SOLVED CPU thread usage reaches maximum when using CSL DD >>> The cause was ReShade!

Here is the follow-up report.
I recently updated Windows 11 to 25H2 and finally replaced Fanatec Control Panel and Fanalab with the new Fanatec App (v1.1.0.3).
The Wheel Base Firmware was also updated to 1.6.0.2.
However, this issue has not improved.
Still, when connecting the CSL DD with “use thread” set to true in controller.json, CPU usage spikes to 100%, and both vehicle physics and AI behavior become erratic.
Although it initially worked without issue using the same configuration, I cannot determine why this problem began surfacing partway through.
 
Last edited:
Daigo#47 said:
Here is the follow-up report.
I recently updated Windows 11 to 25H2 and finally replaced Fanatec Control Panel and Fanalab with the new Fanatec App (v1.1.0.3).
The Wheel Base Firmware was also updated to 1.6.0.2.
However, this issue has not improved.
Still, when connecting the CSL DD with “use thread” set to true in controller.json, CPU usage spikes to 100%, and both vehicle physics and AI behavior become erratic.
Although it initially worked without issue using the same configuration, I cannot determine why this problem began surfacing partway through.
Click to expand...
Try other older versions of the game.
 
(Reshade & Fanatec seems to be my issue, no solution at this time)
​
Hello.

I think I have exactly the same problem.

I also have a CSL DD, I'm on Windows 11, everything is supposedly up to date, rFactor 2 has verified the files, all the files are clean and very few cars and tracks are installed, I'm using the very latest Fanatec software as well as the latest firmware and Fanatec updates. Still on the same USB port which is perfectly functional and suitable. No changes of any kind anywhere in rFactor 2 or in the Nvidia control panel. No viruses, Windows 11 is highly optimized but as usual, no strange settings. Latest driver installed for my 2080 ti.

TWO POSSIBILITIES​

1) Use thread set to true = 100% CPU usage, out of time, unplayable and FFB lag.

2) Use thread set to false = CPU consistently at 75%, which creates very unpleasant stuttering even though I'm always between 110 and 140 frames per second.

When only the keyboard is enabled via a specific profile in rFactor 2, CPU usage is well below 30%, no stuttering.

I have a very important point to make :

This very annoying problem only occurs when I install ReShade in rFactor 2.

Even when no visual enhancements are configured or enabled in ReShade, the simple fact that it is installed and active causes this to happen.

Uninstalling ReShade = restores a smooth image without stuttering and without the problem mentioned above.

Since I don't have a problem without ReShade, you could very well tell me, "it's not a big deal, just play without it!"

Honestly, the way I configure ReShade gives me a much more realistic and natural image, much more detailed and with more realistic contrast and colors closer to what you see in real life... I really, really don't want to do without it!

I'm therefore asking for your help because I really don't know what to do anymore, and I'm frustrated at the thought of not being able to use ReShade.

According to my tests, with the keyboard profile in rFactor 2, there are no problems of any kind, even with ReShade enabled

→ There seems to be some kind of conflict between Fanatec and ReShade.

Another thing to note, I completely uninstalled the new Fanatec software and installed a driver version for my CSL DD from 12 months ago: same problem.

If anyone has any ideas, I'd be grateful... Thank you.

@Daigo#47
Were you able to solve your problem ?
 
Last edited:
pilAUTO said:
(Reshade & Fanatec seems to be my issue, no solution at this time)
​
Hello.

I think I have exactly the same problem.

I also have a CSL DD, I'm on Windows 11, everything is supposedly up to date, rFactor 2 has verified the files, all the files are clean and very few cars and tracks are installed, I'm using the very latest Fanatec software as well as the latest firmware and Fanatec updates. Still on the same USB port which is perfectly functional and suitable. No changes of any kind anywhere in rFactor 2 or in the Nvidia control panel. No viruses, Windows 11 is highly optimized but as usual, no strange settings. Latest driver installed for my 2080 ti.

TWO POSSIBILITIES​

1) Use thread set to true = 100% CPU usage, out of time, unplayable and FFB lag.

2) Use thread set to false = CPU consistently at 75%, which creates very unpleasant stuttering even though I'm always between 110 and 140 frames per second.

When only the keyboard is enabled via a specific profile in rFactor 2, CPU usage is well below 30%, no stuttering.

I have a very important point to make :

This very annoying problem only occurs when I install ReShade in rFactor 2.

