tools can expose PC and system-latency related measurements depending on hardware and software support.
8. Why does LAT show N/A?
The required latency measurement may not be available for the current desktop, game, hardware, or application context.
9. Does LAT N/A mean there is a problem with my PC?
Not necessarily. N/A normally means that the measurement is unavailable rather than indicating a hardware failure.
10. How do I open the NVIDIA overlay?
Press:
Alt + Z
This is NVIDIA's documented overlay shortcut.
11. Can I disable only the performance statistics?
Yes. You can turn off the statistics display while retaining other NVIDIA overlay functionality.
12. Can I disable the NVIDIA overlay completely?
Yes, through NVIDIA App settings. Be aware that doing so can also affect overlay-related features you may use, such as recording or screenshots.
13. Will disabling the overlay disable my graphics card?
No. The graphics card and driver continue to operate.
14. Is the NVIDIA performance overlay malware?
No. The genuine NVIDIA performance overlay is a legitimate NVIDIA feature.
15. Why did the overlay appear suddenly?
The most common explanation is accidentally pressing Alt + R, although configuration changes or software updates may also make users notice the feature.
16. Why doesn't Alt + R work?
The shortcut may have been changed, another application may intercept it, NVIDIA's overlay may not be running, or the visible overlay may belong to another application.
17. How can I determine whether NVIDIA is generating the overlay?
Press Alt + Z. If the NVIDIA overlay opens, inspect its Statistics settings. You can also open the NVIDIA App directly.
18. Can Xbox Game Bar show similar information?
Yes. Other performance-monitoring utilities can display CPU, GPU and FPS information, so not every performance overlay is necessarily NVIDIA.
19. Should I uninstall NVIDIA App to remove the FPS display?
Normally, no. First use Alt + R or disable Statistics through the NVIDIA overlay/app.
20. Should I reinstall Windows because of this overlay?
No. A performance overlay is normally an application configuration issue, not a reason to reinstall Windows.
Conclusion
If your Windows desktop suddenly displays:
FPS N/A | GPU 0% | CPU 1% | LAT N/A
the most likely explanation is the NVIDIA performance/statistics overlay.
The quickest solution is:
Press Alt + R
If that does not remove it:
Press Alt + Z → open Statistics/Performance settings → disable the statistics overlay.
The display is primarily a monitoring feature, not a Windows error message. Low CPU/GPU percentages and unavailable FPS or latency readings while sitting on the desktop are not, by themselves, signs of a graphics-card or computer failure.
For users who play games or troubleshoot graphics performance, the overlay can actually be useful because NVIDIA designed it to provide real-time FPS, GPU/CPU utilization, latency, and other performance metrics.
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