Clearing a shader cache can help troubleshoot crashes or visual artifacts, but it is not a guaranteed fix. The right steps depend on your graphics hardware and the layer involved: a GPU driver cache, Steam’s download cache, Steam Shader Pre-Caching, and installed game files are different things. This guide covers the documented Windows PC options and explains when each one fits.
What clearing a shader cache does—and what to expect
A shader cache stores compiled shader data so a game or graphics driver can reuse it instead of compiling it again. AMD says caching can reduce repeated compilation, speed game loading, and lower CPU usage (AMD’s Shader Cache FAQ). Clearing the cache makes relevant shaders get generated again; the first run afterward may load more slowly or stutter during compilation. No specific rebuild time is established.
NVIDIA says damaged shader-cache files can contribute to launch crashes, lower performance, or visual artifacts (NVIDIA’s shader-cache reset instructions). That makes a reset a troubleshooting test—not proof that the cache caused the problem, and not a guaranteed cure.
Choose the cache or repair step that matches the symptom
Before deleting anything, identify the graphics hardware, operating system, launcher, and whether the issue began after a game or driver update. Note whether you see a crash, visual artifacts, missing textures, or unusually long shader compilation. Cache data can exist at different layers, and one reset does not necessarily clear every layer. If the game maker has instructions for your specific title, use those ahead of generic steps.
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| Option | Scope | When it fits | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA driver shader-cache reset | NVIDIA driver cache on Windows | You suspect NVIDIA cache corruption and the current vendor instructions apply. | The cache must rebuild; follow NVIDIA’s current procedure and paths. NVIDIA support |
| AMD Radeon cache control | Global Radeon Software cache behavior | You need to inspect or change the global setting. | AMD’s cited FAQ does not provide a general file-deletion workflow. AMD support |
| Steam Clear Download Cache | Steam client download/configuration cache | You are troubleshooting Steam download or some launch problems. | Requires signing in again and is not documented as a shader-cache purge. Steam support |
| Steam game-file verification | Installed game files | Textures or other game content are missing, or the game crashes. | Takes time and does not purge the driver cache. Steam support |
| Steam Shader Pre-Caching setting | Steam shader pre-caching behavior | Only when that game’s support recommends trying it. | The cited recommendation is title-specific and dates from 2021, with an edit in 2022. Eidos Montreal’s FAQ |
Reset the NVIDIA shader cache on Windows
NVIDIA’s support instructions, updated May 25, 2026, use the NVIDIA App and then remove the cache files. Close games and other programs using the GPU before file operations; Obsidian gives the same precaution for its game-specific troubleshooting steps (The Outer Worlds 2 troubleshooting guide).
- Open NVIDIA App > Graphics > Global Settings.
- Find Shader Cache Size, set it to Off, apply the change, and restart Windows.
- After restarting, delete the NVIDIA shader-cache files using one of the methods in NVIDIA’s current instructions. Its manual method starts at
%USERPROFILE%AppDataLocaland then the NVIDIA directory; use the live article for the exact folders and files, or its alternate method. - Launch the game or application and let it recreate the cache. When the reset is complete, return to NVIDIA App > Graphics > Global Settings > Shader Cache Size and choose an appropriate setting if you want caching enabled.
Do not substitute a folder path found elsewhere for NVIDIA’s current directions: cache locations and controls can change with software versions.
AMD Radeon: check the setting, but do not guess a deletion path
AMD describes Shader Cache as storing frequently used compiled game shaders to support faster loads and lower CPU use. Its FAQ says the setting is AMD optimized by default and can be disabled globally (AMD’s Shader Cache FAQ).
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The cited AMD page does not provide a general procedure for deleting cache files. Consult the controls in your current Adrenalin version or AMD support for an exact clear operation. Changing the global setting is not the same as deleting existing cache files.
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Steam cache options are not interchangeable
Clear Download Cache for Steam client problems
In Steam, go to Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache. Steam says this clears locally cached configuration/download data; it requires you to sign in again, but does not affect installed games (Steam support). Steam does not document this action as a graphics shader-cache purge.
Change Shader Pre-Caching only when the game’s support suggests it
Steam Shader Pre-Caching is a separate feature. Eidos Montreal’s developer-pinned stability FAQ for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy suggested trying to disable it for some slow-start and crash cases. That recommendation was published October 28, 2021, and edited November 23, 2022; it is not evidence that the same change helps other games (Eidos Montreal’s FAQ).
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Verify game files when textures or content are missing
If the problem is missing textures or other installed content, check the game files separately from the shader cache. In Steam:
- Open Library, then right-click the game or select its gear menu.
- Choose Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files.
- Let the check finish. Steam says verification may take several minutes; avoid running it alongside system-intensive operations or verifying multiple games at once.
Steam says this check can help when content is missing or a game crashes. It checks installed game files; it does not clear a GPU driver shader cache (Steam support).
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If the problem continues
- Use the game maker’s support process for title-specific crashes or visual issues.
- Verify installed files in your launcher if it offers that option, especially when textures or other content are missing.
- Investigate drivers and other system causes rather than repeatedly clearing caches.
- Do not treat these Windows PC steps as a console guide; the sources here do not establish user-accessible cache deletion on consoles.
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