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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →If The First Descendant stays on “Preparing Shaders,” stutters during play, or crashes while preparing shaders, start with reversible checks: link your Nexon account in the game, update your graphics driver, lower graphics settings or turn off ray tracing, and verify the Steam installation files. These steps have been reported as workarounds, not proven fixes for every PC or the current game build. Avoid the account screen’s “Clear All Data/Informations” control; a Steam user warns it deletes progress.
What shader preparation is—and why it can hitch
Games compile graphics shaders so the GPU can render materials and effects. Microsoft explains that compiling shaders on a device at launch or during gameplay can lengthen loading and cause shader-compilation stutter. That general technical explanation makes shader compilation one possible cause of a long “Preparing Shaders” load or a hitch; it does not establish that every stall or crash in The First Descendant has the same cause.
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Microsoft’s Advanced Shader Delivery is a Windows 11 Direct3D 12 technology that depends on a supported Windows version, capable GPU and driver, and storefront integration. The available sources do not establish that The First Descendant supports it, so it is not a game-specific fix to try.
Try the lower-risk fixes first
The following options were reported in troubleshooting coverage for PC players. No controlled comparison establishes which one is most effective, and none is guaranteed.
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- Link your Nexon account. In the game, open Menu > Options > Account, link the account, then return to the title screen. Some players reported faster loading afterward; the cause has not been established. Do not select “Clear All Data/Informations”—a Steam user warns that it deletes progress.
- Update your graphics driver. Check the current driver offered for your NVIDIA or AMD graphics card. The reports do not specify a driver version or show that an update fixes the problem in every case.
- Reduce graphics load. Lower graphics settings, and try disabling ray tracing if it is enabled. This is a reported troubleshooting option, not a confirmed diagnosis of shader-cache trouble.
- Verify the Steam installation. In Steam, open the game’s Properties, go to Installed Files, and select Verify integrity of game files. This checks installation files; it does not prove that a shader cache is corrupted.
Consider cache changes only if the basic checks fail
A Steam user reported that turning Steam shader precaching off and back on, then deleting the contents of NVIDIA’s GLCache folder, helped. This is an individual July 2024 report, not a tested or official fix. Cache deletion can make shaders rebuild, so the next launch or gameplay may involve another wait. If you try it, limit deletion to files inside the named cache folder; do not remove unrelated files.
Be cautious with advanced or hardware-specific suggestions
Engine.ini edits
A Steam discussion includes users changing shader settings in Engine.ini, but reports conflict. A later commenter said a change prevented shader preloading in another game. These edits are not an official, universally safe fix; avoid copying configuration changes unless you understand how to restore the original file.
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CPU ratio changes after an Oodle error
One Steam user with an Intel Core i9-13900K reported an “Oodle” shader decompression error and said lowering the Performance Core Ratio from 55x to 54x stopped that user’s crashes. This is a single hardware-specific account, not a general remedy. If you see the same error, preserve its exact wording and seek a diagnosis for your system before changing firmware or CPU tuning settings.
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What is known about the game’s fix status
Esports.gg reported that a Nexon hotfix on June 11, 2024, aimed to improve PC shader-preparation stability by reducing CPU load during shader generation. The same report noted that some players still had slow loads. This historical account does not confirm the status of the issue in the current game build.
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For a “stuck at any %” screen, a recurring long load, or stutter while moving between areas, work through the reversible steps before changing caches or configuration files. If the game still crashes, record the exact error and your system details rather than treating every shader-related symptom as the same fault.
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