How to Clean Elgato Stream Deck Windows App Cache & Plugin Logs
Location & Quick Verdict
%AppData%\Elgato\StreamDeck\logs and %LocalAppData%\Elgato\Stream Deck\cache
Note: This guide covers cleaning the Elgato Stream Deck Windows desktop software cache and plugin logs (not physical button wiping or the Valve Steam Deck console). The Stream Deck desktop app accumulates uncompressed plugin logs (.log), Qt WebEngine icon caches, and downloaded marketplace staging files in %AppData%\Elgato\StreamDeck.
How Timeline Previews, Conform Audio & Render Scratch Fill Elgato Stream Deck Windows App Cache & Plugin Logs
Non-linear video editors (NLEs), streaming encoders, 3D DCC tools, and DAWs continuously write uncompressed audio conform files (.cfa), waveform peak indexes (.pek), proxy transcodes, and frame-accurate undo scratch into %AppData%\Elgato\StreamDeck\logs and %LocalAppData%\Elgato\Stream Deck\cache. Even after you finish exporting and archiving a client project, gigabytes of intermediate timeline render caches remain permanently allocated on your scratch disk.
On 4K/8K timelines or multi-scene streaming setups, Elgato Stream Deck Windows App Cache & Plugin Logs routinely consumes 0.8 GB – 4.5 GB of high-speed SSD space. Safely pruning stale media caches reclaims scratch bandwidth immediately; if you ever reopen an older project file, the application simply regenerates audio waveforms and timeline previews in the background.
# Inspect current disk footprint of Elgato Stream Deck Windows App Cache & Plugin Logs (Read-Only)
$target = "$env:APPDATA\Elgato\StreamDeck\logs"
Get-ChildItem -Path $target -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
Measure-Object -Property Length -Sum |
Select-Object Count, @{Name="SizeGB";Expression={[math]::Round($_.Sum / 1GB, 2)}}
Manual Cleaning Instructions
- 1 Right-click the Elgato Stream Deck icon in the Windows system tray and click Quit Stream Deck.
- 2 Press Windows Key + R, type %AppData%\Elgato\StreamDeck\logs and press Enter, then delete all old .log files.
- 3 Next, press Windows Key + R, type %LocalAppData%\Elgato\Stream Deck\cache and delete the cached Qt WebEngine files (do NOT delete the ProfilesV2 folder).
- 4 Or run SWEEPR Cleaner to clear Elgato Stream Deck software logs and cache in 1 click while automatically protecting your ProfilesV2 directory.
Note: If Windows alerts that a file is in use or locked by a background process, close the associated task in Task Manager before deleting, or use SWEEPR Cleaner to release locked handles safely.
Sub-Folders & Cache Locations Breakdown for Elgato Stream Deck Windows App Cache & Plugin Logs
Modern Windows applications and system services split their disk footprint across multiple sub-directories (`Cache_Data`, `Service Worker\CacheStorage`, `Code Cache`, `GPUCache`, and `Crashpad\reports`). Review which sub-folders inside Elgato Stream Deck Windows App Cache & Plugin Logs are safe to purge and which files remain protected:
| Sub-Folder / Cache Location | Storage Role | Typical Footprint | Deletion Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| %AppData%\Elgato\StreamDeck\logs | Primary Media Cache, Proxy Scratch & Render Previews | 0.8 GB – 4.5 GB | 🟢 100% Safe (Re-renders on Demand) |
| %AppData%\Elgato\StreamDeck\logs\Media Cache Files (*.cfa, *.pek) | Conformed Audio Waveforms & Timeline Peak Files | 2.0 GB – 25.0 GB | 🟢 100% Safe |
| %AppData%\Elgato\StreamDeck\logs\GPUCache & Code Cache | Hardware-Accelerated Viewport & UI Plugin Cache | 300 MB – 3.0 GB | 🟢 100% Safe |
| %AppData%\Elgato\StreamDeck\logs\logs & Crashpad\reports | Render Session Logs & Crash Dump Archives (.dmp) | 200 MB – 4.5 GB | 🟢 100% Safe |
| Project Timelines (.prproj / .drp / .blend) & LUTs | Source Footage, Edit Timelines, Presets & Exported Renders | Protected | 🔒 Protected — Never Touched |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to delete Elgato Stream Deck Windows App Cache & Plugin Logs?
Yes, 100% safe. Deleting Elgato Stream Deck logs and temporary Qt cache files frees up to 4.5 GB of C: drive space while keeping all of your custom LCD button profiles, multi-actions, and hotkeys 100% intact.
How much storage space will cleaning Elgato Stream Deck Windows App Cache & Plugin Logs free up?
Users typically reclaim 0.8 GB – 4.5 GB on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems depending on update frequency and active cache retention in %AppData%\Elgato\StreamDeck\logs and %LocalAppData%\Elgato\Stream Deck\cache.
Will clearing Elgato Stream Deck Windows App Cache & Plugin Logs delete my video projects, drafts, or saved recordings?
No. Project timelines, source media clips, and exported videos are stored in your project folders—not in %AppData%\Elgato\StreamDeck\logs and %LocalAppData%\Elgato\Stream Deck\cache. If you reopen an active project after cleaning, the software automatically rebuilds any needed waveform peaks or preview frames.
Where is Elgato Stream Deck Windows App Cache & Plugin Logs located on Windows 10 and Windows 11?
It is stored at %AppData%\Elgato\StreamDeck\logs and %LocalAppData%\Elgato\Stream Deck\cache. You can paste that path directly into the Windows Run dialog (Win + R) or File Explorer address bar to inspect it.
Manual File Explorer vs. 1-Click SWEEPR Cleanup
| Feature | Manual Deletion | SWEEPR Cleaner |
|---|---|---|
| Locked File Handling | Fails on locked processes | Safe background release |
| Accidental Deletion Risk | Moderate (easy to delete wrong folder) | Zero (strict rules & hashes) |
| Safety Undo Rollback | None (Shift+Del is permanent) | 7-Day Automatic Rollback |
| Time Required | 10–20 minutes per app | < 60 seconds across 40+ areas |
Related Windows Cleanup Guides & Hidden Space Hogs
Clean Elgato Stream Deck Windows App Cache & Plugin Logs Automatically
SWEEPR Cleaner safely clears Elgato Stream Deck Windows App Cache & Plugin Logs along with 40+ other hidden app folders and leftover files in one click—covering up to 5 devices (Windows, Mac, Android & iOS) with a 7-day undo safety net.