Hello,
cannot see any front light beam on the bike. Using Nvidia RTX 5070
Tried all kinds of config in Nvidia, and including forcing it in the Zwift configs files + prefs.xml
but still cannot see any front light beam (testing it on Makury – Chasing the Sun route —> its a night one —> anyone can see the front bike light beam on this route?)
Yes it’s on Ultra profile already. This search shows results from RTX 5070, excluding the Ti model.
Having troubles to display the front light beam in the game. Cannot figure it out were is the problem.
Here is the summary from AI about the issue and what was done:
Based on your latest troubleshooting session and the provided log file, here is a summary you can send to Zwift support:
OS: Windows 11
Laptop: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU
Nvidia Driver Version: 591.74 (Release Date: Jan 2026)
The Problem: Despite using a high-end RTX 5070 and the “Ultra” graphics profile, the bike’s headlight beam fails to render in-game. The logs indicate that the game is defaulting to OpenGL 4.6.0 instead of DirectX 11. Consequently, the required light shaders are failing to load, specifically: [GFX]: loading shader GaussianBlur[0][0].4 failed!.
Additionally, multiple “Ultra” profile variables are being reported as “not found” by the engine, including gHeadlight, gHeadlightShadows, and gReflectionActive, preventing these effects from activating even when the ultra profile is selected.
Steps Already Taken:
Driver Management: Reinstalled the latest NVIDIA 591.74 drivers and verified GPU recognition.
Renderer Override: Attempted to force DirectX 11 by adding a renderer.txt file (containing d3d11) to the Zwift installation folder.
Preferences Configuration: Manually added <RENDERER_TYPE>d3d11</RENDERER_TYPE> to the prefs.xml file.
Config Modification: Updated the ultra.txt configuration with specific variable sets (e.g., set gHeadlight = 1), yet the log continues to show these variables as unrecognized.
Game Files: Verified that the “Ultra” profile is being triggered, but the engine is rejecting the manual overrides.
The content of the Ultra.txt and profile.txt files:
res 3840x2160(0x)
sres 4096x4096
set gSSAO = 1
set gFXAA = 1
set gHeadlight = 1
set gHeadlightShadows = 1
set gReflectionActive = 1
set gShowEquippedItems = 1
set gVignette = 1
set gBloom = 1
set gCloudShadows = 1
set gSimpleReflections = 0
set gSunRays = 1
set gLODBias = 0
\\—- by the way, I do not have the config folder and files under documents\Zwift, as it was previously, on my other laptop, I have the folder and files only under C:\Program Files (x86)\Zwift\data\configs —–\\
Have no idea if the problem is localy with my machine, or with the specific Nvidia driver, or the problem comes from Zwift
p.s. Zwift was fully removed (including registry) and installed back - twice.
I wonder if it only works in worlds that have a day/night cycle. Makuri, France, and Paris do not. Check elsewhere. I haven’t investigated this since I never really cared about it.
Hey,
it states in the logs - [GFX]: loading shader GaussianBlur[0][0].4 failed!
so no need even to go and ride to those places, it doesnt render it at all
–
but I did made tests in Makury those two night always routes.
And most of the visual tests were made in the Vulcano route, the one that starts in the underwater tunnel and goes through Volcano tunnel with lava - nothing there, no front beam light render at all.
Can you share a trainerdx.com log file analysis of your last ride? It will clearly show which profile and which GPU are being used.
Laptops with a discrete GPU typically also support using the integrated GPU, so my question is which one your system has selected. In Windows Display Settings, there will be an option to run Zwift on either GPU or “Let Windows Decide”. Make sure that is set to the Nvidia GPU.
dont have logs anymore lol - for the third time removed Zwift totally and installing back (I might have an issue with corrupted installation - checking this assumption)
but previously, all the settings were done in such a way so that the Nvidia Gpu will be forced under Win11, under Nvidia settings, and under G-Helper of Asus, I did even tried once just to force it under Bios to always use the dGPU - but the outcome was the same.
will try the trainerdx.com once will be done with the fresh installation and another test
thanks!
Sooo, after a third full, total, nuclear removal of Zwift and all of its leftovers, new fresh install.
Trainer DX shows 100/100 with Nvidia RTX 5070 - all Systems are Excellent - see attached screenshot
_-
Apparently AI depleted his options lol )))
Here what I’ve got from AI:
Analyzing your latest log, we have successfully cleared the previous configuration errors, but the log reveals exactly why the beam is still missing.
Log Confirmation: The log shows the engine is now reading your ultra.txt perfectly without syntax errors.
FPS Verified: Commands like set gShowFPS=1 and set gHeadlight=1 are being accepted by the game. This is why you see the FPS counter in the corner.
Despite having an RTX 5070, Zwift is categorizing your hardware as Tier 0.
Why this matters: In the Zwift engine, “Tier 0” is the “Safety/Basic” mode. Even if you force the headlight “On” in the config file, a Tier 0 classification tells the engine to hard-disable dynamic lights (the headlight) and certain advanced shadows to prevent potential crashes on what it perceives as “weak” or “unknown” hardware.
