Forza Horizon 6 on CachyOS (Wayland) – Graphics Fix, Audio and NVIDIA 610.x Optimization

[zimu96]

Hi everyone, I want to share the definitive setup and step-by-step fixes to run Forza Horizon 6 at maximum frames, with no crashes and working audio on CachyOS (KDE Wayland) using the new NVIDIA drivers.

MY REFERENCE HARDWARE:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

RAM: 32GB

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB

GPU Driver: NVIDIA 610.43.02 (CUDA 13.3)

Kernel: Linux 7.0.x-cachyos

Monitor: 1080p @ 74Hz/75Hz

COMPATIBILITY AND LAUNCH OPTIONS

Proton version: In the game properties on Steam, force the use of proton-cachyos-11.0-20260520-slr-x86_64 (essential for CPU stability and to hook native Full Screen on Wayland).

Steam Launch Options: Right-click the game -> Properties -> General, and paste exactly this command line:

WINE_AUDIO_BACKGROUND=1 PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 PROTON_VKD3D_HEAP=1 VKD3D_CONFIG=descriptor_heap,enable_experimental_features %command%

AUDIO FIX (Focus Loss)
On Wayland there is a bug where audio plays during the intro videos but disappears in-game because the window loses focus.

Solution: The WINE_AUDIO_BACKGROUND=1 command added above permanently fixes this, keeping the audio always active in the background without needing to Alt+Tab.

CRITICAL RAY TRACING REFLECTIONS BUG (Post-Patch)
Thanks to the 610 series drivers, the game is rock solid (zero crashes in the benchmark compared to the old 595 drivers). You can set the general preset to Ultra and enable DLSS + Frame Generation (Auto or 2x) to lock the game at a smooth 75 FPS.

WARNING: There is a known bug with the latest game patch that creates heavy graphical issues with Ray Tracing reflections, making them flicker and flash constantly. The only solution is to disable them in the in-game menus.

Configure your graphics like this to avoid flickering:

Ray Tracing Reflection Quality: DISABLED (No)

Screen Space Reflections Quality (SSR): EXTREME

Ray Tracing Lighting Quality: HIGH (Works perfectly and creates no artifacts)

GAME WINDOW (Full Screen)
With the latest Proton-CachyOS build mentioned above, the bug that cut the screen and moved the window down on Wayland is completely resolved. The game now hooks native real Full Screen directly from the in-game options, with no need for manual rules on KDE.

[SeraphX]

you know ProtonDB exists for a reason :D

[zimu96]

Originally posted by SeraphX:

you know ProtonDB exists for a reason :D

I've already done it, I wanted to let the developers know, and I've already published 2 of them on Proton DB and one is under approval, which needs to be redone because shortly after I updated the game and that's what happened with the Ray Tracing reflection bag, which I was talking about, that they flicker if you keep them active.

[RafaGH]

After the last update of the game i cant even open the game on cachy OS

[zimu96]

Originally posted by RafaGH:

After the last update of the game i cant even open the game on cachy OS

try to do it as I did Steam Launch Options: Right-click the game -> Properties -> General, and paste exactly this command line:

WINE_AUDIO_BACKGROUND=1 PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 PROTON_VKD3D_HEAP=1 VKD3D_CONFIG=descriptor_heap,enable_experimental_features %command%

and use proton-cachyos-11.0-20260520-slr-x86_64 which I wrote via ProtonUp-Qt, it works for me as I said at the beginning

[RafaGH]

Originally posted by zimu96:

Originally posted by RafaGH:

After the last update of the game i cant even open the game on cachy OS

try to do it as I did Steam Launch Options: Right-click the game -> Properties -> General, and paste exactly this command line:

WINE_AUDIO_BACKGROUND=1 PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 PROTON_VKD3D_HEAP=1 VKD3D_CONFIG=descriptor_heap,enable_experimental_features %command%

and use proton-cachyos-11.0-20260520-slr-x86_64 which I wrote via ProtonUp-Qt, it works for me as I said at the beginning

I did, but it dosent open :/ i tryed so many difrent versions of proton...


I have a Dell G15, with a RTX 3050

[zimu96]

Originally posted by RafaGH:

Originally posted by zimu96:

try to do it as I did Steam Launch Options: Right-click the game -> Properties -> General, and paste exactly this command line:

WINE_AUDIO_BACKGROUND=1 PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 PROTON_VKD3D_HEAP=1 VKD3D_CONFIG=descriptor_heap,enable_experimental_features %command%

and use proton-cachyos-11.0-20260520-slr-x86_64 which I wrote via ProtonUp-Qt, it works for me as I said at the beginning

I did, but it dosent open :/ i tryed so many difrent versions of proton...


