Enshrouded: Optimizing Voxel Performance via settings.json

The primary goal for Enshrouded optimization is Voxel Data Management. Every time you dig a hole or build a wall, the engine creates new data points that the CPU must track. By modifying the settings.json, we can implement a “Solid Performance” profile: reducing the update frequency of distant voxels and optimizing the VRAM pool dedicated to volumetric fog and shroud effects, which are the heaviest hitters on GPU performance.

Hardware Compatibility & Expectations

• VRAM Intensive: Enshrouded is notorious for its high VRAM usage. If you have less than 8GB of VRAM, the settings below for “Texture Quality” and “Small Objects” are mandatory to prevent crashes.
• CPU Core Count: The Holistic Engine scales well with threads. If you have a 6-core/12-thread CPU or better, ensure you are not using “Power Saving” modes in Windows.
• SSD Requirement: Due to the constant streaming of voxel data, playing Enshrouded on a mechanical HDD will result in massive “world holes” and stuttering.

Backup and Preparation

1. Completely exit Enshrouded and the Steam Launcher.
2. Navigate to your game installation folder (path below).
3. Copy settings.json and save a backup copy as settings_backup.json.
4. Open the original with Notepad++.

File Location

The configuration file is located in the root directory of the game: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Enshrouded\settings.json

Best settings.json Settings for Voxel Stability

Search for these specific keys and update the values. These are tuned to balance visual fidelity with stable frame pacing:

{
  "graphics": {
    "textureQuality": "medium",
    "shadowQuality": "low",
    "voxelDetail": "medium",
    "volumetricFog": "low",
    "distantObjects": "medium",
    "occlusionCulling": true,
    "pointLightShadows": false,
    "lodDistance": 0.85
  }
}

Pro Tip: Changing lodDistance to 0.85 (instead of the default 1.0 or higher) is the most effective way to gain FPS in large bases. This slightly brings in the distance at which high-detail voxels switch to low-detail “proxy” meshes, significantly reducing the draw call count for the CPU.

Key Parameters Explained

Parameter	Recommended Value	Impact
voxelDetail	“medium”	Controls the resolution of the terraforming grid. High/Ultra often causes “micro-stutter” when mining.
volumetricFog	“low”	The Shroud is essentially a heavy fog. Lowering this provides the single biggest FPS boost in the game.
lodDistance	0.85	Decreases the CPU load by simplifying distant architecture and terrain sooner.
pointLightShadows	false	Disables shadows from torches and small lights, which are very taxing during night cycles.
textureQuality	“medium”	Vital for 8GB cards; prevents VRAM overflow that leads to “muddy” textures.

In-Game Optimization (Beyond the File)

To complement your JSON tweaks, match these in-game Display settings:

• Resolution Scale: If you are at 1440p, set this to DLSS/FSR Quality. If you are at 1080p and struggling, use Balanced.
• Anti-Aliasing: Use DLSS or FSR 2. Enshrouded’s native TAA can be very heavy on older hardware.
• Field of View (FOV): Keep this between 70 and 85. Higher FOV forces the engine to render more voxel chunks simultaneously, increasing CPU strain.

Troubleshooting & Common Fixes

• Game Crashes in the Shroud: This is almost always a VRAM issue. Lower volumetricFog to “low” and textureQuality to “medium” in the JSON file.
• World Loading Slowly: If you see “blue voids” while running, it means your CPU/SSD can’t keep up with the voxel streaming. Set distantObjects to “low” to give the engine more time to load nearby chunks.
• Settings Not Applying: Enshrouded sometimes overwrites the JSON from the Steam Cloud. If this happens, right-click the file > Properties > Read-only.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion and Expected Results

By manually refining your settings.json, you are optimizing the way the Holistic Engine handles the massive data overhead of a voxel world. You can expect more stable FPS while exploring the Shroud, faster loading of large player-made structures, and the elimination of many “out of memory” crashes during long sessions.