How to Download and Install Elden Ring on PC
Elden Ring is available exclusively through Steam (Windows). There is no Epic Games Store, GOG, or Xbox Game Pass version. The game uses Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) — disabling it will block online multiplayer.
Install steps:
- Open the Steam client → Search "Elden Ring" → Purchase (base game or Shadow of the Erdtree bundle)
- Click Install → choose your drive (recommend an SSD — shader loading is noticeably faster)
- First launch takes 2–5 min to compile shaders; subsequent loads are faster
- No separate launcher: the game opens directly from Steam (or the desktop shortcut created by Steam)
File size: ~60 GB (base) / ~75 GB with Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. Keep 90 GB free to allow patching headroom.
Multiplayer: Cross-platform is NOT supported. PC players can only coop/invade with other PC players. Requires Steam online.
System Requirements
| Tier | CPU | GPU | RAM | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Intel Core i5-8600K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 | GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB / Radeon RX 5500 XT 8 GB | 12 GB DDR4 | 60 GB SSD |
| Recommended | Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600X | GeForce GTX 1080 Ti / Radeon RX 5700 XT | 16 GB DDR4 | 60 GB NVMe SSD |
| High / 60fps 1440p | Intel Core i7-10700K / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X | GeForce RTX 3070 / Radeon RX 6800 | 16 GB DDR4 | NVMe SSD |
| Shadow of the Erdtree (DLC) | Same as Recommended | RTX 3080 / RX 6800 XT recommended | 16 GB | NVMe SSD |
Key note: Elden Ring is CPU-bound in open-world traversal (Limgrave fields, Mountaintops of Giants). Even an RTX 4090 will dip on a weak CPU during large enemy groups. Upgrade CPU before GPU if you're bottlenecked.
Best Graphics Settings for PC
Elden Ring's PC port shipped with notoriously poor performance at launch. Patches have improved it significantly, but some settings still hit harder than their visual return justifies.
In-game settings (Graphics Quality menu):
| Setting | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Texture Quality | Maximum | VRAM-dependent; drop to High on 6 GB cards |
| Anti-Aliasing | TAA (High) | FXAA is blurry; TAA is the native choice |
| SSAO | Maximum | Moderate GPU cost, significant visual gain |
| Depth of Field | Off | Subjective; disabling clears muddy distant shots |
| Motion Blur | Off | Reduces clarity, especially in boss fights |
| Shadow Quality | Medium | High shadow quality is very GPU-heavy; Medium is the sweet spot |
| Global Illumination | High | Drop to Medium if below 60 fps |
| Volumetric Quality | Low / Medium | One of the biggest FPS killers; safe to cut |
| Reflection Quality | Medium | High has minimal visible return |
| Water Surface | High | Cheap; keep it |
| Grass Quality | Medium | Dense grass tanks FPS in Liurnia; Medium is safe |
| Max FPS | 60 | Cap to 60 to prevent physics glitches (see note below) |
FPS cap warning: Elden Ring physics are NOT fully decoupled from frame rate. Running above 60 fps can cause minor physics oddities (minor fall velocity changes, rare ragdoll behavior). FromSoftware officially supports up to 60 fps. A stable 60 is better than an uncapped fluctuating 90.
NVIDIA / AMD upscaling: The base game does not include DLSS or FSR natively. Use Flawless Widescreen or mod-based DLSS injectors if your GPU struggles (at your own risk — EAC may flag injectors in online sessions).
How to Fix Common PC Issues
Game crashes on launch / Easy Anti-Cheat error
- Right-click Elden Ring in Steam → Properties → Local Files → Verify Integrity of Game Files
- Ensure EAC service is running:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ELDEN RING\Game\startprotectedgame.exeshould launch the game, not the raw binary - Run as Administrator once to initialize EAC
- If crash persists: update GPU drivers, disable overlay software (Discord/GeForce Experience), then re-verify files
Severe stuttering in open world
This is the most common PC issue. Two causes:
- Shader compilation stutter — happens on first visit to a new area; subsequent visits are smooth. Nothing to fix; it self-resolves.
- HDD vs SSD — Elden Ring streams assets aggressively. If you're on a hard drive, copy the game to an SSD.