Even when no visual enhancements are configured or enabled in ReShade, the simple fact that it is installed and active causes this to happen.

Uninstalling ReShade = restores a smooth image without stuttering and without the problem mentioned above.

Since I don't have a problem without ReShade, you could very well tell me, "it's not a big deal, just play without it!"

Honestly, the way I configure ReShade gives me a much more realistic and natural image, much more detailed and with more realistic contrast and colors closer to what you see in real life... I really, really don't want to do without it!

I'm therefore asking for your help because I really don't know what to do anymore, and I'm frustrated at the thought of not being able to use ReShade.

According to my tests, with the keyboard profile in rFactor 2, there are no problems of any kind, even with ReShade enabled

→ There seems to be some kind of conflict between Fanatec and ReShade.

Another thing to note, I completely uninstalled the new Fanatec software and installed a driver version for my CSL DD from 12 months ago: same problem.

If anyone has any ideas, I'd be grateful... Thank you.

@Daigo#47
Were you able to solve your problem ?
Click to expand...
Oh my goodness!
What happened to me was exactly the same as what happened to you!
I had overlooked ReShade!

After uninstalling ReShade, this problem was completely resolved.
As you said, it seems there's a conflict between rFactor2, Fanatec, and ReShade.

So, since I had saved ReShade versions from 6.1.0 to 6.6.2, I tested each one. I found that no issues occurred up to version 6.5.0, but problems started with 6.6.0 and later.
(It was my mistake to think this problem started occurring out of nowhere when I hadn't done anything. I had been updating ReShade constantly...)

Something introduced in ReShade 6.6.0 seems to be causing problems within the rFactor2 and Fanatec environment.

Which would you choose: a functional simulation or visual enhancements?
I choose the simulation.
However, this issue is intriguing, and I hope it gets resolved.
(I believe rFactor2 is not at fault here, as this is caused by third-party software.)

And I deeply appreciate your information!
 
Last edited:
@Daigo#47

Could you please confirm which version of ReShade you think works perfectly ?

Do you currently have one installed that seems to work perfectly with Fanatec ?

I think I'll be able to turn on my computer tomorrow evening.

You gave me a set of older versions that I can test; if you have a more specific one that you think works, that would be great, so as soon as I turn it on I can install it and with a bit of luck it will work straight away!
 
pilAUTO said:
@Daigo#47

Could you please confirm which version of ReShade you think works perfectly ?

Do you currently have one installed that seems to work perfectly with Fanatec ?

I think I'll be able to turn on my computer tomorrow evening.

You gave me a set of older versions that I can test; if you have a more specific one that you think works, that would be great, so as soon as I turn it on I can install it and with a bit of luck it will work straight away!
Click to expand...
My previous post contained a slight error.
After thorough verification, this issue occurs with ReShade 6.5.1 and later.
Therefore, the latest ReShade version that works perfectly with Fanatec is 6.5.0.

Past versions of ReShade can be obtained from the following site:
https://reshade.jp.uptodown.com/windows/versions

I plan to contact the ReShade developers to see if this issue can be resolved in a future ReShade update.
 
My problem is solved by installing ReShade version 6.5.

The stuttering issue was caused by something else.

A box had been unchecked in the FreeSync settings.

Phew, the problems are finally resolved.
 
pilAUTO said:
My problem is solved by installing ReShade version 6.5.

The stuttering issue was caused by something else.

A box had been unchecked in the FreeSync settings.

Phew, the problems are finally resolved.
Click to expand...
That's great!
Thanks to your info, I was able to figure out the cause too.
Feels really good.
Now if only ReShade fixes this issue in a future update, that would be even better.
 
And this is a bit off-topic, but I wanted to mention it as a joke, because I really suffered for 24 hours :

Once the ReShade vs. Fanatec problem was solved, I realized that the stuttering continued and that it was completely unrelated to that issue.

After countless frustrating tests over 24 hours, and I only slept 2 hours during that time (for other reasons, not just the testing), I came to the conclusion that it was extremely likely that a component of my computer was malfunctioning and that I would probably have to buy a new one...

Fortunately, at the end of the 24 hours, and after a huge number of tests of all kinds, including a complete reinstallation of Windows and many other things, I realized that a checkbox related to FreeSync on Nvidia app had unchecked itself... without me even touching it...

