What shader cache is and when to clear it

Shader cache is temporary data your graphics card stores to speed up how games and 3D programs display visuals. When you run a game or graphics-heavy application, your GPU compiles shaders — small programs that control how light, color, and texture appear on screen — and saves copies so it doesn't have to rebuild them every time. This makes things run faster.

Over time, this cache can grow large or become corrupted. Clearing it solves problems like graphics glitches, stuttering, crashes after a driver update, or games refusing to launch. You lose nothing permanent by clearing it — your system will rebuild the cache automatically the next time you need it, usually within seconds.

Key Takeaways

  • Shader cache lives in different folders depending on your graphics card and operating system, but the most common location on Windows is in your AppData folder under NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel directories.
  • Clearing cache after a graphics driver update often fixes crashes and visual glitches because old cached shaders may not work with the new driver version.
  • Most games rebuild their shader cache automatically the first time you launch them after clearing, which may cause a brief stutter or loading delay.
  • You can delete shader cache folders manually through File Explorer, or some graphics control panels offer a built-in option to clear cache without navigating folders.

How to clear NVIDIA shader cache on Windows

Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\NVIDIA\GLCache. Replace [YourUsername] with your actual Windows username. If you don't see AppData, click the View menu at the top and check "Hidden items" to show hidden folders.

Select all files in the GLCache folder (Ctrl+A), then delete them. You can also clear the shader cache for DirectX games by going to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\NVIDIA\DXCache and deleting those files too. Empty your Recycle Bin afterward to free up the space completely.

If you use NVIDIA's control panel, you can also right-click your desktop, select NVIDIA Control Panel, go to Help, and look for a "Clear Driver Cache" option — this varies by driver version, so it may not appear in all installations.

How to clear AMD shader cache on Windows

Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\AMD\DxCache in File Explorer. Again, enable "Hidden items" in the View menu if you can't see AppData. Select all files and delete them.

AMD also stores some cache in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\AMD\GLCache for OpenGL applications. Clear this folder the same way. After deletion, restart your computer or launch a game to trigger cache rebuilding.

How to clear Intel shader cache on Windows

Intel integrated graphics store cache in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Intel\GLCache. Open File Explorer, navigate there, and delete all files. Intel's cache is typically smaller than NVIDIA or AMD's because integrated graphics handle less demanding tasks, but clearing it can still resolve stuttering or crashes.

If you're using Intel Arc discrete graphics, check for an additional folder at C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Intel\ShaderCache and clear that as well.

Clearing shader cache on Mac

Mac stores shader cache differently depending on whether you're using Metal (Apple's graphics framework) or OpenGL. For most modern games, navigate to ~/Library/Caches in Finder. Press Command+Shift+G to open "Go to Folder," paste the path, and press Enter.

Look for folders named after your graphics card or the game itself. You can also delete the entire ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.metal folder if it exists, though this clears cache for all Metal applications. Restart your Mac after deletion.

What to expect after clearing shader cache

The first time you launch a game or graphics application after clearing cache, you may notice a longer loading screen or brief stuttering as shaders recompile. This is normal and usually takes only a few seconds to a minute depending on how many shaders the application needs. Subsequent launches will run at normal speed.

If you were experiencing crashes or visual glitches, they should stop after the cache rebuilds. If problems persist, the issue likely lies elsewhere — such as a driver problem, overheating, or incompatible hardware — and clearing cache won't fix it.

When to clear shader cache versus when to leave it alone

Clear your shader cache after installing a new graphics driver, especially if you're upgrading from an older version. Old cached shaders often don't work with new driver code, causing crashes. Clear it if a game suddenly starts stuttering or displaying visual corruption, or if a game won't launch at all.

You don't need to clear cache regularly as maintenance — it doesn't slow down your system significantly, and leaving it alone means games launch faster since shaders are already compiled. Only clear it when you're troubleshooting a specific problem or after a major driver update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing shader cache delete my game saves or settings?

No. Shader cache is separate from game saves, graphics settings, and configuration files. Deleting cache affects only the compiled shader data, not anything that stores your progress or preferences.

How much space does shader cache take up?

Shader cache typically ranges from 100 MB to several gigabytes depending on how many games you play and how long you've been using your system. Clearing it can free up noticeable space if your cache folder has grown very large.

Do I need to restart my computer after clearing shader cache?

Not always, but restarting ensures all applications release their hold on cache files and helps the system rebuild cleanly. If you don't restart, simply launch your game or graphics application and let it rebuild the cache.

Can I clear shader cache while a game is running?

No. Close all games and graphics applications first. If you try to delete cache files while they're in use, Windows will prevent deletion or the files will be recreated immediately.

What if I can't find the AppData folder?

AppData is hidden by default on Windows. In File Explorer, click the View menu at the top and check the box next to "Hidden items." You can also press Ctrl+H to toggle hidden files on and off.