DOOM for Dummies [Tweaks, Fixes, Problem solving] [EN]

If you find grammar, punctuation, stylistic or any other mistakes in this guide - please let me know, it would hugely help me!

1. Open Steam client.
   
2. Find Doom Eternal in your library.
   
3. Right click → "Properties".
   
4. On "GENERAL" tab click "SET LAUNCH OPTIONS".
   
5. Type in:
   +com_skipIntroVideo 1
   and hit "OK".

• Alternatively, delete or rename Boot_Sequence.bk2 in Steam\steamapps\common\DOOMEternal\base\video\boot_sequence folder.

1. Open Steam client.
   
2. Find Doom Eternal in your library.
   
3. Right click → "Properties".
   
4. On "GENERAL" tab click "SET LAUNCH OPTIONS".
   
5. Type in:
   
   +com_skipSignInManager 1
   and hit "OK".

1. Open Steam client.
   
2. Find Doom Eternal in your library.
   
3. Right click → "Properties".
   
4. On "GENERAL" tab click "SET LAUNCH OPTIONS".
   
5. Type in:
   
   +com_skipKeyPressOnLoadScreens 1
   and hit "OK".

• If you need to add multiple launch tweaks, separate them with spaces:

Up to 6GB of disk space can be freed if you delete unnecessary localized audio files.

1. Open Steam folder (e.g. C:\Program file (x86)\Steam\).
   
2. Open steamapps\common\DOOMEternal\base\sound\soundbanks\pc\
   
3. Delete these files:
   
   vo_German.snd
   vo_Portuguese(Brazil).snd
   vo_Russian.snd
   vo_Japanese.snd
   vo_Spanish(Mexico).snd
   vo_Polish.snd
   vo_Italian.snd
   vo_Spanish(Spain).snd
   vo_French(France).snd
   vo_portuguese.pck
   vo_french.pck
   vo_latin_spanish.pck
   vo_spanish.pck
   vo_japanese.pck
   vo_german.pck
   vo_italian.pck
   vo_polish.pck
   vo_russian.pck

• You can keep any localization, just remember there are two files for each language: *.snd + *.pck.
  
• If you verify integrity of game files or install an update, those files might be created again.
  
• I would not recommend deleting original English audio files.

If your game language is set to any except English, deleting all localized audio files (see above) will result in combination of English audio + Your language subtitles (and menu).

Seems to work fine for me, but not tested enough yet. Some dialogues may be missing. Make backups.

1. Open Steam client.
   
2. Find Doom Eternal in your library.
   
3. Right click 🠖 "Properties".
   
4. On "LANGUAGE" tab select the desired language for text (menu and subtitles).
   
5. On "LOCAL FILES" tab hit "BROWSE LOCAL FILES..." to open the game installation directory.
   
6. Navigate to base\sound\soundbanks\pc\
   
7. Delete all vo_XXXX.pck and vo_XXXX.snd files except two of the desired dialogue language (for example, leave only vo_German.snd and vo_german.pck).
   
8. Rename *.snd file to vo_English(US).snd and *.pck to vo_english.pck
   
9. You would probably need to repeat these steps every time a Doom update is installed. Two updates and still works.

• If you face any problems after following this guide, verify game files by pressing corresponding button on the "LOCAL FILES" tab (this will fix the game for you) and let me know in the comments.

Mouse smoothing is disabled by default. In case you feel it is not, you can switch it off in console:

1. Press [~] key to open console.
   
2. Type in:
   
   m_smoothing 0
   and press Enter.

• "m_smooth" command adjusts the amount of smoothing if "m_smoothing" is set to 1. It can be set in the range from 1 to 8.

To enable console logs saving on hard drive:

1. Press [~] key to open console.
   
2. Type in:
   
   logFile 2
   and press [Enter].

• According to this discussion, this command can fix some crashes. [not tested]

May be useful when gaming on a potato pc or 8k monitor (or both). Disabling in-game AA significantly Increases sharpness but makes contrasty edges jaggy and therefore not recommended until you use better 3rd party AA methods.