This is the first time I've spent so much time finding a solution on my computer, a real nightmare.

But what a relief when I realized that rechecking that box completely fixed the problem !

So I'm going to use ReShade again to have a much more realistic image (perceptible level of detail, color saturation, contrast...).

Have a good day anyway!
 
pilAUTO said:
And this is a bit off-topic, but I wanted to mention it as a joke, because I really suffered for 24 hours :

Once the ReShade vs. Fanatec problem was solved, I realized that the stuttering continued and that it was completely unrelated to that issue.

After countless frustrating tests over 24 hours, and I only slept 2 hours during that time (for other reasons, not just the testing), I came to the conclusion that it was extremely likely that a component of my computer was malfunctioning and that I would probably have to buy a new one...

Fortunately, at the end of the 24 hours, and after a huge number of tests of all kinds, including a complete reinstallation of Windows and many other things, I realized that a checkbox related to FreeSync on Nvidia app had unchecked itself... without me even touching it...

This is the first time I've spent so much time finding a solution on my computer, a real nightmare.

But what a relief when I realized that rechecking that box completely fixed the problem !

So I'm going to use ReShade again to have a much more realistic image (perceptible level of detail, color saturation, contrast...).

Have a good day anyway!
Click to expand...
Why was FreeSync turned off...
But I'm impressed by your persistence!
Have a great Sim life!
 
I think the checkbox was automatically unchecked without my consent when I tried to use DSR and then NVIDIA's DL DSR.

I'm not sure, but that's what I suspect.

Now, not only do I have a very smooth image, but I'm also using ReShade and my Fanatec steering wheel without any problems.
 
After that, I reported this issue on the ReShade forum.
A test version with the fix was promptly shared on GitHub.
After I tested it and reported that the problem was resolved, the official version 6.7.0 containing this fix was finally uploaded!
No more CPU thread exhaustion issues with ReShade in Fanatec environments!
Congratulations!
I hope this fix will be included in future versions too!
Thanks to the ReShade developers!
 
Daigo#47 said:
Recently, when I played rF2, the CPU thread usage rose to its maximum only when I connected CSL DD QR1 8Nm, and the FFB and AI car behavior became abnormal.
(The purple bar on Ctrl+C becomes full.)

When I turn off the CSL DD, the CPU usage drops back to normal levels.

I haven't made any changes to the rF2 settings.

I suspected that the issue might be caused by updates to the Fanatec driver or firmware, so I tried rolling back the updates, but it didn't improve the situation.

I also tried verifying Steam integrity, disconnecting and reconnecting the steering wheel, and changing the USB connection, but none of these resolved the issue.

After that, I changed the “use thread” setting in controller.json from true to false, and for some reason, the CPU usage dropped to around 60% and the system started functioning normally, though it's still high.

I am using a Core i9-14900KF.
Has anyone else experienced the same issue?
Are there any other solutions?
(I apologize for my poor English translation.)
Click to expand...

bump

Not your Intel CPU ?
Do any firmware or chipset updates ?
Any other software or changes around same time ?

I have a 7800X3D and if I leave Bios stock high performance it sounds like a leaf blower in ISIMotor.

Can you verify this started immediately after the Fanatec update ? No use guessing.

I would start with blank page fresh OS , add nothing, no apps other than Fanatec, takes me 2 hours till bum, in rig :)
At least that way you can start process of elimination.
 
bump

Oh sorry I just see you have fixed, great :)

My 2 hour process of elimination would have done the same ; ) not taken 6 months :)

I never liked reshade had too many conflicting issues in ISIMotor2.0.
My motto is too many apps spoil the broth.

Biggest tech companies in world produce the biggest heap of crap software ever.
I would not give you a red cent for any of them.

KISS Keep It Simple Sam.
Faster the computer the more apps you can use is not good philosophy IMHO.

=========

I have issue with Bandicam, registered 2 version 2024 and 2025.
It runs 100% in every sim but one. lol
I only use it for FPS and snapping pics as it has less micro lag then all the rest.
But I don't use video capture which would be the major cause of performance issues.

LMU just turns into a stutter fest after 20 minutes, rF2 and every other sim on market run perfect all day long.
I have been trying to find a solve for 12 months ( started out of the blue 6 months in )
Just can't use it in LMU any longer then 20 minutes which really bugs me.
 
