Cyberpunk 2077 update 2.21 patch notes: Customization fixes, DLSS 4, more

Comprehensive guide to Cyberpunk 2077 2.21 update with customization fixes, DLSS 4 support, and performance optimization tips

Update Overview and Key Features

The Cyberpunk 2077 2.21 update represents CD Projekt Red’s continued commitment to refining the gaming experience, delivering extensive customization corrections alongside cutting-edge graphics technology integration.

Cyberpunk 2077’s latest 2.21 patch introduces comprehensive bug resolutions while pioneering support for NVIDIA’s revolutionary DLSS 4 technology and upcoming RTX 50 series graphics hardware.

Although CD Projekt Red concluded primary development activities in April 2024, the studio maintains active support through incremental updates that systematically enhance player experience and technical performance.

The previous major update, Patch 2.2, launched in December 2024 with expanded customization choices, additional vehicle purchases, and completely redesigned Photo Mode functionality.

Patch 2.21 concentrates primarily on resolving technical issues and refining customization mechanics, while PC enthusiasts gain exciting compatibility with NVIDIA’s next-generation RTX 50 graphics cards and DLSS 4 implementation.

CDPR released Update 2.21 on January 23, 2025 to correct multiple Photo Mode problems, including background disappearance when NPC visibility gets disabled.

Both vehicle and character personalization systems received significant adjustments, eliminating texture irregularities and visual clipping concerns that previously affected gameplay immersion.

Photo Mode and Character Customization Fixes

The comprehensive patch notes detail numerous improvements (sourced from Cyberpunk.net):

• Nibbles and Adam Smasher can now be spawned while V is in the air or in water.
• Fixed the Facial Expression option for Adam Smasher.
• Fixed an issue where Adam Smasher’s glowing chest cyberware was missing.
• Fixed an issue where, if Johnny’s Alternate Appearance was enabled, both options to spawn him (default and alternate) resulted in the alternate look.
• Characters spawned while V is in the air or in water will no longer snap to the ground.
• Characters will now be properly saved in presets.
• Spawned characters will now be visible after adding a background.
• V’s rotation and position will now be properly saved in presets.
• Fixed an issue where adjusting the Up/Down slider for V wouldn’t change their position between certain values.
• NPCs that turn invisible after disabling the Surrounding NPCs option will no longer have collision.
• Fixed an issue where loading a preset could cause additional light sources to appear even when disabled, or spawn them in incorrect positions.
• Fixed an issue where the camera could get stuck on walls after setting Full Collision to ON.
• Fixed an issue where camera settings would only apply after loading a saved preset twice.
• Enabling a background will no longer change camera position.
• Rotating the camera will now work properly with a background enabled.
• Fixed an issue where the prompts for Move Camera and Rotate Camera would appear when the camera cannot be moved (e.g. when using the First-Person Perspective camera).
• Fixed an issue where it wasn’t possible to move the camera after spawning a character while highlighting the Edit Character option.
• Disabling Chromatic Aberration in the Graphics settings will no longer affect the ability to adjust it.
• Fixed an issue where some items in scenes disappeared after setting the Surrounding NPCs option to OFF.
• Fixed an issue where enabling PhysX Cloth would unfreeze NCPD vehicles.
• The rule of thirds grid will now properly adapt to the selected aspect ratio.
• Fixed an issue where the image in a SmartFrame wouldn’t be visible if accessed while V was not facing it.
• Fixed an issue where opening Photo Mode simultaneously with Wardrobe or Stash caused the game to become unresponsive.
• Fixed an issue where it was possible to access Photo Mode before a save file fully loaded, causing it to open without UI and block any further action.
• Fixed other minor Photo Mode issues related to spawned characters, camera movement, controls, and more.
• Fixed various UI issues in Photo Mode, SmartFrames and Gallery menus, including slider inconsistencies, localization errors, missing sound effects, incorrect behavior when interacting with certain features, and more.