The Cause: The RTX 50-series is so brand new that it is not yet in Zwift’s internal “high-performance” whitelist. When the game doesn’t recognize the exact model string, it defaults to Tier 0 as a precaution.
The log also shows that a critical graphics component failed to load:
[GFX]: loading shader GaussianBlur[0][0].4 failed!
While this isn’t the headlight shader itself, it indicates the game is having trouble compiling advanced graphical effects for the 5070’s architecture.
We have reached the limit of what can be done via configuration files. Since the engine is explicitly tagging the session as Tier 0, it is overriding the set gHeadlight=1 command at a deeper level.
Your Next Steps:
Wait for a Zwift Update: Zwift usually pushes updates every 2-4 weeks. Once they officially add the RTX 50-series to their hardware database, your “Tier” will jump from 0 to 3 (Ultra), and the headlight will appear automatically because of the work we did today.
Contact Zwift Support: You can send them this specific log and tell them: “My RTX 5070 Laptop GPU is being detected as GFX_Tier 0, which is disabling dynamic lighting/headlights.” This helps their developers prioritize adding your card to the whitelist.
Summary: Your setup is now perfectly configured. The only thing blocking that beam is Zwift’s internal “identity check” for your brand-new graphics card. You are ready to ride with maximum performance otherwise!
ps. my latest ultra.txt content is:
res 3840x2160(0x)
sres 2048x2048
set gSSAO=1
set gFXAA=1
set gSunRays=1
set gHeadlight=1
set gFoliagePercent=2.0
set gSimpleReflections=0
set gLODBias=0
set gShowFPS=1
While I don’t know about Chasing the Sun specifically, my headlight lit up during Shisa Shakedown - here’s a screen capture from the weekend. (Most if not all of the Chasing roads in Neokyo are part of Shisa as well.)
My logs also show that GaussianBlur entry, I don’t think it has any bearing on your headlight issue.
Just finished totally upgrading my Rig and it has a Gigabyte RTX5070 and no problems at all at 4K-2160p and 120Hz. Its taken a while to get right, I did some settings manually and over the period of a week or so some stuff happened automatically in the background, I guess there were updates for the TV, for Microsoft and have since moved to the latest Nvidia Driver and no end of stuff updated in the Gigabyte control centre for the motherboard. Just yesterday the HDR popped up top right all by itself and I suddenly needed sunglasses.
Ok, thanks for your input.
If you are using Nvidia RTX, could you please share your settings from Nvidia Control Panel?
You didn’t specified any info about driver ver and release date, and about the front light beam, if you can see it and on what route
could you please share your Nvidia Control Panel settings?
thanks!
I keep up with the latest Nvidia Driver update and do the update within the Nvidia App as it now has the useful HUD for fps, GPU %, GPU % and latency.
I’m running 120Hz on a LG C5 48” OLED which is 4K-2160p. You don’t just have a white headlight you have a red tail light as well, the headlight turns on only when the light level drops in Zwift.
The settings kind of sorted themselves out as the TV received software updates, the motherboard received updates and the NVidia driver updated. Microsoft adjust the fps to 119.88Hz all by itself and suddenly after over two weeks the HDR logo comes up top right of the screen. The version is 591.74 dated 5th Jan 2026.
1080p is not even close to 2160p, everything changes, lighting, shadows on the rider, details on the roads, buildings, signs, everythin.
I think all settings are the default ones with exception of triple buffering being enabled; I am not using any Zwift-specific settings, just global ones. (NVIDIA’s AI isn’t smart enough to support my ~12-year GTX old card, meaning an old driver is all I get: 30.0.14.7381 7/11/2022.)
Zwift support answered with the usual Zwift non-sense: half of the message from the support is about “…we are sorry about your bla…bla..blaa”, the other half they just repeated with the suggestions that I’ve already done previously.
Very helpful, thanks guys!
===========
Zwift was fully removed once again, registry and all the leftovers etc.
So, noticed some issue with the Win 11 pro Update:
Target Update: KB5074109 (Windows 11 Security Update, released Jan 13, 2026)
Windows Version: Windows 11 24H2 (OS Build 26100.7462).
And I had an assumption, that my issue with Zwift might be from that update that failed to update multiple times.
ran dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth, which successfully repaired the corrupted Windows image. SFC Scannow: ran sfc /scannow, which identified and replaced corrupted system files that were preventing the OS from functioning normally.
Fresh install of Zwift once again (for the fourth time).
Still same issue. No light beam.
Logs reviewed, still same issue.
Inside the log: [GFX]: GFX_Tier 0
So updated the ultra.txt file with the following, tried to force gGFX_Tier=3:
set gGFX_Tier=3
res 3840x2160(0x)
sres 4096x4096
set gSSAO=1
set gFXAA=1
set gSunRays=1
set gHeadlight=1
set gFoliagePercent=2.0
set gSimpleReflections=0
set gLODBias=0
set gShowFPS=1
====
But still same issue.
In addition inside the logs:
log still shows critical errors regarding missing game files:
ERROR: Could not load wad file: assets/gearing/gearing.wad
ERROR: Sky::Load(): Watopia not found
loading shader GaussianBlur... failed!
