The Tool Desk
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This guide covers installer packages, manual ZIPs, single .fx files, presets, missing effects, compilation errors and crashes.
What a ReShade shader is
ReShade is a post-processing injector: it loads effect programs after a game renders a frame. Effects can provide color correction, sharpening, bloom, ambient occlusion, depth of field, anti-aliasing, film grain, debanding and LUT-based grading. ReShade officially supports Direct3D 9, 10, 11 and 12, OpenGL and Vulkan (official documentation), but an individual shader may need a particular API, depth data, texture, include file, preset setting or ReShade version.
A shader is normally an .fx file. It may also depend on .fxh include files, LUTs, masks, noise images or other textures. ReShade is the injector and runtime; shader files are not standalone game modifications.
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Before you begin
- Install ReShade for the target game from reshade.me and confirm that its overlay opens in-game. The official site lists Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and Windows 11, plus .NET Framework 4.8, among its requirements.
- Download shaders from the original creator or repository. The standard collection is crosire/reshade-shaders.
- Back up your current preset and
ReShade.inibefore changing paths. - Check the game’s current multiplayer and anti-cheat rules. ReShade is not automatically permitted in every online game; publisher policy and the anti-cheat system take priority.
The interface and package names can change. These instructions use the current Settings → Effect Search Paths / Texture Search Paths workflow; check the official download page for the current installer.
The easiest method: choose shaders during ReShade setup
When you install or reinstall ReShade, the setup tool may offer standard effect packages. Select only the repositories you need and let setup place the files and configure their paths. This is convenient for a fresh installation and reduces manual file copying.
It is not a complete catalog. Many third-party repositories are not offered by setup and must be installed manually. Use the manual method whenever a creator supplies a ZIP, a preset names a specific repository, setup cannot download a package, or you want to keep a controlled version of a shader library. Third-party manual installation is documented by Marty’s Mods.
Manual installation: the complete procedure
- Download the original archive. On GitHub, use the creator’s Code → Download ZIP command when available. Do not use an unverified repackaged copy.
- Extract the archive completely. Keep every
.fx,.fxh, image, LUT and subfolder. - Merge the folders. For a conventional per-game installation, merge the repository’s
Shadersfolder into<Game folder>ReShade-ShadersShaders. Merge itsTexturesfolder into<Game folder>ReShade-ShadersTextureswhen present. - Open the game and ReShade overlay. Use the overlay key configured during installation.
- Open Settings. Find Effect Search Paths and add the directory containing the effects. A recursive path commonly used for nested repositories is
.ReShade-ShadersShaders**(without the leading space). The recursive form is documented by Marty’s Mods; exact wildcard behavior can vary with ReShade version and layout. - Add textures. Under Texture Search Paths, add
.ReShade-ShadersTextures**(again, without the leading space), or point directly to the actual texture directory. - Reload the list. Return to Home and click Reload, as instructed by the official shader repository’s README.
- Enable and test. Select the new effect, enable it, and inspect its controls. Disable it again if you only wanted to verify loading.
Use the correct folder structure
The path in ReShade must lead to the folder that actually contains the files. A normal result looks like this:
<Game folder>
├─ Game.exe
├─ ReShade.ini
├─ ReShade64.dll (name can vary)
└─ ReShade-Shaders
├─ Shaders
│ ├─ AdaptiveSharpen.fx
│ ├─ Vibrance.fx
│ └─ ...
└─ Textures
├─ ...Do not create an accidental doubled directory such as ReShade-ShadersShadersShaders. Open the extracted folders in File Explorer and verify where the .fx files really are. The DLL filename and installation target can differ with graphics API, architecture, Vulkan, DXVK, OpenXR, wrappers and game-specific compatibility rules.
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For a beginner, keeping a separate ReShade-Shaders folder beside each game’s ReShade configuration is easiest to troubleshoot and remove. A centralized folder can serve multiple games, but one update may break several installations and different presets may require incompatible versions.
Installing one downloaded .fx file
- Confirm that ReShade already opens in the game.
- Copy the
.fxfile into a directory included by Effect Search Paths. - Copy any companion
.fxh, texture, LUT or mask files supplied with it, preserving the creator’s relative structure. - Open ReShade, go to Home and click Reload.
A lone effect file is not necessarily self-contained. If the author supplied a folder or repository, copy the complete package instead of only the file with the appealing name.
Installing shaders from the official repository or GitHub
For crosire/reshade-shaders, extract the archive, preserve both top-level directories, add Shaders to Effect Search Paths and Textures to Texture Search Paths, then use Home → Reload. When merging a third-party repository, replace conflicting files only when that repository’s instructions require it; otherwise you may overwrite a custom edit or a version needed by another preset.
