The Borderlands 4 update released on September 13, 2025, marks a significant step forward for PC players experiencing performance issues. Gearbox Software delivered a focused stability patch that addresses widespread concerns about gameplay smoothness and graphics optimization.
What’s New in the Borderlands 4 Update
This stability-focused update weighs in at approximately 911.7 MB on Steam and targets performance improvements across a wide range of PC configurations. The development team specifically designed these changes to help players who’ve been struggling with frame drops and stability issues since launch.
The most noticeable change involves shader recompilation. Whenever you adjust your graphics settings now, the game will need up to 15 minutes to recompile shaders. While this might seem inconvenient, it’s actually improving long-term performance by ensuring your system runs optimized code.
Key Improvements in This Borderlands 4 Update
- Enhanced PC stability across various hardware configurations
- Improved shader compilation process for better long-term performance
- Optimized graphics processing for smoother gameplay
- Better compatibility with older and budget PC setups
- Reduced VRAM usage on certain graphics cards
Graphics Card Optimization Guides Released
Alongside the update, Gearbox released comprehensive optimization guides for both major graphics card manufacturers. These guides help players squeeze the best performance out of their specific hardware setup.
NVIDIA Users
NVIDIA players should download the latest Game Ready Driver (581.29) through the NVIDIA app. The official optimization guide includes detailed settings charts that match your specific GPU with recommended display resolutions and graphics options.
AMD Users
AMD graphics card owners get their own dedicated optimization guide with suggested settings tailored to different GPU models and target resolutions. These recommendations help balance visual quality with stable frame rates.
| Graphics Card Brand | Recommended Action | Driver Version |
|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA | Install Game Ready Driver + Use NVIDIA App | 581.29 |
| AMD | Follow AMD Optimization Guide | Latest Available |
Player Reactions and Community Feedback
The community response to this Borderlands 4 update has been mixed but generally positive. PC players with lower-end systems report noticeable improvements in stability, while some high-end users noticed changes in visual fidelity at maximum settings.
Console players have been vocal about wanting similar performance improvements. PlayStation 5 Pro users specifically report frame drops and texture loading issues that haven’t been addressed in this PC-focused update.
Cosmetic Item Controversy
Some players discovered that certain cosmetic items disappeared after the update. This appears to be related to DLC content that was accidentally made available to players who didn’t officially own it. The update corrected this by removing access to the Ornate Order Pack content for affected accounts.
What This Means for Your Gaming Experience
If you’ve been struggling with crashes or inconsistent performance, this Borderlands 4 update should provide noticeable improvements. The shader recompilation process, while time-consuming initially, creates a more stable foundation for future gameplay sessions.
Players using older graphics cards or budget systems will likely see the biggest benefits. The optimization guides also provide a roadmap for tweaking settings to find the sweet spot between visual quality and performance on your specific hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Borderlands 4 update take to download?
The update is approximately 911.7 MB on Steam, so download time depends on your internet connection speed. Most players can expect 10-30 minutes for the download and installation process.
Why does shader recompilation take 15 minutes after changing graphics settings?
Shader recompilation optimizes the game’s graphics code for your specific hardware configuration. While it takes time initially, this process improves long-term performance and stability.
Will this update fix console performance issues?
This update specifically targets PC stability. Console improvements haven’t been announced yet, though Gearbox has indicated more updates are coming based on community feedback.
Do I need to reinstall the game after this update?
No, this is a standard patch that applies automatically through your gaming platform. You don’t need to reinstall Borderlands 4.
What should I do if I’m still experiencing performance problems?
Check the official optimization guides for your graphics card brand, update your drivers, and contact 2K Support if issues persist. The PC Troubleshooting Guide also provides additional solutions.
Are more updates planned for Borderlands 4?
Yes, Gearbox has confirmed they’re continuing to read community feedback and plan additional updates with more details coming soon.
Looking Ahead
This Borderlands 4 update represents Gearbox’s commitment to addressing launch issues quickly. While PC players get the first wave of improvements, console players can expect similar attention in future patches. The development team’s focus on community feedback suggests more targeted fixes are on the horizon.
For now, PC players should notice smoother gameplay and fewer crashes, especially on systems that struggled with the initial release. The optimization guides provide a clear path forward for anyone still experiencing performance issues.