1. Press [~] key to open console.
   
2. Type in:
   
   r_antialiasing 0
   and press [Enter].

• "r_antialiasing 1" command re-enables TAA.
  
• After disabling AA you might want to reduce the sharpening effect in game video settings.
  
• To automatically disable AA when the game is started, add
  +r_antialiasing 0
  to the game launch options in Steam (see "Skip intro" section for details).

You can use FXAA from ReShade[reshade.me] instead of ingame TAA if you want to. Last version works fine with Doom Eternal, just make sure you enabel it for Vulkan globally in the installer. However, FXAA can not eliminate all the jagginess in this game and SMAA does nearly nothing.

• Make sure you are running the game in the native resolution of your monitor.
  
• Disable Motion Blur, Chromatic Aberration, Depth of Field and Film Grain
  
• In visual settings turn off Resolution Scaling (or lower the target fps).
  When doing so you might want to lower other visual settings to keep fps stable.
  
• Setting Gamma to lower values will increase the contrast.
  
• Increase Sharpening
  Values higher than 60% are not recommended as the image starts to look artificial.
  
• See "Disable antialiasing" section of this guide.

While playing with a controller, mouse cursor may appear as a reminder to connect proper devices for non-CASUL gaming experience. In order to avoid such behaviour the following steps a required:

• GIT GUD
  
  1. Open Steam client.
     
  2. Find Doom Eternal in your library.
     
  3. Right click → Properties.
     
  4. On GENERAL tab set Steam Input Per-game configuration to "forced on"
     
  5. and hit "OK"
     
  6. Launch and exit the game.
     
  7. Set Steam Input Per-game configuration back to "global input setting"
  
  
• Сursor should no longer appear.

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⛧ Check CPU ⛧

Your CPU must support SSE4.2 instructions[en.wikipedia.org] to run Doom Eternal. SSE4.2 is supported by all modern Intel processors (2010 and newer) and AMD FX-4100, Athlon X4 and higher. Phenom, Phenom II and Core2 families do not support SSE4.2. SSE4 instructions can be emulated on older units; however, this will have a drastic influence on performance and stability making the game nearly unplayable and therefore can not be recommended.

There is a specific fix for Core 2 Quad processors consisting of two .dll fiels. It seems to be rather safe according to VirusTotal[www.virustotal.com]. However, its source and detailed operating principle are unknown, so no link will be provided in this guide. Use this fix at your own risk.

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⛧ Update drivers ⛧

First of all, you need to install the latest video drivers. Always get drivers directly from NVIDIA or AMD official sites.

NVIDIA:
https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx
or
https://www.geforce.com/drivers

[NVIDIA] choosing between Standard and DCH display driver[nvidia.custhelp.com]

With these tools you can customize NVIDIA driver installation by removing components that you don't need (like telemetry or stereo-3d glasses support).

• NVCleanstall[www.techpowerup.com]
  
• NVIDIA driver slimming utility[www.guru3d.com]

You can also disable NVIDIA telemetry if drivers are installed already:

• Disable Nvidia Telemetry[github.com]

Keep in mind that some features like GeForce Experience[www.nvidia.com] or ShadowPlay[www.nvidia.com] do not work with telemetry off.

AMD:
https://www.amd.com/support

Usually new drivers can be safely installed over existing ones. But you might need to have those removed completely in some cases.
For that use a free tool called Display Driver Uninstaller:
https://www.wagnardsoft.com
https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/display-driver-uninstaller-download.html
For a better cleanup without issues, it is recommended that you reboot into safemode[support.microsoft.com] before running DDU.

