How to Deal with DirectX Problems
Although DirectX has been around for some time, there are still quite often problems with DirectX that are related to versions and DirectX files. Microsoft has actually updated some of the files of the latest DirectX version for Windows XP, which is DirectX 9.0c. As a result you can not always be sure that the correct DirectX version will ensure that you do not have problems. Typically a lot of PC games make use of DirectX, so they are the applications showing DirectX errors.
Runtime errors often relate to DirectX DLL files, like the d3dx9_25.dll, d3dx9_26.dll, or d3dx9_27.dll, while DirectX update problems often cause “internal system errors” or “missing file” errors.
Here are a few tips on how to deal with DirectX errors and problems:
- Update your hardware device drivers first to ensure compatibility with the latest DirectX version. Be aware that if you install unsigned (not verified by Microsoft) drivers, you can still experience runtime problems when running the application.
- Scan your PC for viruses, they can cause internal system errors when updating DirectX.
- Clean & fix the Windows registry, sometimes registry problems cause “file not found” problems in the dxupdate module.
- DirectX has no uninstall option, so use Windows XP system restore function to rollback the failed update before trying again. If you have System Restore disabled, turn it on before starting any update.
- Use dxdiag to diagnose DirectX problems and check the DirectX version. Simply type “dxdiag.exe” in the Run box at the Start menu.
- Check if the software that gives you problems includes a DirectX installer on the CD/DVD. Many games include a DirectX redistributable version that is installed automatically when the game is installed. There are cases where that version is required and there are cases where that DirectX version is actually causing the problems. So try the DirectX version that came with the application as well as the latest DirectX version from the Microsoft download.
Using these tips you can fix many DirectX errors and DirectX update problems. Worst case scenario you need to reinstall Windows XP, but that should really be a last resort.
@Ashish – I know anno 1404 is a DirectX 10 game, but DirectX 11 should be compatible. However, have you tried configuring the game to force DirectX 9?
In the “C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Ubisoft\anno1404\config\engine.ini”, there should be a set of <DirectXVersion>0</DirectXVersion> tags, where you can replace the 0 with a 9. That seems to have fixed similar issues for some other people. Maybe you can even try putting 10 instead of 9.
I have game called anno 1404, when I run it computer says “unable to initialize directx”
can anybody help me with this…
my directx version when I run dxdiag it show version 11
@chino – Windows 7 has DirectX 11 installed, which is supposed to be downwards compatible. So normally you should not need to install DirectX 9, but I have indeed seen more cases where installing the DirectX 9 runtime can help solve compatibility problems.
Did you use “dxdiag” to check the DirectX settings?
And what is the error exactly? Could it be that you have some incompatible hardware (video or audio)?
i cant enable it because theres no enable button, unlike others have.
i cant play warcraft 3 it says unable to initialize directx. i already download directx 9 in some other website. window 7 here .. i dont know what to do now. in other games too it wont play, same pop up all about directX
@Jacky – If it is not enabled, it is either that the video card does not support it, or the drivers for your video card need to be updated. I’d start with checking if you have the latest drivers installed.
Hei i open the dxdiag but i see the directxdraw and the others all is not available so now how to solve this problem
@costas – Have you tried reinstalling the graphics driver? Or try a different version of the graphics driver, since these kind of DirectX errors are mostly related to display adapter drivers.
hello guys,i have a problem.I bought call of duty modern warfare 2 and when i play the game it has awfull graphics.When i move little bit fourther in the game this message pops out and says directtX has failed.
iam running the game in a windows XP service pack 3
GG220 1GB RAM
PLEASE HELP
@Runo – Were they enabled earlier?
The primary requirement is that your hardware is DirectX compatible, including the advanced features. So that means video and audio card really. The second aspect that is important is that your device drivers for that hardware are up to date.
If that is all correct, you can try reinstalling the DirectX runtime, as the software itself might be corrupt.
All my directx features are disabled how it goes to enable?
@chyanne – There have been many people that have problems with Revit after it switched from OpenGL to DirectX. Unfortunately with Microsoft, they will use DirectX over OpenGL if they can, so AutoDesk followed this direction. But actually DirectX will also be faster (if it works).
But the right video card and video driver are very important to have proper DirectX support.
What is your Windows version and video card? And are you getting a specific error message?
I am having serious directX problems trying to install the latest version of Revit which I downloaded. I had ACAD working fine but along comes Revit and can’t install the latest version of directX or even open my CAD programs – ARG I hate you directx. (but maybe I should secretly love you)
@keith44 – First thing to do is to download and reinstall the DirectX 9.0c runtime as well as the video driver, did you do that already?
hello………….i cant play my warcraft 3 frozen throne and i wanna play my dota so mucH!!! i tried to look for solutions in google but i think i cant find any useful and this is the last one………..can someone help me??
everytime i open warcraft it says “unable to initialize direct x”
can any one help me!!!!!!!!!! ASAP!! i really want to play DOTA!!! windows xp here
@yash – I am not familiar with that directx related filename at all. Are you sure the game does not have any viruses? I recommend you check your system.
And what Windows version do you have? One option is to download and install the directx 9.0c runtime installer from the Microsoft website and install it.
I HAVE A GAME CALLED CRAZY KART AND WHENEVER I OPEN IT IT SAYS THAT DIRECT X VERSION 9.0C IS RECOMMENDED. I DOWNLOADED IT BUT THEN I HAVE AL SORTS OF FILES LIKE “APRIL2006_d3dx9_x64”. NOW WAT SHUD I DO?
PLEASE REPLY!
@Jem Crystal – Sometimes it can help to simply download and install the DirectX runtime version, even though the latest DirectX is installed.
I cannot run a Sims game I bought from Wal-mart. Before anything starts it tells me to update my Directx but all my computers have Directx 11. :( Because of this I will never buy another game for my PC again.
@ana – First try running “dxdiag.exe” to check the DirectX configuration for any problems.
What Windows version are you running, Windows XP?
in my laptop i just bought it has already installed Direct3D 9.0 , but when we tried to get our screen savers running it runs for a while, but soon after a messsage pops up saying that we need Direct3D 9.0 in order for the screen saver to work, but yet it worked before, and it happened in some games it did not down load for the same reason, what can i do?
@DaS – You can try downloading and installing the DirectX 9.0c runtime from Microsoft.
I know I have DirectX 9c and higher installed on my computer… but for some reason, certain games/ programs don’t work and state i need directx 9c. but when i go to look at what version using dxdiag it states it cant even find it????? please help! i really need this problem to be fixed.
I have a game from EA and when it starts the splash screen pops up then a message appearing saying that the Dx 8.1 or better or check graphics card to see if it meets minimum requirements, but i have DX11 and everything seems to update when i try to update from microsoft. Confused on what i should do i have win 7 ultimate 64-bit Geforce 8600GT and thats uptodate too. need some assistance
hi,i hav a problem with my directx. when i start my game it says that directx was not able to initialize. please give some help for my problem.