Launch Options for SCP: Secret Laboratory

This page lists various launch options you can use when starting SCP: Secret Laboratory. These options can help improve performance, troubleshoot issues, or customize how the game runs. If you're using Steam, you can add them in the “Set Launch Options” section to change how the game behaves when it starts. (Scroll to the bottom for more detailed usage and examples.)

SCP:SL Specific Arguments

Argument	Description
`-steam`	Sets the platform to Steam.
`-discord`	Sets the platform to Discord.
`-fdiscord`	Forces Discord authentication.
`-authdebug`	Creates `EnableDebug.txt` in `%appdata%`, often used for verbose auth debugging.
`-allow-syncbind`	Security Risk: Allows the server to log pressed keys (used in some mods or debug contexts).
`-dnt`	Enables Do Not Track (DNT) mode.
`-nosrv`	Disables DNS SRV record resolution.
`-hidetag`	Hides the badge/tag above your name in-game.
`-neverhidelocaltag`	Forces the local tag to always be visible.
`-hidelocaltag`	Hides your local tag (even if shown by default).
`-nevercover`	Forces badges/tags not to be covered by the environment (debug/visual override).

Unity Engine Arguments

Argument	Description
`-batchmode`	Runs the application in headless mode (no UI). Commonly used for servers.
`-nographics`	Prevents graphics device initialization (used with `-batchmode` for GPU-less servers).
`-disable-gpu-skinning`	Disables GPU skinning at startup (can help with rendering/debugging issues).
`-dontConnectAcceleratorEvent` (UWP only)	Disables input accelerator connection to prevent key input conflicts in UWP/XAML.
`-force-clamped`	Prevents OpenGL from checking for additional extensions (used with `-force-glcoreXY`).
`-force-d3d11`	Forces Direct3D 11 as the rendering backend.
`-force-d3d11-bitblt-model`	Uses DXGI BitBlt model swapchain in Direct3D 11.
`-force-d3d11-flip-model`	Uses DXGI flip model swapchain in Direct3D 11.
`-force-d3d11-no-singlethreaded`	Creates D3D11 device without the single-threaded flag.
`-force-d3d11-singlethreaded`	Creates D3D11 device with the single-threaded flag.
`-force-d3d12`	Forces Direct3D 12 rendering.
`-force-vulkan`	Forces Vulkan as the rendering backend.
`-force-metal` (macOS only)	Uses Metal as the graphics backend on macOS.
`-force-glcore`	Forces OpenGL core profile rendering.
`-force-glcoreXY`	Requests specific OpenGL version (e.g., `-force-glcore45`).
`-force-low-power-device` (macOS only)	Uses a low-power GPU instead of the high-performance one.
`-force-device-index <index>`	Chooses a specific GPU (works with D3D11, D3D12, Metal, Vulkan).
`-force-driver-type-warp`	Uses WARP (software rendering) on DirectX 11.
`-force-feature-level-10-0`	Forces DirectX 11.0 feature level 10.0.
`-force-feature-level-10-1`	Forces DirectX 11.0 feature level 10.1.
`-force-feature-level-11-0`	Forces DirectX 11.0 feature level 11.0.
`-force-gfx-direct`	Forces single-threaded rendering.
`-forceTextBoxBasedKeyboard` (UWP only)	Uses an alternative touchscreen keyboard implementation.
`-force-wayland` (Linux only)	Enables experimental Wayland support.
`-logfile <path>`	Specifies where the log file is saved. Use `-` to log to stdout.
`-nolog`	Disables player logging completely.
`-timestamps`	Adds timestamps and thread IDs to every log message.
`-log-memory-performance-stats`	Adds memory usage stats to log on exit.
`-max-async-pso-job-count <int>`	Sets thread count for shader PSO generation (used with Vulkan/Metal/DX12).
`-monitor <N>`	Launches the game on a specific monitor (1-based index).
`-screen-width <px>`	Sets the window width.
`-screen-height <px>`	Sets the window height.
`-screen-fullscreen <0/1>`	Enables (`1`) or disables (`0`) fullscreen mode.
`-screen-quality <level>`	Sets quality level (e.g., `Fastest`, `Beautiful`, `Ultra`).
`-window-mode <exclusive/borderless>`	Overrides fullscreen mode style.
`-popupwindow`	Launches in a frameless, borderless window (not supported on macOS).
`-single-instance`	Prevents multiple instances from launching simultaneously.
`-systemallocator`	Forces use of the system memory allocator (for memory debugging).
`-wait-for-managed-debugger`	Pauses on startup until a C# debugger is attached.
`-wait-for-native-debugger`	Pauses on startup until a native debugger is attached.
`-parentHWND <HWND>` (Windows only)	Embeds the game window into another application's window. Advanced use only.

How to Use Launch Options

You can enter these launch options in Steam by right-clicking the game → Properties → Launch Options.
Multiple options can be combined by separating them with spaces.

Here are a few practical examples:

Example 1: Game is crashing or showing a black screen

Try running in windowed mode and disabling fullscreen:

-screen-fullscreen 0 -popupwindow

Example 2: Steam is down or unstable launch the game using Discord

Sometimes Steam has issues or 3rd-party Steam servers go offline, making it impossible to play SCP:SL.
In such cases, you can force the game to use Discord authentication instead:

-fdiscord

Example 3: Running the game on a low-end system

Force DirectX 11 and lower graphics settings:

-force-d3d11 -screen-quality Fastest

FileIntegrityCheck

GetPrograms

Tasklist

Clean reinstall

DXDiag

Playerlog

VerifyFiles

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