DLSS Swapper Issues - Complete Fix Guide
DLSS Swapper won't launch, can't find games, or DLL download fails? Get step-by-step solutions to get DLSS Swapper working.
🔧 Most Common Cause
Antivirus blocking DLSS Swapper or Windows Defender quarantining DLL files.
⏱️ Quick Fix Time
5-15 minutes to whitelist DLSS Swapper in antivirus and add game.
✅ Success Rate
92%+ of DLSS Swapper issues fixed by antivirus whitelisting.
Common DLSS Swapper Problems & Causes
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Won't launch / opens then closes | Antivirus quarantining the app | Whitelist in Windows Defender + Antivirus |
| Can't find game installation | Game folder structure different than expected | Manually browse and select .exe file |
| DLL download fails | Firewall blocking download or server issue | Disable firewall temporarily, retry download |
| Swap button grayed out | Game not detected or DLL not downloaded | Manually add game, download DLL first |
| Error: "Access Denied" | Insufficient permissions or game running | Run as Administrator, close game first |
| Swap completes but game still crashes | Wrong DLSS version or game incompatible | Try different DLSS version or restore original |
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Whitelist DLSS Swapper in Windows Defender
This solves 70% of DLSS Swapper issues! Windows Defender often blocks it as potentially unsafe.
- Open Windows Defender (Search: "Virus & threat protection")
- Click "Manage settings"
- Scroll to "Exclusions"
- Click "Add or remove exclusions"
- Click "Add an exclusion" → Select "Folder"
- Navigate to DLSS Swapper folder (usually: C:\Program Files\DLSS Swapper or wherever you installed it)
- Select folder
- Restart DLSS Swapper
Whitelist in Third-Party Antivirus
If using Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky, etc:
- Norton: Settings → Firewall → Firewall settings → Add to Allowed List → Add DLSS Swapper.exe
- McAfee: Settings → Real Time Scanning → Excluded Files → Add DLSS Swapper folder
- Kaspersky: Settings → Threats → Exclusions → Add DLSS Swapper folder
- Avast: Settings → General → Exclusions → Add DLSS Swapper.exe
- Restart DLSS Swapper after each whitelisting
Run DLSS Swapper as Administrator
DLSS Swapper needs admin rights to modify game DLL files.
- Right-click DLSS Swapper shortcut or .exe
- Select "Run as administrator"
- Click "Yes" when prompted
- Try adding/swapping game again
Permanent fix: Right-click .exe → Properties → Compatibility tab → Check "Run this program as an administrator" → Apply
Manually Add Game If Not Auto-Detected
DLSS Swapper can't find your game installation. Add it manually.
- Open DLSS Swapper
- Click "Add" or "Browse"
- Navigate to your game installation folder
- Important: Look for the game's main .exe file
- Common locations:
- Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\[GameName]
- Epic: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\[GameName]
- GOG: C:\Program Files (x86)\GOG Galaxy\Games\[GameName]
- Default install: C:\Program Files\[GameName]
- Select the .exe file (e.g., "RedDeadRedemption2.exe")
- Click "Confirm" or "OK"
Download DLSS Version Before Swapping
Some users forget to download first. Download DLSS version, then swap.
- Select game in DLSS Swapper
- Look for DLSS version selector (dropdown menu)
- Choose DLSS version (e.g., DLSS 2.0, DLSS 3.0, DLSS 4.0)
- Click "Download" button
- Wait for download to complete (should show green checkmark)
- Now click "Swap" button to apply to game
- If "Swap" is still grayed out: Download didn't complete. Retry.
Check Firewall/Network Connection
If DLL download keeps failing, network access is blocked.
- Check internet connection (open browser, visit Google)
- Disable Windows Firewall temporarily (Settings → Privacy & Security → Windows Defender Firewall)
- Try downloading DLSS again
- If download works: Re-enable firewall and add exception for DLSS Swapper
- If still fails: Problem with ISP/network, try again later
Verify Game Files Before Swapping
If game files are corrupted, swap may fail.
- For Steam: Right-click game → Properties → Installed Files → "Verify integrity of game files"
- For Epic: Right-click game → Verify
- For GOG: Right-click game → Manage → Verify/Repair
- Wait for verification to complete
- Now try DLSS Swapper again
Close Game Before Swapping
Game must be closed! Can't modify DLL while game is running.
- Make sure game is NOT running
- Check Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to confirm
- Close any game launchers (Steam, Epic, etc)
- Now try swap in DLSS Swapper
Try Restoring Original DLL If Swap Fails
If swap causes crash, restore original DLL first.
- Open DLSS Swapper
- Select game
- Click "Restore" or "Restore Original"
- Wait for restoration to complete
- Launch game to confirm it works
- Then try different DLSS version
⚠️ Checklist Before Troubleshooting
- DLSS Swapper downloaded from official source
- Running as Administrator
- Windows Defender whitelisted DLSS Swapper
- Game installation verified / not corrupted
- Internet connection working
- Antivirus not blocking downloads
- Game not currently running
Advanced Troubleshooting
Manually locate game folder via Steam
If DLSS Swapper can't find game:
Manually locate game folder via Epic Games
Check DLSS Swapper logs for errors
- DLSS Swapper stores logs in: Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\DLSS_Swapper\logs
- Open latest log file in Notepad
- Look for red "ERROR" messages
- Screenshot error and post to support forums
💡 Pro Tip: Backup Your DLL
DLSS Swapper automatically backs up original DLL in game folder (usually named "d3d12.dll.bak" or similar). If swap goes wrong, you can manually restore this backup by renaming it back to the original DLL name.
FAQ - DLSS Swapper Questions
Q: Is DLSS Swapper safe to use?
A: Yes, DLSS Swapper is safe. It only modifies DLSS DLL files (Microsoft-approved upscaling). See complete safety guide for specific games.
Q: Why does antivirus flag DLSS Swapper?
A: Antivirus programs flag DLSS Swapper as "potentially unsafe" because it modifies game files. This is a false positive. It's on many AV vendor whitelists. Whitelist it in your antivirus.
Q: Can I use DLSS Swapper on console games?
A: No, DLSS Swapper is for PC games only. It works on Windows 10/11 PCs with Steam, Epic, GOG, or standalone game installations.
Q: What if game crashes after DLSS Swapper swap?
A: (1) Use DLSS Swapper to restore original DLL, (2) Verify game files, (3) Try different DLSS version, (4) Contact support with game name + error message.
Q: How do I uninstall DLSS Swapper?
A: (1) Open DLSS Swapper, (2) For each game: Select game and click "Restore Original", (3) Uninstall DLSS Swapper from Control Panel / Settings → Apps, (4) Game files return to normal.