How Can I Get Rid of GPU Stats Displayed on My Screen?

AvatarByHarold Trujillo Troubleshooting & How To

If you’ve ever been immersed in a game or working on a graphic-intensive project, you might have noticed GPU stats popping up on your screen—displaying real-time information like temperature, usage, or frame rates. While these overlays can be incredibly useful for monitoring your system’s performance, they can also become distracting or intrusive, especially when you want an uninterrupted viewing experience. Knowing how to get rid of GPU stats on screen can help you regain control over your display and enhance your overall user experience.

GPU overlays typically come from software utilities bundled with your graphics card or third-party applications designed to monitor hardware performance. These stats provide valuable insights but aren’t always necessary for every user or situation. Whether you’re a casual user who finds the stats cluttering your screen or a professional who prefers a clean workspace, understanding the common sources of these overlays and how to disable them is essential.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the various ways GPU stats appear on your screen and offer practical guidance on how to remove them. From built-in graphics card tools to popular monitoring apps, you’ll learn how to customize or completely turn off these on-screen displays, allowing you to focus on what truly matters—whether that’s gaming, work, or simply enjoying your content without distractions.

Disabling GPU Overlay Features in Common Software

Many GPU manufacturers provide software that includes built-in overlays displaying real-time statistics such as temperature, usage, and frame rate. Disabling these overlays typically involves adjusting settings within the software itself.

For NVIDIA users, the GeForce Experience application includes the NVIDIA Overlay, which can be toggled off through its settings menu. Open GeForce Experience, navigate to the settings icon, and under the “General” tab, locate the “In-Game Overlay” option. Disabling this feature will remove the GPU stats from your screen.

AMD users can control the Radeon Overlay via the Radeon Software. Pressing `Alt + R` usually opens this overlay. To disable it, open Radeon Software, go to the “Preferences” tab, then “General,” and toggle off the “Radeon Overlay” option.

Other third-party applications such as MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS), or EVGA Precision X1 also provide on-screen display (OSD) capabilities. Each has specific options to disable the overlay:

  • MSI Afterburner: Open the application, go to the “On-Screen Display” tab, and uncheck “Show On-Screen Display.”
  • RivaTuner Statistics Server: Access the RTSS interface and uncheck the “Show On-Screen Display” box.
  • EVGA Precision X1: Navigate to the overlay settings and disable the “OSD” feature.

Using Windows and Game Settings to Remove GPU Stats

Sometimes, GPU statistics may appear due to Windows’ own game bar or third-party gaming platforms’ overlays rather than GPU-specific software. Disabling these can also remove the on-screen GPU stats.

The Windows Game Bar, activated by pressing `Win + G`, provides performance metrics that include GPU stats. To disable it:

  • Open Windows Settings (`Win + I`).
  • Go to “Gaming” > “Game Bar.”
  • Toggle off “Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game Bar.”

In addition, some games have built-in performance overlays or utilize platforms like Steam, Discord, or NVIDIA Broadcast that can display GPU stats. Check each application’s overlay or performance settings to disable any on-screen information.

Disabling Overlays via Keyboard Shortcuts and Hotkeys

Many GPU and monitoring applications use hotkeys to toggle overlays on or off quickly. Familiarizing yourself with these shortcuts can provide a fast way to remove GPU stats without navigating through menus.

Common hotkeys include:

  • NVIDIA GeForce Experience: `Alt + Z` to toggle the overlay.
  • AMD Radeon Overlay: `Alt + R` to open or close the overlay.
  • MSI Afterburner: User-configurable hotkey, often `Ctrl + F12` or accessible through the “On-Screen Display” settings.
  • RivaTuner Statistics Server: Hotkeys can be customized; default might be `Ctrl + F12` or similar.

If these hotkeys do not work, verify their assignments in the respective software settings. Disabling or remapping these hotkeys can prevent accidental overlay activation.

