Getting better FPS and Stability in Helldivers 2

Some say this method is still working but for others not so much. The dev broke something in the recent patch for running in DirectX 11 as of 1.000.100. Try the workaround mentioned at the bottom

Introduction

I keep getting low fps and stuttering while on my laptop while playing Helldivers 2. Can't even aim properly. This helps me tremendously while boosting my frame per seconds in the game.

Disclaimer: There are reports that those who are on some specific modern hardware do not benefit from this guide and are better off using native DirectX 12. If it does work for you, I am glad to be of help. Game is funky, let's try and hope for the best. Cheers

If it doesn't work for you, revert the changes you made here.

The Way

For extra stability and increased frame per seconds:

• 1. update your graphic drivers to the latest

Go to Nvidia website or AMD website and get your latest driver for your graphics card. Remember to do a clean installation when prompted

• 2. Start the game in DirectX11, put one of the command line onto the game launch parameter (right click the game and properties, under "launch options";

dx11 / --use-d3d11

or

--use-d3d11

or

-dx11

.

• 3. Delete the game shader cache at

C:\Users\yourusernamehere\AppData\Roaming\Arrowhead\Helldivers2\shader_cache
or type %appdata% into the start menu and navigate to the folder above



.

Delete EVERYTHING in that shader_cache folder.

.


.

Do all that BEFORE launching the game. Then launch it, the game will be having a black screen for few minutes, WAIT IT OUT. After that, the game should have better FPS and stability.

I get from 20-40fps with stuttering to 60-80fps smooth as baby's butt. I'm using RTX 3050 Laptop, give it a try.

My laptop specs:
16gb of ram
RTX 3050 Laptop
AMD Ryzen 7 6800H

My graphics settings are all Low, Native resolution, and Anti Aliasing On. The game is also in Borderless mode

Conclusion

So what do these steps do?

Step no. 1 is just a precautionary update, in case if you have an outdated driver. Some say certain older driver works better, but there are mixed reports. Drop a comment below for others to see which driver you are using.

Step no. 2 is running the game in DirectX 11, instead of running the game in native DirectX 12. DirectX 11 can be more stable and gives more FPS due to the nature of API is a lot more closed and being developed longer.

Step no. 3 is deleting shader cache, which will refreshes your game shader after DirectX changes. If you want to stay with DirectX 12, step no. 3 may also be beneficial after a game update.

Thanks, and cheers.

If DirectX11 doesn't work for you, you might want to stay on native DirectX12 and revert the changes that you made here by removing the command line and clearing the cache again. Else, if you want to squeeze more FPS by going super technical, you may refer to a guide here:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3162103143

Patch no. 1.000.100 Onwards

Some user suggested that removing the command line and running the game in DirectX 12 AND THEN changing back to DirectX 11 did the trick to increase the FPS after the latest patch. Thanks @Dobidob

Try the following steps:

• 1. remove the command line.
  
• 2. launch the game and the load it into the ship.
  
• 3. Quit the game
  
• 4. Add one of the command line like -dx11
  
• 5. Relaunch the game

Hopefully this fix works for you guys.

You can also try to clear DirectX 11 cache by using "Disk Cleanup" utility:

• 1. Type Disk Cleanup at the windows search bar
  
• 2. Pick C: drive
  
• 3. Click "Clean up system files"
  
• 4. Tick DirectX Shader Cache
  
• 5. Click "Ok".

[ProExpertMaster]

As of 19 May 2024, the --use-d3d11 command seems to work for me. I'm also using Nvidia Image Scaling. In-game settings are all at low/off. Altogether I'm getting an increase of about 20-23FPS. Sometimes in battle it drops to 30FPS, but there's nothing you can do about it. This game is CPU intensive.

System:
i7 4790
GTX 1660
16GB RAM

Note: Helldivers 2 uses fake fullscreen, so if you're going to use Nvidia Image Scaling, make sure to change your monitor's resolution so that it matches the one you want to use in-game.

[spartan343]

i'm using recommended Geforce Experience, pretty looking (not as detail as native res) and ocassional dip from 60 to 38.

[(つ ◕_◕) つ Melanion]

Just tried this and went from action down to 7 sometimes to never under 20, it is far from ideal but it works!

[budgetivy123]

dx 11 improves fps but the game really stutters any fix?

[^15 Magias🐀]

--use-d3d11
works fine, thank you for sharing! ❤

[A Bunny]

Doesn't help anything on my side. 1080 GTX, even on lowest settings and DX11, this is the only game that crashes. What a waste of what could have been a good game.

[Tofuman]

@BootyFarter45 have you tried clearing the cache, removing the command line and verifying the integrity of the game files? If all fails, try reinstalling the game

[BootyFarter45]

didn't help my situation sadly. I also cant play the game in dx12 mode anymore after using this fix. game boots into a black screen and crashes. I just wanna play this game bro

[Vadi]

Working well

[zip96]

Thank you bro