Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Disabling DirectStorage can reduce traversal, asset-streaming, or audio stutter for some Diablo IV PC players, but it is not a universal fix. Blizzard acknowledged DirectStorage-related performance concerns in patch 2.2.2 on May 27, 2025, and later patch notes do not document a definitive resolution. The safest approach is to test the setting, compare frame times on a repeatable route, and restore the previous state if there is no measurable improvement.
DirectStorage is only one possible cause. Shader compilation, VRAM or RAM pressure, drivers, overlays, and network latency can produce similar symptoms.
The quick fix: test DirectStorage disabled
The commonly reported workaround is the Battle.net launch argument -disableds. This is a community-reported workaround, not a current Blizzard-guaranteed command.
- Open Battle.net and select Diablo IV.
- Click the gear icon beside Play, then choose Game Settings.
- Enable Additional command line arguments.
- Enter
-disableds. - Save the setting, fully exit Battle.net and Diablo IV, then restart both.
- Repeat the activity that normally causes the hitch: riding through open-world zones, teleporting, entering a new area, or playing until audio stutter appears.
Before changing anything, take a screenshot of the original argument field. Do not leave -enableds and -disableds entered together.
#1 Best Overall
- MEET THE NEXT GEN: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen4 SSD helps you reach near max performance with lightning-fast speeds; Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a tech guru, you’ll get power efficiency built for the final boss
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
- THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S FLASH MEMORY BRAND: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0 powering through for any use
- PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS: Give yourself some space with storage capacities from 1TB to 4TB; Sync all your saves and reign supreme in gaming, video editing, data analysis and more
- IT’S A POWER MOVE: Save the power for your performance; Get power efficiency all while experiencing up to 50% improved performance per watt over the 980 PRO; It makes every move more effective with less consumption
Community reports describe improvement in some stutter and audio-stutter cases, while others saw no change. See the reports on the Diablo IV technical-support forum and this troubleshooting discussion.
What Blizzard officially documented
In the Diablo IV 2.2.2 patch notes, dated May 27, 2025, Blizzard said it was disabling the DirectStorage setting while investigating performance issues. The same notes documented -enableds for players who wanted to re-enable DirectStorage on supported NVMe drives.
To test the enabled path, use the same Battle.net route and enter:
-enabledsRestart the launcher and game after saving. If -enableds makes the game worse, remove it and retest. An instruction that was appropriate after patch 2.2.2 is not automatically the best setting for every later build.
Rank #2
- HUGE SPEED BOOST: Get random read/write speeds that are 40%/55% faster than 980 PRO; Experience up to 1400K/1550K IOPS, while sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s reach near the max performance of PCIe 4.0*
- BREAKTHROUGH POWER EFFICIENCY: Use less power and get more performance; Enjoy up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO, plus optimal power efficiency with max PCIe 4.0 performance**
- SMART THERMAL CONTROL: Samsung's own nickel-coated controller delivers effective thermal control; With its slim size, 990 PRO is a perfect fit for desktops and laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard***
- THE CHAMPION MAKER: Up to 65% improvement in random performance enables faster loads for an ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games****
- SAMSUNG MAGICIAN SOFTWARE: Get the most out of your SSD with Samsung Magician's advanced yet intuitive optimization tools; Monitor drive health, protect valuable data, and receive important updates for your 990 PRO
The latest patch-notes entry covered by the supplied research is version 3.1.2, Build #73020, July 28, 2026. That page does not document a newer DirectStorage-specific resolution or clearly state the current default for every installation.
Why disabling DirectStorage might help
DirectStorage changes how game data is read from storage and submitted for processing. A particular combination of game build, NVMe firmware, chipset, CPU platform, driver, or decompression path may interact poorly with asset streaming. Disabling it can move the game back to a conventional loading path and avoid that specific conflict.
This is a plausible explanation, not proof that DirectStorage is the cause on every affected PC. The trade-off may be longer loading screens, slower area transitions, or greater CPU involvement. The likely benefit is smoother frame pacing—not necessarily higher average FPS.
