Image Credit: Bethesda
Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
White tower in the plains of Throne and Liberty
Image via NCSOFT

How to fix Shader Optimization not working in Throne and Liberty

Who needs shaders anyway?

Shader Optimization is a necessary process in multiple games, including Throne and Liberty, to make sure everything runs smoothly. Throne and Liberty‘s launch caused several issues with launching the game, so here’s how to fix Shader Optimization not working.

Recommended Videos

Throne and Liberty: How to fix Shader Optimization not working

When launching Throne and Liberty for the first time, the game performs Shader Optimization. You can see the progress at the top of the screen, and sometimes, it can get stuck at zero percent. In that case, here are a few things you can try to fix it:

Green plains in Throne and Liberty
Not a smooth launch for the game. Image via NCSOFT
  • Restart the game (multiple times if needed)
  • Verify game files
  • Revert the graphics drivers

You can try playing Throne and Liberty while Shader Optimization is in progress, but it’ll cause the game and cutscenes to lag. Moreover, you might encounter further issues like the black screen error, so I recommend taking it step by step.

All possible fixes for Shader Optimization not working in Throne and Liberty

Restart the game

Restarting the game fixes most of the problems in Throne and Liberty. Shader Optimization might bug out, and restarting the game should deal with it. After launching, leave the game open for a bit, as the speed of Shader Optimization also depends on your device. If the issue persists, restart Throne and Liberty a couple more times or try other methods.

Verify game files

Even if you just downloaded or updated the game, it’s possible to have missing or corrupt files that potentially affect Shader Optimization. To fix that, select the game in your library and open the game’s properties as if you were to uninstall it. Look for the Manage option (Properties on Steam) and verify the game’s files.

Revert the graphics drivers

With the launch of Throne and Liberty early access, graphics drivers received an update, like the GeForce Game Ready Driver 565.90. If you recently updated the graphics driver, it might be worth reverting back to the old one. This mostly applies to Nvidia GPUs because you can easily download older versions from the official website.

Here’s how to revert Nvidia graphics drivers:

  1. Head to the Nvidia driver page.
  2. Enter your GPU.
  3. Download the older driver and install it (I’ve been using 561.09)

Faulty shader options aren’t the only issue Throne and Liberty experienced upon launch. The Easy Face Maker, Throne and Liberty‘s unique character creator customization feature that allows players to make near one-to-one versions of themselves or someone else, appeared to not function correctly for players when the game initially released. Luckily for players, many game developers often release day-one patches to address bugs or other glitches to ensure a smooth gameplay experience.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
More Stories To Read
Author
Image of Edward Strazd
Edward Strazd
Freelance News and SEO Writer for Dot Esports, covering everything from live service games like Destiny 2 and Fortnite to new releases. Writing about games since 2021. When he's not writing, he's probably grinding for loot in Destiny 2.