Less than a month after its previous 2.5.2 release, DXVK, a Vulkan-based translation layer for Direct3D 9, 10, and 11, primarily used to improve the performance and compatibility of Windows games on Linux through Wine or Proton, just released its latest update, v2.5.3, which reintroduces exclusive full-screen mode as an optional feature for Windows users.
This move responds to community feedback regarding certain issues with variable refresh rate displays, performance hiccups, and HDR. By default, this feature remains disabled, although users who wish to enable it can do so by adding the “dxvk.allowFse = True” line in their configuration file. As usual, this setting makes no difference on non-Windows platforms.
But that is not all. The new version packs a series of significant bug fixes and improvements to enhance the overall gaming experience. For instance, DXVK 2.5.3 addresses a regression that previously caused severe rendering glitches in many Direct3D 8 and 9 titles that rely on fixed-function rendering.
Additionally, there is a fix for invalid shader code generation in certain rare texture operations for Direct3D 11, which otherwise triggered a possible crash in TopSpin 2k25.
Moreover, this release remedies issues involving NaN tessellation factors in Direct3D 11 hull shaders and corrects a faulty shader validation process that prevents valid shader code from running smoothly in some Direct3D 9 scenarios. Developers have also enhanced debugging by refining “DXVK_DEBUG=markers,” making tracking and diagnosing GPU-related issues easier.
Last but not least, DXVK 2.5.3 includes specific improvements for various game titles. Gamers will be happy to hear that Arcana Heart 3 Love Max!!!! and The Hurricane of the Varstray -Collateral hazard—now benefits from a 60 FPS limit to circumvent particular in-game or platform problems.
Plus, Bright Memory receives a fix that prevents the game from favoring integrated graphics over dedicated Intel GPUs, while Far Cry 5 gets a workaround addressing invisible terrain on Intel hardware. Notably, Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Max Payne 3 also enjoy updates solving flickering objects and broken rendering, respectively.
For more information on all changes in DXVK 2.5.3, visit the changelog.