How to verify that the test changed anything
Do not assume the argument worked simply because the game launched.
Rank #3
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX 7100 NVMe SSD
- HIGH-OCTANE GAMING. Experience speeds up to 7,250MB/s read and 6,900MB/s write (1-2TB models), with up to 35% faster performance than previous generation.
- PURPOSE-BUILT. Designed for serious on-the-go gamers, with a PCIe Gen4 interface and SANDISK’s next generation TLC 3D NAND.
- MORE TIME TO CLEAR THAT CHECKPOINT. Built with laptops and handheld gaming devices in mind, with up to 100% more power efficiency over the previous generation.
- DO MORE WITH DASHBOARD. Ensure your drive is optimized for prime performance with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only).
- Use the same character, route, graphics settings, and frame-rate cap for both tests.
- Restart the game completely between changes.
- Compare frame-time spikes, not only the average FPS counter.
- Repeat the route several times; one smooth or bad pass is not conclusive.
- Note whether freezes, texture loading pauses, riding hitches, or synchronized audio crackles improve.
Some community troubleshooting reports inspect a Diablo IV diagnostic or crash log for a line such as DirectStorage: Enabled. Log paths and formats can vary by build, so treat this as an optional clue rather than a guaranteed supported interface.
Symptoms that point elsewhere
| Symptom | More consistent with |
|---|---|
| Hitching when entering a new area or rapidly riding through the world | Asset streaming, storage I/O, DirectStorage, memory, or CPU processing |
| Stutter during a new spell or visual effect that lessens after repetition | Shader compilation |
| Rubber-banding, delayed enemies, or teleport correction | Network or server latency |
| Stutter that worsens during a long session | Memory pressure, paging, thermal throttling, or a background process |
| GPU usage remains near maximum | GPU workload or graphics settings rather than DirectStorage |
| Problems occur only while alt-tabbing or using overlays | Overlay or background-application conflicts |
DirectStorage is not shader compilation
Shader compilation is a separate major source of stutter in Direct3D 12 games. Microsoft explains the issue in its articles on advanced shader delivery and shader stutter in Windows games.
Shader-related hitching can appear after a Diablo IV update, GPU-driver update, graphics-setting change, ray-tracing change, or shader-cache rebuild. Disabling DirectStorage will not necessarily fix it. After such an update, allow the game time to rebuild caches before judging first-session performance.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Checks to perform before blaming DirectStorage
- Update Diablo IV through Battle.net and restart the PC.
- Use Battle.net’s scan or repair option to verify game files.
- Check the GPU driver. If the problem began immediately after a driver update, compare with the previous known-good driver where appropriate.
- Confirm the game is on an SSD, preferably a supported NVMe drive. An NVMe drive alone does not guarantee smooth frame times.
- Monitor RAM, VRAM, page-file activity, CPU usage, and GPU usage during a reproducible hitch.
- Temporarily disable ray tracing, overlays, recording tools, RGB utilities, browsers, and hardware-monitoring tools.
- Use a sensible FPS cap instead of testing only with an uncapped frame rate.
- Check latency and rubber-banding before treating an online delay as a rendering problem.
Do not assume that lowering every graphics setting isolates the cause. It can change the workload without identifying whether the problem is storage, shaders, memory, networking, or the GPU.
Rank #4
- 【7450MB/s・Amazing Speed】Maximum read speed of 7450MB/s and maximum write speed of 6500MB/s (random read/ write speed of up to 1000K IOPS) realises the workflow of high-performance desktop PCs and notebook PCs. Ideal for power users who are looking for market-leading speeds.
- 【PCIe Gen4×4 for Superior Performance】Biwin NV7400 M.2 SSD utilizes the latest PCIe Gen 4x4 and 3D TLC NAND, choosing high-quality premium NAND flash chosen through our automated selection. Capacities of up to 4 TB are available, providing ample storage space and eliminating the anxiety of insufficient storage.
- 【PMIC Power Management & Graphite Heat Sink】NV7400 M.2 SSD adopts a composite power supply IC (PMIC), which improves power saving and energy saving performance by increasing the efficiency of power distribution, and effectively extends the durability of the SSD. Moreover, it is equipped with a 0.5mm graphene aluminium heat sink to prevent overheating with excellent heat dissipation performance and maintain stable top performance.
