Troubleshooting - A D3d11-Compatible GPU Is Required To Run The Engine

Anuj Ranaware Laptops November 17, 2023

When trying to launch a game or program that needs Direct3D 11 (D3D11), a graphics API, to work, the error notice “A D3D11-compatible GPU is required to run the engine” usually occurs. This issue means that the program is not able to produce graphics correctly because your computer’s graphics processing unit (GPU) is not compatible with D3D11.

Table of Contents

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Verify GPU Compatibility

Make sure your GPU is indeed incompatible with D3D11 before moving on to the troubleshooting steps. Verify your GPU’s specs to make sure it can run at least D3D11.1 feature level. Consider replacing your outdated and incompatible GPU with a more recent model that satisfies the minimum specifications.

2. Update Graphics Drivers

Compatibility problems may arise from outdated or corrupted graphics drivers. Get the most recent GPU drivers from the official website of the manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and install them. Make sure you choose the appropriate driver for the operating system and GPU model that you are using.

3. Install DirectX End-User Runtime

DirectX is a collection of APIs that many games and apps require, including D3D11. Get the most recent version of the DirectX End-User Runtime from Microsoft’s website and install it. This package makes sure the DirectX components you need are installed on your system.

Steps: –

Go to Microsoft’s DirectX End-User Runtime download page.
Download and install the latest DirectX End-User Runtime package.
Follow the installation instructions provided during the setup process.
Restart your computer after completing the installation.

4. Repair Visual C++ Redistributables

Libraries for Visual C++ Redistributables are necessary for many applications, including D3D11-based ones. Locate the Visual C++ Redistributables by opening Programs and Features in the Control Panel, then select “Repair” for each installed version. This will try to repair any damaged or absent libraries.

Steps: –

Open the Control Panel on your computer.
Access the Programs and Features section.
Search for “Visual C++ Redistributables” in the list of programs.
Right-click on each Visual C++ Redistributables entry and select “Repair.”
Follow the on-screen prompts to repair the selected Visual C++ Redistributables.
Repeat the process for all Visual C++ Redistributables entries.

5. Check for Windows Updates

Windows updates often include driver updates and system fixes that can resolve compatibility issues. Check for and install any available Windows updates through the Settings app or Windows Update.

Open the Settings app on your computer.
Navigate to the Update & Security section.
Click on the “Check for updates” button.
Install any available Windows updates.
Restart your computer after installing the updates.

6. Set Graphics Card as Preferred Processor

In some cases, the system might be using the integrated graphics instead of the dedicated GPU. Open NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings, navigate to Power Management, and set “Preferred Processor” to “High-performance NVIDIA processor” or “High-performance AMD processor” respectively.

For NVIDIA GPUs:

Open the NVIDIA Control Panel.
Go to the “Manage 3D settings” section.
Select the “Preferred processor” tab.
Choose “High-performance NVIDIA processor” from the drop-down menu.
Click “Apply” to save the changes.

For AMD GPUs:

Open AMD Radeon Settings.
Navigate to the “Preferences” section.
Select the “Graphics” tab.
Under “Graphics Profile,” set “High performance” to “Global” mode.
Click “Apply” to save the changes.

7. Verify DirectX Version

To find out which version of DirectX is installed on your computer, use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag). Make sure you have the most recent version installed; you can get it by downloading it from Microsoft’s website or by using Windows Update.

Steps: –

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type “dxdiag” and press Enter.
The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will launch.
Check the “DirectX Version” information on the first page.

8. Perform System File Check (SFC)

Compatibility problems may also result from corrupted system files. To find and fix any corrupted system files, use the System File Checker (SFC) tool. To execute “sfc /scannow,” open Command Prompt as an administrator, type it, and hit Enter.

Steps: –

Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
Wait for the System File Checker (SFC) to scan and repair any corrupted system files.
Restart your computer after the SFC scan is complete.

9. Update Game or Application

In rare instances, the error might be caused by a bug in the game or application itself. Check for any available updates for the specific game or application that’s triggering the error.

10. Upgrade GPU (If Necessary)

If none of the troubleshooting steps resolve the issue, it might be time to consider upgrading your GPU. A newer GPU with D3D11 compatibility will ensure you can run the game or application smoothly.