I have a Dell G15, with a RTX 3050

Have you updated your system? Because today they released various updates, including the NVIDIA drivers.

[evilmunky79]

i'm getting the same issue. before updating cachyos to the latest drivers the game loaded and crashed after 10/30 mins. now with no matter version of proton and comand lines nothing loads.

[ShelledToe7]

Doesn't work for me, I have an RTX 3060 Ti. I tried your settings but they simply don't work on my GPU because of architecture differences. RT also doesn't work on 30 series even after the 610 driver update. BUT, DLSS has improved a lot and looks way better than TAA, and a lot of the ghosting and blurriness has been fixed which is great!

these are my launch options and proton version:
PROTON_VKD3D_HEAP=1 VKD3D_CONFIG=enable_experimental_features,descriptor_heap %command%

proton-cachyos-11.0-20260429-slr-x86_64_v3

I recommend these launch settings if you use an ampere GPU (30 series). HOWEVER, every time you launch the game you need to re-login because you need to delete the game's compatdata file because it always breaks when you leave the game. It is a stupid compromise because we still need to wait for valve to fix the game on proton experimental for NVIDIA users. The driver problems however, are fixed. The RT issue is now all on Valve to fix not NVIDIA.

[Furyok 🍉]

now the steam controller won't work :(

[BuffyScout]

=

Originally posted by ShelledToe7:

Doesn't work for me, I have an RTX 3060 Ti. I tried your settings but they simply don't work on my GPU because of architecture differences. RT also doesn't work on 30 series even after the 610 driver update. BUT, DLSS has improved a lot and looks way better than TAA, and a lot of the ghosting and blurriness has been fixed which is great!

these are my launch options and proton version:
PROTON_VKD3D_HEAP=1 VKD3D_CONFIG=enable_experimental_features,descriptor_heap %command%

proton-cachyos-11.0-20260429-slr-x86_64_v3

I recommend these launch settings if you use an ampere GPU (30 series). HOWEVER, every time you launch the game you need to re-login because you need to delete the game's compatdata file because it always breaks when you leave the game. It is a stupid compromise because we still need to wait for valve to fix the game on proton experimental for NVIDIA users. The driver problems however, are fixed. The RT issue is now all on Valve to fix not NVIDIA.

don't enable reflex in the settings and you don't have to do that compadata stuff

[Juwaum]

Originally posted by zimu96:

Hi everyone, I want to share the definitive setup and step-by-step fixes to run Forza Horizon 6 at maximum frames, with no crashes and working audio on CachyOS (KDE Wayland) using the new NVIDIA drivers.

MY REFERENCE HARDWARE:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

RAM: 32GB

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB

GPU Driver: NVIDIA 610.43.02 (CUDA 13.3)

Kernel: Linux 7.0.x-cachyos

Monitor: 1080p @ 74Hz/75Hz

COMPATIBILITY AND LAUNCH OPTIONS

Proton version: In the game properties on Steam, force the use of proton-cachyos-11.0-20260520-slr-x86_64 (essential for CPU stability and to hook native Full Screen on Wayland).

Steam Launch Options: Right-click the game -> Properties -> General, and paste exactly this command line:

WINE_AUDIO_BACKGROUND=1 PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 PROTON_VKD3D_HEAP=1 VKD3D_CONFIG=descriptor_heap,enable_experimental_features %command%

AUDIO FIX (Focus Loss)
On Wayland there is a bug where audio plays during the intro videos but disappears in-game because the window loses focus.

Solution: The WINE_AUDIO_BACKGROUND=1 command added above permanently fixes this, keeping the audio always active in the background without needing to Alt+Tab.

CRITICAL RAY TRACING REFLECTIONS BUG (Post-Patch)
Thanks to the 610 series drivers, the game is rock solid (zero crashes in the benchmark compared to the old 595 drivers). You can set the general preset to Ultra and enable DLSS + Frame Generation (Auto or 2x) to lock the game at a smooth 75 FPS.

WARNING: There is a known bug with the latest game patch that creates heavy graphical issues with Ray Tracing reflections, making them flicker and flash constantly. The only solution is to disable them in the in-game menus.

