Lossless Scaling: What It Is and How to Use It

What Is Lossless Scaling?

Lossless Scaling is a Windows-based tool that allows users to upscale almost any windowed application in real time. Unlike traditional upscaling methods that require built-in support from games or software, Lossless Scaling works as an external solution, making it possible to improve visuals and smoothness across a wide range of applications.

Its two main features are spatial upscaling and frame generation. Together, they help users achieve smoother gameplay and better-looking images without needing to render everything at a higher native resolution.

Check what is real-time video upscaling >>

Spatial Upscaling: Improving Image Quality in Real Time

Spatial upscaling enlarges a lower-resolution image and adapts it to a higher-resolution display. Lossless Scaling supports several scaling algorithms, including its own LS1 scaling method, as well as options such as Anime4K and other scaling modes designed for different types of content.

For example, a game running at 1080p can be scaled to fit a 1440p or 4K monitor. Instead of relying on the game itself to render at a higher resolution, Lossless Scaling processes the output image and improves its appearance before displaying it.

LSFG Frame Generation: Creating Smoother Motion

Another major feature of Lossless Scaling is LSFG (Lossless Scaling Frame Generation). This technology analyzes existing frames and generates additional frames between them, making motion appear smoother.

For example, a game running at 60 FPS may appear closer to a higher frame rate after frame generation is enabled. This can be especially useful for users with limited hardware performance or handheld gaming devices where maintaining high native frame rates can be challenging.

However, frame generation is not the same as increasing the game's actual rendering performance. The final experience depends on factors such as the original frame rate, hardware capability, and the type of content being displayed.

Common Uses of Lossless Scaling

Gaming

Gaming is the main use case for Lossless Scaling. It is often used to improve the experience of:

• Older games that do not support modern upscaling technologies
• Handheld gaming devices with limited GPU power
• Games that run better at a lower internal resolution while still looking sharp on high-resolution screens

Real-Time Video Playback

Lossless Scaling can also be used with video players and other windowed applications to improve how content appears on larger displays. For example, users may upscale lower-resolution videos when watching them on a 4K monitor.

How to Set Up and Use Lossless Scaling

Setting up Lossless Scaling only takes a few minutes, but skipping a crucial step—like frame capping or display mode settings—is the most common reason people experience lag, flickering, or black screens.

Follow this step-by-step setup guide to get optimal performance:

Step 1: Configure Your Game or Video Player (Crucial Pre-Reqs)

Before touching Lossless Scaling itself, you must prepare the application you want to upscale.

1. Switch to Windowed Mode: Change your game’s graphics settings from Exclusive Fullscreen to Windowed or Borderless Windowed. Lossless Scaling operates as a display overlay and cannot hook into exclusive fullscreen games.
2. Cap Your Base Frame Rate: For Frame Generation (LSFG) to work smoothly, your game needs a rock-solid, consistent base frame rate. If your frame rate fluctuates wildly, the generated frames will cause severe stuttering.
• Rule of thumb for 2x Frame Gen: Cap your in-game frame rate to half of your monitor's refresh rate (e.g., cap at 60 FPS on a 120Hz monitor, or 30 FPS on a 60Hz monitor).
• Where to cap: Use your GPU control panel (NVIDIA Control Panel / AMD Software), RivaTuner Statistics Server (RTSS), or the game's built-in frame limiter.
3. Turn Off In-Game Upscalers & Motion Blur: Turn off in-game Motion Blur, Chromatic Aberration, and V-Sync (unless you encounter screen tearing, in which case use Lossless Scaling’s built-in V-Sync).

Step 2: Configure Lossless Scaling Profile Settings

Launch Lossless Scaling from Steam. On the main interface, set up your profile based on your hardware and goals:

A. Scaling Type & Mode

Scaling Type: Set to Aspect Ratio. This ensures your game scales up to fit your monitor without stretching or distorting the image.

