Clearing GPU Shader Cache

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to clear the shader cache for NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel graphics cards.

Using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU)

This method works on both AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards and is the easiest way to clear the shader cache.

Follow the instructions in our DDU guide to wipe the shader cache only. This will not remove your graphics drivers, but it will clear the shader cache.

Manually Clearing Shader Cache

For NVIDIA Users

1. Disable Shader Cache:
   • Right-click your desktop and open the NVIDIA Control Panel.
   • Go to Manage 3D Settings > Global Settings.
   • Find Shader Cache Size and set it to Disabled. Click Apply and restart your PC.
2. Delete Shader Cache Folders:
   • Press Win + R, type %localappdata%, and press Enter.
   • Navigate to NVIDIA > GLCache and delete all folders inside.
   • Press Win + R, type %localappdata%\..\LocalLow\NVIDIA\PerDriverVersion\DXCache, and press Enter.
   • Delete everything in the DXCache folder as well.
3. Run Disk Cleanup:
   • Press Win + S, type Disk Cleanup, and open it.
   • Select your system drive (usually C:), check DirectX Shader Cache, and click OK to clear it.
4. Re-enable Shader Cache:
   • Go back to the NVIDIA Control Panel and re-enable the shader cache by setting Shader Cache Size back to Driver Default (or Unlimited). Click Apply and restart your PC.

For AMD Users

1. Open the AMD Radeon Software (Alt + R).
2. Click on the Gaming tab, then select Graphics.
3. Scroll to the bottom, expand the Advanced section, and click on Reset Shader Cache.
4. Run Disk Cleanup:
   • Press Win + S, type Disk Cleanup, and open it.
   • Select your system drive (usually C:), check DirectX Shader Cache, and click OK to clear it.

For Intel Users

1. Delete Shader Cache Folders:
   • Press Win + R, type %userprofile%\AppData\LocalLow\Intel\ShaderCache, and press Enter.
   • Delete all folders and files inside the ShaderCache directory.
2. Run Disk Cleanup:
   • Press Win + S, type Disk Cleanup, and open it.
   • Select your system drive (usually C:), check DirectX Shader Cache, and click OK to clear it.

Other potential fixes

• Ray Tracing: If the game hangs on “Preparing Shaders”, try disabling ray tracing in the game’s graphics settings, as it can cause shader compilation issues.
• Steam Shader Pre-Caching: If you are using Steam, try clearing the shader pre-cache by going to Settings > Shader Pre-Caching and deleting the shader cache for the specific game if listed.