The Ultimate Guide to Clearing Shader Cache and Stopping Stuttering in PC Games

Shader cache is one of the most talked-about stutter fixes. It’s also one of the most misused. Clearing it can fix some problems, and it can create new ones if you do it at the wrong time. Here’s what it is, when to clear it, and exactly how to do it safely.

What Is Shader Cache?

Shaders are small programs that tell your GPU how to draw surfaces, lights, and effects. A game has to compile them for your exact hardware and driver. That takes time. To avoid doing it every launch, your system saves the compiled shaders in a cache. Next time, the game loads them instead of rebuilding them.

Check this site “Why Do PC Games Stutter? Common Causes and How to Fix Them” to learn more.

Why Clearing It Can Help (and Hurt)

A damaged cache can cause constant stutter, crashes, or visual glitches. Clearing it forces a clean rebuild. But a healthy cache is a good thing. If you delete it, shaders must compile again, so games may load slower and stutter for a while.

The rule is simple: clear it only when you have a reason. It isn’t routine maintenance.

When You Should Clear It

  • Stutter or crashes started after a graphics driver update.
  • A game began misbehaving after a game update.
  • You see visual artifacts or unusual stutter in several games.
  • Your system drive is low on space. Caches can grow to many gigabytes.

Clear the Narrowest Cache First

Start small, and only go wider if the problem stays:

  1. A single game’s cache, if the problem is one title.
  2. Your GPU driver’s cache, if the problem started after a driver update.
  3. The Windows DirectX cache, if several DirectX games are affected.

Before You Start

Close all games and launchers, such as Steam. After clearing, restart your PC.

Method 1: Windows DirectX Shader Cache

This works for all GPU brands.

  1. Open Settings, then System, then Storage.
  2. Select Temporary files and wait for the scan.
  3. Tick DirectX Shader Cache only.
  4. Click Remove files.

You can also use Disk Cleanup. Search for it in the Start menu, choose your system drive, and tick DirectX Shader Cache.

Note that this only clears Windows’ own cache. NVIDIA and AMD keep separate folders, which are covered below.

Method 2: NVIDIA

  1. Right-click your desktop and open NVIDIA Control Panel.
  2. Go to Manage 3D Settings, then Global Settings.
  3. Set Shader Cache Size to Disabled and click Apply. This stops the driver locking the files.
  4. Press Windows + R, type %LOCALAPPDATA%\NVIDIA, and press Enter.
  5. Delete the contents of the DXCache and GLCache folders.
  6. Go back and set Shader Cache Size to Driver Default.
  7. Restart your PC.

Some newer versions of the NVIDIA app also include a one-click Clear Shader Cache option, if yours has it.

Important: Never leave the shader cache disabled. That guarantees compilation stutter in every game.

Method 3: AMD

  1. Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition. You can press Alt + R.
  2. Go to Settings, then Graphics, then Advanced.
  3. Click Reset Shader Cache.

While you’re there, make sure the Shader Cache setting is turned on.

Method 4: Intel

  1. Press Windows + R.
  2. Type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Intel\ShaderCache and press Enter.
  3. Delete the contents of the folder, then restart.

On some drivers, the folder sits under LocalLow instead. Check there if you don’t find it.

Method 5: Steam Shader Pre-Caching

Steam can download pre-compiled shaders for supported games. If the files are damaged, reset them:

  1. Open Steam, then Settings, then Shader Pre-Caching.
  2. Turn it off, and delete the shader cache for the affected game if it’s listed.
  3. Optionally delete the contents of steamapps\shadercache.
  4. Turn pre-caching back on and restart Steam.

After Clearing: Let It Rebuild

Expect some stutter at first. This is normal. To get through it quickly:

  • Let any in-game “Compiling shaders” or “Building shader cache” screen finish.
  • Play for two or three sessions so the cache fills up again.
  • Don’t clear it again unless a new problem appears.

Newer Help in 2026

Reports say NVIDIA now rebuilds shaders in the background after driver updates. Microsoft has also expanded a system called Advanced Shader Delivery. It distributes pre-compiled shaders through Windows Update for supported games, which can reduce first-launch stutter. Support varies by game, so check Windows Update for optional packages.

If Stutter Continues

Shader cache isn’t the cause of every hitch. If the problem stays after a rebuild, check for other causes:

The Bottom Line

Clearing shader cache is a useful tool, but a targeted one. Use it after driver or game updates cause trouble, clear the narrowest cache first, and never leave it disabled. Then give the game a few sessions to rebuild. If stutter remains, the cause is likely elsewhere, and the full performance guide can help you track it down.

FAQs

Is it safe to delete the shader cache?
Yes. The data is rebuilt automatically. Your saves and settings are not stored there.

Will clearing shader cache increase my FPS?
Not by itself. It can fix stutter caused by a damaged cache, but average FPS usually stays the same.

Why does my game stutter after I clear the cache?
Shaders must compile again. This is temporary, and it improves over the next few play sessions.

Should I clear shader cache regularly?
No. Only clear it when troubleshooting, such as after a driver update causes stutter.

Should I disable the shader cache permanently?
No. That causes compilation stutter in every game.

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