Last edited:
8Ball said:
bump

Oh sorry I just see you have fixed, great :)

My 2 hour process of elimination would have done the same ; ) not taken 6 months :)

I never liked reshade had too many conflicting issues in ISIMotor2.0.
My motto is too many apps spoil the broth.

Biggest tech companies in world produce the biggest heap of crap software ever.
I would not give you a red cent for any of them.

KISS Keep It Simple Sam.
Faster the computer the more apps you can use is not good philosophy IMHO.

=========

I have issue with Bandicam, registered 2 version 2024 and 2025.
It runs 100% in every sim but one. lol
I only use it for FPS and snapping pics as it has less micro lag then all the rest.
But I don't use video capture which would be the major cause of performance issues.

LMU just turns into a stutter fest after 20 minutes, rF2 and every other sim on market run perfect all day long.
I have been trying to find a solve for 12 months ( started out of the blue 6 months in )
Just can't use it in LMU any longer then 20 minutes which really bugs me.
Click to expand...
Have you contacted Bandicam's devs? Maybe they can get valuable information from ReShade's GitHub on why there is a conflict with LMU and rFactor 2?
 
vava74 said:
Have you contacted Bandicam's devs? Maybe they can get valuable information from ReShade's GitHub on why there is a conflict with LMU and rFactor 2?
Click to expand...

No I should right ?

Personally being only one sim out of all the rest including all old gmotor I can't help think it is my personal setup.
But then I do a dead set stock W11 Pro install with minimal software, fresh Bandicam and get same results every single time
20-21 minutes like clockwork FPS dives from rock solid to worse stutter you ever seen.
All other sims including rF2 will run it all day / night.

Only thing I know for sure it is not my hardware no way.



===================

P.S. just dawned on me ...... :rolleyes: I don't know if I ever tried Bandicam 2024 or if it started before I upgraded ( you have to upgrade them for new version and I did not do it for my 8600G-RTX3050 as Bandicam was doing the job and I don't use it much with the older sims.

I brought another licence ( 2025 version ) for my 7800X3D-RTX4080S which of course LMU runs on ( I had been using 2024 on it )

Surely I must have tried it but you can't register without deactivating on other tower but I for the life can't remember doing that.

When my new alienware monitor arrives I will do fresh OSes for both so I can test 2024 with LMU
If no joy I will log in and do a thread, would just like to find one other person has issue so I not going crazy.

I really miss Bandicam in LMU as it is so responsive doing screenshots, you can be mid corner click the button and you don't notice anything.
All other methods I use have micro lag you can notice, well I can. Like example Fraps is horrible lag.

IE: Bandicam worked faultless in LMU for about 6 months then it went belly up.

Oh my if 2024 works I just have to swap towers and register again ......nah too good to be true :D
 
Last edited:
8Ball said:
No I should right ?

Personally being only one sim out of all the rest including all old gmotor I can't help think it is my personal setup.
But then I do a dead set stock W11 Pro install with minimal software, fresh Bandicam and get same results every single time
20-21 minutes like clockwork FPS dives from rock solid to worse stutter you ever seen.
All other sims including rF2 will run it all day / night.

Only thing I know for sure it is not my hardware no way.



===================

P.S. just dawned on me ...... :rolleyes: I don't know if I ever tried Bandicam 2024 or if it started before I upgraded ( you have to upgrade them for new version and I did not do it for my 8600G-RTX3050 as Bandicam was doing the job and I don't use it much with the older sims.

I brought another licence ( 2025 version ) for my 7800X3D-RTX4080S which of course LMU runs on ( I had been using 2024 on it )

Surely I must have tried it but you can't register without deactivating on other tower but I for the life can't remember doing that.

When my new alienware monitor arrives I will do fresh OSes for both so I can test 2024 with LMU
If no joy I will log in and do a thread, would just like to find one other person has issue so I not going crazy.

I really miss Bandicam in LMU as it is so responsive doing screenshots, you can be mid corner click the button and you don't notice anything.
All other methods I use have micro lag you can notice, well I can. Like example Fraps is horrible lag.

IE: Bandicam worked faultless in LMU for about 6 months then it went belly up.

Oh my if 2024 works I just have to swap towers and register again ......nah too good to be true :D
Click to expand...
You should speak with both developers as that could have different consequences for different users.
 
Sorry, what is "reshade"? Some thirdy part content?
And fanalab?
Do i need any of this to play rf2 with fanatec csl dd?
 
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