Scaling Mode (Choose one based on your content):

• LS1: The default and best overall algorithm for modern 3D games. It offers crisp upscaling with minimal performance impact.
• FSR / NIS: Great alternatives for 3D games if you prefer AMD's or NVIDIA's spatial upscaling look.
• Anime4K: Essential if you are playing 2D visual novels, retro pixel art, or watching anime.

B. Frame Generation (LSFG)

• Frame Generation: Set to LSFG (LSFG 2.x or latest version available).
• Mode: Choose X2 for the best balance of smoothness and low latency. (While X3 or X4 modes exist for high-refresh-rate monitors like 144Hz/240Hz, they introduce higher input latency and require more GPU headroom).
• Performance Mode: Turn this ON if you are running on lower-end hardware, integrated graphics, or handheld devices like the Steam Deck / ROG Ally to free up GPU resources.

C. Rendering & Capture Options

• Capture API: Leave on DXGI (fastest and lowest latency). If you get a black screen in a specific game, switch this to WGC (Windows Graphics Capture).
• Draw FPS Counter: Toggle ON so you can monitor your base frame rate vs. your generated frame rate in real time.

Step 3: Activate It

• Leave Lossless Scaling open in the background.
• Launch your game or video player.
• Press the activation hotkey: Ctrl + Alt + S (or default Scale button).
• You will see a 5-second countdown. Click back into your game window before the timer hits zero.
• The screen will blink once, and the frame rate counter in the top-left corner should show your doubled frame rate (e.g., 60 / 120, meaning 60 base FPS generated to 120 FPS output).

To disable it at any point, simply press Ctrl + Alt + S again.

Troubleshooting Common Lossless Scaling Issues

Even with the perfect setup, frame generation and upscaling can be a bit finicky depending on your hardware and the specific game engine. If things aren't looking or feeling quite right, here are the real-world fixes for the most common problems.

"My mouse feels heavy" or "There's too much input lag."

This is the most common complaint with any frame generation tech. Because LSFG has to hold onto frames for a split second to generate the fake frame in between them, it inherently adds a slight delay to your inputs.

The Fix: Frame generation isn't a magic bullet for a game running at 15 FPS. You really need a stable base frame rate of at least 30 to 40 FPS before turning LSFG on. If your inputs still feel sluggish, make sure in-game V-Sync is turned off. If you're playing a fast-paced competitive shooter (like CS2 or Valorant), it's honestly better to leave frame generation off entirely.

"The UI is warping or I'm seeing weird ghosting when I move the camera."

AI frame generation relies on predicting motion. When you pan the camera aggressively, the algorithm struggles to guess what comes next, resulting in a smeared image or UI elements (like health bars and crosshairs) wobbling.

The Fix: First, try dropping your LSFG mode from X3 or X4 down to X2. It’s much more stable and produces far fewer artifacts. Second, make sure in-game Motion Blur is completely disabled. Motion blur ruins the clean edges the AI needs to generate clear intermediate frames.

"The FPS counter says 120, but the game is aggressively stuttering."

If Lossless Scaling claims you're getting high frame rates but the game looks like a slideshow, you have a frame pacing issue. The LSFG algorithm expects a perfectly steady rhythm of frames to do its math. If your base frame rate jumps from 45 to 60, then drops to 30, the AI gets confused.

The Fix: You must strictly cap your game’s frame rate. Don't rely on the game's built-in limiter, as they are often sloppy. Use a third-party tool like RTSS (RivaTuner Statistics Server) or the Nvidia Control Panel to lock your frame rate to a flat, unmoving number (e.g., exactly 30 FPS, 40 FPS, or 60 FPS).

"When I hit the hotkey, my screen just goes black."

This usually happens because the game is aggressively trying to take exclusive control of your monitor, clashing with the Lossless Scaling overlay.

The Fix: Double-check that your game is actually set to Windowed or Borderless mode—some games revert to Fullscreen automatically upon launching. If you've confirmed it's windowed and it still happens, go into your Lossless Scaling settings and change the Capture API from DXGI to WGC (Windows Graphics Capture) or GDI. DXGI is faster, but WGC is much more compatible with stubborn legacy games.