- Download and extract the files.
- Run the BAT file.
- The tool will automatically scan your system for shader caches.
- Review the found cache folders/files shown on screen.
- Confirm deletion if you want to proceed.
Shader Cache Cleaner is a lightweight Windows batch utility designed to locate and remove shader cache files created by GPU drivers, DirectX, and supported games.
Shader caches store precompiled shaders to reduce loading times and improve performance. However, corrupted or outdated cache files can sometimes cause:
- stuttering
- hitching
- long shader compilation times
- graphical issues
- poor performance after updates
Clearing shader caches can often help resolve these problems.
The script checks whether it is running with administrator rights. If not, it automatically requests elevation before continuing.
Instead of deleting predefined paths blindly, the tool first scans your system and only lists shader caches that are actually found.
The tool checks common Windows shader cache locations, including:
- DXCache
- GLCache
- NV_Cache
- DxCache
- GLCache
- ShaderCache
- Low ShaderCache
- D3DSCache
The tool also scans common game-specific cache locations such as:
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games %LOCALAPPDATA%
This includes Unreal Engine style shader cache files commonly used by modern PC games.
Examples:
- *_ShaderCacheCheck.bin
- *.upipelinecache
- *.ushaderprecache
- D3DDriverByteCodeBlob_*.ushaderprecache
Such as:
- MGSDeltaFix_ShaderCacheCheck.bin
- Bloodlines2_PCD3D_SM6.upipelinecache
- D3DDriverByteCodeBlob_V4318_D10071_S309009669_R161.ushaderprecache
Before deleting anything, the script shows every detected cache item.
Example:
[Folder] NVIDIA DXCache [Folder] DirectX D3DSCache [File] Bloodlines2_PCD3D_SM6.upipelinecache
No deletion happens automatically.
The script asks for confirmation before removing any detected cache folders or files.
All actions are logged to:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\ShaderCacheCleaner.log
The log includes:
- scan results
- deleted items
- failed deletions
- timestamps
- cancellation events
The latest version includes a cleaner colored console interface for easier readability:
- Green = success
- Yellow = warnings / prompts
- Cyan = scan results
- Red = failed deletions
The tool provides clear live feedback in the console during:
- scanning
- found results
- deletion progress
- final summary
The script checks whether files/folders exist before deleting them.
If something cannot be removed (for example currently in use), it reports the failure instead of silently skipping it.
If shader problems continue, the tool recommends restarting Windows and resetting shader cache manually in your GPU control panel.
Manage 3D Settings → Shader Cache Size
Graphics → Advanced → Reset Shader Cache
Shader Cache Cleaner is useful if you experience:
- stutter after driver updates
- Unreal Engine games recompiling endlessly
- corrupted shader caches
- poor frametimes
- random hitching
- post-update performance drops
MIT License