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Resize and Clear the GPU Shader Cache to Fix Stutter After Updates

Stutter that starts right after a driver update is usually an empty or stale shader cache. Raise the size, clear the old entries and let the games rebuild once.

by@guidox updated:10/30/26 time:10 min level:Intermediate tested on:Windows 11 24H2, GeForce driver 560 works on:Windows 10, Windows 11, NVIDIA 550+, AMD Adrenalin 23+ tools:NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Adrenalin
TL;DR

Set **Shader Cache Size** to **10 GB** in the NVIDIA driver, clear the stale **DirectX shader cache** in Windows, then play one session so the cache rebuilds. The first minutes after a driver update always stutter.

Before you start

Requirements

  • NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Adrenalin
  • Admin rights for the cleanup step
  • A few GB free on the system drive
Step by step

Instructions

01

Know which cache you are clearing

The driver keeps a large per-version cache for compiled shaders, Windows keeps a small DirectX cache per user. Clear both after a driver update, not weekly - a warm cache is faster.

02

Raise the driver cache size

In the NVIDIA Control Panel open **Manage 3D Settings**, set **Shader Cache Size** to **10 GB** and apply. On AMD the cache is managed automatically and only needs a reset.

Manage 3D Settings > Shader Cache Size > 10 GB
⚠ warningUnlimited grows without limit on the system drive and can cost several GB per game library.
03

Clear the NVIDIA or AMD cache

Close all games, then delete the two cache folders in your local app data. The driver recreates them on the next launch.

del /q "%LOCALAPPDATA%\VIDIA\XCache\"
del /q "%LOCALAPPDATA%\VIDIA\LCache\"
tipAMD: Adrenalin > Gaming > Graphics > Advanced > Reset Shader Cache does the same.
04

Clear the Windows shader cache

Open **Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files**, tick **DirectX Shader Cache** and press **Remove files**. Leave the download and update entries alone.

05

Warm the cache in one session

Launch the game, load the heaviest areas once and do not judge performance in the first five minutes. Then measure in a repeatable spot, the same save or benchmark.

tipSteam Deck and Proton titles compile per prefix, so a fresh prefix means a long first launch.
06

Repeat it only after driver updates

The cache is versioned per driver. After the next GPU driver update the same short stutter returns - repeat steps 3 and 4 once, then leave it alone.

Troubleshooting

Common issues

Stutter comes back after every driver update

Expected. The old cache is invalid and the new one starts empty. Repeat the cleanup instead of lowering settings.

The system drive keeps filling up

Cache size is set to Unlimited. Set 10 GB and move game libraries to another drive.

There is no DirectX Shader Cache entry in Temporary files

Older Windows builds do not list it. Use the driver reset in step 3 and let Windows rebuild its cache on demand.

FAQ

Frequently asked

Does clearing the cache lower FPS?

For the first minutes, yes - shaders compile again. After that it is identical or better, because stale entries no longer get loaded.

Is a bigger cache always better?

Up to a point. 10 GB covers a large library; beyond that you only fill the system drive.

How to undo this

Set **Shader Cache Size** back to Driver Default and stop clearing it. Windows rebuilds the DirectX cache automatically, nothing else changes.

Changelog · 1 entry
  1. 2026-10-30
    First version
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