How to Install REFramework | Non-VR and VR Version Guide

Sarfaraz Ahamed

REFramework is a powerful modding and scripting platform for Capcom’s RE Engine games, including Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, Resident Evil 4, Devil May Cry 5, Monster Hunter Rise, and Dragon’s Dogma 2. It enables VR support, Lua scripting, performance enhancements, and advanced modding capabilities.

This guide covers both Non-VR and VR installations for PC.

Step 1: Locate Your Game’s Root Folder

The root folder is where your game’s executable (.exe) resides.

For Steam Users:

Open your Steam Library.
Right-click the game → Manage → Browse local files.
The folder that opens is your game’s root directory.

Step 2: Download REFramework

Always download REFramework from the official source:

Visit the Official REFramework Download Page.
Select the version for your specific game.
- Examples: RE4, DMC5, MHRise, DD2
Non-VR users: Download the standard ZIP.
VR users: Download the VR-specific version or full ZIP.

Important: For games with Ray Tracing updates (RE2, RE3, RE7), ensure you select the correct version.

Step 3: Non-VR Installation

For non-VR users, only the main DLL is required:

Open the downloaded ZIP.
Extract only dinput8.dll into the game’s root folder.
Do NOT extract other files (like the reframework folder) unless specifically needed. Extracting unnecessary files can cause stability or anti-aliasing issues.

Your game folder should now contain the game’s .exe and dinput8.dll.

Step 4: VR Installation

For VR users, additional files are required:

Extract the entire contents of the ZIP into the game’s root folder, including:
- dinput8.dll
- reframework folder
- Any VR-related DLLs
Launch the game to allow REFramework to initialize VR components.
Press Insert (Ins) to open the in-game menu and verify VR functionality.

Tips for VR Users:

Disable Steam VR overlay and desktop game theater mode for smoother performance.
Check VR controller mapping in the REFramework menu.

Step 5: Verify Installation

Start the game.
A small message in the top-left corner confirms REFramework has loaded.
Press Insert (Ins) to access the REFramework in-game menu.
For Lua scripts, REFramework automatically creates:
<Game Root Folder>\reframework\autorun
Place .lua scripts here to load them automatically.

Step 6: Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
Game crashes on startup	Delete `dinput8.dll` and the `reframework` folder, then re-download the latest version from Official REFramework Download and reinstall.
REFramework menu does not appear	Ensure `dinput8.dll` is in the same folder as the game `.exe`. Remove conflicting DLL mods and temporarily disable antivirus.
Steam Deck/Linux (Proton) users	Add launch option: `WINEDLLOVERRIDES="dinput8=n,b" %command%`
Lua scripts not loading	Place `.lua` files in `<Game Root Folder>\reframework\autorun`.

Step 7: Final Notes

REFramework is essential for VR mods, Lua scripting, and performance or quality-of-life enhancements.
Always check for updates after official game patches to ensure compatibility.
Non-VR installations require only dinput8.dll, while VR installations require the full ZIP extraction.

Official REFramework Download: Download REFramework
Comprehensive Documentation and Guides: REFramework Documentation