How to Use a Loot Filter in Path of Exile 2

Follow a Path of Exile 2 item filter on Grinding Gear Games' website, then open Options → Game → Item Filter in the client and select it. The same account method works on PC and console. Start with a permissive preset if you still need ordinary gear. You can move to a stricter one later when you know which drops are worth stopping for.

1. Pick a filter for your character's stage

A loot filter controls how the labels for items on the ground look and which labels are visible. It can make a valuable drop easier to notice and hide gear you no longer want to examine. The filter does not change what enemies drop. A hidden label simply means the filter decided that item did not meet its display rules.

During the campaign, choose a soft or regular preset. A new character may still need common equipment bases, smaller currency drops, or items to replace weak gear. A strict endgame preset can hide things you would happily use at that stage. Once you start mapping, try a moderately stricter preset and compare what it shows before moving up again. The names vary by creator, so check the preset's description for examples of what it hides.

2. Follow the filter on the correct account

1. Open the official Path of Exile website and sign in with the account you use to play Path of Exile 2.
2. Open the Path of Exile 2 item filter ladder. The original Path of Exile has its own filter listings.
3. Choose a filter and open its details. Check the name, creator, and strictness before selecting Follow.
4. Start or return to Path of Exile 2 and open Options → Game.
5. Find the Item Filter setting and choose the filter you followed. Use the refresh control if the list has not updated, and apply the settings if prompted.

For a console player, the website step can be done on a phone or computer. You do not need to transfer a file from that device to your console. The filter follows the game account, so the sign-in step is the one to check if it never appears in the list.

3. Test it on drops you understand

Play a short stretch of a familiar zone after enabling the filter. Check how equipment and currency labels differ from what you saw with the default setting. Look for a clear visual cue that tells you which drops to inspect first. Different presets use different colors, sounds, and label sizes, so read the author's description before relying on a particular highlight.

If you are farming a particular base or material, make sure the filter actually shows it. Try a more permissive preset for a run if the current one hides too much. Keep the old preset available so you can switch back when you return to a different character or start a new league. What counts as clutter on your established character may be useful to a character starting from scratch.

4. Fix a filter that does not show up

Check the site before changing settings in-game. Make sure the filter appears in the account you signed in to and that you followed a PoE 2 listing. If you have used multiple accounts or sign-in methods, compare the account used by the game with the one that followed the filter. Refresh the in-game list after correcting either issue.

If you see the filter in the dropdown but labels look the same, confirm it is the active selection and test again where enemies are dropping items. Try another preset with clearly different strictness to rule out two similar presets. When comparing filters, use the same area and character so the drops are reasonably comparable.

5. Recheck after a patch or a change in goals

Major updates can add items or change which bases players want. Check the filter creator's update information when a new league starts or after a patch that changes item drops. If a followed filter has been updated, refresh the selection in-game and confirm you are still using the version and strictness you intended.

Change strictness when your needs change. If the ground is still crowded and most visible gear gets left behind, try one step stricter. If the filter hides upgrades or materials you need, move back one step. A filter that fits your current farming goal saves time on every run.