- 【Enhanced System Stability】The NV7400 delivers stable performance for demanding applications. Enhanced by Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, it ensures stable operation even under heavy workloads. The integration of Smart Cache optimizes data retrieval, while Zip data compression maximizes storage efficiency.
- 【Free Biwin Intelligence Software】Biwin Intelligence is multifunctional management software, designed to support Biwin consumer-brand storage products. For a more convenient and more secure storage experience, this software helps users manage their drives with features like performance test, data migration, firmware update, and more.
Should DirectStorage remain disabled?
Keep it disabled only if repeated, controlled tests show fewer hitches or audio pauses and the loading-time trade-off is acceptable. If there is no measurable improvement, remove -disableds and return to the game’s normal behavior. If the game is already smooth, there is no general reason to disable DirectStorage.
Re-test after major Diablo IV or GPU-driver updates. A new build can change defaults, streaming behavior, or shader caches.
Avoid risky “fixes”
Do not download replacement DirectStorage files or manually replace, rename, or delete game DLLs as a first-line solution. Community posts mention such tactics, but they can create version, security, file-integrity, and patching problems. Blizzard’s forum discussions about these methods do not make them supported fixes.
Recommended Free Tools
Likewise, avoid editing Windows system files, disabling security protections, changing BIOS PCIe settings without a separate hardware diagnosis, or buying a new SSD before establishing that the existing drive is failing or unsuitable.
Best Value
- BREAKTHROUGH PCIe 5.0 PERFORMANCE: Supercharge your workflow and gaming with PCIe 5.0, boasting up to 14,700/13,400 MB/s* sequential read/write speeds. Tackle massive files and power up your gaming with Gen5—twice as fast as the 990 PRO SSD.
- EVERY TASK, TURBOCHARGED: Speed past productivity limits. With random read/write speeds up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, enjoy fast game loads, seamless AI apps, and efficient multitasking. Virtually no lag, no limits—just nonstop performance.
- THINK FAST, CREATE FASTER: With random read/write speeds of up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, the 9100 PRO SSD fuels seamless AI content creation, swift loads, and smooth gameplay. Work, play, and create at lightning speed.
- SPEED, WHENEVER YOU NEED: From laptops to desktop PCs, experience blazing PCIe 5.0 speeds and up to 8TB of storage. Perfect for video editing, gaming, and creative tasks, with the compatibility to match your device.
- STAY COOL, RUN FAST: Push limits, not temperatures. A 5nm controller boosts power efficiency up to 49% over the 990 PRO SSD*, while advanced thermal control keeps performance smooth and reliable.
If the issue persists
Report a reproducible case to Blizzard with the Diablo IV build, GPU-driver version, CPU and GPU, RAM and VRAM, NVMe model and firmware, the DirectStorage argument used, symptoms, and relevant logs. Include whether the issue is a frame-time hitch, audio pause, loading delay, or network rubber-banding. That information is more useful than simply reporting “low FPS.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is -disableds an official Blizzard fix?
No. It is a community-reported workaround. Blizzard officially documented -enableds in patch 2.2.2 after disabling the setting while investigating performance concerns.
Will disabling DirectStorage increase FPS?
Usually, the relevant goal is fewer frame-time spikes or traversal hitches, not a higher average FPS.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchDoes this fix shader stutter?
Not necessarily. Shader compilation is a separate cause of PC stutter and may require cache rebuilding or driver and graphics-setting troubleshooting.
Does an NVMe SSD guarantee smooth Diablo IV performance?
No. NVMe storage can help loading, but it cannot eliminate shader compilation, network latency, memory pressure, driver conflicts, or game-build regressions.
What if Battle.net does not show the command-line option?
Confirm that Diablo IV is selected, open the gear menu beside Play, and enter Game Settings. If the option is unavailable or the argument has no effect, remove it and use the standard file, driver, shader, memory, and overlay checks.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →
