How to improve graphics performance

Performance of Dota 2 is at an all time low. Game launches very slowly, main menu takes up too much GPU and people are getting abandons because they keep getting the black screen error. I have solutions for all these problems.

Main menu

The last match graphic on the main page of the client can be quite resource intensive. To remove it, go to this location:

steam\steamapps\common\dota 2 beta\game\dota\maps\scenes\dashboard_background

and rename/move/delete this file:

dashboard_background_last_match_radiant.vpk

If you don't want to use the method above, type this command in the console:

map_enable_background_maps 0

However, this disables hero loadouts and versus screens. It also hides the MVP screen, preventing you from advancing to the post-game summary. Use this command to turn them back on after the game.

map_enable_background_maps 1

Alternatively you can enter this launch option in Dota 2's Steam settings. The setting can still be toggled in the console in-game with the codes shown above.

+map_enable_background_maps 0

Lastly, you should also limit the FPS in the main menu by either dragging the slider in the Settings menu or entering this command in the console.

fps_max_ui 60

It is recommended that you keep this value at 60, but you could adjust it based on your system specifications.

Loading time

Use this code to skip the intro video at every launch.

-novid

If you are someone who opens and closes Dota often to do a variety of things but not necessarily play, then you can use this code in launch options.

-noprewarm

Note that this will increase load times when you want to play a game or spectate. It may also introduce the black screen issue that is discussed in the next segment.

Black screen

Often when you find a match and accept it, the screen will go black, you will load and join the game, but the hero icons will not appear. You will not be able to pick a hero or do much else.
The solution to this is:

• Open console
  
• Type:
  

  disconnect

• Press enter
  
• Wait for some time
  
• You will be disconnected from the game
  
• Connect to the game again

To prevent this issue from happening:

• Make sure you DON'T have this command in the launch options:
  

  -noprewarm

• Make sure you DON'T Alt-Tab when the game is loading after accepting match.

Video settings

For people who have very low-end systems or basically 'potato' computers, you can use these video settings to have decent fps in-game.


Rendering API: DirectX11 is the best right now for Windows systems. Vulcan may perform better for Mac and Linux systems. DirectX9 and OpenGL have been deprecated.
FidelityFX Super Resolution: This feature only works when you have DirectX11 selected as your rendering API, Anti-Aliasing turned on and game screen render quality less than 100%. However, it won't do much if you're bottlenecked by your CPU, as Dota 2 is a CPU-heavy game.
Maximum fps: Keep the FPS limit about 4-5 lower than the refresh rate for your screen. Keep the dashboard FPS limit to the same value, or even lower if the game is lagging in the main menu.

Steam settings

Steam can also take up a significant amount of resources in the background. It is highly recommended that you use these fixes to get better performance in-game.


Go to Settings in Friends List and disable this option to show Animated Avatars and Frames. They are extremely taxing to most GPUs, even new ones, because they are not optimized at all.


Also enable 'Low Performance Mode' in Steam Settings to reduce load from all the animations in the new Steam interface.


Alternatively, use Small Mode for Steam if you play on a potato and want to save as much resources as possible. Also, don't keep the Shop window open in Steam before doing this. Keeping Library tab highlighted is usually better.

[dripping ♥♥♥♥]

do you recommend using exclusive fullscreen or bordered window? thank you so much

[Lana Del Rey]

This might help

[󠀡󠀡󠀡󠀡]

Can you also add the .webem format video files deletion option?

You just have to navigate to the: D":\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\dota 2 beta\game\dota\panorama\videos" folders and delete every single background running in the steam client except the folders leave them be.

Just verify it if you want just to make sure so, it can be added to the guide, I've been testing this for a long time, and this doesn't give me any kind of a problem, and you can always verify the files to get them back.

Also, note that you'd always have to delete new videos after the new event starts which will have new videos since it will replace the previous ones in the UI.

Hope that helps and keep doing a great job, Sir.

[Noobinho! xD]

Minimalist Steam:

Create a secondary steam shortcut, go to destination and at the end of everything click on the space and type "-no-browser +open steam://open/minigameslist"

This will open steam without the browser.
But don't change your profile name or make any changes, just to play.

[Blazo]

thanks dota is playable again after the new patch broke everything on old laptop

[NeutraL]

Small mode will not improve anything. Steam background processes will all be still there.

[Anomaluna]

I don't know of a way to do that right now, but I'm looking into it.

[Collector PH]

Can u remove netflix dragons blood mainmenu???

[Collector PH]

Noice

[Anomaluna]

If you give credit with link, sure, you can translate and post in Protuguese.