Managing Overlays Through Task Manager and Startup Programs

If overlays persist despite disabling settings within applications, it may be necessary to stop the overlay software from running altogether. This can be done by ending processes through Task Manager or preventing them from launching at startup.

To end overlay processes:

  • Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open Task Manager.
  • Look for processes such as `NVIDIA GeForce Experience`, `RadeonSoftware.exe`, `MSIAfterburner.exe`, or related monitoring tools.
  • Right-click the process and select “End task.”

To prevent these applications from starting automatically:

  • Open Task Manager and go to the “Startup” tab.
  • Identify GPU monitoring or overlay software.
  • Right-click and select “Disable.”

Disabling startup programs ensures the overlay does not appear after rebooting the system.

Comparison of Popular GPU Overlay Tools and Their Disabling Methods

Software Default Hotkey Overlay Toggle Location Additional Notes
NVIDIA GeForce Experience Alt + Z Settings > General > In-Game Overlay Disabling removes all in-game overlays including FPS counter
AMD Radeon Software Alt + R Preferences > General > Radeon Overlay Overlay can be toggled off or customized
MSI Afterburner Customizable (default often Ctrl + F12) Settings > On-Screen Display Allows granular control over which stats are shown
RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS) Customizable Main interface > Show On-Screen Display checkbox Often used alongside MSI Afterburner for OSD

Disabling GPU Overlay and Stats in Common Software

Many GPU monitoring statistics displayed on-screen originate from software overlays integrated into GPU drivers or third-party applications. To remove these stats, identify the source application and follow the appropriate disabling steps.

  • NVIDIA GeForce Experience
    • Open GeForce Experience.
    • Click on the Settings icon (gear symbol) in the top-right corner.
    • Select the General tab.
    • Scroll to the In-Game Overlay section and toggle it off.
    • This disables the overlay, including FPS counters and GPU stats.
  • AMD Radeon Software
    • Launch AMD Radeon Software.
    • Click the Performance tab.
    • Access the Metrics Overlay settings.
    • Toggle off the metrics overlay to remove on-screen GPU stats.
  • MSI Afterburner
    • Open MSI Afterburner.
    • Click the Settings gear icon.
    • Navigate to the Monitoring tab.
    • Uncheck the parameters that appear in the on-screen display (OSD).
    • Switch to the On-Screen Display tab and disable the OSD entirely if preferred.
  • Steam
    • Open Steam and go to Settings.
    • Select the In-Game section.
    • Uncheck the Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game option.
    • This disables the Steam FPS counter and any related overlays.
  • Other Third-Party Software
    • Identify the monitoring or overlay tool (e.g., RivaTuner Statistics Server, HWMonitor, Fraps).
    • Access the application’s settings menu.
    • Disable any on-screen display features or close the application entirely.

Using Windows Game Bar to Manage On-Screen Stats

Windows 10 and later versions include a built-in Game Bar that can display performance metrics such as FPS, GPU usage, and CPU load. If these stats are appearing and need to be removed, adjust the Game Bar settings.

  • Press Win + G to open the Game Bar.
  • Click the Performance widget (if not visible, enable it from the widgets menu).
  • Within the Performance widget, click the settings (gear) icon.
  • Toggle off the option for Show performance metrics in-game.
  • Alternatively, disable Game Bar entirely by navigating to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar and turning off the toggle.

Modifying Game or Application-Specific Settings

Certain games and applications include their own built-in performance monitoring tools or developer consoles that display GPU stats on-screen.

  • Access the game’s settings or options menu.
  • Look for sections labeled HUD, Performance Overlay, or Debug Info.
  • Disable any options related to displaying FPS, GPU usage, or hardware stats.
  • For games with developer consoles, use console commands to toggle off any stats overlays (check game-specific documentation).

Preventing GPU Stats from Automatically Starting on Boot

If GPU stats consistently appear after system startup, it may be due to monitoring software configured to launch automatically.