Latest chipset drivers are also recommended (and highly recommended for AMD Ryzen!):
https://www.amd.com/support
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/98455/Consumer-Chipsets

If you are having troubles with chipset drivers installation, uninstall previous version:

1. Select the Start button, then select Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
   
2. Select the app you want to remove, and then select Uninstall.

Actual versions on 2020.06.18:

• NVIDIA 446.14 Game Ready Driver (DCH version)[uk.download.nvidia.com]
  
• NVIDIA 446.14 Game Ready Driver[uk.download.nvidia.com]
  
• AMD Radeon Adrenalin 20.5.1[drivers.amd.com]
  
• AMD Ryzen Chipset 2.04.28.626[drivers.amd.com]
  
• AMD Ryzen Chipset 2.05.04.352 - alternative version from ASRock site (works with motherboards of any brand)[download.asrock.com]
  Sometimes AMD Ryzen chipset driver installer can stuck on 0%. Just wait for few minutes and close it. It's fine: we all knew what we were buying.
  
• Intel Chipset INF Utility 10.1.18383.8213[downloadmirror.intel.com]

Restart Windows after installation!

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⛧ Update BIOS ⛧

• ASRock[www.asrock.com]
  
• ASUS[www.asus.com]
  
• Biostar[www.biostar.com.tw]
  
• ECS (Elitegroup)[www.ecs.com.tw]
  
• EVGA[www.evga.com]
  
• Gigabyte[www.gigabyte.com]
  
• MSI[www.msi.com]
  
• Supermicro[www.supero.com]
  
• Zotac[www.zotac.com]

******************************************************************************************************

⛧ Update Microsoft Visual C++ ⛧

Latest version can be found here[support.microsoft.com]
You need vc_redist.x64.exe.

Alternative:
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005-2019[translate.google.ru]

• Needed for some older games and software
  
• Using modified installers from 3rd-party sites is generally a very bad idea. But M$ Visual C++ installation is a mess and this is the only way to install it properly. Libraries in this pack are not modified, only the installer. OSZone is a decent forum.

******************************************************************************************************

⛧ Update Windows ⛧

Windows Update: FAQ[support.microsoft.com]

To stay up to date, select the Start button > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update , and then select Check for updates.

Manual installation

Step 1: Identify your Windows 10 version:

1. Start > Settings > System > About
   
2. Scroll down to Version

Step 2: Dowload updates

1. Open Microsoft Update Catalog[www.catalog.update.microsoft.com]
   
2. Type in your OS name, version and bitness (e.g., Windows 10 1909 x64) and hit "Search"
   
3. Sort results by date and download latest updates.
   You need both Cumulative and Security (Service Stack) updates.
   You can also update .NET and Flash Player if you want to.

Step 2 (alternative): Current list of updates for all Windows 10 versions (direct links to Microsoft)[translate.google.com]
Step 3: Run the installers and restart Windows.

******************************************************************************************************

This section has nothing to do with DOOM: Eternal, but I decided to include it for those who also play other games. It is safe to just install everything from here (I always do so on my machines)

⛧ Other System libraries ⛧

RuntimePack by jameszero[translate.google.ru]
OpenAL 2.1.0.0[community.pcgamingwiki.com]
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.2[www.microsoft.com]
Microsoft XNA Framework 4.0[www.microsoft.com]
Microsoft DirectInput Mapper 5.1.2600.0[community.pcgamingwiki.com]

******************************************************************************************************

⛧ Disable Steam Overlay ⛧

Seems to be fixed in latest Steam Client updates

1. Open Steam client.
   
2. Find Doom Eternal in your library.
   
3. Right click → "Properties".
   
4. On "GENERAL" tab uncheck "Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game".
   
5. Hit "OK".

Other software that uses overlay (Geforce Experience, ShadowPlay, Windows GameDVR, Xbox Game Bar, ReShade, MSI Afterburner, Discord) may also cause problems, try turning it off.

******************************************************************************************************

⛧ Other steps ⛧

• Use one GPU only (disable SLI).
  
• On multiple monitor setup, make sure all monitors are connected to the primary GPU.
  
• Unplug the VR headset.
  
• Try lowering the graphical settings (down to High).
  
• [confirmation is needed] There are reports that using ReShade can fix crash on startup for some users. Just install the latest version[reshade.me] and press "Enable Reshade in Vulkan globally". See the corresponding section of this guide for detailed information on ReShade.
  
