In-Depth Guide: How to Update REFramework for RE Engine Games

REFramework is a powerful, open-source modding framework for games running on Capcom’s RE Engine, including Resident Evil titles, Monster Hunter Rise (MHRise), Monster Hunter Wilds (MH Wilds), Devil May Cry 5, and Dragon’s Dogma 2 (DD2). Game updates—especially those affecting core files or anti-tamper measures—can break REFramework, often causing crashes on startup.

Updating REFramework is straightforward but requires a clean, methodical approach to ensure stability and avoid conflicts with mods.

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1. Core Update Philosophy: Delete and Replace

The most important principle when updating REFramework is performing a clean installation.

Basic Update Steps

1. Download the Latest Version
   • Get the latest REFramework release for your game from the official or Nightly Builds if cutting-edge fixes are needed.
2. Locate Your Game Directory
   • Find the folder containing your game executable.
   • Steam example: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\[Game Name]\
3. Delete Old Files (Clean-Up)
   Remove the old framework files to prevent conflicts: Essential:
   • dinput8.dll (or a game-specific proxy DLL)
   Recommended for a clean slate:
   • Entire reframework folder (optional if you want to keep settings/scripts)
   • re2_fw_config.txt (configuration file, optional backup)
   • re2_framework_log.txt (safe to delete)
   • reframework_crash.dmp (safe to delete)
4. Install the New Version
   • Non-VR Games: Extract only the new dinput8.dll into the game root.
   • VR Games: Extract the entire ZIP, including the reframework folder, to overwrite old files.
5. Launch the Game
   • Verify REFramework loads successfully. The menu hotkey is usually Insert.

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2. Managing Mods and the reframework Folder

Updating can raise concerns about losing Lua scripts or plugins.

Structure of the reframework Folder

• autorun: .lua scripts that run at startup
• plugins: Custom .dll plugins
• data/config: Configuration files

Recommended Update Procedure

1. Backup Custom Content:
   • Copy autorun and plugins to a safe location outside the game directory.
2. Delete Old REFramework Files:
   • Remove dinput8.dll and the entire reframework folder.
3. Install New REFramework:
   • Extract the new dinput8.dll (and reframework folder for VR) into the game directory.
4. Restore Custom Content:
   • Copy your Lua scripts and plugins back into autorun and plugins.

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3. Game-Specific Considerations

Game	Update Trigger	Notes
MHRise	Official game updates / Title Updates	Update Fluffy Mod Manager if used; re-enable mods after REFramework update. Removing dxgi.dll can help resolve some conflicts.
MH Wilds	Official patches, anti-tamper fixes	Clean deletion of dinput8.dll is critical to avoid crashes.
DD2	Stability/bugfix patches	Check REFramework release notes for DD2-specific fixes. Launch via Mod Manager if applicable.
VR Titles (RE2/3/7/8)	VR mod updates, motion control changes	Extract entire ZIP, not just DLL, for VR dependencies.

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4. Stable vs. Nightly Builds

Version Type	Description	When to Use
Stable Release	Most tested and reliable version	Default for regular gameplay
Nightly Build	Latest features and fixes, less tested	Use when stable release does not fix a specific issue

Note: Switch back to the Stable Release when possible for long-term stability.

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5. Troubleshooting & Maintenance

Issue	Cause	Solution
Game crashes on startup	Old REFramework files incompatible with new game update	Delete dinput8.dll, replace with latest version; remove conflicting proxy DLLs like dxgi.dll or d3d12.dll
Menu won’t open	Conflict or corrupted files	Ensure clean update; press default key (Insert); check Linux/Proton launch options if needed
Mods not loading	Incompatible or outdated scripts/plugins	Remove all scripts/plugins, test REFramework, then re-add mods one by one to isolate conflicts

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6. Nuclear Option (Cleanest Reset)

If all else fails:

1. Backup your save files and custom scripts/plugins.
2. Delete the entire game folder contents.
3. Verify integrity of game files through Steam or other launchers.
4. Install the latest REFramework.
5. Test the game before re-adding any additional mods.

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External Resources:

• Official REFramework Website
• GitHub Repository & Releases
• Steam Game Pages