Method Steps Purpose
Task Manager Startup Tab
  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Startup tab.
  3. Locate GPU monitoring software (e.g., MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner).
  4. Right-click and select Disable.
 Prevents software from launching at boot.
System Configuration (msconfig)
  1. Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to the Startup tab or open Task Manager via link.
  3. Disable unwanted startup programs related to GPU stats.
 Alternative way to manage startup programs.
Settings App (Windows 10/11)
  1. Open Settings > <

    Expert Guidance on Removing GPU Stats from Your Screen

    Dr. Elena Martinez (Computer Graphics Researcher, Visual Computing Institute). When dealing with persistent GPU stats overlays, the first step is to identify the software generating the display, such as MSI Afterburner or NVIDIA GeForce Experience. Disabling the in-app overlay feature or adjusting the hotkeys within these programs typically resolves the issue without affecting system performance.

    Jason Lee (Senior Systems Engineer, GameTech Solutions). Many users overlook background applications that automatically launch with GPU monitoring enabled. I recommend checking startup programs and task manager processes to disable any GPU stat utilities. Additionally, updating your GPU drivers and related software can sometimes reset default overlay settings and eliminate on-screen stats.

    Priya Singh (GPU Software Developer, RenderWorks Inc.). For users encountering GPU stats during gameplay or benchmarking, it’s crucial to access the specific overlay settings within the GPU control panel or third-party tools. Turning off the performance monitoring overlay or toggling the display shortcut keys will effectively remove the stats without uninstalling the software entirely.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    What causes GPU stats to appear on my screen?
    GPU stats typically appear due to monitoring software or in-game overlays such as MSI Afterburner, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, or AMD Radeon Software that display real-time performance metrics.

    How can I disable GPU stats using MSI Afterburner?
    Open MSI Afterburner, go to the settings menu, navigate to the “Monitoring” tab, and uncheck the options related to on-screen display. Then, disable the On-Screen Display (OSD) feature to remove GPU stats from the screen.

    Can I turn off GPU stats in NVIDIA GeForce Experience?
    Yes. Open GeForce Experience, click on the settings icon, select the “General” tab, and toggle off the “In-Game Overlay” option, which disables the display of GPU stats during gameplay.

    Why do GPU stats persist even after closing monitoring software?
    Some overlays run as background processes or services. Ensure you fully exit or disable these programs from the system tray or task manager to completely remove GPU stats from the screen.

    Is it possible to remove GPU stats without uninstalling software?
    Yes. Most monitoring tools allow you to disable on-screen displays through their settings without uninstalling the software, preserving functionality while hiding the stats.

    How do I prevent GPU stats from showing up in specific games?
    Adjust the overlay settings within the monitoring software to exclude certain applications or games, or disable the overlay globally before launching the game to prevent GPU stats from appearing.
    To effectively remove GPU stats displayed on your screen, it is essential to first identify the source of the overlay. Common origins include software such as MSI Afterburner, NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Radeon Software, or other third-party monitoring tools. Disabling the overlay feature within these applications typically resolves the issue. For instance, turning off the in-game overlay in GeForce Experience or unchecking the monitoring options in MSI Afterburner will stop the GPU statistics from appearing during gameplay or other activities.

    Additionally, users should verify that no background applications are running that might inject performance metrics onto the screen. Checking startup programs and background processes can help identify and disable any unwanted overlays. In some cases, updating or reinstalling GPU drivers and related software can also reset overlay settings to default, thereby removing persistent on-screen stats.

    In summary, removing GPU stats from the screen involves a systematic approach: locating the software responsible, adjusting or disabling overlay settings, and ensuring no conflicting programs are active. By following these steps, users can maintain a clean display environment without unnecessary performance data obstructing their view, enhancing both productivity and gaming experiences.

    Author Profile

    Avatar
    Harold Trujillo
    Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.

    Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.

    © 2025 Computing Architectures