Delete Amd Dxcache Files: Safe Cache Cleaning Guide

Your AMD graphics card builds a hidden library of precompiled shader files every time you launch a game or 3D application. Over months of gaming, this directory—known as the DXCache—bloats your storage drive, sometimes ballooning to tens of gigabytes. It can also hold onto corrupted instructions, causing random stuttering, texture corruption, or game crashes. Cleaning it out isn't complicated, but doing it incorrectly or at the wrong time can temporarily spike your CPU usage and tank your frame rates while your games rebuild those shaders from scratch.

To delete your AMD DXCache safely, press Windows + R, type %localappdata%\AMD, open the DxCache or DXCache folder, and delete its contents while all games are closed. If Windows blocks certain files, it's usually because a background task or game launcher is still running. Clear those processes in Task Manager, finish emptying the folder, and reboot your PC to let AMD Adrenalin reinitialize a clean shader database.

Where AMD DXCache Lives and Why It Bloats

The DirectX cache folder acts as a staging ground for your graphics processing unit. Instead of forcing your CPU and GPU to compile complex shader code on the fly—which causes severe stuttering during gameplay—DirectX stores these precompiled binaries on your local drive.

AMD's driver software manages this cache, placing it deep inside your user profile. The exact directory path typically follows this structure:

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\AMD\DxCache

Because AppData is a hidden folder by default, you won't see it through normal File Explorer browsing unless you enable hidden items or use the run command shortcut.

Why does this folder grow out of control? Every time a game updates, you install a new driver package, or you try a new title, new shader binaries are written to disk. Old, obsolete shaders from uninstalled games or superseded driver versions aren't always purged automatically by AMD software. Over time, gigabytes of dead files sit on your SSD, eating up valuable space and occasionally causing conflicts that degrade your frame pacing.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Clear DXCache Files

Cleaning out your shader cache requires a bit of care. You shouldn't delete the main AMD folder or system registry keys—just the contents of the cache directory itself. Follow these exact steps to do it cleanly:

1. Close all running games, video editing software, and 3D applications. Background launchers like Steam, Epic Games, or EA App should also be fully closed from your system tray.
2. Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
3. Type %localappdata%\AMD into the input field and press Enter. This takes you directly to the local AMD application data folder.
4. Locate the folder named DxCache or DXCache.
5. Open the folder and select all internal files and subfolders using Ctrl + A.
6. Press Delete. Do not delete the parent DxCache folder itself—just empty everything inside it.
7. If a prompt says certain files cannot be deleted because they're in use, cancel that specific file deletion, close any lingering background tasks via Task Manager, and try again.
8. Empty your Recycle Bin and restart your computer.

According to official Microsoft DirectX Documentation, graphics drivers rely on these local caches to minimize runtime overhead during pipeline creation, making regular cleanup a useful maintenance step rather than a destructive tweak.

What Happens After You Delete the Cache

You need to know what to expect the first time you fire up a game after wiping your DXCache. Because the stored shaders are gone, your hardware must recompile them.

When you launch a game post-cleanup, you'll likely notice:

• Longer initial loading screens on the main menu or when loading a specific level.
• Mild stuttering or micro-hitching during your first few minutes of gameplay as new shaders are compiled in real time and written back to the fresh cache.
• A temporary increase in CPU utilization as the processor handles the compilation workload.

This behavior is completely normal. Once the game compiles those shaders a single time, they're safely saved back into your clean DXCache folder. Subsequent launches will return to normal, buttery-smooth performance, often with improved frame pacing if old, corrupted files were causing hitching before.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many PC optimization guides give generic advice that can break your system or cause unnecessary headaches. Avoid these frequent missteps when dealing with your AMD cache:

• Deleting the parent folder: Keep the DxCache folder directory intact. Deleting the actual folder structure can sometimes cause permission errors or force AMD Adrenalin to throw errors until it recreates the directory tree.
• Cleaning while games run: If you delete files while a game is active, you risk file corruption, infinite loading screens, or sudden crashes to desktop. Always close your games first.
• Confusing DXCache with driver shader caches: Some users mess with OpenGL or Vulkan cache folders located elsewhere in AppData. While those can also be cleared, focus strictly on DirectX files unless you're troubleshooting a specific Vulkan rendering bug.
• Over-cleaning constantly: You don't need to clear your DXCache every week. Doing so forces your hardware to constantly recompile shaders, wearing down your SSD writes and hurting your gaming experience. Only clear it when troubleshooting bugs, after major driver overhauls, or to reclaim space.

When Should You Actually Clear Your DXCache?

Not every performance dip requires a cache wipe. You should reserve this troubleshooting step for specific scenarios where corrupted shader data is the prime suspect:

• Post-Driver Clean Install: If you used a utility like AMD Cleanup Utility or Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to swap graphics drivers, clearing leftover cache files ensures old shader binaries don't conflict with your new driver version.
• Persistent Graphical Glitches: If textures are rendering incorrectly, or if a specific game stutters violently despite you having high-end hardware, a corrupted cache is a common culprit.
• Severe Storage Crunch: If your primary NVMe or SSD is running dangerously low on free space and you find a bloated 15GB cache folder left over from games you uninstalled months ago.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will deleting AMD DXCache delete my game saves?

No. DXCache only stores precompiled graphical shader binaries. Your personal game saves, progress files, and user settings are stored in completely separate directories like Documents\My Games or your Steam cloud storage.

How often should I clean my DXCache folder?

You shouldn't make it a regular habit. Clean it out only when you notice unexplained stuttering after updating your drivers, when a game's performance tanks inexplicably, or once every few months if you install and delete dozens of large games.

Why won't Windows let me delete certain files in the folder?

If Windows blocks you from deleting a file, it means a background process—such as a game launcher, an active overlay, or a hidden DirectX service—has a file handle open. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), close any lingering gaming apps or background tools, and try again.

Does NVIDIA have an equivalent to this folder?

Yes. NVIDIA cards use a similar shader cache system located in the LocalLow folder under NVIDIA Corporation, which serves the exact same purpose for GeForce hardware.