What clearing the cache does and when you need to do it

Clearing the game cache in BeamNG.drive removes temporary files the game stores on your computer to load faster. Over time, these cached files can become corrupted or outdated, which causes crashes, texture glitches, physics errors, or the game failing to launch. Clearing the cache forces BeamNG to rebuild these files from scratch the next time you start it.

You should clear the cache if the game stutters during gameplay, vehicles display incorrectly, mods stop working after an update, or BeamNG won't start at all. It's also worth clearing before installing a major game update, since old cached data sometimes conflicts with new game files.

Key Takeaways

  • BeamNG stores cache files in a folder inside your user directory that you can delete safely without affecting your save games or mods.
  • On Windows, the cache folder is located at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\BeamNG\cache — you may need to show hidden files to see AppData.
  • On Mac, the cache is at ~/Library/Caches/BeamNG, and on Linux it's in ~/.cache/BeamNG.
  • Deleting the cache folder is safe; BeamNG will recreate it automatically when you next launch the game.
  • If clearing the cache doesn't fix your problem, verify your game files through Steam or your launcher to check for corrupted downloads.

Finding and deleting the cache folder on Windows

On Windows, BeamNG stores its cache in a hidden folder. First, open File Explorer and navigate to your user directory. Click the address bar at the top and type C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\BeamNG, replacing [YourUsername] with your actual Windows username. Press Enter.

If you see an error that the path doesn't exist, you may need to show hidden files first. Open File Explorer, click the View tab at the top, then check the box labeled "Hidden items". Now try the path again. Once you're in the BeamNG folder, look for a folder named cache. Right-click it and select Delete. The cache folder will be gone, and BeamNG will rebuild it the next time you launch the game.

Clearing the cache on Mac

On Mac, the cache location is different. Open Finder and press Command + Shift + G to open the "Go to Folder" dialog. Type ~/Library/Caches/BeamNG and press Enter. Finder will take you directly to the BeamNG cache folder.

Select the cache folder and press Command + Delete to move it to the Trash, or right-click and choose "Move to Trash". Empty your Trash afterward if you want to free up the disk space immediately. When you next open BeamNG, the game will create a fresh cache folder.

Clearing the cache on Linux

Linux users can clear the cache through the file manager or the terminal. In your file manager, navigate to your home directory, then press Ctrl + H to show hidden files. Look for a folder named .cache, open it, and find the BeamNG folder inside. Delete the BeamNG folder.

Alternatively, open a terminal and run rm -rf ~/.cache/BeamNG. This command removes the entire BeamNG cache directory. The next time you launch BeamNG, it will recreate the cache automatically.

What happens after you clear the cache

When you launch BeamNG after clearing the cache, the game will take slightly longer to start than usual — sometimes 30 seconds to a few minutes depending on your system. This is normal. BeamNG is rebuilding the cache files it needs. During this time, don't close the game or interrupt the process.

Once the game finishes loading, it should run normally. Your save games, vehicle configurations, and mods are stored separately and are not affected by clearing the cache. If the problem you were experiencing persists after the cache rebuild, the issue likely lies elsewhere — such as a corrupted mod, a bad game file download, or a hardware problem.

Verifying game files if clearing the cache doesn't help

If you still experience crashes or errors after clearing the cache, your game files themselves may be corrupted. If you own BeamNG through Steam, right-click the game in your library, select Properties, then click the "Installed Files" tab. Choose "Verify integrity of game files". Steam will check every file against its records and redownload anything that's damaged or missing.

If you own BeamNG through another launcher or purchased it directly, check the launcher's settings for a repair or verify option. Some launchers call this "Repair Game" or "Check Files". If no such option exists, you may need to uninstall and reinstall BeamNG to ensure all files are intact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing the cache delete my save games?

No. Save games are stored in a separate folder from the cache. Clearing the cache only removes temporary files that help the game load faster. Your vehicles, progress, and custom configurations will remain untouched.

Is it safe to delete the cache folder?

Yes, it's completely safe. The cache folder contains only temporary files that BeamNG can rebuild. You cannot break the game by deleting it. The worst that happens is the game takes a bit longer to start the next time you launch it.

How often should I clear the cache?

Most players never need to clear the cache unless they encounter a specific problem. If you install a major game update, experience crashes, or notice texture glitches, that's a good time to clear it. You don't need to do it regularly as maintenance.

What if the cache folder doesn't exist?

If you navigate to the cache location and find no BeamNG folder, the cache may have already been deleted or never created. This is fine — simply launch the game, and it will create a new cache folder automatically.

Can I clear the cache while BeamNG is running?

No. Close BeamNG completely before deleting the cache folder. If the game is running, it may be using cache files, and deleting them while the game is open can cause crashes or prevent the game from closing properly.