- Background processes — close Chrome, Discord video capture, and OBS if running
Can't summon or be invaded (multiplayer not working)
- Check that Steam is online (not offline mode)
- EAC must be active (starting via Steam, not the raw exe)
- Furlcalling Finger Remedy consumable is required to see summon signs
- Ensure you are NOT emboldened (fog gate nearby removes multiplayer access in that zone)
Low FPS despite good hardware
- Set Windows power plan to High Performance
- Disable CPU core parking (via PowerToys or registry)
- Check GPU temperature: Elden Ring is thermally stable but sustained 90 °C+ may trigger throttling
- Drop Shadow Quality to Medium and Volumetric Quality to Low — these are the two highest-cost settings
Black screen after alt-tab
- Set game to Borderless Windowed in display settings (avoids exclusive fullscreen alt-tab issues)
- Disable fullscreen optimizations: right-click the exe → Properties → Compatibility → check "Disable fullscreen optimizations"
Beginner's Primer: How to Survive the Lands Between
Elden Ring is FromSoftware's most welcoming game yet — but "welcoming" is relative to Sekiro. New players regularly get stuck in the first 30 minutes.
Your first hour
- Finish the tutorial cave (Stranded Graveyard) even if it feels optional — it teaches the roll dodge timing that governs every fight
- Head to the Church of Elleh (white chapel north of the starting point) — Merchant Kale is here, the first vendor
- Do NOT fight Margit (first main boss) until Level 20–25. Explore Limgrave first.
- Collect Golden Seeds and Sacred Tears early — they upgrade your healing flask (Crimson Tears / Cerulean Tears), which is your main survival tool
Character builds (simple starting recommendations)
| Class | Stat focus | Weapon type | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vagabond | Vigor + Strength | Straight swords, halberds | Medium | New players wanting durability |
| Astrologer | Intelligence | Sorcery (staff) | Medium | Ranged playstyle, less dodging |
| Prophet | Faith | Incantations | Medium | Healing spells, DoT builds |
| Wretch | Balanced | Any | Hard | Veterans who want full control |
| Samurai | Dexterity | Katana | Easy-medium | Fast, high-damage, very popular |
Tip: Vigor (max HP) and Endurance (stamina) are never wasted on any build. Level these to at least 30 each before pushing your main combat stat.
Key early milestones
- Spirit Ash summoning — collect the Spirit Calling Bell from Renna (appears at Church of Elleh after first site of grace in Limgrave at night). Ashes summon NPC companions in boss fights — they completely change difficult encounters.
- Torrent (spectral steed) — given by Melina after resting at several Sites of Grace. Transforms open-world exploration and some mounted boss fights.
- Smithing Stones — upgrade your weapon at Smithing Table (Church of Elleh) with stones found in caves and mines. A +3 weapon at Level 20 beats any higher-level weapon at +0.
The most important mechanic: dodging
Elden Ring's dodge roll has three weight classes:
- Light load (<30% equip weight): long roll with large invincibility window
- Medium load (30–70%): standard roll, normal window
- Heavy load (>70%): fat roll, short window — almost unusable against bosses
Check your Equipment Load (the percentage bar on the inventory screen). If you're fat-rolling, unequip heavy chest armor.
Sites of Grace (checkpoints)
Rest to restore HP and replenish flasks. You lose accumulated Runes (the currency/XP) on death — return to the glowing bloodstain to recover them. If you die twice without recovering, they are permanently lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elden Ring hard? Yes — it expects you to learn from death. But it is more forgiving than Dark Souls 1–3 and Sekiro: spirit ash summons, open-world leveling, and generous checkpoint placement all reduce the frustration curve significantly.
Does Elden Ring have crossplay? No. PC players can only play with other PC players. PlayStation and Xbox are on separate networks.
Can I mod Elden Ring? Yes — the community is extremely active (Nexus Mods). Mods work ONLY in offline mode (go offline in Steam settings first). Playing mods online risks a soft-ban.
What's the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC? A major expansion (June 2024) set in the Land of Shadow, a separate realm accessed mid-to-late game. Adds 10+ new bosses, weapons, and roughly 15–20 hours of content. Requires completing the Mohg, Lord of Blood boss fight and touching Miquella's Unalloyed Gold Needle. Recommend finishing the base game first.
Is Elden Ring worth it in 2026? Yes. It won Game of the Year 2022 for a reason and has aged well. The DLC brought back most of the player base. Active co-op and invasion communities remain healthy.
Is the PC port good now? Better than launch (which had major frame pacing issues). Patch 1.10+ addressed most stuttering. An NVMe SSD removes most remaining complaints. It is not as polished as the console version but is fully playable.
Internal links: Starfield on PC, Cyberpunk 2077 on PC, Hogwarts Legacy on PC, Baldur's Gate 3 on PC, Hades II on PC