• Disable fullscreen optimizations:
  
  1. Open Steam\steamapps\common\DOOMEternal.
     
  2. Right click idTechLauncher.exe and select "Properties".
     
  3. Go to "Compatibility" tab.
     
  4. Mark "Disable fullscreen optimizations" and hit "Apply".
     
  5. *optional* Hit "Change high DPI settings".
     
  6. *optional* Activate the "Override high DPI scaling behaviour" checkbox and try different settings from the dropdown menu in the bottom.
     
  7. *optional* Repeat all steps for DOOMEternalx64vk.exe.
     
• Do not use trainers.
  

  Technical explanation: for exampe, an unlimited lives cheat sets the ingame variable to its maximum value (let's say, 999), which can not be achieved under normal gameplay conditions. Game tries to increase it in certain places and crashes, unable to do that. Even the save file might become corrupted.

• Enable log file (see the corresponding section in this guide).
  
• [Laptops] Configure[support.ubisoft.com] the laptop to use dedicated graphics.
  
• If you see black stains in certain places, try disabling Depth of field.
  
• Add DOOMEternalx64vk.exe to exceptions[appuals.com] in your antivirus software (including Windows Defender![support.microsoft.com])
  ******************************************************************************************************
  
  If you still have problems with the game, just wait for a couple of days for upcoming patches.
  

The biggest visual difference is usually seen between Low and Medium presets of each parameter. Anything above High is nearly indistinguishable. So if you need a bit of extra fps, it is safe to just drop the Overall Quality down to Medium.

However, most graphical settings have also no significant impact on performance, so there is no real need to lower them. The 'heaviest' are Shadow Quality and Reflections Quality.
Water Quality is also believed to hit performance in dynamic scenes as it affects blood. Its impact is tricky to measure, though.

Texture Pool Size is the most VRAM-hungry setting. It won't hurt your fps if the graphics card has enough memory. If it does not, better lower it down. I suggest setting it to High for systems with 4GB video memory and to Low for 3GB or less*. If you have 8 gigs, why are you reading this? Just max everything out and enjoy your affilation with Glorious PCMR.

• * 'or less' means: buy a new one.

Comparison images can bee seen in this article[gamegpu.com].

Your gaming rig has become a fading shadow of its erstwhile glory? Its steel entrails are crammed with spiders and swollen capacitors? Your eyes can no longer see more than 24 frames per second? This is how you DOOM on this rusty abomination in 2020:

1. Select the lowest screen resolution.
   
2. Choose Low Overall Quality preset.
   
3. Disable antialiasing (see the corresponding section of this guide).
   
4. Look through advanced settings and manually turn off all the effects you can.
   
   • Reduce Sharpening as it is not needed witout AA.
     
   • Do not disable Resolution Scaling!
5. If you want to downgrade the graphics even further, press [~] and enter these commands:
   
   huge thanks to LowSpecGamer, please hit the like button under his video
   
   r_decalLifetimeMultiplier 0 r_antialiasing 0 r_lightDistanceFadeMultiplier 0 r_shadowAtlasWidth 8
   alternative settings by Nathan:
   
   r_antialiasing "0" r_shadowAtlasTileSize "512" r_shadowAtlasHeight "1024" r_shadowAtlasWidth "1024" r_decalLifetimeMultiplier "0" r_shadowsDistanceFadeMultiplier "0" r_lightDistanceFadeMultiplier "0" r_motionblur "0"

   "There's a clear visual difference between [r_shadowAtlasWidth,r_shadowAtlasHeight] 0 & 1024, but I don't see on my PC a performance improvement with it at 0"
   
   "even though I turned off motion blur in the menu, the r_motionblur command was still set to 1"

• You can make a .txt file with these commands, put it in DOOMEternal\base directory and execute them all at once by entering:
  
  exec filename.txt

ReShade is a generic post-processing injector for games and video software developed by crosire. Imagine your favorite game with ambient occlusion, real depth of field effects, color correction and more.

