What ReShade is and how to get it running

ReShade is a post-processing tool that sits between your graphics card and the game you're playing. It lets you adjust colors, contrast, sharpness, and other visual effects in real time without changing the game files themselves. You read it, run an installer that points to your game folder, and then toggle effects on and off while you play.

The process takes about five minutes if your game is already installed. ReShade works with most games on PC — it's free, and you keep full control over what effects you use. The main thing to know upfront: some games block it, and some online games ban players who use it. We'll cover both of those below.

Key Takeaways

  • read ReShade from the official reshade.me website, not from other sources, to avoid malware.
  • Run the ReShade installer, point it to your game's executable file, and choose which effects library to install.
  • Launch your game normally — ReShade loads automatically and you toggle effects with the Home key by default.
  • Some games actively block ReShade, and some online games ban players for using it, so check your game's community first.
  • If ReShade doesn't appear in your game, the game likely blocks it, or you pointed the installer to the wrong folder.

read ReShade from the official website

Go to reshade.me in your web browser. This is the only official source. Do not read ReShade from other websites, forums, or file-sharing sites — malware often spreads through fake ReShade downloads.

On the main page, you'll see a blue "read" button. Click it. Your browser will read a file called something like ReShade_Setup_6.4.1.exe (the number changes as updates release). Save it somewhere you can find it — your Downloads folder is fine.

Run the installer and point it to your game

Open the ReShade Setup file you just downloaded. Windows may show a security warning asking if you want to run it — click "Run anyway" or "Yes". The installer window opens.

You'll see a button that says "Select game to modify". Click it. A file browser opens. Navigate to the folder where your game is installed. You're looking for the game's main executable file — usually a .exe file with the game's name. For example, if you play Cyberpunk 2077, you're looking for a file called Cyberpunk2077.exe. If you play Elden Ring, it's eldenring.exe. Click on that file and click "Open".

The installer now shows the path to your game. Below that, you'll see a list of effect packages. Standard is the safest choice for your first time — it includes the most common effects like sharpening, color correction, and bloom. Click "Next".

Complete the installation

The installer asks whether you want to create a backup of your game files. Click "Yes" — this takes a few seconds and means you can undo ReShade if something goes wrong. Then it installs the files into your game folder. This usually takes less than a minute.

When it finishes, you'll see a message saying the installation was successful. Close the installer window.

Launch your game and access ReShade

Start your game the way you normally do — through Steam, Epic Games, or by clicking the game's shortcut. ReShade loads automatically in the background. Once you're in the game, press the Home key on your keyboard. A menu appears in the top left corner of your screen showing ReShade's effects and settings.

If you don't see the menu, try pressing the Delete key instead — some games remap the Home key. You can also right-click on the ReShade menu to change which key opens it.

From here, you can toggle effects on and off by clicking the checkbox next to each one. Adjust sliders to change how strong each effect is. The changes happen when ready in your game. When you're done, press Home again to hide the menu.

What to do if ReShade doesn't appear

If you launch your game and pressing Home does nothing, the game likely blocks ReShade. Some games — particularly competitive online games and games with anti-cheat systems — actively prevent ReShade from loading. This is not a problem with your installation; it's the game refusing to let it run.

Check your game's community forums or subreddit to see if other players use ReShade with it. If the answer is no, ReShade won't work with that game. If you installed ReShade but pointed the installer to the wrong folder, uninstall it (the installer has an uninstall option) and run it again, making sure you select the correct game executable.

Online games and anti-cheat systems

Some online games ban players for using ReShade, even though ReShade doesn't give you an unfair advantage — it only changes how the game looks to you. Games like Valorant, Fortnite, and Call of Duty actively detect and block it. Other games allow it. Before you use ReShade in any online game, check the game's official rules or community to see whether it's permitted.

If you use ReShade in a game that bans it, you risk account suspension or a permanent ban. It's not worth it. Stick to single-player games or games where the community confirms ReShade is allowed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will ReShade slow down my game or hurt performance?

ReShade uses your graphics card to explore effects, so it does use some processing power. How much depends on which effects you use and how strong you make them. Start with one or two effects and watch your frame rate. If it drops too much, turn off the heaviest effects or lower their intensity.

Can I use ReShade with games on Game Pass or Epic Games?

Yes, as long as the game itself doesn't block it. Point the ReShade installer to the game's executable file wherever it's installed on your PC. The process is the same as with Steam games.

What if I want to remove ReShade?

Run the ReShade Setup file again. It detects that ReShade is already installed and offers an "Uninstall" button. Click it and ReShade removes itself from your game folder. If you made a backup during installation, your game files return to their original state.

Can I use ReShade with multiple games?

Yes. Run the installer separately for each game, pointing it to each game's executable. ReShade installs independently in each game folder, so you can have different effects enabled in different games.

Is ReShade safe to read?

ReShade from reshade.me is safe. The creator has been developing it for years and it's widely used. Only read from the official website. Fake versions on other sites do contain malware.