Pro Tip: For optimal Photo Mode results, ensure you fully load your save file before accessing the feature and avoid opening it simultaneously with inventory menus to prevent interface conflicts.

Gameplay and Quest Improvements

• Fixed several texture and color inconsistencies for vehicles that have CrystalCoat applied.
• Fixed an issue where the explanation of the spray paint icon was missing in the Autofixer tutorial pop-up after a vehicle contract was completed.
• Fixed several minor UI issues in the CrystalCoat and TwinTone menus.
• Randomizer settings in Character Creation will now be preserved after advancing to the Customize Attributes step.
• Fixed an issue where the Piercing Color option would not be available in Character Creation after enabling piercings if V initially had none.
• Fixed other minor issues in Character Creation, including appearance options not applying correctly, visual clipping, inconsistent UI behavior, functionality issues after using the randomizer, and more.
• Run This Town – Fixed an issue where, under certain circumstances, it wasn’t possible to deactivate the Aguilar imprint after meeting with Bennett.
• Fixed several instances where Johnny could appear duplicated in the passenger seat during some quests when he was already present in the scene.
• Fixed an issue where Johnny did not appear as a passenger often enough.
• Introduced several fixes to NPC and vehicle behavior for various small events throughout Night City.
• Fixed an issue where some vendors were not interactable as intended.
• Fixed an issue where voiceovers on TV news channels could be missing or too quiet.
• Fixed an issue where the Quadra Turbo-R V-Tech used a description of Quadra Turbo-R 740 instead of its own unique one.

Gameplay Enhancement: The character creation randomizer preservation feature now allows players to experiment freely with appearance options without losing their preferred attribute configurations, streamlining the customization process significantly.

Graphics and Performance Upgrades

• Added support for DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation for GeForce RTX 50 Series graphics cards, which boosts FPS by using AI to generate up to three times per traditionally rendered frame – enabled with GeForce RTX 50 Series on January 30th. DLSS 4 also introduces faster single Frame Generation with reduced memory usage for RTX 50 and 40 Series. Additionally, you can now choose between the CNN model or the new Transformer model for DLSS Ray Reconstruction, DLSS Super Resolution, and DLAA on all GeForce RTX graphics cards today. The new Transformer model enhances stability, lighting, and detail in motion.
• Fixed artifacts and smudging on in-game screens when using DLSS Ray Reconstruction.
• The Frame Generation field in Graphics settings will now properly reset after switching Resolution Scaling to OFF.

Performance Optimization Strategy: For RTX 40 series users, the new Transformer model in DLSS Ray Reconstruction provides superior image stability during fast-paced combat sequences. Enable this option in graphics settings for improved visual clarity while maintaining high frame rates.

Technical Insight: DLSS 4’s Multi Frame Generation technology represents a significant leap forward, utilizing AI to generate additional frames that dramatically improve smoothness without the traditional performance overhead associated with native rendering.

Platform-Specific Optimizations

• Fixed the missing 2.2 “check what’s new” pop-up in the main menu.
• Fixed an issue where screenshots appeared as blank in the Gallery on Xbox if they were taken with HDR10 enabled.
• Added a pop-up in the Gallery to notify players when access to screenshots is blocked by the console’s privacy settings on Xbox.
• Screenshots deleted on Xbox outside the Gallery UI will now be correctly marked in the Gallery and will disappear from occupied slots after reopening the Gallery.
• Fixed an issue where the Graphics Mode on Xbox Series S could be set to Quality instead of Performance by default.

Xbox Series S Optimization: The corrected default graphics mode setting ensures that performance-oriented players automatically receive the optimal experience without manually adjusting settings. For photography enthusiasts, the HDR10 screenshot fix preserves visual quality when capturing Night City’s vibrant landscapes.

Cross-Platform Tip: Regardless of platform, regularly check the “what’s new” section in the main menu to stay informed about future updates and feature additions as CD Projekt Red continues to support the game.

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