Tier 0 Rejection: attempt to force the graphics tier with set gGFX_Tier=3 was rejected by the game with the error: Error: Variable "ggfx_tier" not found!
Any ideas?
5th Zwift re-install/install was made.
Still nothing for the light beam in front of the bike.
Assumptions:
– that somehow the local Internet provider (Canadian) blocking the correct Zwift installation (although the 4 previous were made in Canada in 2 different provinces over 3 different networks)
– something is blocking the full installation of Zwift on the local level of OS
– the the Nvidia is not forced on the OS level
What was done AI summary:
GPU Configuration: Set G-Helper/Armoury Crate to Ultimate mode (dGPU only) to ensure the RTX 5070 was the primary controller.
Windows Integrity Check: Ran dism /online /cleanup-image /CheckHealth and sfc /verifyonly to confirm the Windows component store was healthy and free of corruption.
Security Suppression: Disabled Tamper Protection and Real-time Protection in Windows Security; applied registry overrides to suppress AMService and Antispyware.
Firewall Status: Verified all firewall profiles (Domain, Private, Public) were set to False (Disabled).
OneDrive Verification: Confirmed OneDrive was not running and that the Documents folder path was purely local (C:\Users\User\Documents) to prevent file-sync locking.
Nuclear Cleanup: Manually deleted all legacy Zwift folders in Program Files, AppData, and Documents, and cleared “phantom” entries from the Windows Installed Apps list.
Network Setup: Connected to Proton VPN (USA - New York) to bypass local CDN connection refusals.
Execution: Ran ZwiftSetup.exe as Administrator.
Custom Path: Manually changed the install directory from the default to C:\Zwift to bypass Windows “System Folder” permission restrictions.
Initial Launch: Opened the game once to the login screen and then exited to generate the local configuration files.
Asus G-Helper: GPU forced to Ultimate (Nvidia card forced - with the disconnection of the integrated gpu - including disconnection at the BIOS level)
Graphics Tier Override: Manually edited prefs.xml to insert <ZwiftQualityLevel>3</ZwiftQualityLevel> to force the “Ultra” profile for the unrecognized RTX 5070.
File Locking: Set prefs.xml to Read-only to prevent Zwift from overwriting the manual Tier 3 change.
Results:
[GFX]: loading shader GaussianBlur... failed! (The headlight beam is a “bloom” effect that relies on this Gaussian Blur shader; if the shader didn’t download, the beam cannot exist.)[GFX]: GFX_Tier 0 (This shows the game doesn’t recognize your RTX 5070 and is defaulting you to the lowest possible graphics profile.)ERROR: Could not load wad file: assets/gearing/gearing.wad ERROR: Sky::Load(): Watopia not foundError 10061: No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it.=====
p.s. by the way, I do see the white and red lights on the back of the bikes, and I do see the Tron bike aura light under it. All the shadows are in place also.
Have a very strong feeling, that the issue is not local, but coming from Zwift, especially with this line: [GFX]: GFX_Tier 0
So probably, Zwift is still not supporting fully Nvidia RTX 5070
Unless I’ve missed something.
You should really stop trying to get AI to feed you useful information, it is making wild assumptions based on information it knows nothing about. Your earlier screenshot shows you are getting Ultra profile so Zwift is recognizing your GPU. The assumptions about network issues blocking a complete installation are also so incredibly wild, you’d just not get a successful install at all if that were the case.
I get GFX_Tier 0 in my log file as well and also those wad file errors. They are completely normal (well normal in the sense that it’s not unusual).
Edit, I also have the GaussianBlur failed message.
Maybe, but here is the answer from Zwift support:
The most glaring issue occurs during the graphics initialization phase. The game is attempting to set “Ultra” profile settings, but the engine is reporting that it cannot find the variables for almost every major post-processing effect.
Even though you are on the “Ultra” profile, these features are likely not rendering correctly or at all because the game cannot map the commands to the engine variables.
The following suggested tips can fix the issue:
Verify Game Files (Immediate Action): We detected the “Not Found” and “Unable to load WAD” errors mean your installation is corrupted.
Since Zwift doesn’t have a “repair” button, the most reliable fix is to uninstall Zwift completely and delete the C:Users lex ownloadsZwift and C:Users lex ocumentsZwift folders before reinstalling.Clean Install GPU Drivers: You are on version 591.74. Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to wipe the current drivers and install the latest “Studio” or “Game Ready” driver from NVIDIA’s website.
Check OneDrive Interference: Your logs are stored in C:Users lex ocumentsZwift. If Windows OneDrive is syncing your Documents folder, it can “lock” files while Zwift tries to read them, causing the Unable to load errors. Disable OneDrive syncing for the Zwift folder.
Check for Disk Errors: Because so many files are “missing” but likely present on the disk, your SSD might be experiencing read timeouts.
I tried some changes in ultra.txt 2 or 3 years ago, but mostly made it worse… Stopped and have the “original” file. No issues, using a GTX 1650.
I’m wondering if Zwift sent you some AI slop to go with your AI slop. They also use an AI support agent and its responses are sometimes rubbish.