Configure your graphics like this to avoid flickering:

Ray Tracing Reflection Quality: DISABLED (No)

Screen Space Reflections Quality (SSR): EXTREME

Ray Tracing Lighting Quality: HIGH (Works perfectly and creates no artifacts)

GAME WINDOW (Full Screen)
With the latest Proton-CachyOS build mentioned above, the bug that cut the screen and moved the window down on Wayland is completely resolved. The game now hooks native real Full Screen directly from the in-game options, with no need for manual rules on KDE.

for me worked using the "proton-cachyos-11.0-20260520-slr-x86_64_v3" from cachyos github proton
with theses launch options: PROTON_VKD3D_HEAP=1 VKD3D_CONFIG=enable_experimental_features,descriptor_heap game-performance %command%
(using PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 makes my dualsense to malfunction)
i played 1h with no crashes, using the benchmark king preset
not 100% smooth but playable and fun, hope that i can play this game buttery smooth on linux (i dont use windows but people say that is smooth)
72fps cap
1080p dlaa
32gb ram
r7 5700x
rtx 3060
newest driver/kernel

[zimu96]

Originally posted by Juwaum:

Originally posted by zimu96:

Hi everyone, I want to share the definitive setup and step-by-step fixes to run Forza Horizon 6 at maximum frames, with no crashes and working audio on CachyOS (KDE Wayland) using the new NVIDIA drivers.

MY REFERENCE HARDWARE:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X

RAM: 32GB

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB

GPU Driver: NVIDIA 610.43.02 (CUDA 13.3)

Kernel: Linux 7.0.x-cachyos

Monitor: 1080p @ 74Hz/75Hz

COMPATIBILITY AND LAUNCH OPTIONS

Proton version: In the game properties on Steam, force the use of proton-cachyos-11.0-20260520-slr-x86_64 (essential for CPU stability and to hook native Full Screen on Wayland).

Steam Launch Options: Right-click the game -> Properties -> General, and paste exactly this command line:

WINE_AUDIO_BACKGROUND=1 PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 PROTON_VKD3D_HEAP=1 VKD3D_CONFIG=descriptor_heap,enable_experimental_features %command%

AUDIO FIX (Focus Loss)
On Wayland there is a bug where audio plays during the intro videos but disappears in-game because the window loses focus.

Solution: The WINE_AUDIO_BACKGROUND=1 command added above permanently fixes this, keeping the audio always active in the background without needing to Alt+Tab.

CRITICAL RAY TRACING REFLECTIONS BUG (Post-Patch)
Thanks to the 610 series drivers, the game is rock solid (zero crashes in the benchmark compared to the old 595 drivers). You can set the general preset to Ultra and enable DLSS + Frame Generation (Auto or 2x) to lock the game at a smooth 75 FPS.

WARNING: There is a known bug with the latest game patch that creates heavy graphical issues with Ray Tracing reflections, making them flicker and flash constantly. The only solution is to disable them in the in-game menus.

Configure your graphics like this to avoid flickering:

Ray Tracing Reflection Quality: DISABLED (No)

Screen Space Reflections Quality (SSR): EXTREME

Ray Tracing Lighting Quality: HIGH (Works perfectly and creates no artifacts)

GAME WINDOW (Full Screen)
With the latest Proton-CachyOS build mentioned above, the bug that cut the screen and moved the window down on Wayland is completely resolved. The game now hooks native real Full Screen directly from the in-game options, with no need for manual rules on KDE.

for me worked using the "proton-cachyos-11.0-20260520-slr-x86_64_v3" from cachyos github proton
with theses launch options: PROTON_VKD3D_HEAP=1 VKD3D_CONFIG=enable_experimental_features,descriptor_heap game-performance %command%
(using PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 makes my dualsense to malfunction)
i played 1h with no crashes, using the benchmark king preset
not 100% smooth but playable and fun, hope that i can play this game buttery smooth on linux (i dont use windows but people say that is smooth)
72fps cap
1080p dlaa
32gb ram
r7 5700x
rtx 3060
newest driver/kernel

Now it started crashing a lot trying your settings, this last update made it worse, I hope they fix it

[Gabriel, Apostate of Hate]

PROTON_VKD3D_HEAP doesn't exist even in cachyos-proton anymore, just setting VKD3D_CONFIG=descriptor_heap works with Experimental/Hotfix. Descriptor heap support in vkd3d has been merged into master, and bleeding edge proton versions have already pulled it in.

[MidT]

could not get it running with 610 and my rtx 4070, rolled my system back to 595.71 and everything fine again

[codered]

Only get black screen using these proton settings with latest nvidia drivers. 595 drivers were working fine.