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| Setting | What it scans | Typical value | Failure when wrong |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effect Search Paths | Shader programs, usually .fx, plus their include files |
.ReShade-ShadersShaders** |
The effect is absent or reports a missing include |
| Texture Search Paths | Images referenced by effects: LUTs, noise, masks and other assets | .ReShade-ShadersTextures** |
The effect compiles but shows an error, blank result or incorrect look |
Adding only a parent directory may fail when the repository nests effects several levels down. Point directly at the real Shaders or Textures folder, or use the documented recursive form where your ReShade version supports it.
Presets do not necessarily include shaders
A ReShade preset is generally an .ini configuration created by the in-game interface; it records selected effects and their settings. It does not automatically contain the shader source or supporting assets. ReShade’s official information at static.reshade.me describes presets as shareable .ini files and advises against redistributing binaries or shader files.
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If a preset loads with missing effects, read its documentation or the effect names in the preset, then obtain the required repositories from the original creator. Install those files, configure both search paths and reload before judging the preset’s appearance.
When no effect files are found
- Confirm the download actually contains
.fxfiles, not only documentation or a preset. - Open the configured Effect Search Paths folder in File Explorer.
- Look for an extra extraction level such as
Repository-mainShaders...or a doubledShadersdirectory. - Change the path to the folder containing the files, or add the recursive
**form for nested layouts. - Remove obsolete or incorrect paths that point to an empty copy.
- Return to Home and click Reload; restart the game if the list remains stale.
- Read the ReShade log for access, include or compilation errors.
When an effect appears but will not compile
- Missing include: restore the supplied
.fxhfiles and preserve their relative location. - Missing texture or LUT: copy the complete
Texturesdirectory, add it to Texture Search Paths, and do not rename files. - Incomplete or corrupt archive: re-download the original repository and extract it again.
- Wrong version or layout: follow the creator’s required ReShade version and folder arrangement.
- Duplicate files: remove older copies from other search paths so ReShade does not load conflicting definitions.
- API or depth dependency: an effect may require a particular graphics API, depth buffer or preprocessor definition. Check its documentation; ReShade supporting the game’s API does not guarantee that every effect will work.
Use the exact error text as your starting point. Do not replace a failing shader with an unverified “fixed” download from a file-hosting site.
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When textures are missing or the image looks wrong
An effect can appear in the list and compile while still failing at runtime because its LUT, noise pattern or mask is absent. Copy the repository’s complete Textures folder, add the correct directory under Texture Search Paths, preserve filenames and case where relevant, and reload. If the creator specifies a texture subfolder or preset option, follow that requirement rather than guessing.
Crashes and game-specific problems
If the game crashes before the ReShade overlay appears, investigate the injector/API installation, overlays, conflicting mods, game protection and the selected rendering API before blaming a shader. ReShade’s setup code downloads compatibility information and checks the target application; it can refuse or alter installation for applications known to block or ban ReShade (setup source).
If the game starts and crashes only after enabling one effect:
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- Disable that effect and restart.
- Move the newly added repository temporarily out of the search path.
- Test with only the standard shader package.
- Restore your last working preset and
ReShade.inibackup. - Check the creator’s issue tracker for API, depth or version requirements.
ReShade lists Direct3D 9–12, OpenGL and Vulkan as supported APIs, but compatibility remains effect- and game-specific. Direct3D 8 games may need a D3D8-to-D3D9 wrapper such as the releases at github.com/crosire/d3d8to9.
Removing shaders safely
- Disable the effects in the preset.
- Close the game.
- Remove only the repository files you added, or move that repository outside the search path as a backup.
- Restore the previous search paths and preset if you changed them.
- Reopen the game and use Home → Reload.
Do not delete the entire ReShade installation unless you intend to uninstall ReShade itself.
FAQ
Can I add shaders without ReShade?
No. In the normal workflow, ReShade must be installed and running because it discovers and compiles the effect files.
Where should .fx files go?
Put them in the directory listed under Effect Search Paths, commonly ReShade-ShadersShaders or its recursive equivalent. The executable’s directory alone is not a universal rule.
Do I always need a Textures folder?
No. Some effects are self-contained, but any supplied textures, LUTs or masks must be copied and included under Texture Search Paths for those effects to work correctly.
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Can I install shaders from a ZIP?
Yes. Extract the complete ZIP, preserve its folder structure, merge Shaders and Textures where appropriate, configure both paths and reload.
Why does a shader compile but look different from screenshots?
It may depend on depth data, a particular API, texture assets, preset values or game-specific render behavior. Check the author’s requirements and verify that the correct preset settings and textures are present.
Can one shader folder serve several games?
Yes, if each ReShade installation points to it. A per-game folder is usually safer for troubleshooting because updates or incompatible versions cannot affect every game at once.
Are ReShade shaders allowed in multiplayer games?
Not universally. Check the specific publisher and anti-cheat rules before installing or using ReShade online; a visually harmless effect does not make the injector authorized.
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The Bottom Line
The reliable workflow is: obtain the complete shader package, preserve its Shaders, Textures and include files, configure both ReShade search paths, then click Home → Reload. If an effect is missing or fails, verify the real folder nesting and every companion file before changing ReShade itself.
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