Official guide[reshade.me]

******************************************************************************************************

⛧ Installation ⛧

1. Download ReShade[reshade.me].
   
2. Run ReShade_Setup_XXX.exe.
   
3. Press "Enable/disable ReShade in Vulkan globally" button.
   
4. Confirm the UAC prompt (Windows UAC, not Union Aerospace).
   
5. Activate "Enable/disable ReShade in Vulkan globally" checkbox.
   
6. Press "Click here to select a game" and select DOOMEternal.
   

   • If you do not see DOOMEternal in this list, press "Browse..." and navigate to the game directory, then select DOOMEternalx64vk.exe and press "Open".
     
   • If you are having trouble finding it:
     
     1. Open Steam client.
        
     2. Find Doom Eternal in your library.
        
     3. Right click 🠖 "Properties".
        
     4. On "LOCAL FILES" tab press "BROWSE LOCAL FILES..." to open the game installation directory.
        

7. Press "Use selected application".
   
8. Press "Vulkan" radio button (even if it is active already).
   
9. In the next dialog select effects to install and press "OK"
   Leave everything by default if not sure.
   
10. The installer will download effects. When this process is finished, close the installer window.

******************************************************************************************************

⛧ Basic setup ⛧

1. Launch DOOM.
   
2. Press [Home] key on your keyboard to access the in-game ReShade GUI.
   
   • You will hear annoying clicks. It happens because ReShade menu key is set to Home by default, which is also used in the game menu for navigation. We'll change it later.
     
3. Go through tutorial or skip it.
   
4. Select Settings tab.
   
5. Click the very first field to set Overlay Button (used to access the in-game ReShade GUI).
   
6. Press any key you want to set to open the ReShade menu.
   
   • You can choose a combination like [Shift] + [F2].
     
   • You can also select an effects toggle key in the second field.
     
7. Press [ESC] and FOR DUCKS' SAKE GET RID OF THOSE CLICKS!
   
   • Press [↑] or [↓] arrow key to stop this madness.
     

******************************************************************************************************

⛧ Usage ⛧

Press your Overlay key again.

• You can drag ReShade window wherever you want to.

There are two areas on the "Home" tab. The upper part is used to enable effects while the lower one is for tweaking each effect.


******************************************************************************************************

⛧ Speed up the loading ⛧

Once you are done with configuration, delete or move shaders that you do not need and enable "Performance Mode" in Settings tab. Shader files are located in DOOMEternal\reshade-shaders\Shaders .

• Do not delete *.fxh files as some of them are required for basic ReShade functionality.

******************************************************************************************************

⛧ Uninstallation ⛧

1. Run ReShade_Setup_XXX.exe.
   
2. Press "Enable/disable ReShade in Vulkan globally" button.
   
3. Confirm the UAC prompt (Windows UAC, not Union Aerospace).
   
4. Dectivate "Enable/disable ReShade in Vulkan globally" checkbox.
   
5. Close the installer window.
   
6. [optional] Open the game directory (see installation for details) and delete reshade-shaders folder and all *.ini files.
   
   • You can keep or backup *.ini files to save your settings for later use.
     

******************************************************************************************************

⛧ General help
Launch FAQ and Known Issues (official)
Bethesda Support - Doom Eternal[help.bethesda.net]
Currently know issues launching the game and In game. Possible fixes.
Thread on Reddit
Discussion on guru3d[forums.guru3d.com]

⛧ Technical things
PCGW article[www.pcgamingwiki.com]
Techpowerup - DOOM Eternal Benchmark Test & Performance Analysis[www.techpowerup.com]
DOOM Eternal most important graphics options - every video setting benchmarked[www.game-debate.com]

⛧ Fun part
Doom Eternal Collectibles Guide (Video)
DOOM Eternal vs DOOM | Direct Comparison
♪ DOOM Eternal OST (Game-rip)

⛧ Other
Doom Eternal Flawless Widescreen Fix for 32:9/Surround[community.pcgamingwiki.com]

⛧ Please be advised that you can not be considered as a True Doomslayer in case you
did not rate this guide.