How to Clear NVIDIA Shader Cache on Windows

The NVIDIA Shader Cache stores the graphics that are rendered when you start a game, so that you don't have to re-render them every time you start the game, improving the performance of your games and applications. But sometimes the Shader Cache can become corrupted, leading to graphics errors or slower performance. Clearing the NVIDIA Shader Cache will reset it, forcing the system to rebuild it with new data. Here's how to clear the NVIDIA Shader Cache.

How to Clear NVIDIA Shader Cache on Windows

Step 1:

Right -click on the Nvidia icon in the system tray and select NVIDIA Control Panel .

Step 2:

Switch to the new interface, click Manage 3D setting on the left side of the interface and then click Global Settings .

Step 3:

Now scroll down the list and click on the Shader Cache menu , then select Disabled . Shader Cache will be temporarily disabled.

Step 4:

Next, open File Explorer on your computer and access the folders according to the path below.

1. C:Users[YourUsername]AppDataLocalNVIDIADXCache
2. C:Users[YourUsername]AppDataLocalNVIDIAGLCache
3. C:Users[YourUsername]AppDataLocalNVIDIA CorporationNV_Cache

Delete all files inside the folders to remove existing shader cache files.

Step 5:

Go back to NVIDIA Control Panel, find Shader Cache and click Driver default to restart Shader Cache on your computer.

Jessica Tanner

Update 17 August 2025